The Second Grace of Sanctification

[Adammi]

I am Church of God and our roots go to the Weslean and Nazerene doctrine of the second work of grace of Sanctification. Do these denominations still teach these and how exactly are they taught?

[sinner/SAVED]

Actually there are three:

Prevenient Grace: the grace that pulls you toward Christ. God pursues us.
Justifying Grace: Salvation through Christ. The gift of faith.
Sanctifying Grace: The grace that moves us toward perfection. This is the Holy Spirit in you, helping you, blessing you. This is not a one time encounter. The Holy Spirit repeatedly leads and guides those who are open and receptive.

[brotherjim]

I, too, am interested in hearing more on this.

(ATShavout, I bumped up for you, "Nazarene Doctrines and Beliefs?" Note Post #4 where I copy and paste from the Nazarenes, their doctrine Art. X.)

bj

[Try]

I am Church of God and our roots go to the Weslean and Nazerene doctrine of the second work of grace of Sanctification. Do these denominations still teach these and how exactly are they taught?

This is, at least according to my reading, a key difference between the UMC and the CoTN. The UMC holds that sanctification is a gradual process of ceasing to sin and doing good works. It is by grace in cooperation with the will. I believe that the CoTN holds that sanctification is the instantaneous cessation of sinful impulses by grace through faith.

[Crono]

This is, at least according to my reading, a key difference between the UMC and the CoTN. The UMC holds that sanctification is a gradual process of ceasing to sin and doing good works. It is by grace in cooperation with the will. I believe that the CoTN holds that sanctification is the instantaneous cessation of sinful impulses by grace through faith.

Actually, the Church of the Nazarene believes in both. We believe in progressive sanctification, in which we continuously remove sin from our lives and grow closer to God, and entire sanctification, where we have removed sin from our lives to the point where it does not hinder our relationship with God. Progressive sanctification occurs both before and after entire sanctification. There are several attitudes regarding exactly what happens in entire sanctification, but most Nazarenes would agree that, at the least, it means that we would no longer intentionally commit sins that we know are against God's will.

[WesleyJohn]

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[Crono]

Crono...have you read Mark Quanstrom's new book yet? ("A Century of Holiness Theology").

I haven't, although it does sound like something I would like to check out. I have only been a member of the Church of the Nazarene for a few years, so I only know what it has been teaching recently. I do know that many attitudes of the church have changed since it was founded, but I am not aware of what all of those changes have entailed. Being a fan of church history, I would probably enjoy tracking the history of this theology, particularly on a key element of the denomination like entire sanctification.

[Try]

Crono...have you read Mark Quanstrom's new book yet? ("A Century of Holiness Theology").

He documents the gradual shift in the CotN from a strong "instantaneous" position to our seemingly current hybrid of "Instantaneous" and "Gradual."

I haven't finished it yet, but the first few chapters give an interesting picture of the doctrine at the beginning of the denomination and during the American Holiness Movement.

Grace and Peace,

WJ

I'm a history major, so I only know what the doctrine was when the CoTN split from the M.E. Church. I stupidly assumed that the doctrine hadn't changed since then. I'm sorry. I'll try to get my hands on that book.

[WesleyJohn]

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[desert_island_1]

Actually, the Church of the Nazarene believes in both. We believe in progressive sanctification, in which we continuously remove sin from our lives and grow closer to God, and entire sanctification, where we have removed sin from our lives to the point where it does not hinder our relationship with God. Progressive sanctification occurs both before and after entire sanctification. There are several attitudes regarding exactly what happens in entire sanctification, but most Nazarenes would agree that, at the least, it means that we would no longer intentionally commit sins that we know are against God's will.

:clap: