The Doctrine of Sanctification

Greek: hagiasmos (GSN-<G38>), consecration; a separation unto God FROM a profane, secular, and carnal use TO a sacred, religious, and spiritual use.

The words “sanctify” and “sanctified” are used 132 Times; “sanctification” 5 times (New Testament only); and “sanctifieth” 4 times (New Testament only)—141 Times total in Scripture: 110 times in the Old Testament and only 31 Times in the New Testament A study of the various passages shows that to sanctify means to set apart from other uses to God’s particular use, not to cleanse from sin or rid of carnal nature (sometimes called “the old man” or Adamic nature). Even Christ, the Sinless One, was sanctified (Jn. 10:36; 17:19). Where humans are concerned one begins to be sanctified when he begins to consecrate his life to God, and the process is continued as he continues in his dedication (1Cor. 1:30; 6:11; 2Th. 2:13; 1Jn. 1:7–9; 3:8–10; 5:1–4, 18).

Sin is not involved in sanctification, because the word means setting apart. God has sanctified both people and material things, and even immaterial things. If sin is not involved in the person or thing set apart, then no sin is cleansed in the process of setting apart:

  1. Material things have been sanctified without taking an old man (Satan, note, 2Cor. 5:17) out of them:

(1)        Bread (1Sam. 21:5)

(2)        The tabernacle and its furniture (Ex. 29:43–30:29; Lev. 8:10–15)

(3)        Priests’ garments (Lev. 8:30)

(4)        Houses and lands (Lev. 27:9–29)

(5)        Meat (1Tim. 4:3–5)

(6)        Solomon’s temple and furniture (2Chr. 7:16–20; 29:17–19)

(7)        Gates (Neh. 3:1)

(8)        Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:23)

(9)        The offerings (Ex. 29:27)

(10)      Herod’s temple (Mt. 23:17)

  1. Holy persons have been sanctified who never had an old man in them:

(1)        God the Father (Lev. 10:3; Num. 20:13; Isa. 5:16; Ezek. 20:41; 28:22–25; 36:23; 38:16; 39:27; 1Pet. 3:15)

(2)        Christ (Jn. 10:36; 17:17–19)

  1. God’s name has been repeatedly sanctified without taking an old man out of it (Isa. 29:23; Ezek 36:23).
  2. Babies have been sanctified from birth before committing sin (Jer. 1:5; Lk. 1:15–17; Gal. 1:15) and one never did have an old man in Him (Lk. 1:35; Jn. 10:36).
  3. Heathen soldiers and husbands have been sanctified who never were Christians (Isa. 13:3, 17; 1Cor. 7:14).
  4. Believers sanctify God and never take an old man out of Him (1Pet. 3:15).
  5. Christ sanctified Himself though He never had an old man in Him (Jn. 17:19).
  6. The same people were sanctified many times so sanctification cannot be limited to one act (Ex. 19:14, 22; 28:41; 29:33, 44; 30:29; Lev. 8:30).
  7. People have sanctified themselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7). Did they take an old man out of themselves?
  8. The same people that sanctified themselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7) were also sanctified by Moses (Ex. 19:10–14) and by God (Ex. 29:43–44; 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:8, 15, 23; 22:9, 16). Which ones took the old man out?
  9. All the firstborn of Israel were sanctified at birth (Ex. 13:2; Num. 8:17). If the old man was taken out at this time, then none of them had an old man after that.
  10. Sanctified disciples (Jn. 13:10; 15:3, notes) were further sanctified in the same sense that the sanctified Christ (Jn. 10:36) further sanctified Himself (Jn. 17:17–19). See Old Testament Spiritual Experiences.
  11. The seventh day was sanctified without sin and cleaning being involved (Gen. 2:3–4)

However, if sin and filth are involved in a person or a material thing to be set apart unto God, then such must be dealt with to make it presentable to God.

