Sermon Breakdown

1. Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by reviewing the topic of the spirit bearing witness with our spirits that we are children of God. He notes that they have been defining what this experience means and how the spirit bears witness.
2. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then discusses how this experience can be differentiated from a false experience, as the devil attempts to provide counterfeits. He notes the church's history and the Bible warn against false spirits.
3. Dr. Lloyd-Jones transitions to discussing the relationship between the spirit bearing witness and sanctification. He notes this has been a source of confusion, as some groups teach a form of "perfectionism" through this experience.
4. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that John Wesley helped originate this confusion by teaching sanctification came through this experience in the 1740s. Many modern groups that teach perfectionism come from Wesley's teaching.
5. Dr. Lloyd-Jones lays out the teaching that through this baptism of the Spirit, one can be entirely cleansed of sin and given perfect love of God. Sin is eradicated and one becomes perfectly sanctified.
6. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks what Scriptural evidence is used to support this teaching. The main passages are Acts 15:9 and Acts 26:18, which speak of purifying hearts by faith and inheriting sanctification by faith.
7. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues the context of these verses shows they are not about sanctification in the theological sense. Acts 15:9 was about justifying the inclusion of Gentiles, not their sanctification. Acts 26:18 was about Gentiles gaining forgiveness and joining the people of God, not sanctification.
8. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes Hebrews 3:12 shows unbelief comes from an evil, unclean heart. So belief must come from a heart purified of unbelief. This is what Acts 15:9 refers to.
9. Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, where "sanctified" comes before "justified," showing it has a different meaning. It refers to being set apart to God, not progressive sanctification.
10. Dr. Lloyd-Jones looks at 2 Thessalonians 2:13, where "sanctification of the Spirit" comes before belief, showing a different meaning. It refers to the Spirit setting apart unto belief, not sanctification as a result of belief.
11. Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines 1 Peter 1:2, where "sanctification of the Spirit" leads to belief, showing the Spirit sets apart to belief. This differs from the normal order of belief then sanctification.
12. Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on 1 Peter 1:22, where the audience has purified their own souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit. This shows belief purifies the heart, as Acts 15:9 said God does. Both mean the same.
13. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues 1 Corinthians 7:14 shows "sanctified" and "holy" do not always mean morally perfect or cleansed of sin. Unbelieving spouses are "sanctified" and children are "holy" through the believing spouse, though not saved.
14. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues the context of the verses, the state of the Corinthian church, and the New Testament's moral exhortations show this teaching of entire sanctification by faith is unbiblical. The verses refer to inclusion in the people of God, not eradication of sin.
15. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes there is no direct relationship between the spirit's witness and sanctification. But there is an important indirect one: the experience stimulates and promotes sanctification through a vision of God's holiness and the life to come, though it does not automatically achieve sanctification.