2. SANCTIFICATION
INTRODUCTION
1. What is Sanctification?
A. It is an English word that comes from Latin words
a. Sanctus (HOLY) and Facio (to make)
Thus sanctification is a process by which one is made holy.
B. Webster defines it as “the act of consecrating or of setting apart
for a sacred purpose: the act of making holy
3. 2. The Greek word is “hagiosmos”
Vine defines it as “separation to God”
a. The word is used ten times in the Greek New Testament, being as
translated sanctification and holiness.
b. In I Thessalonians 4:1-7, it is used twice (vs 3 & 7). Here it is translated
as HOLINESS verse 7 in King James Version and New King James . The
English words which are used interchangeable, are identical in
meaning.
3. The Bible itself gives the meaning of Sanctification.
*NOTE THE FOLLOWING VERSE*
i. Genesis 2:3, ii. Exodus 13:1-2,12, iii. Exodus 29:37, iv. Leviticus 27:16
4. *Again, note the following
a. Animals
b. Things
c. People: were set apart (sanctified) to God’s holy purpose and uses.
4. The meaning of sanctification then becomes simply and plain:
a. “To set apart to God to be used by him and for him.
b. Once the item, people, or animal was separated, it was not to be used
again for common purposes. When the pagans offered a hog on the
alter at the temple, the alter was polluted
5. c. When a person obeys the gospel and is sanctified, he must live a holy
life, a life that is consecrated and dedicated to God’s service, he
cannot return to his old way of life and remain in fellowship with God
B. There are two (2) sides of sanctification as used in the New Testament.
1. It is used in reference to the process by which one is first set apart.
a. All who become Christians are set apart at the time they are saved.
this sanctification process is being called “added to the church”
(Act 2:47) “translation into the Kingdom” Colossians 1:13) and
“entering Christ” –Galatians 3:26-27.
b. the gospel of Christ (God’s word) is the sanctifying power -
Acts 20:32
1. Acts 18:8ff
2. John 17:17
3. Romans 1;16-17
4. I Corinthians 1:2
6. C. Notice something about these Corinthians and other sanctification
I Corinthians 6:11ff
*Note the Corinthians were washed, sanctified, and justified.
1. They were washed when they were baptized
a. John 3:5, b. Acts 18:8, c. Acts 22:16, d. Ephesians 5:26, f. Hebrews 10:22
2. In this washing they (and we) received the cleansing made possible by the
blood of Christ.
a. Matthew 26:28 (Acts 2:38)
b. I Peter 1:18-25
c. Revelation 1:5. loosed us from our sins by his blood.
3. This same process justified causes us to be held as though we were never..
7. DISCUSSIONS
I. STAGES OF SANCTIFICATION
A. HOW DOES SANCTIFICATION BEGINS OR STARTS?
1. A definite moral change occurs in our lives at the point of regeneration as taught
by Paul, Titus 3:5 cf. Col. 3:1ff
2. The reality of the matter is that, once we have been born again, we cannot
continue to sin as a habit or part of our life. I John 3:9.
Reason: simply the power of new spiritual life within us keeps us from yielding to a
life of sin. cf. I John1:2-5
This is described by Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 6:11 and Acts 20:32.
This involves of definite break from the ruling power of sin as Paul says in Romans
6:1-3, 12-13.
8. 3. An indication that clearly shows the believer is no longer ruled or dominated by
sin or better still no longer loves to sin- Rom 6:11, 14.
4. Meaning we have been set free from sin- Rom 6:18.
a. Read Apostle Paul’s admonition to the Romans. Rom 6:12-13.
i. That is not to say we are completely free from sin, because our
sanctification process is “an on-going process” always learning to be
complete as in Colossians 1:28-29.
b) … but to consider ourselves or yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ
Jesus- Rom 6-11 else, we would make mockery of the scripture that tells us
that “sin don’t have to have dominion over us. Romans 6:14
c) … remember your old identity and your current state. Romans 6:17-18
9. B. SANCTIFICATION INCREASES THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE TIME.
1. Once the Bible gives us a definite beginning to sanctification, it also describe it as
a process of growth in the life of every Christian.
a) The Apostle Paul therefore advised us (Christians) NOT to permit sin to reign in
our bodies. Rom 6:12-13 to be able to fulfill the growth task. Rom 6:19
b) He pointed out clearly to us… we are being changed into His likeness from one
degree of glory to another. II Peter 3:18, II Peter 1:5-8
c) … Therefore “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies
ahead- Philip. 3:13-14 pushing to the goal of perfection Philip. 3:9-12.
d) … leaving lies behind- Colossians 3:10 as described by the Hebrew writer-
Heb 12:1.
