Topic > What You Should Know About Baptism and Holiness

In his article “From Aldersgate to Azusa,” Henry H. Knight discusses the Wesleyan roots on which both the Wesleyan and Baptist wings of the Holiness and Pentecostal movements are founded . Wesley's understanding of the holiness and power of the Holy Spirit was accepted by every wing of the Holiness movement and, consequently, found its way into Pentecostalism as well. It is possible that his experience at Aldersgate can be attributed to the change in Wesley's theology that led to the characteristic beliefs that would later be integrated into the Pentecostal movement. According to Knight, "Aldersgate was the point in Wesley's spiritual pilgrimage where he experienced the power of the Holy Spirit." This power saturates Wesley's theology that both justification and sanctification are a work of the Holy Spirit. Wesley preached that the Holy Spirit draws all men to God by allowing them to see their sins, and when that revelation is combined with the gospel, men respond to God. He also taught that once a person received salvation, he must be transformed again by the work of the Holy Spirit into the imago Dei. The nineteenth-century Holiness movement retained Wesley's hunger for holiness and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, but in some cases emphasized man's free will in achieving this goal. The Pentecostal movement also departed from Wesleyan theology in that it taught a “second blessing” that not only completely sanctified the believer but also prepared him for active ministry. In addition to this contrast, the Pentecostal movement placed less emphasis on the spiritual disciplines Wesley so strongly encouraged for growth in sanctification. When studying the Holiness and Pentecostal movements, we must attribute the content of holiness to Wesley even though the means of achieving it differ from his theological perspective. While Wesley may not completely agree with everything preached in the Baptist wing of the Pentecostal movement, he would agree with many of its views on gradual growth and spiritual discipline. Despite each wing's conflicting visions of grace and faith, Pentecostals on both sides understand that God is active and engaged in the present, fully at work in His people through the power of His spirit. This was the understanding that Wesley championed in the eighteenth century revival and this is his greatest impact on the Pentecostal movement. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay I would like to spend some time engaging with one specific thing Knight said in his article. He writes: “An overemphasis on human free will diminishes the sovereign action of the Spirit; a de-emphasis on original sin gives the spirit less to accomplish and makes complete sanctification easily attainable; an excessive emphasis on original sin limits the power of the Spirit and places Christian perfection in the future life. Furthermore, the immediacy of sanctification and its identification with the baptism of the Holy Spirit raises the question of the relationship between holiness and power, which does not concern Wesley but becomes a key issue for the emerging Pentecostal movement.” it's just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay I don't think anyone who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit would say that being filled with the Spirit implies immediate sanctification. I believe, however, that anyone who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit would say that being filled with the Spirit involves.