Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

meaning here seems vague. However, the entire tenor of his teachings in this book indicate that this
statement should not be taken to mean that he does not believe in a thorough, "all things made new"
regeneration experience. -- DVM]
4. Why is it important that we seek this blessing?
(1) To prevent backsliding. We need hardly say that backsliding is one of the chief reproaches and
weaknesses of Christianity, as it is seen today in our land and in others. A large proportion of the
average congregation and community now outside the Church once professed faith in Christ, but
have left her communion and relapsed to the world. And thoughtful men who have had exceptionally
good opportunities for getting information give it as their opinion that from one-half to three-fourths
of the present Church membership are destitute of a saving relation to Christ. It is true that many of
these were never scripturally converted, but it is believed that a large proportion of them have "left
their first love" and now have only "a name to live" but "are dead," while others need to "strengthen
the things which remain, that are ready to die." This state of things is a source of sorrow and
discouragement to every true pastor's heart, and a cause of stumbling to the outside world.
Now it is believed that this backsliding results very largely from the weakness and the
unsatisfactory experience that ordinarily attend the early spiritual life of the young convert. His
mixed experience is a disappointment to him, and the fearful struggle he has to maintain his integrity
tends to dishearten him and bring about a relaxation of effort. What makes the matter worse is the
fact that he finds the average Church member in the same condition, and hence receives no
inspiration or encouragement from him.
Now this baptism of the Spirit tends to correct these evils by imparting to him such strength and
such an experience of uniform assurance, peace, and joy by so establishing and confirming him in
the faith that he will not be inclined to backslide. And if this had been done for his Church before
he was converted, he would have received from her a more vigorous life at his spiritual birth, and
her subsequent sympathy and fellowship would have greatly encouraged and helped him in his
Christian life. If all believers were thus "full of faith and the Holy Ghost," we would have an ideal
Church, that "would cleave unto the Lord" and be "steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord."
That is believed to have been one of the chief reasons why the apostles lost no time in having
those discipled in their day to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That seems to have been the reason
for their hastening to Samaria to establish those reached by Philip, and why Paul so promptly asked
the disciples at Ephesus if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. Hence, too, the
record in Acts that the apostles went here and yonder to "confirm the souls of the saints." Also the
many earnest prayers recorded in their epistles for them that they might be "strengthened,"
"established," "confirmed," and so that they would "stand fast" and not "go back to the beggarly
elements" and have their "last state worse than the first."
(2) The second reason is the happiness it brings. Those who have considered the experiences
given in previous chapters have probably noticed that the following things are implied in them: 1.
Deliverance from all doubt, both of the truth of Christianity and of one's acceptance with God. This