6.

The Doctrine of
Sanctification

Name: ________________________________ Cell Phone: ________________________ Date: ___________

SAN MARCELINO BAPTIST BIBLE SEMINARY, ALL THIRD YEAR MAJORS

INTRODUCTION

While the inpartation of our new nature in regeneration was instant, our old nature as the old man, still attempts to rise up resulting in
inner battles between the old man and our the new nature. Our new nature also awaits the day when it can be redeemed from our
mortal body of decay, sin and corruption when we receive our new gloried body. This process of having been given our new nature, up
to the day when we stand faultless before Him, is called “Sanctification.” It is a process involving our total redemption to where our
entire being is “set apart” as “Holy.” In this lesson, we will take a look at how this Sanctification” process works.

1. THE MEANING OF SANCTIFICATION

A Generally Considered

The words “sanctified” and “sanctification” occurs over 60 times in our KJV and according to both Strongs’ and Thayers’ predominately
means “consecration, purification” or “setting apart for His use.” According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism (q.35), sanctification
is "the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to
die unto sin, and live unto righteousness." It is a continuing change worked by God in us. Freeing from us sinful habits and forming in
us Christ-like affections, dispositions and virtues. It does not mean that sin is instantly eradicated, but it is also more than a counter
action, in which sin is merely restrained or repressed without being progressively destroyed. Sanctification is a real transformation, not
just the appearance of one. . . It is “more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the
work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the
soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the
whole man (Rom 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 Jn 4:7; 1 Cor 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to
carry on this work (1 Cor 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). – Easton Dictionary.

Sanctification implies: An action - sanctifying or making holy; or a condition - A Separation or an apartness from the unholy, and a purity and cleanness
in the sense of separation from all that is impure and evil. But God works in those whom He claims as His own to conform them into the image of His
Son (Rom.8:29). God calls His children to Holiness and graciously gives what He commands (1 Thes.4:4, 5:23).
B. A Working Definition

Sanctification is the _________________of _____________________ what God has already started in our life. As stated by Easton,
“sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom.6:13; 2 Cor.4:6;
Col.3:10; 1 Jn 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). While regeneration is complete, we have yet to totally submit to our new nature (here on earth), and to
be rescued from our bodies of flesh (Phil.3:21, 1 Cor 15:44). Sanctification, are the processes, where through the work of the Holy
Spirit and the cooperation of man, the Regenerated believer appropriates actual holiness into all aspects of his life.

2. SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF SANCTIFICATION

A. Sanctification is a Commencement

Sanctification is a reality from the beginning of the Christian life. From the moment the believer is saved he is considered to be in Christ,
is declared sanctified, set apart, a Saint. “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called
to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: . . But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light (1 Cor 1:2, 1 Pet 2:9.”

B. Sanctification is a CONTINUING PROCESS

Sanctification is also a continuing process with a progressive nature, calling believers to walk according to God's commands. “But as he
which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Pet 1:15-
16) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. . . But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD. . . Follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. . (Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 12:14)

In Hebrews 12:1-2 the Christian life is described as a race. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” There is the laying aside of sin as we come to the finish line. It is
not a once-for-all laying aside of sin but a continuing activity throughout the whole of life.

C. Sanctification Has The GOAL of Holiness

Sanctification is the goal of the Christian life. God would have His people move constantly forward towards the goal of holiness. And the
very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. . . And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may
approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of
righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (1 Thess 5:23, Phil 1:9-11)

Yet, while the Bible urges us to holiness, entire sanctification is difficult to apprehend. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung,
that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of
Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I
had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us
therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. . . If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (Phil 3:8-16 , 1 Jn 1:8)

3. THE SCOPE OF SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification refers the renewal of the whole person according to the likeness of God. Through this renewal God progressively restores
man to the condition in which he was before Adam fell into sin. As stated previously, this goal will be finally accomplished in glory. The
scope of sanctification has two emphases.

