Powell introduces the thought that perfect love is the determining factor in entire sanctification. My question to Powell would be what is his definition of perfect as he is using it in his statement? Powell (2008) has written, “To be entirely sanctified is to love God with perfect love” (p. 250). Powell characterizes perfect love as being “a pure devotion to God” (p. 250). The word perfect in the Bible can mean mature, of full-age, finished, or completed. The word can be used as an adjective or a verb. In the Greek, the two words are telefos (adjective), and teleoo (verb). “Vine tells us these two Greek words mean “having reached its end, finished, complete, and perfect”. Thayer’s lexicon of the Greek New Testament gives the following meaning brought to its end, wanting nothing necessary to completeness; …show more content…
Personal consecration is the act of an individual preparing oneself to be in the presence of God. As it is written by Powell (2008), “Even the priests, who are to minister before God and who dwell in a special state of holiness, had to engage in special consecration” (p. 101). The process entails cleansing of one’s self, their clothes, and the utensils for this consecration is vital for the purpose of holiness. Personal consecration is an entire surrender of a person to a personal God. Personal consecration is an important part of the process of sanctification. Sanctification is the setting a part of a person and that can only be done by God. Separated from sin, and separated to God for God alone as His own possession and for His service. The Holy Spirit is the agent who prepares a person for sanctification (make holy) by the washing of the water by the Word (Eph 5:26; 1Cor 6:11). The Holy Spirit not only cleanses, but also empowers, directs, and leads the Christian through the process of sanctification by teaching God’s Word to