Sanctification

The Holiness Movement is a Christian movement that emerged chiefly within 19th-century Methodism.
Sanctification is a Christian theological concept that refers to the process of becoming holy or sacred, or being set apart for a special purpose for God. It is a gift from God that involves becoming more pure, blameless, and separated from sin.
The Holy Spirit plays a vital and primary role in the process of sanctification, acting as the agent that actively works within a Christian to transform their character. The Holy Spirit makes Christians more like Jesus Christ by enabling and empowering them to resist sin and live a life that is reflective of God's holiness. The Holy Spirit is a driving force behind spiritual growth and development in a Christian's life.[1]
Saint Paul wrote about the fruit of the Spirit: "By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." (Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV).
Articles:
- The Sanctifying Spirit, The Gospel Coalition
- What Is the Holy Spirit’s Role in Sanctification?
- Sanctification, Ligonier Ministries
- Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, Moody Bible Institute
Contents
- 1 Importance of the doctrine of sanctification
- 2 Bible verses on sanctification
- 3 Process of sanctification
- 4 Theological views on sanctification
- 5 Benefits of sanctification
- 6 Catholicism and sanctification
- 7 Pietism and sanctification
- 8 Holiness Movement
- 9 Pentecostalism
- 10 See also
- 11 External links
- 12 References
Importance of the doctrine of sanctification
The doctrine of sanctification stresses the importance of the ongoing process of being made holy by God. Through this process believer are progressively transformed to live a life more in accordance with God's will, separating themselves from sin and allowing them to become more like Jesus Christ throughout their life. This process results in a closer relationship with God and the promise of eternal life in heaven. It is a key component of Christian growth and living a holy and righteous life.[2][3][4]
Articles on the importance of the doctrine of sanctification
- The Doctrine of Sanctification, Gospel Coalition website
- The Primary Importance of Sanctification. The Doctrine of Sanctification, Grace to You Ministries
- The Importance of Sanctification, Christian Library
- What is Sanctification and How Does It Work?, Cru
- Students About Sanctification
- The Sanctification of a Believer (3 stages of sanctification: Positional, experiential and ultimate)
Bible verses on sanctification

Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published.
- 10 Key Bible Verses on Sanctification, Crossway
- Bible Verses about Sanctification, BibleStudyTools.com website
- Sanctification, Openbible.info
- The Holy Spirit and Sanctification (Selected Scriptures)
Key Bible verses on sanctification
"To the exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance." - 1 Peter 1:1-2 (NRSV)
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth."
"But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth." - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NRSV)
"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)
"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." - Hebrews 10:14 (ESV)
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." - John 17:17 (ESV)
Bible study on sanctification
- Bible Study: Sanctification, Bibles for Canada
- Bible lesson on sanctification
Process of sanctification
- What is the process of sanctification according to Romans?
- The Steps of Biblical Sanctification
- The Role of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification
Mike Mazzalongo articles on the process of sanctification:
- How Mankind Becomes Holy: The Sub-Doctrine of Sanctification - Part 1
- The Process of Sanctification. The Sub-Doctrine of Sanctification - Part 2
Theological views on sanctification
- Models of Sanctification, The Gospel Coalition website
Benefits of sanctification

