Holiness is not Pentecostal

[rockytopva]

I believe that the churches are seven...

Ephesus - Apostolic
Smyrna - Martyr - Foxes lists the persecutions as ten
Pergamos - Orthodox... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholic - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestant - A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Materialistic - Rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing?

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In which, true Pentecostalism is Wesleyan in doctrine, which Wesleyan doctrine was pentecostalized by William Seymour at the turn of the last century.

1. Outer Wall - Justification - Faith
2. Altar - Salvation - Christ is our sacrifice
3. Laver - Sanctification - Conforming to a righteous believers standard.
*** Inner temple = Inner sanctification***
4. Lampstand - Energy, Motivation, faith, hope, charity, joy, peace, gentleness.
5. Table of Shewbread - Daily reading of God's word.
6. Altar of Golden Incense -Prayer and praise!
***Veil to the Holy of Holies***
7. Ark of the Covenant - The Baptism in the Holy Ghost

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There was a movement that occurred between the Pentecostal and Wesleyan movement known as the Holiness movement, which is not Pentecostal. I have heard of instances of these people who would not go outside without a long sleeved shirt and pants. It is important to note that this in not a pentecostal thing. It seems to have its origins in the Sardisean church rather than the Philadelphian.

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Included here is a article by Wesley himself in which I believe describes the Philadelphian church age member. Whose religion does not lie in the outside appearance.

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What is a Methodist? by John Wesley

1. We believe, indeed, that "all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God.” We believe the written word of God to be the only and sufficient rule both of Christian faith and practice.

2. We do not place our religion, or any part of it, in being attached to any peculiar mode of speaking, any quaint or uncommon set of expressions.

3. Our religion does not lie in doing what God has not enjoined, or abstaining from what he hath not forbidden. It does not lie in the form of our apparel, in the posture of our body, or the covering of our heads; nor yet in abstaining from marriage, or from meats and drinks, which are all good if received with thanksgiving.

4. Nor, lastly, is he distinguished by laying the whole stress of religion on any single part of it

5. "What then is the mark? Who is a Methodist, according to your own account?" I answer: A Methodist is one who has "the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him;" one who "loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!"

6. He is therefore happy in God, yea, always happy, as having in him "a well of water springing up into everlasting life," and overflowing his soul with peace and joy. "Perfect love" having now "cast out fear," he "rejoices evermore." He "rejoices in the Lord always," even "in God his Saviour;" and in the Father, "through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom he hath now received the atonement." "Having" found "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of his sins," he cannot but rejoice, whenever he looks back on the horrible pit out of which he is delivered; when he sees "all his transgressions blotted out as a cloud, and his iniquities as a thick cloud." He cannot but rejoice, whenever he looks on the state wherein he now is; "being justified freely, and having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." For "he that believeth, hath the witness" of this "in himself;" being now the son of God by faith. "Because he is a son, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into his heart, crying, Abba, Father!" And "the Spirit itself beareth witness with his spirit, that he is a child of God." He rejoiceth also, whenever he looks forward, "in hope of the glory that shall be revealed;" yea, this his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again to a living hope -- of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for me!"

7. And he who hath this hope, thus "full of immortality, in everything giveth thanks;" as knowing that this (whatsoever it is) "is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning him." From him, therefore, he cheerfully receives all, saying, "Good is the will of the Lord;" and whether the Lord giveth or taketh away, equally "blessing the name of the Lord." For he hath "learned, in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content." He knoweth "both how to be abased and how to abound

8. For indeed he "prays without ceasing." It is given him "always to pray, and not to faint.”

9. And while he thus always exercises his love to God, by praying without ceasing, rejoicing evermore, and in everything giving thanks, this commandment is written in his heart, "That he who loveth God, love his brother also." And he accordingly loves his neighbour as himself; he loves every man as his own soul. His heart is full of love to all mankind, to every child of "the Father of the spirits of all flesh

10. For he is "pure in heart." The love of God has purified his heart from all revengeful passions, from envy, malice, and wrath, from every unkind temper or malign affection. It hath cleansed him from pride and haughtiness of spirit, whereof alone cometh contention. And he hath now "put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering:" So that he "forbears and forgives, if he had a quarrel against any; even as God in Christ hath forgiven him." And indeed all possible ground for contention, on his part, is utterly cut off. For none can take from him what he desires; seeing he "loves not the world, nor" any of "the things of the world;" being now "crucified to the world, and the world crucified to him;" being dead to all that is in the world, both to "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." For "all his desire is unto God, and to the remembrance of his name."

11. Agreeable to this his one desire, is the one design of his life, namely, "not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent him." His one intention at all times and in all things is, not to please himself, but Him whom his soul loveth. He has a single eye. And because "his eye is single, his whole body is full of light." Indeed, where the loving eye of the soul is continually fixed upon God, there can be no darkness at all, "but the whole is light; as when the bright shining of a candle doth enlighten the house." God then reigns alone. All that is in the soul is holiness to the Lord. There is not a motion in his heart, but is according to his will. Every thought that arises points to Him, and is in obedience to the law of Christ.

12. And the tree is known by its fruits. For as he loves God, so he keeps his commandments; not only some, or most of them, but all, from the least to the greatest. He is not content to "keep the whole law, and offend in one point;" but has, in all points, "a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man."

13. All the commandments of God he accordingly keeps, and that with all his might. For his obedience is in proportion to his love, the source from whence it flows. And therefore, loving God with all his heart, he serves him with all his strength.

14. By consequence, whatsoever he doeth, it is all to the glory of God. His one invariable rule is this, "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

15. Nor do the customs of the world at all hinder his "running the race that is set before him." He knows that vice does not lose its nature, though it becomes ever so fashionable; and remembers, that "every man is to give an account of himself to God." He cannot, therefore, "follow" even "a multitude to do evil." He cannot "fare sumptuously every day," or "make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof." He cannot "lay up treasures upon earth," any more than he can take fire into his bosom. He cannot "adorn himself," on any pretence, "with gold or costly apparel." He cannot join in or countenance any diversion which has the least tendency to vice of any kind. He cannot "speak evil" of his neighbour, any more than he can lie either for God or man. He cannot utter an unkind word of any one; for love keeps the door of his lips. He cannot speak "idle words;" "no corrupt communication" ever "comes out of his mouth," as is all that "which is" not "good to the use of edifying," not "fit to minister grace to the hearers." But "whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are" justly "of good report," he thinks, and speaks, and acts, "adorning the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all things."

16. Lastly. As he has time, he "does good unto all men;" unto neighbours and strangers, friends and enemies: And that in every possible kind; not only to their bodies, by "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those that are sick or in prison;" but much more does he labour to do good to their souls, as of the ability which God giveth; to awaken those that sleep in death; to bring those who are awakened to the atoning blood, that, "being justified by faith, they may have peace with God;" and to provoke those who have peace with God to abound more in love and in good works.

17. These are the principles and practices of our sect; these are the marks of a true Methodist. By these alone do those who are in derision so called, desire to be distinguished from other men. If any man say, "Why, these are only the common fundamental principles of Christianity!" thou hast said; so I mean; this is the very truth; I know they are no other; and I would to God both thou and all men knew, that I, and all who follow my judgment, do vehemently refuse to be distinguished from other men, by any but the common principles of Christianity, -- the plain, old Christianity that I teach, renouncing and detesting all other marks of distinction. And having the mind that was in Christ, he so walks as Christ also walked.

 

[rockytopva]

I believe the church movements as seven...

Ephesus - Apostolic
Smyrna - Martyr - Foxes lists the persecutions as ten
Pergamos - Orthodox... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholic - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestant - A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism - Methodist / Pentecostal / Brethren / etc. To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Materialistic -Charismatic / Word of Faith

I prefer the Pentecostal movement, but the Pentecostal movement seems to be dying away. As the Holiness movement belongs to the Sardis church and not the Philadelphian... So the Charismatic church belongs to the Laodicean church and also not of the Philadelphian. I would venture also to think that Billy Graham is the last of the Philadelphian age type preacher. Even though he was Sardisean in doctrine, he followed the Philadelphian mold...

1. Open air / tent / revival type meeting
2. Repentance emphasized.
3. Materialism not mentioned
4. Alter service after each meeting.
5. Sermons filled with unction and with power

It looks like the Laodicean / Mega church type structure is literately sweeping the word and I would look for more of it in the future. I wish I would have knew these things earlier on. It would have saved me a lot of confusing years as to trying to figure out what was going on in the Pentecostal church.

 

[parsley]

Thanks for the breakdown! I wish CF had a repository where we could store information like this.

 

[rockytopva]

Here is the original Wesleyan blueprint to Pentecostalism... Drew by the hand of Seymour himself... And enhanced by me a tad...

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I'm not sure I agree that the Pentecostal church and Charismatics deserve to be seperated...

