The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study is now studying the Christian doctrine of sanctification. Sanctification is a continuing change worked by the Holy Spirit in us, freeing us from sinful habits and developing in us Christ-like desires, attitudes, and virtues.
Sanctification - the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy.
Romans 8:28-30 ESV And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Three aspects to sanctification
1. Positional sanctification received at salvation
2. Progressive sanctification, the daily growth, becoming more and more set apart for God's use
3. Ultimate sanctification, attained only when we are fully and completely set apart to God as we become just like Christ.
Salvation is the work of God alone. We don’t have anything to do with it and we can’t earn it. Sanctification is a process. Where salvation comes from outside of us, from God, sanctification comes from God within us by the work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we contribute to sanctification through our efforts. The saved person is actively involved in submitting to God's will, resisting sin, seeking holiness, and working to be more godly or developing in the fruit of the Spirit. Sanctification is the divine process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. It is a divine process because the changes in the life of the Christian are produced by the Holy Spirit
These are the notes to Session 2 of the study. Audio of the study can be heard by clicking the YouTube link at the end of the notes.
Definitions
sanc·ti·fy - verb - set apart as or declare holy; consecrate; set apart for sacred use: to make free from sin: purify
Sanctification - the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy.
We must realize that when you became a Christian, you passed that inerasable line of demarcation from the kingdom of darkness to God’s kingdom of light. There is no magic formula to growth in the Christian faith, and your new birth was precisely that: a birth. We are called not to childishness but to maturity—to grow up into the fullness of Christ.
You are called to be nonconformists. In other words, in every culture Christian behavior is called to transcend the established patterns and customs of that particular society. We march to the beat of a different drummer. The calling of our lives is higher than that which is accepted in our society. As Paul wrote, it is “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Sanctification can be generally defined as being separate or set apart. In the case of the Christian, we are set apart for God and we are separate from the world.
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ. Remember God’s purpose for us;
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
This conformance to Christ’s image also includes us and the things we do. God is working those things because He justified, or declared us right with Him through the blood of Jesus, us when He saved us.
Salvation is the work of God alone. We don’t have anything to do with it and we can’t earn it. Sanctification is a process. Where salvation comes from outside of us, from God, sanctification comes from God within us by the work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we contribute to sanctification through our efforts. The saved person is actively involved in submitting to God's will, resisting sin, seeking holiness, and working to be more godly or developing growing in the fruit of the Spirit. Sanctification is the divine process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. It is a divine process because the changes in the life of the Christian are produced by the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
The “fruit” of the Spirit, on the other hand, is the expression of our renewed nature as it is seen by others. In order to live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, you must bear fruit.
Sanctification Explored
The goal: the likeness of Christ which God demonstrated his purpose in creating us in His image
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV)26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
When God created man he had no sin. When he sinned he separated himself from God. The sanctification process is working to get us back to that image which is exemplified in Christ.
The aim: to “grow up into him who is the Head, Christ”
Ephesians 4:11-15 (NKJV)11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
The model: the life of Christ
The means: the Holy Spirit
The method: a daily walk with God through prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, and worship
Sanctification and Spiritual Warfare: Sanctification is a struggle between two forces at work in the life of the Christian: the old nature and the new nature. The Christian’s new nature desires to do God’s will, but the old nature refuses to go along. There is warfare within the Christian’s heart
Romans 7:15-24 (NKJV)15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Galatians 5:17 (NKJV) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
but with God’s help, the new nature eventually overcomes the old.
Romans 7:25 (NKJV) I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
1 Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV)1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Those changes are not the result of self-improvement efforts or reimaging. They are the result of the power of God renewing the heart and mind of the Christian. In the Christian’s sanctification, God’s resurrection power is at work on a renewal project.
Three aspects to sanctification
1. Positional sanctification received at salvation
Acts 20:32 (NKJV) So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV)2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
2. Progressive sanctification, the daily growth, becoming more and more set apart for God's use
John 17:16-19 (NKJV)16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
3. Ultimate sanctification, attained only when we are fully and completely set apart to God as we become just like Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV)1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
The Holy Spirit gives us the heart purity that makes sanctification possible. (Ezekiel 36:25-27)
Baptism
Ezekiel 36:25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
Baptism is an outward symbol of the inward purity that accompanies our new birth.
Acts 2:38 (NKJV)38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The reception of the Holy Spirit is not dependent upon baptism, but it follows baptism, which is the outward and visible sign of a penitent spirit. In the early church, converts were baptized without delay. So being baptized and receiving the Spirit were practically simultaneous. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Those who hold to the belief that baptism is required for salvation are quick to point to this verse and the fact that it says “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” assuming that the word translated “for” in this verse means “in order to get.” However, in both Greek and English, there are many possible usages of the word “for.”
