A Presentation of Perfection - Media Sabda Org

The one who prayerfully reads and ponders Peter's life, as recorded in the Word of
God, receives much blessing. Let us study him in these three aspects: standing by the
fire of the enemy, suffering in the fire of remorse, and purged by the fire of the Holy
Ghost. [23]
The author wrote later about the effort that the purging fire of the Holy Ghost had upon Peter:
The fire of Pentecost changed Peter to such an extent that we find there was no more
fluctuation in his experience and life. And when his final test came and he was to be
crucified, he did not flinch but requested that he be crucified head downward, feeling
he was not worthy to be crucified as his Lord. [24]
Joseph Smith was another author that wrote in 1932. Smith likewise believed that the Adamic
nature was taken out when a person got sanctified. When talking about spiritual progress he said,
Heart purity is not to be expected as an end of progress, but it is to be sought at once
(if even an operation should be necessary) in order to insure the soul's progress. As
we do not wait for the growth of the flowers to kill off the weeds, so the root of
bitterness must be eradicated from our hearts to insure the budding and the bloom of
the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley there. [25]
Smith believed that the Holy Spirit did this work in the heart of the believer. He stated,
... for the Pure in heart are never without His Presence. He supplies ever-expanding
vistas, ever-enriching love and ever-empowering energy for the pursuit, the pleasure,
and the performance of the ever-enlarging life in Christ. [26]
M. G. Standley was an author that wrote about this view in 1933. He preached a message over the
radio that was later printed in the God's Revivalist called "Babes in Christ -- Carnal." His position
was stated clearly about both sin and the Holy Spirit in the following statements:
God is pure, holy and upright. God demands Holiness of us, and He has made
provision that we can become His children, and then go on into the Second Blessing,
being baptized with the Holy Spirit. No one can receive the baptism with the Holy
Spirit who is not a child of God. It is a second, definite work of grace wrought in the
heart of the believer by faith and removes or takes out that "old man" that carnal
mind, that something that keeps the child of God a babe, and fills the soul with
perfect peace, love, joy, longsuffering, and takes away that which would hinder, and
brings the Holy Spirit to abide. [27]
Another sermon was printed in the God's Revivalist in 1933. It was preached by C. W. Ruth in
the God's Bible School auditorium. It was simply entitled "Christian Perfection." During the sermon
Ruth asked a rhetorical question: "What is the second blessing?" He answered, "It is the circumcision
of the heart, cleansing it from the least and last remains of sin so that you love God with all your
heart and mind and strength." [28]