What Does It Mean To Be Bible Holiness

It was 1880and the People who believed in the experience of holiness would meet for a "band meetings." Though not leaving their own churches predominatly Methodist Episcopal Confrence. The Kansas State Holiness Association conducted annual campmeetings to promote holiness and in 1893 a campmeeting was held here in Wichita, three to five thousand people came. There were 89 people saved and 149 sanctified. Wouldn't that have been a meeting.

Later the Neosho Valley Holiness Associtaion changed their name to "The Fire Baptized Holliness Association of Southeastern Kansas." Later shortened to just "THe Fire Baptized Holines Church," and then in 1995 to the "Bible Holiness Church"

I like how the forward in our bylaws says it,

"Emphasis was placed upon repentance, restitution and praying through to a definite knowledge of sins forgiven; sanctification or holiness of heart and life, a second work of grace, as clearly taught in the Word; divine healing, and a plain, humble walk with God, blessed by the witness of His Spirit.

These doctrines and standards we believe and are striving to maintain...."

Luke talks about some things most surely believed among us. He is trying to let Theopolis know some of the beliefs they held about Jesus, who he was, what he did, how he died, that he rose again,

Tonight I want to answer that nagging question I had as a young Christian what does it mean to be Bible Holiness?

It's more than a system of beliefs and codes of conducts, its more than a dress code and way of worship, there is so much more to it than what I can share in a little amount of time that I have here tonight. But quicklly as I can;

Bible Holiness People are who have been marked especially in the older generation as staunch firm grounded unmovable believers. Believing such things as;

Who Is God

There is but one God, holy, eternal, immortal, invisible, of infinite power, wisdom and justice: the creator of all things that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible: the preserer of all creation. God is One but in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons of one substance, equality, and divinity: the Father The Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the 66 canonical books contained in the Authorized version and without getting too technical that this book is inerrant, and infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16 Sin

We believe that sin is man's basic problem, and that the acts of sin are the outcroppings of an inner issue called "Original Sin" Sometimes referred to not always accurately so as

The Carnal Mind The Old man The Flesh Sin that dwelleth in me Root of bitterness Carnality Depravity We believe that provision was made for both the acts of sin and the source of sin in our life through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And that by

Faith in the Son of God according to 1 John 5:10 (he that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself" Romans 10:10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" We appropriate the atoning work of Christ for ourselves. Repentance - Godly sorrow for sin that has been committed against God and will often include restitution.

Will produce Justification / Regeneration - Salvation Justification also produced Initial Sanctification

We must then "Present our self a living sacrifice wholly unto God which is our reasonable service." An unsaved person cannot do this!!! Called consecration. Some of our Old-Timers called it "Dying Out" Will bring us to the place where God Baptizes with the Holy Ghost and Fire or what we term Entire Sanctification or "Bible Holiness" We believe our outward life reflects our inward experience

That our apparel will reflect the attitude that God is to be glorified not us or parts of our body. That places we go should reflect this attitude as well. The way we react and respond should be another way to bring glory to God

This has covered a lot of ground tonight - but maybe it hasn't covered your questions and I can't promise to answer those - but I will try - do you have questions about who we are as Bible Holiness People?