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What exactly did John Wesley believe about entire sanctification?

Mark Virkler's picture

Submitted by Mark Virkler on October 31, 2024 - 17:55

Having spent 4 years at Roberts Wesleyan College (1970-1974), earning a BA, I did discover in the library John Wesley’s book “A Plain Account of Christian Perfection.” I created a page of notes on it, which I just discovered as I was cleaning out my files. For your enjoyment, here is that page. Once you read it, you will probably decide you agree with it. I do.

Brief Summation of Wesley’s Views

  1. There is such a thing as perfection: for it is again and again mentioned in Scripture.
  2. It is not so early as justification: for justified persons are to go on unto perfection (Heb. 6:1).
  3. It is not so late as death: for St. Paul speaks of living men that were perfect (Phil. 3:15).
  4. It is not absolute. Absolute perfection belongs not to man, nor to angels, but to God alone.
  5. It does not make any man infallible: none is infallible, while he remains in the body.
  6. Is it sinless? It is not worthwhile to contend for a term. It is salvation from sin.
  7. It is perfect love, (1 Jn. 4:18). This is the essence of it: its properties, or inseparable fruits, are, rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks (1 Thess. 5:16-19).
  8. It is improvable. It is so far from lying in an indivisible point, from being incapable of increase, that one perfected in love may grow in grace far swifter than he did before.
  9. It is amissible, capable of being lost: of which we have numerous instances.
  10. It is constantly both preceded and followed by a gradual work.
  11. It may or may not be instantaneous.

Sanctification is not

  1. Freedom from temptation.
  2. A faultless life.
  3. Freedom from mistakes.
  4. Maturity.
  5. Freedom from natural instincts, but rather God-controlled instincts.
  6. Sanctification can be lost.

Four levels of perfection

  1. Absolute perfection (God)
  2. Angelic perfection (angels)
  3. Adamic perfection (Adam)
  4. Christian perfection (ability to love God perfectly)

Journaling application

Lord, what would You speak to me about living in entire sanctification?

 

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