Stephen Gibson These questions in order give a scriptural case for entire sanctification occurring in the life of a believer at a point after conversion. Each question arises naturally from the previous one. They often arise in conversations with those who are trying to understand holiness doctrine, though perhaps worded differently, and not always in this order. 1. What is God's requirement for me? “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”— I...

Charles Baker A lot of my understanding of what church means, and what my involvement in church should be, was formed by things that I learned as child. All of those things impacted my life tremendously. Here are a few of them. 1. I Learned to Go to Church. Not occasionally, not on special days or even just on Sunday. We went to every service that was available. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Prayer meetings, Revivals, Missionary Services, Rallies, Business meetings, Every time the doors were...

Curtis Going The Alaskan bull moose is a massive mammal that can grow to be almost seven feet tall at the shoulder, weigh up to 1,400 pounds, and have antlers that reach an average span of almost six feet. In the fall and winter months of the year the bull moose go head to head in mortal combat to assert their dominance, and the bull moose that has the strongest and heaviest antlers and enjoys the greatest physical strength wins the battle. Interestingly, scientists suggest that the outcome of...

J.R. Mott What does it cost to maintain the practice of withdrawal from the activeness and busyness of the world and from the presence of other people for the purpose of spiritual renewal? It will cost time. Some would prefer to hear any other word. They would rather pay in any other kind of currency; but for some reason God has required that it would take time to know Him and to become conscious of His presence and to live in His power. Many hundreds of Christians have taken up this...

Leslie Wilcox In Ephesians 4:24 the Apostle refers to “true holiness.” This expression clearly reveals that Paul considered it possible that there might be a counterfeit holiness. One of the dangers of the church is that of being satisfied with a supposed holiness that falls short of the Divine standard. It is possible to call something “holiness” which does not deserve the name, or to which it can be applied only in some partial or limited sense. Such a false holiness may be a deliberate...

B. Johnson Bent nearly double under the weight of a huge cross, a man, guarded by soldiers and followed by a yelling, mocking mob, struggles up a hill. Sweat and blood are mingled on His white, pain-drawn face, for a crown of sharp thorns has been pressed upon His head with such force that it is piercing the flesh deeply. One needle-like dart is sticking just above one eye, and the blood is running down and partially obscuring His vision. His hands are bound tightly behind His back which, with...

Curtis Going Several years ago, a pastor who was inviting a man to visit his church was told, “I don’t go to church. Everyone in church is a hypocrite.” The pastor’s response? “You’re right. We’re all hypocrites...and I’m one too.” He went on to explain: “My life is such a contradiction sometimes. My behavior often contradicts my values, occasionally my actions contradict my beliefs, and sometimes my life contradicts my ‘position’ in the church.” His conclusion? “Hi! I’m Bill, and I’m a...

Rick Jones Weaving my way through five lanes of highway traffic around St Louis I wondered out loud, “Where are all of these people going?” Ahead of me a sea of red taillights, brake lights, and flashing turn signals are speeding down the interstate. On the other side of the median thousands of white headlights emerge over a rise in the road, and then disappear into the night.  Some drivers were impatient. Others were relaxed. Some were paying attention. Others were distracted. Everyone was...

Richard S. Taylor A pastor should seek to accomplish by his pulpit ministry some very definite things. Clarity of doctrine is absolutely essential. I never tire of pointing to Paul’s words to Timothy in I Timothy 4:16: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” Doctrine is here equal in importance to the life lived by the preacher. This is true because the validity of one’s spiritual life hangs on...

Joel Byer “…That in all things He might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18b It’s Sunday morning. The people trickle into the pews. The week has been hectic. Many are tired. The news of the nation has been bleak. Controversies abound, both within and without the walls of the church. As the pastor strides to the pulpit, he again thinks about all the issues that have been swirling around in his mind. He is tempted to take his sermon in a “million and one” different directions to address all...