10. e) … and strive for holiness without it, no ONE WILL SEE GOD Heb 12:14.
i. As advised by James, in James 1:22
ii. Done by Peter in I Peter 1:15-16
There is therefore the urgent need to keep on growing each and every other day to
the glorification of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ in ALL SPHERES OF LIFE
MATTERS.
11. SANCTIFICATION A DUAL RESPONSIBILITY
I. Like salvation which conforms to a simple equation as –
WORK OF GOD + WORK OF MAN = SALVATION.
Sanctification operates on the same equation. God and man must have same
level of co-operation:
a. spirit offered word
b. Listening soul
c. abiding soul
d. obedient soul
These meet to produce a sanctified soul or being. Non works in isolation.
Philippians 2:12-13
In otherwards, God’s specifies role of getting us the spirit and the word to sanctify
us (John 17:17) and man’s duty to abide in the word for him/her to be clean.
John 15:3-4.
12. SANCTIFICATION A DUAL RESPONSIBILITY…
I. GOD’S SANCTIFICATION AS AN ACT OF DISCIPLINE - JOHN 12:5-11
a. Mark of leaving old things behind. Col. 3:1, II Cor. 5;17, Col. 3:5-9a.
b. Conforming to the “New Standard” Col. 3:2, 12-17
II. MAN’S PREPAREDNESS TO BE FOCUSED AND TO REMAIN AS SUCH - I COR. 1:30
a. As seen in Jesus’ example. Heb. 12:12
b. As described by the Apostles. I Peter 2 :22
c. As the John the revelator says. I John 2:6
HOW IT IS DONE
1. What Peter said - I Peter 1:2
2. What Paul said – II Thes. 2:13
3. What Paul told the Galatians - Gal. 5;22-23
The More we grow in the spirit, the “greater sanctification” is expected from us –
Gal. 5:16-18.
The spirit of Holiness (The Holy spirit must produce holiness within us).
13. III. MAN’S ROLE IN SANCTIFICATION
A. Like a sword of two edges are role are of two types.
i. “Passive one”: In which one we depend on God to sanctify us.
ii. “Active one”: In whose case we strive to be obedient to God and His word.
Romans 6:13-19, 12:1, 8:13.
a. Striving or pushing for holiness requires or demands abstaining .
b. Purification: I John 3:3 as Paul told the Corinthians. I Cor. 6:18, avoidance
of yoking with unbelievers. II Cor. 6:14, thus making holiness perfect in
the fear of God. II Cor. 7:1
14. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF US
a. Effect – II Peter 1:5. Read the following verses and compare with your life:
Rom. 12:1, 13:14, Eph. 4:17, 5:11ff, Philip. 4:4-9, Col. 3:5, 4:6
b. Need to train all our members to conform to that standard. Hebrews 5:14.
c. Remember there is “NO SHORTCUT TO SANCTIFICATION”
PATTERN OF SANCTIFICATION
1. If we can incorporate these five steps into our Christian growth as seen in
II Peter 1:5-8, it shall surely be well with us.
2. If we can live with heaven as our primary objective, we shall surely get there.
3. If we can truly MORTIFY the old man and his deeds. The journey would be
lovely.
15. STUDY
II Tim. 2:15
Ps. 1:1-2
Jn. 17:17
II Pet. 3:18
II Pet. 1:5-8
PRAYER
Eph. 6:18
Lk. 18:1
I Thes. 5:17
REGULAR
MEETINGS
Heb. 10:24-25
Eph. 5:18-20
TEACH
OTHERS
Matt. 28:18
Mk. 16:15
BE DESCIPLINE
Gal. 5:23
Tit. 1:8
PATTERN OF SANCTIFICATION - THE FIVE STEPS
The Eight (8) Graces
16. SANCTIFICATION
CONCLUSION
1. It is the will of God for us to be sanctified in body and in spirit.
a. We are required to mortify our members which are upon the earth – Col. 3:5-6
b. To flee immorality – I Cor. 6:18
c. Always remember our bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit – I Cor. 6:19
2. Note, sanctification is possible.
i. With the blood of Jesus as our portion, that cleanses us from all sins. – I John 1:7-10
ii. With the aid of the Spirit to empower us in our struggle against sin.
iii. The son being there for us all the time. – Hebrews 2:15-18
3. Comply; Read and Act.
i. I Thess. 4:8
ii. Galatians 4:6
iii. Romans 8:12-13, Ephesians 3:16, 20 and Galatians 5:22-23
