Sanctification
Believers are progressively made holy.
This doctrine defines Christian orthodoxy. Denial places one outside the historic faith.
What the traditions say
Sanctification is integral to justification — they are not separable. Grace truly transforms the believer. Purgatory completes the process after death for those not fully sanctified.
Sanctification IS salvation — theosis, the progressive participation in the divine nature. The entire Christian life is a journey toward union with God.
Entire sanctification is possible in this life. God's grace can purify the heart from willful sin — not sinless perfection, but perfect love.
Sanctification follows justification but is always imperfect. The believer remains simul justus et peccator. Good works flow from faith but do not contribute to salvation.
Sanctification is progressive and never complete in this life. It is the work of the Holy Spirit conforming believers to Christ's image. Distinct from justification.
Who binds this (creedal)
Every affiliated congregation inherits its denomination's position. Follow a chip to see the confession's language.
Key scriptures
- 1Cor 1:2 — 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:
- 1Cor 6:11 — And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
- 1John 3:2 — 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.
- 1Pet 1:15 — But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
- 1Thess 4:3 — For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
- 2Cor 3:18 — 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.
- 2Cor 7:1 — 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.
- Acts 26:18 — To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
- Eph 4:24 — And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
- Gal 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Heb 10:14 — For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
- Heb 12:14 — Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
- John 17:17 — Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
- Lev 20:7 — Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
- Phil 1:6 — Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
- Phil 2:12 — Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
- Phil 2:13 — For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
- Rom 6:22 — But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
What the confessions say
Articles of the historic confessions that address this doctrine.
- Reformed Westminster Confession of Faith 13.1 — Of Sanctification
- Reformed Baptist 1689 London Baptist Confession 13.1 — Of Sanctification
- Reformed Westminster Larger Catechism Q75 — What is sanctification?
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion Article 17 — Of Predestination and Election
- Roman Catholic Council of Trent (Decrees) On Justification · Chapter X — On the increase of Justification received
- Lutheran Augsburg Confession Article 6 — Of New Obedience
The Church Fathers
The earliest Fathers who commented on the Scriptures above.
No doubt, if any one is unwilling to follow the Gospel itself, it is in his power [to reject it], but it is not expedient. For it is in man's power to disobey God, and to forfeit what is good; but [such conduct] brings no small amount of injury and mischief. And on this account Paul says, "All things are lawful to me, but all things…
For the devil tempting us, knowing what we are, but not knowing if we will hold out, but wishing to dislodge us from the faith, attempts also to bring us into subjection to himself. Which is all that is allowed to him, partly from the necessity of saving us, who have taken occasion from the commandment, from ourselves; partly for the…
Whence, again, David said that "the Lord would reign from the tree: " for elsewhere, too, the prophet predicts the fruit of this "tree," saying "The earth hath given her blessings," -of course that virgin-earth, not yet irrigated with rains, nor fertilized by showers, out of which man was of yore first formed, out of which now Christ…
And the fruits of Egypt are wasted, that is, the works of the flesh, but not the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, and peace.
"But now, having been freed from sin and made slaves to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end, eternal life." He compares fruits with fruits: and the fruits of sin, for which the saints are now — that is, after they have been freed from sin and made slaves to God — ashamed, he declares to be ended in death; but the…
Christ gave this judgment when, being inquired of, He said that a wife must not be put away, save for the cause of adultery; such honour did He put upon chastity. Hence arose the decree: "Ye shall not suffer adulteresses to live." Hence the apostle says: "This is the will of God, that ye abstain from fornication." Hence also he says…