A. Sanctification Involves A Renewal

Renewal reflects stages in the range of sanctification. It implies its:

(1) A Beginning “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; . . That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created
in righteousness and true holiness.- (Tit 3:5; Eph 4:22-24)

(2) A Process “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:. . . I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Col
3:9-10, Rom 12:1-2)

(3) A Goal Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. . .
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. ( 2
Cor 5:17; Jude 24)

B. Sanctification Involves The Renewal Of the WHOLE Person

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 5:23)

MAN'S SPIRIT - A person's spirit is the deepest dimension of human nature. It is given to man by God, and is the center of man's
being. It is that dimension of the self in which God encounters man. As a result of sin man has become estranged in his spirit from God,
and removed from His life-giving presence. He has become dead to the things of God. In and through Jesus Christ man receives a
renewed spirit. His communication with God is re-established, and the Holy Spirit witnesses that he is a child of God (Rom 8:16). This
renewed human spirit needs to be continually purified and refined. The goal is to be completely transparent to the Holy Spirit, and to
radiate Christ from within (2 Cor 7:1; Eph 4:31-32; Ps 51:10; 1 Thess 3:12-13; 1 Tim 1:5; Heb 10:22). The three biblical terms, " spirit","
heart", and " conscience " refer to man in his responsible nature before God. In salvation there has been a renewing of the spirit, an
alteration of the heart, and a purifying of the conscience (Heb 9:14). This has occurred essentially, but is also ongoing.

MAN'S SOUL- The soul may be spoken of as the inner life of man through which the spirit of man expresses itself. Man, in the totality
of his being, is a living and conscious soul, or self. Intellect, emotion and will are all aspects of the soul in action. With the fall in sin
there has been a perverting of the soul, resulting in a turning from God in all these vital areas and as a consequence man has been
dead unto God (Eph 2:1,5). With the receiving of salvation in Christ, man again becomes alive to God, resulting in renewal of his mind,
intellect, emotions and will. INTELLECT - the ongoing renewal of the mind (Rom 12:2; Phil 2:5; 2 Cor 10:5). EMOTIONS - the ongoing
renewal of the inward desires, feelings, passions (Gal 5:24; 2 Tim 2:21-22; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Jn 2:15-16). WILL - Before salvation the
will was in bondage to sin, with an invariable turning from God to sin (Heb 2:14-15) and man was not able not to sin. But with a will
liberated through salvation in Christ, man is brought into freedom (Jn 5:24, Rom 7:24-25).

MAN'S BODY - Before new life in Christ, the body was actually a body devoted to sin. With the crucifixion of our old nature that sinful
condition has been destroyed (Rom 6:6). However, even though the body of the believer is no longer controlled by sin, sin is still
present (2 Cor 7:1). “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:That every one of you
should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour” (1 Thess 4:3-4). “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the
Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?. . . Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. . . Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose
glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (1 Cor 6:19, , Gal 5:19, 21, Phil 3:19 )

C. Sanctification Involves The Renewal Of the WHOLE Person Into the LIKENESS of God.

The intention of the entire process of sanctification of the whole person is renewal in the likeness of God. The likeness of God is the
likeness of Christ. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD. . . For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his
Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” ( 2Cor 3:18, Rom 8:29)

This conformity begins with the new life in Christ, must be ongoing and ever growing, with the ultimate goal that of likeness to Jesus
Christ. Not conformity to the world, as Paul states in Rom 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

4. THE METHOD OF SANCTIFICATION

How does sanctification occur? There is both a divine and a human side to sanctification! Although sanctification is primarily the work of
God, man is not passive in the process.
A. God's Part in Sanctification

(1) GOD THE FATHER IS THE SOURCE OF SANCTIFICATION. . . Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my
Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that
doth sanctify you.. . Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. . . . And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth
you, who also will do it. (Ex 31:13, Jn 17:17, 1 Thess 5:23-24)

(2) JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WORD ARE THE AGENT OF SANCTIFICATION. . . Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them
that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both
theirs and ours:. . . But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption. . By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. . . . Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by
the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish. (1 Cor 1:2,30, Heb 10:10, Eph 5:25, 27)

C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE ENERGIZER OF SANTIFICATION enabling the believer to walk with Jesus Christ in obedience. .
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood
of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. . . This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the
flesh . . . If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (1 Pet 1:2 , Gal 5:16, 25). In His involvement the Holy Spirit works from
within the believer corporately (Eph.19-22) and individually (1 Cor 6:19; 2 Tim 1:14).

