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David Shelby Corlett

David Shelby Corlett (November 17, 1890 – January 12, 1969) was an American preacher, educator, and author whose ministry profoundly shaped the Church of the Nazarene through his leadership and writings on holiness theology. Born in Chetopa, Kansas, to Henry W. Corlett and Mary Shelby, he graduated from Peniel College in 1916 with a B.A., earned an M.A. from Pasadena College in 1922, and completed a B.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1928, later receiving honorary D.D. degrees from Bethany-Peniel College (1930) and Northwest Nazarene College (1945). Converted in his youth, he was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 1915 and began preaching in Texas churches. Corlett’s preaching career included pastoring in Texas and serving as a revivalist before transitioning into education and leadership roles. He was president of Peniel College (1920–1927), dean at Arkansas Holiness College (1927–1928), president of Bethany-Peniel College (1930–1935), and dean at Nazarene Theological Seminary (1945–1952), where he also taught theology. From 1940 to 1965, he edited the Herald of Holiness, the denomination’s flagship publication, amplifying his influence. Author of books like The Baptism with the Holy Ghost (1945) and Forward with Christ (1935), he emphasized sanctification and practical Christian living. Married to Lillie Morgan in 1915, with whom he had two children, he died at age 78 in Kansas City, Missouri, leaving a legacy of holiness preaching and Nazarene scholarship.
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David Shelby Corlett preaches about the early church's emphasis on the second work of grace, highlighting instances where believers received the Holy Spirit as a second experience after conversion. The Apostle Paul also emphasized this second work of grace in his epistles, urging believers to cleanse themselves and perfect holiness. This second work of grace, or entire sanctification, fully solves the problem of sin in the nature by purging man's nature from all sinful tendency and pollution. It is not for backsliders or lukewarm Christians but for those walking in obedience to God, as it is necessary for believers to be fully sanctified to see the Lord.
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Called Unto Holiness
3. Did the early church emphasize this second work of grace? They did. Following the great revival at Samaria, Peter and John went down to Samaria and prayed for the Samaritan converts that they might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15-17). It is evident that this was a second work for those whose hearts were right in the sight of God (Acts 8:21). Following the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:3-6, 17). The devout Gentile centurion, Cornelius, who was acceptable to God received the fullness of the Holy Spirit as a second experience '(Acts 10:1-6; 4448). 4. Did the Apostle Paul emphasize this second work of grace in his epistles? He did. To the Roman Christians he wrote that those who were justified by faith had a second access into a "standing grace" (Romans 5:1, 2) Also that "our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed" (Romans 6:6). The Corinthians were spiritual babes, yet carnal, so he urged them to "purge out the old leaven, that they may be a new lump" (I Cor. 3:14; 5:7). In the second letter he urged the "dearly beloved" to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord (II Cor. 7:1) The Galatian Christians were to crucify the flesh (Gal. 5:24). The Ephesians were to "put off the old man" (Eph. 4:22). The Thessalonian Christians were exhorted to have the "will [i.e., requirement] of God, their sanctification" carried out in their lives (I Thess. 4:3). The Hebrew Christians were not to stop short of the "second rest" (Heb. 4:9-11). The Christians "dull of hearing" were urged to "go on unto perfection" (Heb. 5:11 -- 6:1). All of these emphasize a second work of grace. 5. Does this second work of grace, or entire sanctification, fully solve the problem of sin in the nature? It does, for in the work of entire sanctification God purges the nature of man from all sinful tendency and pollution and corrects the inner disorder. 6. Is this experience for backsliders or lukewarm Christians? No. It is only for those who are walking in the light, or in obedience to God. Backsliders need to be reclaimed; lukewarm Christians need to be "fired up." Obedient children need to be fully sanctified. 7. Is this experience of entire sanctification as a second work of grace optional with the child of God, or is it necessary? It is necessary. "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (I Peter 1:16). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).
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David Shelby Corlett (November 17, 1890 – January 12, 1969) was an American preacher, educator, and author whose ministry profoundly shaped the Church of the Nazarene through his leadership and writings on holiness theology. Born in Chetopa, Kansas, to Henry W. Corlett and Mary Shelby, he graduated from Peniel College in 1916 with a B.A., earned an M.A. from Pasadena College in 1922, and completed a B.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1928, later receiving honorary D.D. degrees from Bethany-Peniel College (1930) and Northwest Nazarene College (1945). Converted in his youth, he was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 1915 and began preaching in Texas churches. Corlett’s preaching career included pastoring in Texas and serving as a revivalist before transitioning into education and leadership roles. He was president of Peniel College (1920–1927), dean at Arkansas Holiness College (1927–1928), president of Bethany-Peniel College (1930–1935), and dean at Nazarene Theological Seminary (1945–1952), where he also taught theology. From 1940 to 1965, he edited the Herald of Holiness, the denomination’s flagship publication, amplifying his influence. Author of books like The Baptism with the Holy Ghost (1945) and Forward with Christ (1935), he emphasized sanctification and practical Christian living. Married to Lillie Morgan in 1915, with whom he had two children, he died at age 78 in Kansas City, Missouri, leaving a legacy of holiness preaching and Nazarene scholarship.