HOLINESS DEFINED
A simplified but doctrinally robust study of Biblical holiness
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” — Hebrews 12:14
Study perspective: Holiness teaching consistent with the Apostolic Faith tradition: salvation, entire sanctification, and a continuing life of growth and obedience.
Learning Goals
• Explain carnality in clear Biblical language.
• Explain Christian perfection without confusing it with angelic, intellectual or physical perfection.
• Describe holiness in the believer, holiness of heart, and holiness of life.
• Distinguish salvation, entire sanctification, and continuing Christian growth.
• Show how inward holiness must produce outward holy living.
1. What Is Carnality?
CARNALITY
In simple words: The inward bent toward sin inherited from Adam — a corrupted desire that resists God’s holy will.
Doctrinal meaning: Humanity was created in God’s moral image with pure desires, but the Fall corrupted those desires. Carnality is the inward sinful disposition or principle of rebellion that remains in the regenerated believer until entire sanctification.
Picture it: Think of a compass whose needle has been bent. It still points somewhere, but its inner direction is distorted. Carnality is an inward distortion that pulls desire away from God’s will.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:27, 31; Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:24
Biblical/theological expressions: sin; body of sin; flesh; nature of sin; Adamic nature; carnal nature; carnal mind; inbred sin; inherited depravity; principle of sin; evil or divided heart; inward sinful disposition; inward rebellion toward God’s will.
- How is carnality different from an outward act of sin? _______________________________________________________________________________
- Why is it important to distinguish temptation from carnality? __________________________________________________________________________
2. What Is Christian Perfection?
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION
In simple words: A heart made perfect in love — fully consecrated to God, cleansed from carnality, and filled with pure love.
Doctrinal meaning: It is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit by which a regenerated believer is entirely sanctified. It is moral perfection or perfection in love, not equality with God and not freedom from normal human limitations.
Picture it: Picture a clean cup completely given to its owner and filled with clean water. The cup may still be small or fragile, but what fills it is pure. Christian perfection concerns the purity and devotion of the heart, not unlimited human ability.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:44–48; 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13
Christian perfection does NOT mean:
- angelic perfection
- God’s absolute perfection in omniscience or omnipotence
- freedom from temptation
- freedom from ignorance or weakness
- freedom from infirmities, mistakes, errors of judgment, or physical/psychological limitations
It DOES mean: a cleansed, consecrated heart whose governing motive is wholehearted love for God and neighbour.
3. Can a sanctified Christian still make mistakes? ________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why must a ‘perfect heart’ remain teachable? _________________________________________________________________________________
Three Perspectives on Holiness
Perspective What it means Illustration
Holiness in the believer God restores the believer to His moral image: A person changing ownership: “I belong to God.”
separated from sin and dedicated to God.
Holiness of heart The inward sinful disposition is cleansed and A spring made clean at its source, so clean water can flow.
the heart is filled with pure love for God and others.
Holiness of life The outward expression of inward holiness through Root → tree → fruit: a holy heart produces a holy life.
obedience, Christlike character, righteous conduct and love.
Holiness in the Believer Begins at Salvation
At salvation, the sinner is born again (John 3:3–8), regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), and becomes a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The believer is delivered from the dominion and power of sin and begins a new life of righteousness and obedience.
Carnality and salvation: the source material states that at conversion carnality is crucified with Christ (Galatians 5:24), though not yet destroyed until entire sanctification (Romans 6:6).
Holiness: a Crisis and a Process
→ 1. SALVATION Born again; delivered from sin’s dominion.
→ 2. SANCTIFICATION A definite, instantaneous cleansing from carnality.
→ 3. GROWTH A lifelong walk of learning, obedience and maturity.
Important distinction: spiritual growth is progressive, but the cleansing work of entire sanctification is presented here as a definite and instantaneous work of grace.
Hebrews 12:14 — What Does It Mean? “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
This verse teaches the necessity of a holy life. Holiness begins at salvation and is evidenced in a life devoted to God. The believer is to pursue holiness from conversion; entire sanctification is the subsequent heart-cleansing work that removes the carnal nature.
Do not misunderstand it as… Understand it as…
“A person must first be entirely sanctified before he or she can enter Heaven.” A genuine believer must live a holy life; holiness is the evidence and fruit of genuine faith,
and the believer should go on to seek entire sanctification.
Heart and Life Must Agree
INWARD → OUTWARD
In simple words: God changes the heart, and the changed heart shows itself in the way we live.
Doctrinal meaning: Holiness is neither merely an inward claim nor merely outward separation. A purified heart expresses itself through righteous behaviour, obedience, humility, compassion, purity, self-denial, mercy, and love.
Picture it: A healthy root produces healthy fruit. The fruit does not make the root alive; it reveals the life already working within.
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Key Word Review
Key word Plain meaning Picture it
Regeneration The new birth: the Holy Spirit gives spiritual life to the repentant sinner who believes. A dead seed made alive and beginning to grow.
Consecration The believer’s complete surrender and dedication of self to God. Handing God the keys — nothing held back.
Entire Sanctification A definite, instantaneous work of grace after salvation in which the believing, A fountain cleansed at its source.
consecrated heart is cleansed from carnality and filled with perfect love.
Perfect Love Wholehearted love for God and love toward others from a purified heart. A heart with one governing loyalty: God.
Holy Life The visible fruit of inward grace: obedience, purity, Christlike character and love. Good fruit growing from a healthy tree.
Spiritual Growth The continuing development of a believer in knowledge, maturity, wisdom, grace A child growing into mature adulthood.
and Christlike practice.
Discussion and Application
5. Why is holiness more than simply following a list of rules? _________________________________________________________________________
6. How can a believer be holy and still be growing? ________________________________________________________________________________
7. What should we expect to see in a holy life? ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. What is the relationship between salvation and entire sanctification __________________________________________________________________
9. What should someone do who sees the need for a clean heart? ______________________________________________________________________
Summary
Holiness begins at salvation, reaches a definite heart-cleansing crisis in entire sanctification, and continues in lifelong growth. The sanctified believer is not made superhuman or incapable of error; rather, the heart is purified from carnality and made perfect in love. The inward work of grace must be seen outwardly in obedience, purity, humility, mercy, compassion, self-denial, and love.