A Presentation of Perfection - Media Sabda Org

E. E. Shelhamer wrote an article that year called "Steps in Seeking Holiness." He taught that one
needs to seek sanctification as he would if he were seeking to be saved. "In seeking pardon or purity
the steps are the same, the only difference being that when seeking pardon we deal with actual sins,
while when seeking purity we deal with the hidden principle of sin." [25]
He said there were four steps that one was to go through when seeking either to be saved or
sanctified. The steps were conviction, confession, crucifixion, and co-operating faith. Shelhamer
gave testimony that this method works. "The Holy Ghost took me through step by step until I came
to the end of myself, when the death stroke was given and the clear witness received that the precious
Blood did 'now' cleanse from all sin. Oh, praise His name!" [26]
J. A. Huffman wrote another article that year called "Were the Disciples Sanctified at Pentecost?"
He said there were three main theories concerning that issue. First, the disciples were not converted
until Pentecost. This theory does away with the need for a second work of grace (sanctification). A
second theory says that the disciples were sanctified before Pentecost. This theory causes people to
seek for some kind of a third experience which Pentecost would represent.
The third theory is the one that Huffman believed to be scriptural and right. He wrote,
The third theory is that the disciples were saved before Pentecost, that they were
sanctified and baptized with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and that their experiences
may be considered as normal and, as such, as examples of what may be expected of
normal Christian experiences in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit in which we live.
[27]
The last article for our consideration in 1930 was written by a previously mentioned author, J. B.
Chapman. His writing was titled "Holiness and Conversation." By conversation he meant more than
conduct. He was making specific reference to the language and words that holiness people should
use and not use. Chapman challenged holiness people to be selective in the words they use, and he
reminded his readers that they will eventually be judged by the words they say. A contrast was given
between unholy and holy talk:
Only pure words can consistently proceed from a pure heart so let us examine our
own conversation in the light of such a standard. Certainly this will rule out profanity
and bywords and coarse slang. It will rule out slander and backbiting and the
spreading of evil surmises. It will rule out levity and excessive talkativeness, and the
tendency to be a busybody.
On the other hand, from a pure heart as the fountain, there must certainly spring up
praise to God for His goodness and mercy, so that public and personal testimony will
be a delight. Also, there must certainly spring up wholesome words of warning
against sin and the judgment of God. [28]