SALVATION INVOLVES deliverance from the penalty of sin, from the power and practice of sin, and from the presence of sin. We need deliverance from the practice of sin in order to live holy.
This was part of the teaching Dr Sylvan Catwell shared with those who gathered at the Collymore Rock Church of the Nazarene last Wednesday night.
He was one of the visiting ministers of the gospel who shared various aspects of theology and the Word, during four nights of special ministry. The services were attended by Nazarenes from across the island, and were held under the auspices of the District Superintendent, Reverend Dr Orlando Seale.
Catwell encouraged those in attendance to be faithful and live lives of holiness as God required of them.
He described Jesus as the model of holiness, and said holiness meant more than being separated unto God. He also spoke about the importance of sanctification.
He said God did not save mankind because of any act of righteousness but because of His mercy.
“He saved us through the washing, rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. We become better by studying His Word . . . .
“We are saved and justified by God’s grace. He chose to set us apart and to be holy we must live to please God.”
Fellow minister, DeLafayette Awkward, looked at the importance of Scripture interpretation and context.
He too stressed the importance of reading God’s Word and standing on its authority even when understanding it was difficult.
“Studying God’s Word is a lot of work. It is an ongoing process. We must be rooted in the Word and the only way we can do that is by devoting time to read the Scriptures.”
Awkward said that in studying or reading the Word of God, it was necessary to determine the author’s intention, the language and the context.
Dr Andrew Bennett told the congregation that growing in Christ was a daily experience and believers should do whatever it took to place Christ first in their lives.
“When you become a Christian, it is not a stopping point, it is a starting point.
“It is one thing to be a Christian but it is another thing to be a committed Christian. God wants us to grow up to be mature Christians,” he added.
“The more you live as a Christian, the more you must aspire to be like Christ. Growth is a process and it takes discipline to be a mature Christian.”
The visiting minister also encouraged believers to spend time with God and in His Word, spend time in prayer, give their tithes to the church and love one another.
“If you want to grow up you must have these habits in place and submit to them.”
He said there were different ways to hear God’s voice, including listening to the Bible on tape, attending church services and studies, listening to sermons on tape and via the media.
Special ministry was rendered by Melanese Howell, who shared a self-penned song which was well received.
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