Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

in the heart, at least, up to that time. That they were worldly-minded, ambitious, envious, bigoted,
selfish, cowardly, etc., in spirit, if not in practice. That the assurance of the Master that "now ye are
clean," previously given them, must have referred to something else than their internal and thorough
purification from evil tendencies, which Peter seems to teach occurred at Pentecost. (Acts xv. 9.)
Wesley speaks of two kinds of purity. (3) That they were thoroughly cleansed and filled with the
Spirit of love and power at Pentecost. (4) That they were so possessed and strengthened by the Spirit
as to enable them to keep clean and walk blamelessly before God. (5) That they were so filled,
anointed, and empowered by the Spirit as to be much more useful than they were before that time.
In proof of this let us,
1. Examine the prophecies relating to and fulfilled at Pentecost. Take the one from Ezekiel xxxvi.
25-27. While this prophecy may have referred primarily, in its reference to temporal blessings, to
something that would come to Israel before Pentecost or after their restoration, expositors generally
refer its secondary and more important meaning or fulfillment to that day or this dispensation. As
so applied it clearly teaches, (1) that the subjects of this gift of the Spirit, the gift here symbolized
by sprinkling "clean water," were to be made clean: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and
ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." (2) That they
would be thoroughly renewed in heart and spirit, having the stony heart taken away: "A new heart
also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out
of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." (3) Their being so possessed of, and influenced
or empowered by, the indwelling Spirit that they would be enabled or caused to "walk," continue,
in the way of obedience: "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes,
and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." This implies complete salvation.
Now let us consider the words of the prophet in Joel ii 28, 29. That this prophecy was fulfilled
at Pentecost is, as we have seen, plainly declared by Peter. It seems to refer more directly to the
empowering of the disciples for effective service, as well as the gift of the Spirit to the Gentiles. Joel
predicted that the Spirit would be poured out "upon all flesh" -- all nations and peoples, and all
classes in these nations -- upon Jews and Gentiles, "old men and young men," "sons and daughters,"
and handmaidens." And he prophesied of their being empowered for and moved to witness and work
for God: "They shall prophesy" -- testify to and preach His truth.
The Rev. Hugh Price Hughes, in His Essential Christianity, and the Rev. Thomas Payne, another
English writer, in His Covenant Promise of the Father, and others, seem inclined, hence, to limit the
work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to this induement of power, which they call "courage" for that
work, or "induement for service," overlooking partially if not wholly, as we think, the Spirit's work
of cleansing and filling the soul with love and His other fruit. They do not deny, however, that this
latter work may have been done for them at another time. Indeed, Mr. Payne concedes it, and Mr.
Price is believed also to hold this view. But they interpret Pentecost in the light of this prophecy
alone.
It is believed that they take too narrow a view of this baptism of the Spirit, and for the following
reasons: (1) This is only one of the many predictions or promises of the Spirit at Pentecost. And it
is quoted by Peter to explain only one phenomenon of that occasion, the one which attracted special
attention and provoked uncharitable criticism -- namely, the disciples' prophesying in many tongues.