Entire sanctification, also known as Christian perfection or perfect love, is the Wesleyan teaching that believers can experience a second work of grace resulting in complete sanctification. This teaching asserts that through faith and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ can love God and others perfectly in this life.
Origins of the Doctrine
The doctrine of entire sanctification has its origins in the theology of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in the 18th century. Wesley taught that justification by faith is the gateway to sanctification and holiness. He believed sanctification has two distinct phases: initial sanctification, which occurs at conversion, and entire sanctification, a second definite work of grace subsequent to conversion.
Wesley based this teaching on biblical passages such as 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, which speaks of the sanctification of spirit, soul, and body, implying both instantaneous and progressive aspects. He also pointed to Jesus’ command to “be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). For Wesley, the goal of salvation was not just forgiveness, but also freedom from all voluntary transgressions of God’s law through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Key Elements of the Doctrine
Here are some key elements that characterize the doctrine of entire sanctification:
A Definite Experience: Entire sanctification is not seen as a gradual process, but as a specific moment in which God cleanses the believer’s heart and fills them with perfect love. It is considered a “second blessing” after conversion.
An Act of God’s Grace: Entire sanctification is not something a believer can achieve through their own effort. It is an instantaneous gift of grace that comes by faith alone. Human effort cannot earn or merit it.
Cleanses from Original Sin: Proponents believe in two aspects of sin – original sin or the corrupt nature we inherit, and willful acts of sin. Entire sanctification is said to purge both aspects, cleansing the believer from their fallen nature.
Empowers Perfect Obedience: In the entirely sanctified state, the Christian is empowered to perfectly obey God and love others. Though not immune from temptation, the sanctified can choose not to sin. Obedience springs from love, not duty.
Pure Motives: With the sinful nature cleansed, the entirely sanctified person is freed from wrong inner motives like pride, jealousy, and greed. Their intentions and desires arise from pure love.
Maturity in Christ: Entire sanctification is linked to maturity in the Christian life. It leads to spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.
Focus on Holiness: Holiness of heart and life become the focus for those who experience this second work of grace. It frees them from the power of sin. Their thoughts, words, and deeds reflect the holy character of Christ.
How Entire Sanctification Occurs
Wesley taught that entire sanctification comes by faith, through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Here are some ways it is believed to occur:
Prayer and Consecration: To be entirely sanctified, one must earnestly seek after it in prayer. Full consecration of one’s life to Christ is also required. As one seeks God, a crisis moment comes where faith appropriates the fullness of the Spirit.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Some equate entire sanctification with being baptized in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s purifying fire burns away sinful tendencies and fills the believer with God’s love.
A Revelatory Experience: Accounts of those entirely sanctified often describe a spiritual revelation of Christ’s power to cleanse and free from sin. This convinces them inwardly of the reality of entire sanctification.
The Gift of Faith: In his sermon “The Scripture Way of Salvation,” Wesley states that entire sanctification comes by “faith alone.” It is the gift of faith, not human effort, that instantaneously sanctifies. This gift is given by God’s grace.
Death to Sin, Alive to Christ: Dying to self and sin is deemed a necessary prerequisite for the Holy Spirit to fill the believer. Reckoning oneself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ allows sanctification.
Effects of Entire Sanctification
Those who teach entire sanctification point to both inward and outward effects in the one entirely sanctified:
Inward Effects: Peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increased love for God and others, freedom from anger, pride, and temptation. The sanctified heart is motivated by pure love, not duty. Even involuntary sinful thoughts are curbed.
Outward Effects: Righteous living, cessation of willful sin, control over thoughts and words, victory over temptation, patience, and love for enemies. Wesley stated one entirely sanctified will be “happy in God, and…useful to mankind.”
Fruit of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit produces His fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Christ-like virtues replace sinful tendencies.
Power in Ministry: Many adherents testify to increased power in preaching, prayer, and other spiritual gifts. Acts of mercy, compassion and service to others become more consistent as sinful hindrances are removed.
Gradual Maturity: While entire sanctification is instantaneous, growth in grace continues after this experience. Knowledge of God, faith, and self-control keep increasing through life. Wesley stressed that maturity comes through obedience.
Objections and Responses
Some object to the teaching of entire sanctification on biblical and practical grounds:
Attainable Perfection? Critics say the Bible nowhere teaches sinless perfection is attainable in this life. They cite verses about still sinning (1 John 1:8).
Response: Advocates grant that accidental sins and errors in judgment can occur in the sanctified, but not willful disobedience. They do not claim absolute perfection, but maturity in love.
Justification and Sanctification: Some argue justification and sanctification are one simultaneous event, not two stage. Sanctification progresses gradually.
Response: Most agree sanctification is progressive. But Wesleyans see it as both gradual and instantaneous. An inner cleansing can spark rapid spiritual growth.
Sin Nature Remains: Critics say sin continues to dwell in believers until death (Romans 7:14-25). Full deliverance awaits glorification.
Response: Advocates say sin “dwells” but does not “reign” in the entirely sanctified. The sin nature can be suspended to not exert control.
Promotes Pride: Some believe claiming perfection may tempt the sanctified to become proud and judge others. Holiness requires humility.
Response: Wesley stressed that those entirely sanctified still rely fully on Christ’s merits, not their own. Their boast is in God’s grace alone, which excludes pride.
Rare Testimonies: Entire sanctification appears rare among believers as few claim this experience. Most Christians admit they still struggle with sin.
Response: Advocates grant that few testify to entire sanctification. But they attribute this to lack of teaching rather than it being unbiblical. Multitudes are seen as “hungering for holiness.”
Alternative Views of Sanctification
Here are some other Protestant perspectives on sanctification:
Reformed View: Emphasizes progressive sanctification only. Justification and sanctification cannot be separated. Complete sanctification awaits heaven. Sin remains but does not reign.
Lutheran View: Believes in “positional sanctification” where the believer is declared holy in Christ, even though sin remains. Practical sanctification involves spiritual growth throughout life.
Charismatic View: Can align with Wesleyan view, but stresses “Spirit baptism” as the key experience to live free from sin’s power. Some equate it with entire sanctification.
Keswick View: Holiness comes by “letting go and letting God.” As we surrender fully, God empowers us to live victoriously over conscious sin. A gradual process.
Reformed Keswick View: Combines Reformed theology with the Keswick emphasis on surrender and faith. Sanctification is progressive and continual.
So while all Protestants value sanctification, they differ on whether it is gradual versus instantaneous, progressive versus complete in this life, and how much victory over sin is possible.
Practical Admonitions
For those seeking entire sanctification, Wesley offered these practical encouragements:
– Set aside time daily for prayer and Scripture reading. Nurture your faith.
– Attend corporate worship frequently for preaching, communion, fellowship, and accountability.
– Consecrate your whole self to Christ – time, talents, possessions. Offer them as a living sacrifice.
– Confess and repent of sins that grieve the Spirit. Walk in the light.
– Testify openly of God’s work in your life to help and encourage others.
– Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ to see His sanctifying power.
– Earnestly seek after holiness of heart and life by faith, not works. It is a gift.
– Wait on the Lord’s timing. Fulfilling conditions does not force God’s hand.
– Remain open and hungry for deeper work in your heart. Don’t despise God’s process.
– Remember that without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). It is the aim.
Entire sanctification remains a distinctive doctrine in Wesleyan-Arminian theology. While debated by other traditions, its aim is toward the biblical ideal of maturity, perfect love, and purity of heart in surrendering fully to Christ by faith, through the empowering Holy Spirit. Attainable or not, holiness remains the supreme goal of the Christian life.