Seven Personal Agents Used in Sanctifying:

  1. God (Gen. 2:3; Lev. 21:15, 23; 22:9; Jn. 10:36; 1Th. 5:23; Jude 1:1)
  2. Jesus Christ (1Cor. 1:30; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 2:11; 10:10, 14; 13:12)
  3. Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16; 1Cor. 6:11; 2Th. 2:13; 1Pet. 1:2)
  4. Moses (Ex. 19:10, 14; 40:13; Lev. 8:10–15, 30; 21:8; Num. 7:1)
  5. Joshua (Josh. 7:13)
  6. Priests (1Chr. 15:14; 2Chr. 30:24; Ex. 19:22)
  7. Laymen (Lev. 11:44; 20:7). Cp. Mt. 23:17, 19; Heb. 9:13

Man is the agent in sanctification 85 times; God 23 times; Christ 10 times; and the Holy Spirit 4 times. Man has as much to do with sanctification as God, for he is the one who decides to sanctify himself to God. Man and God work together in the setting apart process. Men are spoken of as being sanctified 75 times; material things are said to be sanctified 40 times; and God is referred to as being sanctified 14 times (Lev. 10:3; Num. 20:12–13; 27:14; Isa. 5:16; 8:13; 29:23; Ezek. 20:41; 28:22, 25; 36:23; 38:16; 39:27).

Fifteen Commands to Sanctify:

  1. Let priests sanctify themselves (Ex. 19:22; 1Chr. 15:14; 2Chr. 29:15, 34; 30:3, 5, 15, 24; 31:18).
  2. Sanctify them (Ex. 19:10; 28:41; 29:33; 30:29; Lev. 8:11; 21:23).
  3. Sanctify him (Lev. 8:12; 21:8, 15).
  4. Sanctify yourselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7; Num. 11:18; Josh. 3:5; 1Sam. 16:5; 1Chr. 15:12; 2Chr. 29:5).
  5. Sanctify the people (Ex. 19:14; Josh. 7:13).
  6. Sanctify Aaron and his garments (Lev. 8:30).
  7. Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn (Ex. 13:2).
  8. Sanctify it (mountain, Ex. 19:23).
  9. Sanctify the breast (of wave offering, Ex. 29:27).
  10. Sanctify the altar (Ex. 29:36–37; 40:10).
  11. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts (Isa. 8:13).
  12. Sanctify the Holy One of Jacob (Isa. 29:23).
  13. Sanctify a fast (Joel 1:14; 2:15).
  14. Sanctify the congregation (Joel 2:18).
  15. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts (1Pet. 3:15).

Not only are there commands for people to sanctify God, but complaints because they did not do so (Dt. 32:51; Num. 27:14).

Thirty Proofs When Sanctification Begins:

It began in God’s plan before Adam (Eph. 1:4), but in experience it begins:

  1. When one gets salvation through sanctification (2Th. 2:13; Rom. 1:16)
  2. When he receives Christ (1Cor. 1:30)
  3. When born again (1Jn. 2:29; 3:7–10; 4:7, 17; 5:1–5, 18; 1Pet. 1:15–23)
  4. When one becomes God’s elect through sanctification (1Pet. 1:2–4; Eph. 1:4)
  5. When made righteous (1Cor. 1:30; 1Jn. 1:9; 3:7–10; 5:1–5, 18)
  6. When created in holiness (Eph. 4:24)
  7. When the old man (Satan, note, 2Cor. 5:17) is put off (Rom. 6; Eph. 4:22–24; Col. 3:8–10; 2Cor. 5:17–18)
  8. When one becomes dead to sin (Rom. 6)
  9. When baptized into Christ by the Spirit (Rom. 6; 8:12–13; 1Jn. 3:7–10; 5:1–5, 18)
  10. When one ceases to live in sin (Rom. 6; 8:12–13; 1Jn. 3:7–10; 5:1–5, 18)
  11. When he turns from Satan to God at forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:18)
  12. When accepted by God (Rom. 15:16)
  13. When one gets into Christ and is made a new creature (2Cor. 5:17–18)
  14. When on becomes Christ’s and crucifies the flesh (Gal. 5:24; Eph. 4:24)
  15. When washed from sin and justified (1Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:25–26; Rev. 1:5)
  16. When he becomes one with Christ (Heb. 2:11; 2Cor. 5:17–19; Rom. 8:1–13)
  17. When he accepts Christ as the offering for sin (Heb. 10:4–14; 1Cor. 1:30)
  18. When one is cleansed by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:29; 1Jn. 1:7–9)
  19. When saved to the uttermost and from Satan (Heb. 7:25; 1Jn. 3:8–10; 5:18)
  20. When redeemed (Lk. 1:68–77; 1Cor. 1:30; Heb. 9:12–15; 1Pet. 1:18–23)
  21. When one believes truth (1Th. 2:13)
  22. When saved from fornication (1Th. 4:3–4; Gal. 5:24; 1Cor. 6:9–11)
  23. When one becomes the temple of God (1Cor. 3:16–17; 6:19–20; Rom. 8:9)
  24. When reconciled to God (2Cor. 5:17–21; Col. 1:20–23; Rom. 5:1–11)
  25. When one is saved and purified by faith (Acts 11:14–18; 15:7–11)
  26. When brought to obedience to God (1Pet. 1:2; Rom. 6:16–23; 8:12–13)
  27. When one is made ready for resurrection to see God (Heb. 12:14; Rev. 20:4–6)
  28. When grace brings salvation and the Spirit renews (Tit. 2:11–13; 3:5)
  29. When converted and all sins are blotted out (Acts 3:19–21; 26:18)
  30. When purged of all sin (Heb. 1:3; 10:1–18; 2Pet. 1:4, 10).

