Chapter Three: Identity of the Durban Christian Centre
3.4 DCC theology
3.4.15 Deliverance
"Deliverance" is a common term used in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles. It often refers to being rescued or taken out of a negative situation. The meaning of deliverance is extended to imply arriving where one needs to be, just like a mailed letter. Special altar calls for the purpose of deliverance from people's addictions, bondages and oppressions are conducted regularly at the DCC.
Congregants are reminded that the Jews had hoped for a deliverer in the form of a mighty political and military power that would deliver them from the
oppression of the Roman Empire, but they did not realise that the deliverer had already come and the kingdom of God had come to them. The people are taught to call on "The Deliverer", who is Jesus Christ, in any situation they face.
The scope of the delivering power of Jesus includes rescue from bondage as well as safe passage to the intended place of blessing and safety. Worship leaders or preachers often proclaim to the congregants that it does not matter what binds them or holds them back, deliverance is available on request.
Fred Roberts described a personal experience with deliverance in the case of his daughter Wendy, who was addicted to drugs and had wandered away from the faith of the family.
Before, Nellie and I associated demonic attack with heathen religions, witchcraft and Hinduism, not Christianity. It was a jolt to us to realize that demons were involved in Wendy's straying. We were unschooled on how to handle them. The Pentecostal movement didn't teach about expelling demons at the time, and it wasn't until we got a tape series by Derek Prince that we realized God was expanding our understanding about this necessary area of spiritual life. In a way, Wendy's was a harrowing experiment on how to recognize demonic activity, expel demons and most importantly help people live a free and healed life. We learned two critical lessons: to cast out demons you must know your rights, privileges and authority in Christ. And a person's deliverance is only as deep as his or her repentance. Today many people are saved but not delivered (Roberts 2004: 57).
3.4.16 Faith
In an article titled "Faith, Ritualism, Charismatic Leadership and Religious Behaviour", Salisbury (1956:241) describes faith as "all pervasive within the Judeo-Christian tradition". For Salisbury, faith is the personal aspect of religion, being different from ritual, which is the social component. In the case of the DCC, faith is both personal and social. An individual's personal faith in a personal God runs concurrently with the faith of the DCC community.
3.4.16.1 The social component of faith
An example of the social component of faith can be witnessed during the course of prayer meetings where the faithful are encouraged to stretch out their hands out to the person being prayed for and to "stand in faith as believers" for the need to be met. Congregants are encouraged to "release their faith" in a social setting because of the power of group agreement. The leadership and the members of the DCC liberally quote biblical texts that deal with faith. These include the following83: Mat. 17.20: "Faith like a mustard seed can move mountains". This text is generally used to imply that a limited amount of faith can produce phenomenal results. Heb. 12.2: "Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the faith", which refers to the role of Jesus Christ in the initiation and development of faith. Rom. 10.17: "Faith comes from hearing the word of God".
Here, faith is the result of openness to the sermons preached at the church and the regular reading of or listening to biblical texts.
Faith also plays a role in the anticipated salvation of the family and friends of the members of the DCC. Before the carpets at the DCC Jesus Dome could be laid, Roberts described the following scene, which provides an example of the faith praxis of the DCC with regard to family salvation.
One night, before we laid the carpets, we had a prayer meeting, and everyone wrote the names of their unsaved friends and family members on the bare concrete floor. In the years to come, many of these people, whose names were scrawled and hidden beneath our feet, met the Lord. It was a statement of faith that they would be bom again and worship with us in the church. (Roberts 2004:119).
Roberts (2004: 53) offers the following "important principles" with regards to faith and family salvation:
1. Every member of your family can be saved and serve the Lord.
2. Never doubt the promises of God regarding the salvation of your family members.
3. Never give up on any member of your family.
4. Do not allow what you see and hear of whatever the loved one may be involved in to deter your faith.
Since these texts are frequently used, they are often shortened and quoted differently from person to person.
5. See them with the eyes of faith fulfilling the call of God upon their lives.
6. Be patient in your faith as you confess the change in their lives.
Robert's faith did not fail him; later he was able to express his sheer delight:
"With all my children serving the Lord and the vision God had given me so many years ago coming to pass, I didn't think like it could get any better" (Roberts 2004:122).