Sanctification
Synonyms: Holiness, dedication,
being set apart for God's special use
Greek References: hagiasmos 38 (Strong) cf 37-42
Scripture: Rom 12:1, 1Co 1:30, 1Co 6:11, Eph 5:26, 2Th 2:13, Heb 2:11, 1Pe 1:2
Related ideas: fellowship, purification, blood,
priesthood, Holy Spirit
Synopsis: Sanctification or holiness is what makes people saints
In the time of Moses, the tabernacle, or tent of worship, had rooms called the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:1-3). These rooms were hallowed, sacred, dedicated, set apart for God and devoted to his use. That is what it means to be "holy".
Another word for holy is sanctified. These two words are synonyms; they mean the same thing. Translators use these words interchangeably to render the same Greek word. Thus, where one version has "sanctified" another might have "holy".
The word saint is closely associated with the word "sanctified". When the scriptures speak of "saints", we should take that to mean "those who are sanctified", or "those who have been made holy". The word "saint" is one of several terms to denote Christians. For example, in
In this lesson, we are going to look at five characteristics of saints and of their sanctification, the first of which will take up most of our study.
First we look at three important verses which associate sanctification with purification.
Hebrews 9:13-14. This compares animal sacrifices with the sacrifice of Christ's own body and blood. Notice in these verses how the word "sanctifies" is used in connection with the words "purifying" and "purge".
1Corinthians 6:11. Note how "washed" and "sanctified" are associated here. "You were washed... sanctified... justified..."
Ephesians 5:25-27. Notice the terms, "...sanctify ...cleanse ...washing ...holy ...without blemish..." all linked together .
In God's law there are three things essential to purification and therefore to sanctification:
Relating these requirements to the Christian dispensation, we find that Jesus made our sanctification possible by offering his own blood as our High Priest who mediated the new covenant
The doctrine of the "second blessing"
The above facts go against the idea of sanctification as a "second blessing" which is given to us some time
The above ideas raise very difficult questions. For example, is the first state of purification less than perfect, and if so how can it measure up to God's standard of perfection? Is Christ's blood sacrificed for our forgiveness not able to purify us utterly? What else do we need, beside his precious blood, shed in his death upon the cross, in order to be the more perfectly and lastingly pure? How does the high priesthood and intercession of Jesus Christ relate to this notion of purification that isn't perfect at the first blessing?
Those who are sanctified are those who are fully forgiven and purified from sin. How more can we be blessed than to know that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin" ?
What we have said about purification from sin might be hard for you to grasp, but there is one salient and simple fact you can believe and understand regarding what it means to be sanctified: "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1Jn 1:9). In verse 7, John has earlier stated that the blood of Jesus Christ God's Son cleanses us from all sin. That sanctification is an immediate and ever-present blessing.
1. Spiritual duty
The saint (sanctified person) has a "spiritual duty of worship" to present his or her body as "a living and holy sacrifice, well-pleasing to God... not conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing..."
2. Spiritual philosophy
Because "the earth and its works will be burned up" the saint lives in "holy conduct" as if already living in the new world where righteousness dwells (2Pe 3:10-14). Sanctified people live in the world, but are not of the world, thus they conform to Christ's prayer for their sanctification (Jhn 17:14-20). In short, if a person's life and ways are not markedly different from the worldly people among whom that person lives, then that person is not one of God's saints.
3. Spiritual investment
The saint has an inheritance (Eph 1:13-14,18). An inheritance has much in common with an investment, but in some cases an inheritance is a gift toward which the beneficiary contributes nothing. Certainly our inheritance is a gift from God, but we are required to invest our whole selves in God’s kingdom. We read before that we must render our bodies "a living and holy sacrifice" (Rom 12:1).
There is a "manner worthy of the saints" in which they are to receive one another, and recognise one another's ministry (Rom 16:1-2). Christ's prayer, mentioned above, goes on to plead "that they all may be one".
The saints are called "fellow citizens". They are "stones fitted together" in God's temple. "A heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another" characterises those who are sanctified. They "put on love, the perfect bond" of unity
The "mystery which has been hidden from past generations and ages, has now been manifested to his saints, to whom God willed to make known" his revelation. So the saints are not ignorant of eternal truth, but have "the eyes of their understanding enlightened"
Saints are "faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph 1:1). To be sanctified means to be dedicated. You will recall that Solomon "did not follow the Lord fully" (1Kg 11:4-6). There are people, like that, who partly follow Christ, but also follow their own ways. Sanctified people, however, are characterised by total dedication and loyalty to the Lord.