HAVE YOU RECEIVED A SECOND  CLEANSING SINCE YE BELIEVED?

Perhaps your answer is, “we have not so much as heard whether there be any second cleansing” which is similar to the answer “certain disciples” gave to the Apostle Paul in Acts 19:1-2.    The purpose of this article is to en­lighten or remind each honest heart of not only the benefit of this second experience but to emphasize the ultra-importance of this second definite work of grace.  In the process we hope to dispel some of the misconceptions and give scriptural answers to some objections and perversion of this vital Bible doctrine.   Notwithstanding the scarcity of this teaching, it is not new.  John Wesley and Adam Clarke (Clarke’s Commentary) are two re­spected names of yesteryear that taught this doctrine.  Wesley had many followers who testified of obtaining this glorious experience.   D. S. Warner, a church of God minister in the late 1800’s initially opposed this teaching, (said God did not work in piece meal) but after obtaining the ex­perience, he stated that if there was one teaching that needed to be over emphasized this one was it.  Many volumes could be and have been written about this subject, so obviously we are only going to touch on the highlights here.   We hope it will be enough to “whet the appetite” of those who desire all God has for them.  Seemingly many are self-satisfied and no doubt will not pursue this any farther.   However, to those who hunger and thirst after righteous­ness, Jesus promised they shall be filled, (Matt. 5:6).   Those who have obtained this experience testify to greater victory, more inner peace and a deeper experience with God than they had while only justified.  When we use the term “second cleansing” we are referring to the doctrine of “Entire Sanctifi­cation” or “The Baptism with the Holy Ghost”.   Sometimes this teaching is called “Perfect Love,” “Holiness,” “Christian Perfection” or just “sanctification”. The word sanctification can have many meanings, among them, “to set apart” and “to cleanse”.   Granted, in the first work of grace (justification, conversion etc.) there is a cleansing from commit­ted sins and a setting apart from sin and the world.  However, the Bible teaches a second cleansing of the heart after conversion at the time of Holy Ghost baptism. One example was when God had Cornelius, a devout man whose prayers were heard, (Acts 10:4) to send for Peter that he would receive the Holy Ghost.   Then Acts 15:8-9 teaches when Peter related this incident, that Cornelius and his household’s “hearts were purified [cleansed] by faith”. Jesus taught a second cleansing in John 15:1-2, using the figure of a vine. Only saved people are branches and these needed purged.   He also prayed for his disciples to be sanctified (John 17).  They received this experience on the day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2).  The Spirit of God is with the justified in some sense for Romans 8:9 says, “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  Jesus clears this up pretty well in John 14:17.   Re­ferring to the Spirit of God, Jesus says “He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.”  Holiness begins in Justification and is perfected in Sanctification.  Ephesians 5:25-26 teaches that the cleansing in sanctification is for the church (not the world).  The world cannot re­ceive the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17).   A second cleansing is also taught through types and shadows.   One of several examples is the tabernacle.   It had two rooms, the holy place, and the holy of holies (Justification and Sanctification).   There were also two veils and two altars.   The blood of sin offerings was placed on both altars (Lev. 4:7).  This typified the two cleansings of Christ’s blood in the plan of salvation.  Paul expounds on these types and shadows in Hebrews, chapters 8, 9, and 10.   In Hebrews 10:19-22, he exhorts brethren to go “into the holiest” from the holy place they were.   The need for this second cleansing is because of the two types of sin: committed sins (disobedience) and inherited sin, sometimes called “the carnal nature,” “the flesh,” “native de­pravity,” etc.   Inherited sin cannot be repented of nor have godly sorrow for; yet it needs to be cleansed from the heart.   Everyone inherits this type of sin according to Romans 5: 12, where it says, “. . . by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world.   Since it was Eve who introduced sin to the world, the only way sin could enter the world through Adam is through his seed.  This inherited carnal nature is what led us all into sin.  “All have sinned.”   The only exception is Jesus Christ who by­-passed a human father.  Everyone else received this corrupted nature at birth (Psalms 51:5, 58:3).   This includes children born to sanctified parents.  Little children, although innocent and need not be baptized must be taught to be good.  They are naturally bent to wrong doing.  This native depravity remains in the justified which we have already mentioned.   In the congre­gation of the church of God at Corinth, there were “babes in Christ” who were “yet carnal,” (I Cor. 3:1-3).   Babes in Christ are instructed to “go on unto per­fection” (Heb. 5:13, 6:1) which is the second cleansing.  This second work of grace does not put one above temptation nor eliminate continual growth in grace.  Nor does it imply that Christ’s blood is weak in requiring two cleansings.  Taking seven days to create the world does not imply God is weak in power.  That was His choice in both cases.   Other objections to this teaching are covered in a booklet entitled “Two Cleansings Versus One Cleansing”.   Other booklets, “False Tongues Exposed and True Bible Tongues Explained” and “Power For Living Righteously” Book I, also cover this subject.  The second cleansing is received by faith.  However, just as the first work of grace is received by faith, it involves more than just saying “I believe” or “I accept Jesus”.   To be saved one must de­nounce (die out) to all his forms of disobedience and then make his claim by faith.   Likewise with the second work one must die out to self, consecrate himself to God and then make his claim by faith. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,” (Romans. 12 : 1) .    “…Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost,” (Romans 15:16).  There is much talk today about the Holy Ghost Baptism, but very little is written or preached about the second cleansing.  We have stressed the cleansing aspect in this article because it is first in importance and first in point of time.   We believe many have lost out with God that would not have, had they had this added power and cleansing of that inward foe of carnality.   It is no small wonder that the devil has so greatly opposed this teaching.   Without the Spirit of Truth in the heart of the believer he can be more easily led into error and deception.   There is a reason this teaching is so scarce today, (not a scarcity of religion but of truth).   There has been a gradual yet widespread spiritual apostasy that has engulfed our world today.  At one time many religious organizations cried out against worldli­ness.  Today all but a few have become silent.  Many, who used to hold a standard on modesty of dress, preach holiness of life, and divine healing, have grown lukewarm or went into false fire.  The Spirit of Ecumenicalism has oozed into society and well nigh erased the line between truth and error.   In these last days we believe God is starting to awaken some to what is happening.  We trust that every honest heart who reads this will not rest until they have proved the truth of this matter to themselves.

In His Service, Bill Roberts

Gospel Truth and Publications, P.O. Box 142, Jackson Center, OH 45334