1. Soteriology
Sanctification

2. The Meaning
The sanctification passages number considerably more than those which specifically use the term. In reality the term is related to others words which have the same root in Hebrew and in Greek. These words are holy, holiness, and saint. The root meaning of all of these words is to separate or set apart.

3. Separation to God
Imputation of Christ as our Holiness
Purification from Moral Evil
Conformation to the Image of Christ

4. Separation to God can include places as in the case of the Old Testament Tabernacle and subsequent Temple. The furniture of both were hallowed or set apart to God alone. Under Old Testament law a person could consecrate a portion of his field to God (Leviticus 27:14,16). People could be consecrated to God as was the entire nation of Israel and in particular the first born (Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:13; Nehemiah 8:17). Anything that had been dedicated to God could not be reclaimed or changed.

5. Christ is the source of our sanctification being made sanctification for us or in our place. (1 Cor. 1:30) This is why all believers are consistently called saints “irrespective of their spiritual attainments (1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:2; Heb. 10:10; Jude 1,3).”
As believers we are called upon to separate ourselves from sin both external and internal. (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Rom. 6:11,12; Eph. 4:22,23)

6. The ultimate goal of sanctification is complete conformity to very character of Christ. (Rom. 8:29)

7. Two Aspects of Sanctification
Positional – At the very moment that we are saved we are set apart as a peculiar people, belonging exclusively to God. (1 Cor. 6:11,19,20)
Progressive – From the moment of salvation there begins a growth in grace process that results in a metamorphism of the character. (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18). It is tragic and contrary to the will of God when believers do not grow in steady spiritual maturity. (Heb. 5:10-14 )

8. The Motive God’s Love – 1 John 4:9,10 God’s Glory – Eph. 1:3-14
Our Good – Deut. 6:23-25
God does seek the good of His people. Sanctification conquers the appetites of the fallen nature, implants a desire for God Himself, and produces a balanced, joyful believer. (Psa. 5:11,12)

9. The Means
Positional sanctification was accomplished on Calvary where Christ paid to the price of redemption. (1 Cor. 7:23; 6;19,20; 1:2; Heb. 13:12; 9:13,14; 10:10)

10. Every believer is set apart for and to God through the work of the Trinity.
God the Father – 1 Th. 5:23
God the Son – Eph. 5:26; Heb. 2;11; 13:12
God the Holy Spirit – Rom. 15:12; 2 Th. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2)

11. Three Aspects of Sanctification
Positional Sanctification received at conversion
Progressive Sanctification accomplished throughout the earthly life of the believer
Prospective or Complete Sanctification will be consummated in the future by means of the final purging at the Judgment Seat of Christ

12. Progressive sanctification is the will of God. (1 Th
Progressive sanctification is the will of God. (1 Th. 4:1-8) If the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer is the primary agent of sanctification, the Bible is the primary agency. (John 17:17-19) It is impossible to be a mature believer without the apprehension and application of the Word of God. Failure to perceive and receive the Bible results in stunted spiritual growth. (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2) The second agency in progressive sanctification is the church and the gifted men given to the church to communicate the Word of God. (Eph. 4:11-16)

13. The Manifestation
There is a human element in the process of sanctification. Because every believer has a personal relationship with God as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit there is a genuine desire in the inner man for the holiness commanded in Scripture. (1 Pet. 1:13-16)

14. The fact that God exercises discipline in the life of the believer not only indicates the reality of conversion, but also has the purpose of forwarding the process of sanctification. (Heb. 12:5-14; Rom. 6:16-22)

15. A clear evidence of a redeemed soul is both the ability and the reality of cooperation with the Holy Spirit in the growth of the soul. Maturity in the faith brings a discriminating wisdom that recognizes those elements of the flesh and of the world that are contrary to the life in Christ. Conscious effort to turn from those things while trusting God’s means of escape manifest a life being sanctified. (1 Cor. 10:12-14)

16. The epistles are filled with admonitions to believers to make the right choices that result in an intentional walk of personal godliness. (Eph. 4:17-32 ) The absence of these continuing changes in conduct as well as attitude gives ample reason for question about the reality of the conversion. (2 Pet. 1:5-11)

17. The final manifestation of sanctification is reserved for eternity where the process will be completed. This is God’s purpose for every believer. (1 Th. 5:23,24) Blamelessness has to do with justification. Faultlessness has to do with final glorification. (Jude 24,25; Rom 8:29,30; 1 Th. 3:11-13)

18. In eternity sanctification will be more than positional and progressive; it will be perfected. In that day we will be completely conformed to the likeness of Christ and will truly know the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13; 5:25-27)