the quest for holiness: in the center of the sanctifying stream

The Church of God of Prophecy

“The Quest for

Holiness”In the Center of the Sanctifying Stream

Oct 13, 2013

On the Path to Holiness:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ—The Father Draws (Introduces) Us through the “Word” to a Knowledge of Our Sinful Nature and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ as found in John 3:16 (NIV):

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

On the Path to Holiness:

After we hear the “Word” then the Holy Spirit Uses the “Word” to “Convict” us which means:

“to become aware of and acknowledge our sin against God and realize the need to confess that guilt with “Godly sorrow” before God as found in John 16:8.

“When He comes He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” (NIV)

Then we repent of our sins; become “sorry”

for our sins as we turn from and forsake the

“old life” (sinful habits). We then partake in a

new walk by faith in God through the Holy

Spirit and in company with the people of

God. It is noted in 2 Corinthians (NIV):

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to

salvation that leaves no regret, but worldly

sorrow brings death.”

Church of God of Prophecy. Biblical Principles, Beliefs, and Practices. Tennessee: Church of God of Prophecy. 2008. Print

Repentance results in Justification

Justification is both a state and an act: we are without offense toward God and it is God’s act of forgiving our sins and accepting us into a new relationship. Our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross. God no longer holds us accountable for our former sins.

“Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 (NIV)

Church of God of Prophecy. Biblical Principles, Beliefs, and Practices. Tennessee: Church of God of Prophecy. 2008. Print

After Justification Comes Regeneration or the

“Born Again or Saved Experience”

It is the work of God that provides a new Spiritual Life in the Believer. We have obtained Peace with God through the Sanctifying Work of the Cross of Jesus Christ as recorded in Romans 5: 8 & 9 (NIV).

Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The

Pursuit of the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report.

98th General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012.pp. 9-10.

Romans 5: 8 & 9 (NIV):

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. . . . Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”

Being “Born Again or Saved is Just the Beginning:

This is only the beginning of the Christian’s walk with God. The principle dynamic of salvation comes through a spiritual journey that will not be completely perfected until all believers are Changed or Transformed when we meet Jesus in the air at His Coming!

Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit

of the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga:

98th General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p. 11.

Christian Soldiers Don’t Ride the Fence!

Do not waver between

Sin and Salvation!!!

As we move from Sin to Holiness:

In our “new relationship with Christ” or the “Born Again Experience” we find “freedom” from sin and holiness of life that we can pursue through Christ. This pursuit of holiness brings about a confrontation

with OVERCOMING THE SINFUL NATURE.

In Romans 5: 1 A. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,… (1-NIV)Peace: 1. The absence of war or other hostilities.

2. An agreement or a treaty to end hostilities: negotiating the peace.

3. Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind.

Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. “Quest for Holiness.” PowerPoint Presentation. Church of God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.

b. “through whom we have gained access by

faith into this grace in which we now stand. (2-NIV)

Romans 5: 2

Grace: 1. Divine favor bestowed freely on people, as in granting redemption from sin.

2. The state of having received such favor.

3. An excellence or power granted by God.


In Romans 5:11:

C. “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (KJV)Joy:

1. Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness,

or an instance of such feeling.

2. An expression of such feeling

3. To take great pleasure; rejoice.


In Romans 5: 2-11 Paul continues to expound:

We Rejoice on three Levels:

In Hope (V.2) (NIV) “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” In Tribulations (vv. 3-10) “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope…” (NIV)

Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. “Quest for Holiness.” PowerPoint Presentation. Church of

God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.

Romans 5: 11

In God:

“Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (NIV)


What is Sanctification? 1. It is a result of the work of the cross which sets believers apart and consecrates them for the service of God.

2. This work is “immediate” in the life of the believer and it (the work) continues and must come to full actualization in the life of every believer.

3. In order for this work of God to be brought to perfection, it must be a cooperative effort that places responsibility on believers to respond appropriately to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

What is Sanctification?

4. The Holy Spirit effectuates (to cause to happen, to bring about, to accomplish) the plan of salvation in the lives of the believers to live sanctified (separated and consecrated) lives.

2 Thessalonians 2:13: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (NIV)

Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit of

the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga : 98th

General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p.12.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,…gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.” (NIV)



General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p. 12.

Two Great Voices Express their Understanding of Sanctification:

“From the time of our being born again, the gradual work of sanctification takes place. We are enabled “by the Spirit” to mortify “the deeds of the body,” of our evil nature; and as we are more and more dead to sin, we are more and more alive to God. We go on from grace to grace, while we are careful to “abstain from all appearance of evil,” and are “zealous of good works,” as we have opportunity, doing good to all men; while we walk in all His ordinances blameless, therein worshipping Him in spirit and in truth; while we take up our cross, and deny ourselves every pleasure that does not lead us to God. ( John Wesley. “The Scripture Way of Salvation”)



General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p. 20.

Two Great Voices Express their Understanding of Sanctification:

“…sanctification as a definite work of grace subsequent to regeneration should be desired by everybody.”(page 2)

“In order to obtain this experience, the believer puts himself at once –or by one act of faith– into the cleansing stream and is immediately made clean. He then continues in that stream, or continues faithful, and is kept clean. Purity is retained on the same condition that it is obtained; and to keep under the cleansing wave is to be faithful to the conditions of purity. Jesus expressed the continual cleansing by the figure of “abiding in the vine” (Italics added for emphasis) (A. J. Tomlinson. “Sanctification a Second Work of Grace)



General Assembly : Chattanooga: Tennessee: 2012. p. 22.

Move to the Center of the Stream

Move to the Center of the Stream

Stay away from the rocks on the sides of the stream.

Go to the Center of the Sanctifying Stream

and Move Onward from Sin to

Holiness in the Lord!