I've seen more atrocious things done in Pentecostal circles than Charismatic.

I'm not even sure I think the 7 Churches are meant to be seperated by denominational lines... Jesus surely wouldn't have supported one over the other, He prayed that all His followers would be one and united just as He and the Father were... So saying well, this denomination is like Smyrna or Philadelphia and approved while this one isn't would go against His very request I think..

Just my thoughts

 

[rockytopva]

"False pride or vanity is a very negative quality that gets people in a great deal of trouble." - Zig Ziglar

If Christians do not pick up sanctification as outlined in the OP, I find that the unction (anointing) is mere arrogance and does more damage than good. They are Sardisian in that they have a name that they live, but are spiritually dead. Some notes from my Smith Wigglesworth devotions...

For sixteen years Smith Wigglesworth preached that he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, when in fact he had only received the anointing of the spirit. He explains that it was though he was on the outside of the Garden of Eden looking in. But after he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was as though he had regained access to the Garden of Eden, with the Holy Spirit serving as the fiery sword keeping evil out while he tasted of the good of the Lord. Smith Wigglesworth believed that there were three variations of tongues:

1. The initial tongues giving upon baptism.
2. The tongues spoken in prayer not meant to be interpreted.
3. The tongues given out with a purpose of being interpreted to your native language.

Smith Wigglesworth reminds his audience that since he left their presence, they do not know what he has done. He may have lost anointing or favor with God. He might be like people who have lived holy lives, preached sanctification, and their initial tongues were helpful; but they are now in a backslidden condition… A life not worthy of the language… Something got in the way. They have kept their language, but have lost their zeal and fire. Wherefore Smith Wigglesworth Re-emphasizes…

1. Go two days without growing… You have lost your vision!
2. Go a week without growing… You are a backslider!

Smith Wigglesworth encourages people to grow daily into the kingdom. He said that he would rather hear Christians who knew not the power of God, but were growing; than hear people who received the fullness of the power of God, and were now self-satisfied. Smith Wigglesworth also reemphasizes that, like the apostles, he did very little for the kingdom of God before he got the Holy Ghost... with the speaking in tongues! Smith Wigglesworth also emphasizes that the Giver is to be received before the gifts. Salvation always precedes sanctification, and sanctification will always precede the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification prepares the body for the Holy Spirit, and when the body is rightly prepared for the Holy Spirit, and then it is the work of Jesus to baptize with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then makes Jesus king in your life; you regard him as Lord and Master over all things, and you become submissive to him in all things. You are not afraid to say, “You are mine! I love you!”

Smith Wigglesworth, like his earlier Methodist mentors, believed sanctification as something that sweetens the spirit up, making people more spiritual and loving. His wife once testified that she knew Smith was sanctified when he quit complaining about his food. Wigglesworth states that we are sanctified so that nothing hinders us in the manifestation of the Glory of God. In this way we are robbed of all pride, evil, and freely led of the Spirit. Evil thoughts come from the unclean believer, the man who is not entirely sanctified.

Wigglesworth also stresses obedience as a fruit of sanctification. “The Word is to be swallowed, not prayed over! If you ever pray over the Word of God there is some disobedience; where there is some disobedience; you are not willing to obey. If you come into the election of the sanctification of the Spirit, you will be obedient in everything concerning that Word. In the measure you are not obedient, you have not come into the sanctification of the Spirit.” – Smith Wigglesworth, New Zealand, 1922

Concerning discernment Wigglesworth states, “Most people think they have discernment; but if they would turn their discernment on Themselves for twelve months, they would never want to ‘discern’ again. The gift of discernment is not criticism. I am satisfied that in Pentecostal circles today, our paramount need is more perfect love. I have found many notable people in the world whom I know personally, who have gotten to running another person down and finding fault. They are always fault finding and judging people outright. God save us from criticism! When we are pure in heart we only think about pure things!”

The difference between those being led by the Holy Spirit and those who are deceived by Satan is joy, gladness, and a good countenance instead of sadness, sorrow, and depression. Jesus comes with joy into the soul and lifts you higher and higher, it is the spirit who gives light. When satanic power begins to rule; then there is weariness, then people’s faces are like a tragedy, and then their eyes glare as though they have passed through a terrible trial. You are always right to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), if not you will be sure to be caught napping.

From a video I posted on Smith Wigglesworth...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oUM6WphESo

 

[rockytopva]

And my testimony... Which was brought about by the Pentecostal Holiness.

