Our Mission: Preach

TEXT: Acts 4:1-22; 8:5-13, 2 Timothy 2:6

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The concept of Preach was chosen as the second of three keys in our mission statement. It reads: “We emphasize the original Pentecostal doctrines of salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, continually striving to develop fully committed disciples of Jesus Christ.” One of the special aspects of the Apostolic Faith Church is the unity we enjoy worldwide. That unity is tied, in a great measure, to our consistent doctrine. All branch churches around the world preach these same Bible truths. At the center of our doctrinal teaching are the three basic Christian experiences.

POSSIBLE OPENER

Bring a smeared, dirty glass jar to class, about half full of earth. Use this to illustrate the three spiritual experiences: salvation is like emptying the dirt out, sanctification is like cleansing or washing the jar, the infilling of the Holy Spirit is like filling the jar with a pure substance.

QUESTIONS

• How can the experiences of salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost be compared to a foundation?  
• What is meant by the phrase “an assurance of salvation”?  
• What other words are used in Scripture referring to the experience of salvation? (Conversion – Matthew 18:1; Atonement – Romans 5:11; Regeneration – Titus 3:5; Born again – John 3:3; Reconciliation – Colossians 1:19-22; Redemption – 1 Peter 1:18-19)
• Florence Crawford once said that sanctification is the hub of the Gospel. Why is sanctification of such central importance in our Christian walk?
• Why is it so important to maintain a clear teaching of these three foundational experiences?
• What are some key attitudes of the heart that must be present for one to receive salvation? Sanctification? The baptism of the Holy Spirit?
• What does salvation do in a life?
• What does sanctification do in a life?
• Why do you suppose sanctification is such a contested doctrine, when many churches seem to accept the experiences of salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
• What does the baptism of the Holy Spirit do in a life?
• What hindrances will the devil put in our way when we are seeking to receive these experiences?
• What are the benefits of receiving these experiences in both the short and long term?
• How do these experiences relate to spiritual growth?
  

EXTRA HELP FOR TEACHERS

Booklets on Salvation, Sanctification, Baptism of the Holy Ghost

Tract #1 – “Three Steps”

“Wholly Holy” from Higher Way 95-3

“The Power of the Holy Spirit” from Higher Way 93-6

“The Promised Gift” from Higher Way 95-6

“Our Role in Reaching the World” from Higher Way 94-4

ACTIVITY IDEAS

Bring a three-legged stool to class. What happens if you remove one leg? Compare this to trying to live as a Christian without the three foundational experiences.

In discussing the question related to Florence Crawford saying that sanctification = the hub of the Gospel. Ask: Do they know what a hub is? Take a wheel and show the hub. Brother Ivon talked once about grease and its importance to wheels and bearings and compared that to the Holy Spirit.