These above points have to do with instantaneous sanctification. There is also progressive sanctification and complete sanctification.

Proof of Progressive Sanctification:

  1. Statements of Jesus (Lk. 9:23; Jn. 8:31; 14:26; 15:3; 16:13–16)
  2. Statements of Luke (Acts 13:43; 14:22; 15:41; 16:5; 18:26)
  3. Statements of Paul (Rom. 1:11, 17; 2:7; 4:12; 6:3–22; 7:4–6; 8:1–13; 11:20–22; 12:1–21; 14:19; 1Cor. 1:7–10; 11:31–34; 15:58; 16:13; 2Cor. 3:18; 5:9; 7:1; 10:4–6; 13:11; Gal. 5:1, 13, 16–26; Eph. 3:16–21; 4:1–32; 5:1–18; 6:1–18; Php. 1:6, 9, 25–27; 2:12–15; 3:7–15; 4:8–9; Col. 1:9–29; 2:3–9; 3:1–17; 4:12; 1Th. 2:2–13; 3:1–12; 5:11–23; 2Th. 1:3–5; 2:13–17; 3:3; 1Tim. 1:18; 4:12–16; 5:21–22; 6:12–14; 2Tim. 1:13–14; 2:4, 19–26; Tit. 2:7–14; Heb. 3:6, 12–14; 4:11; 5:11–14; 6:1–2, 11–12; 10:23–39; 12:12; 13:20–21)
  4. Statements of James (Jas. 1:3–4, 12, 22–27; 2:14–26; 3:2; 4:4–10; 5:1–12)
  5. Statements of Peter (1Pet. 1:5–16; 2:1–12; 3:8–12; 4:1–19; 5:1–10; 2Pet. 1:4–10; 3:14–18)
  6. Statements of John (1Jn. 1:6–9; 2:1–6, 24–29; 3:1–10; 5:1–18; 2Jn. 1:1, 6, 8; 3Jn. 1:4, 11)
  7. Statements of Jude (Jude 1:3, 20–24)

Proof of Complete Sanctification:

  1. Statements of Jesus (Mt. 10:22; 19:27–29; 25:46; Mk. 10:29–30; Lk. 21:36; Jn. 4:36; 6:27; 12:25; 14:1–3)
  2. Statements of Paul (Acts 26:18; Rom. 2:7–10; 5:21; 6:22–23; 8:17–18, 23–25; 13:11; 1Cor. 1:7–8; 15:1–6, 23, 51–58; 2Cor. 4:16–18; 5:9; Gal. 6:7–8; Eph. 1:4, 13–14; 4:13–16; 5:26–27; Php. 1:6; 3:7–14, 20–21; Col. 3:4; 1Th. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:23; Heb. 3:6, 12–14; 6:1–12, 18–19; 10:23, 35–39)
  3. Statements of others (Jas. 5:7; 1Pet. 1:3–13; 4:13; 5:10; 2Pet. 3:14; Jn. 3:1–3; Jude 1:24)[1]