B. Man's Involvement in Sanctification

God does not sanctify man without man’s involvement. This does not mean that God accomplishes a certain percentage, and man does
the rest. It means God does it all but that man must cooperate in order to obtain desired holiness of character in this life (Lev 20:7; 2
Cor 7:1; Heb 12:14). Man has to die to sin, to consider himself already dead to sin, in the sense that sin no longer dominates him (Rom
6:11). While the sinful nature is always present, man must renounce sin (Tit 2:11-12; Lk 9:23; Col 3:5; Heb 12:1-2). Renouncing sin is
an active and continuous process (Gal 5:17). Man is not left to himself in renouncing sin. He is enabled by the Spirit, but not forced
(Rom 8:13).

Man is called to live for righteousness (Matt 5:6, Rom 6:18-19) by obeying His Word (Ps 119:11, 2 Tim 3:16, Matt 7:2), and by looking
to Him as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-2). We are called to follow Christ actively in total commitment by walking in the
Spirit (Gal 5:25) in fulfillment of God's law (Rom 8:4). It also means we are to walk in love, which unites both freedom and law (Gal 5:1,
13-14). Love does not do away with the law but actually fulfills it in Christ – (Eph 5:2).
 5. THE OBTAINABILY OF SANCTIFICATION

A. Sanctification is VERY Attainable

As long as we remain on this planet and trapped in our fleshly bodies, it appears perfect sanctification will not be realized in this life (1 K
8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; Ja. 3:2; 1 Jn 1:8). Further Paul's account of himself ( Rom 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15), the
confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13; 51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20), all seem to confirm that the ideal of
perfect achieving holiness while here on earth is impossible. However, the Bible makes it clear that we are still to strive for Holiness
(Mat 5:48).

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Rom.6:1-2, 12, Gal 5:16). For
thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all
people that are upon the face of the earth. . . . But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (Deut 7:6,1 Pet 2:9) Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. . . Having
therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God . ." (Tit 2:14, 2 Cor 7:1).

It is important to distinguish between the goal and the fulfillment of sanctification. The goal of growing in holiness should always be
before the believer. There is no biblical justification for the view that suggests little concern for holy living. God calls us to be a holy
people and there is a serious error if we do not devote ourselves to growing continually in holiness. However, we err badly if we allow
the goal to be claimed as an accomplished end (2 Pet 3:18).

B. Sanctification IS Possible!

Gen 6:9 Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Job 1:1 Job. . . was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Ezek 14:14 they…deliver..their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD
Ezek 14 20 they…deliver..their own souls by their righteousness….
Lk 1:6. They were both righteous before God….blameless.

But what about our Mortal Bodies? Can they be sanctified while still on earth? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom.12:1). Yes, we
can chose to over-ride the flesh by dying daily (1 Cor 13:31) in our service for Him. But while not all believers will achieve complete
sanctification, ALL will achieve it at death or at the return of Christ.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that,
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. . . . Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it
good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to
establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: ( 1 Jn 3:1-2, 1 Thess 3: 12-13)

Sanctifaction, is the processes, where through the work of the Holy

Spirit and the cooperation of man, the Regenerated believer
appropriates actual holiness into all aspects of his life. It is the
carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it
extends to the whole man!

QUESTION TIME

T F 1. Both Sanctification and Regeneration are a long process.

T F 2. Sanctification refers the renewal of the whole person according to the likeness of God.
T F 3. Some verses show that sanctification is possible in this life.
T F 4. Sanctification of our bodies cannot be achieved while we are here on earth.
T F 5. God the Holy Spirit is the energizer of sanctification.
T F 6. It is important to distinguish between the goal and the fulfillment of sanctification.
T F 7. If man fails to cooperate, he will not realize sanctification while here on earth
T F 8. Regeneration is the goal of the Christian life.
T F 9. During the Sanctification process, God and man achieve different percentages.