Although we do not often hear the word “sanctification” it is one of the greatest biblical doctrines! Some form of this word appears about 30 times in the New Testament. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon says this about the Greek word hagios, “to set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively his.” That definition itself tells us that this word, in all its forms, is a crucial idea for one who wants to serve God. A form of that word is also translated “holy.”
Numerous things were sanctified – set apart for God, even in the Old Testament. When God created the world, He sanctified the seventh day (Saturday), although at that time He did not give any specific instructions about keeping the Sabbath (Genesis 2:3). Every first born, whether animals or humans was sanctified (Exodus 13:2). The ground where Moses stood when God spoke to him from the burning bush was said to be “holy” – “sanctified” (Exodus 3:5; Acts 7:33). Many other passages of Scripture could be studied that are found in the Old Testament, but this article is going to deal with this doctrine as seen in the New Testament.
Sanctification is used to describe the Christian’s relationship to sin and God. It is the process of God’s grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God’s righteousness. The process of one being sanctified is described in several ways because it involves several different actions. When it begins, it is a one-time event, but from then on it is a progression of events whereby one becomes more and more holy.
Sanctification takes place in Christ. Notice what Paul said about this subject to the Christians (“saints” – also a form of the word “sanctification”) in Corinth. “To those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus” (I Corinthians 1:2). Therefore, the first step in being set apart for God is when the sinner is immersed in water for the remission of sins. That is the first step in being set apart for God’s service. It is a one-time event. Later, in the same book, Paul reminded the people of Corinth when they were sanctified. “You were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (6:11). They were sanctified when they were washed – baptized (Acts 18:8). They were transferred out of the world of sin and into a holy condition. When they were baptized, they were declared “justified” – that is, they were declared innocent.
Sanctification is a process which occurs over a long period of time. Being baptized is a one-time event which makes one holy. But, one should become more holy. Thus, sanctification involves the actions of the one who has been made holy. God urged the Corinthians to grow in holiness or sanctification. Paul wrote, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
This same idea is expressed when the Scriptures speak of putting off the old man and putting on the new man. The longer we are a Christian, the more of the old sinful life we should get rid of and the more Christ-like characteristics we should add (Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:9-10).
There are many parts which go into one becoming sanctified. Here is a list of “things” which are found in the Bible which work together to bring a person into perfect sanctification or holiness. (1) God, the Father (I Thessalonians 5:23), (2) The Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16), (3) Blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:29), (4) The will of Christ (Hebrews 10:10, 14), (5) Being in Christ (I Corinthians 1:2), (6) In or by the name of Jesus (I Corinthians 6:11), (7) Truth (John 17:17, 19), (8) Faith (Acts 26:18), (9) Washing of the water by (with) the word (Ephesians 5:26) and (10) Cleansing and purging one’s self by putting off the old man and putting on the new man (I Thessalonians 4:1-8; 2 Timothy 2:21).
Here is a summary statement to try to put the list into one sentence. God the Father sanctifies one on the basis of Christ’s blood by the Spirit who wields His sword which is the word of God to produce faith in a person who is obedient to that faith by being cleansed with the blood of Christ when one is baptized in water and continues to put on the new man.
Conclusion: We may not be familiar with the word “sanctification,” but we are familiar with the word “holy.” In simple form, the command to every Christian is to be holy. “Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (I Peter 1:15-16).
The Hebrew writer showed how important this subject is when he wrote, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (12:14).
Wayne Burger