1. Access to inheritance: Born-again children of God have an inheritance in Christ, and sanctification secures access to it (Hebrews 12:14; James 2:14-26; Matthew 25:31-40; 1 Timothy 18-20).
2. Improved prayer answers: Avoiding and repenting of sin can help answers to prayers from being hindered (1 Peter 3: 7).
3. Character improvement and avoiding sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). See also: Virtue
4. Divine health: Living a holy life, where godliness is a lifestyle, often leads to sounder health and vitality. For example, avoidance of gluttony and Sloth is good for the body.
5. Christlike love and forgiveness: Sanctification manifests itself in Christlike love and forgiveness (1 John 4:7-21). See: Agape
6. Stability and empowerment: Sanctification can make people more stable and less prone to failure (Psalm 1:3; Proverbs 12:24).
7. Empowerment engaging in service: Sanctification empowers people for service such as the Great Commission and good works.
8. Avoidance of God's discipline: God disciplines disobedient children, and may even end their lives on earth if their sin is serious enough (Hebrews 5:6; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:29-30).
Article:
Catholicism and sanctification
In Catholicism, sanctification refers to the ongoing process of becoming holy, initiated at baptism through the infusion of sanctifying grace, and is a lifelong journey of growing closer to God and becoming more like Christ by actively cooperating with the grace received through sacraments, prayer, and good works. It involves the process of developing a stronger and deeper relationship with God and living a more virtuous life through the Holy Spirit's guidance and power.
The partaking in the sacraments (e.g. Confession, Eucharist, etc.) lead to infused grace in the Christian, contributing to sanctification.
Articles:
- The Catholic Understanding of Justification, Sanctification, and Grace Compared with Protestant Understanding by Msgr. Lawrence Moran & Ronald J. Eldred
- Sanctification Is A Process, Catholic365.com
Pietism and sanctification
See also: Pietism
Pietism has roots in late 17th century Lutheranism following the Protestant Reformation. Pietism is a Lutheran reform movement that emphasizes sanctification (living a holy life),as a result of conversion and spiritual rebirth. Pietists believed that the Holy Spirit transforms people through conversion and that this transformation leads to sanctification. The ongoing theological disputes that were dividing Christianity into competing factions prompted some Christians to emphasize the need for a heart-felt, less intellectually oriented (less "scholastic") faith. In this atmosphere, Pietism was born. In The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought, Trond Enger offers a very favorable view of Pietism and describes it as "the most intense and profound attempt in the history of the church to realize the power of early Christianity."[8]
Emphasis of pietists
The Pietists emphasize:
- The importance of right living, characterized by more than just thinking the right things about God by living in ways that demonstrate one's commitment to God.
- A truly reformed church, characterized by small group Bible studies and increased lay participation in various aspects of ministry
- Individual devotional lives revolving around Bible study and prayer
- The importance of a "heart-felt" faith, sometimes called the "new birth."
Holiness Movement
See also: Holiness Movement
The Holiness Movement among American Methodists in the 1830s-1880s was part of the Third Great Awakening. The goal of the Holiness Movement was to move beyond the one-time conversion experience that the revivals produced, and reach entire sanctification. The Methodists saw entire sanctification as the "baptism of the Holy Spirit".
Pentecostalism
A related movement, Pentecostalism associated speaking in tongues with the "baptism in the spirit" or "baptism of the the Holy Spirit". Those who had this experience would be able to also heal the sick, perform miracles, and prophesy.[9]
See also
External links
- Sanctification, Ligonier Ministries
- What is Sanctification?, Grace Theological Seminary
- Sanctification, Bible.org
- Sanctification
- What is sanctification? What is the definition of Christian sanctification?, Got Questions Ministries
- 10 Things You Should Know about Sanctification, Crossway
- Why should I be sanctified as a Christian?
Videos:
- Sanctification - video playlist, video playlist
References
- ↑
- The Sanctifying Spirit, The Gospel Coalition
- What Is the Holy Spirit’s Role in Sanctification?
- Sanctification, Ligonier Ministries
- Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, Moody Bible Institute
- ↑ The Doctrine of Sanctification, Gospel Coalition website
- ↑ The Primary Importance of Sanctification, Grace to You Ministries
- ↑ Students About Sanctification
- ↑ The Bible is the best selling book of all time, Guinness Book of Word Record
- ↑ Why Is the Dove Often a Symbol for the Holy Spirit?, Christianity.com
- ↑ The Triumph of the Gospel of Love by Monk Themistocles (Adamopoulo)
- ↑ The Lessons of Pietism -- Dr. Lowell Zuck, The University of Chicago Divinity School]
- ↑ Harrell (1975)