At the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, special emphasis was placed on the necessity of clean, holy living. The spiritual works of grace wrought in the heart and the baptism of the Holy Spirit were taught to be three distinct, definite, and separate experiences. The truth was stressed that one must first be born again of the spirit and become a genuine Bible Christian; he must subsequently experience the second, definite work of grace in the heart, sanctification, heart purity, before he is eligible to seek and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

In spite of the high standards upheld, some critics dared to declare the outpouring of the Spirit to be nothing but the work of the devil. But from among those honest, upright people who continued to uphold the high standard of Christian living, there came forth strong pioneers who aided in the establishing of the Apostolic Faith work.