I was brought up in the Marine Corp and it was not considered manly for men to touch one another. I was also cold and arrogant. I was also, having been brought up Baptist, of the Sardisean church age variety. My religion was in my head and whatever did not fit in the mental web was rejected. I am afraid that I was rude to my fellow Catholics. I knew one by the name of Bob in which he reached out with a hand of fellowship in which I heartedly refused. I have tried to look up Bob in the last decade to apologize but have never found his contact address.

My point of view changed with the likes of the early 1900's type Pentecostalism in which I spent the summer after high school with my grandmother and had a rather eventful run in with the Pentecostal Holiness church, as this area of Virginia was in a time capsule, I got an experience of early 1900's Pentecostal anointing.

I fell in with the Pentecostal Holiness church not because of the tongues or the doctrines in holiness, but because of the people, which were the finest I have ever met in my entire life. Pictured below is Dallas Linkous JR, which is probably the 'shoutingest' man I have ever met in my entire life. As a teenager I would put up hay with him and go with him to the revivals at night. Both him and his wife were tongue talking, shouting, happy type Pentecostals. The joy was there equally there at home as well as at work. Every one of the fruits of the spirit lamped within their lives like a great over heated pot belly stove. There was also a decency among the people like I have never seen. My grandfather was good friends with Dallas. In the 1950's they would have revivals that would go for weeks and early in the AM. Granny said that grandfather could worship the Lord until 2 AM and not have any trouble at all rising at 6 AM for work.

I remember well as a young man Dallas coming behind me to pray with me at the alter, with tears running down his cheek and onto my neck. As a guy who did not like to be touched this was quite profound. At the end of that summer we had a good revival in which the Lord seemed there in a mighty way. On reading the book, “Run Baby Run,” by Nikki Cruise, I felt a voice telling me to put the book down. I paused, and then continued again to read. The voice said again… “Put the book down.” I slept in my Grandmothers living room on an old fold away cot by the open living room door. The Katydids seemed to be singing very loud that night. There in my Grandmothers clean linens I heard the Spirit speak again, “Where is all the stress, worry and hatred?” In which, upon examining my heart, there was nothing there but pure beauty. I thought to myself. “Oh my! I got exactly what those people got!” I would spend the rest of the summer rejoicing with the people and in revival until I went back to Michigan later that September.

My grandfathers generation were Pentecostal Holiness, but thankfully more Pentecostal in character and less holiness of mind.

 

[stormdancer0]

It seems awfully complicated, compared to Jesus' teaching in the Gospels.

 

[rockytopva]

It seems awfully complicated, compared to Jesus' teaching in the Gospels.

When the Holy Spirit is not there things can get complicated... Sometimes seemly impossible! When the Holy Spirit is there things are easy, uncomplicated, and light.

 

[rockytopva]

It seems awfully complicated, compared to Jesus' teaching in the Gospels.

Thankfully there will be no need for such complicated thoughts in heaven!

 

[stormdancer0]

When the Holy Spirit is not there things can get complicated... Sometimes seemly impossible! When the Holy Spirit is there things are easy, uncomplicated, and light.

I am sure that you do not mean to imply that, because your reasoning seems complicated to me, that I do not have the Holy Spirit here with me. I assure you, that is not the case.

I tend to read the Bible, including Revelation, in the most simplistic manner. The Philadelphia church was the church in Philadelphia. I do believe that most of today's churches in the west are Laodicean churches - lazy, lukewarm. I would not put Pentecostal churches - at least the ones I've attended - in the "lukewarm" category. Most are very oriented to the Holy Spirit and what the Spirit dictates. Of course, I've only attended smaller churches, and pastored in one. But I still say your reasoning is somewhat convoluted, just my opinion.

 

[rockytopva]

I am sure that you do not mean to imply that, because your reasoning seems complicated to me, that I do not have the Holy Spirit here with me. I assure you, that is not the case.

I tend to read the Bible, including Revelation, in the most simplistic manner. The Philadelphia church was the church in Philadelphia. I do believe that most of today's churches in the west are Laodicean churches - lazy, lukewarm. I would not put Pentecostal churches - at least the ones I've attended - in the "lukewarm" category. Most are very oriented to the Holy Spirit and what the Spirit dictates. Of course, I've only attended smaller churches, and pastored in one. But I still say your reasoning is somewhat convoluted, just my opinion.

Which is ok... The Laodicean influence was not in pentecostalism 100 years ago.