As an example, when one says “Take two aspirin for your headache,” it is obvious to everybody that it does not mean “take two aspirin in order to get your headache,” but instead to “take two aspirin because you already have a headache.” There are three possible meanings of the word “for” that might fit the context 1--“in order to 2—“because of, or 3—“with regard to.”
Greek scholars as A.T. Robertson and J.R. Mantey have maintained that the Greek preposition eis in Acts 2:38 should be translated “because of” or “in view of,” and not “in order to,” or “for the purpose of.”
Regeneration ( to generate or produce anew; reformed or reborn, especially in a spiritual or moral sense.)
Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Regeneration involves the imparting of God’s nature into our hearts as believers.
God's part in regeneration is stressed here.
Ezekiel 11:19 (NKJV) Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
In the Bible the heart is regarded as the seat of man's mental activities, his mind, his will. The spirit is regarded as the breath, wind, disposition which animates actions. The two together constitute man's inner being, into which God would instill a new energy. For "the heart of stone," unimpressionable, obstinate, God will give them an heart of flesh, which would be "sensitive, responsive to God's touch, and obedient to His will" (Bewer). This is God's work, his gift of grace.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NKJV)31 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
God makes clear, through Jeremiah, that Israel has failed to keep this covenant and predicts that He will make a new one with His people. The new covenant will not be a new law (the old law was still good), but it will produce a new "heart"—i.e., it will confer a new motivation to obey the law of God. Jesus, while instituting the Lord's Supper, declared, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood". The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Psalm 51:10-12 (NKJV)10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
New things in God's redemptive scheme
Isaiah 62:2 (NKJV)2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.
The Hebrews epistle teaches that Christ brought in the new covenant by his perfect and final sacrifice for sin
Hebrews 7:22 (NLT)22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.
Conversion
Ezekiel 36:27 (NKJV) I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Conversion results in our being indwelt by the presence of the Holy Spirit of God. (27)
The pouring out of God's Spirit is to be a feature of the coming age
Ezekiel 37:14 (NKJV)14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.' "
Joel 2:28-29 (NKJV)28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Acts 2:16-21 (NKJV)16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'
The indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to live according to God’s commandments. (27)
On conversion the believer in Jesus Christ is said to be baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are related and happen at the same time.
When does that happen?
Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
When you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation you were indwelt at the same time.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT)16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
The conversion work of the Holy Spirit results in making us new. He imparts a new life.
Titus 3:5 (NKJV)5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
And as new creatures we should put off some old stuff and put on some new stuff.
Colossians 3:1-14 (NKJV)1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
The indwelling of believers is permanent
The grace of God gives us the motivation we need to seek sanctification. (Titus 2:11-14)
Titus 2:11-15 (NKJV)11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Titus 2:11 (NKJV)11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
The grace of God makes salvation a gift that is offered to all of us. (11)
Titus 2:12 (NKJV)12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
The grace of God teaches us how to pursue holiness in this present age. (12)
The grace of God teaches how to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.
The grace of God teaches how to live soberly, righteously, and godly.
These words show the basic orientation of Paul's thought—life consists of this world, as well as the world to come. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Titus 2:13-14 (NKJV)13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. C.
The grace of God motivates us to live for Christ. (13-14)
The imminent return of Christ inspires us to live for Him.
The sacrificial death of Christ motivates us to live for Him.
The redemption of Christ inspires us to live for Him.
Deliverance from guilt and condemnation is not foremost here, but rather deliverance from ungodly walk. Thus the special mark of God's people appears—their zeal for good works. Good works are the fruit of the Spirit, the seal of God's ownership. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
The church gives us the nurture we need to make progress in sanctification. (1 Thess. 4:1-8)
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (NKJV)1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
In the church we are encouraged to live in a manner that pleases God. (1)
In the church we are taught to obey the commandments of the Lord. (2)
In the church we are challenged to pursue holiness. (3-8)
Sanctification or holiness is God’s will for us. (3)
Our sex life should be an expression of our holiness. (3-6)
We must abstain from sexual immorality.
We must control our own bodies honorably.
We must live differently from unbelievers who live in the passion of lust.
We must never take advantage of people, for we know that God will avenge.
God calls us to holiness not uncleanness. (7)
Rejection of this divine calling is a rejection of God, who gave us His Spirit. (8)
Bible Study Audio
