Understanding The Bible
STUDY REFERENCE
Clarence E. Mason's "Soteriology II"
SANCTIFICATION

BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

SANCTIFICATION

  1. THE WORDS
    1. Old Testament words
      1. Qadesh - "to be pure or clean"; also, "to be regarded as holy," "to separate," "to set apart," Gen. 2:3; Ex. 13:2; 28:41; Lev. 21:8.
      2. Qodesh - "a sacred thing or place, holiness," Ps. 29:2; Ex. 22:31,
      3. Qadowsh - "saints, " Ps. 34:9.
    2. New Testament words
      1. Agios - "set apart" (adj.), Mt. 4:5
      2. Agiazo - "to separate" (verb), Jn. 17:17.
      3. Agion - "person or thing separated" (noun), Heb. 12:10.
        In all the uses of this word, the primary fundamental meaning is "separated" or "set apart for God."
         
  2. THE MEANING OF SANCTIFICATION
    In justification we are declared righteous in order that in sanctification we may become righteous. Justification is what God does for us, while sanctification is what God does in us. Justification puts us into a right relationship with God, while sanctification exhibits the fruit of that relationship -- a life separated from a sinful world and dedicated unto God.
    1. Separation from evil, 2 Chr. 29:5; 15:18; Lev. 11:44; 1 Thes. 4:3; Ex. 19:20-22.
    2. Separation or dedication unto God, Lev. 27:14,16; Num. 8:17; Jn. 10:36; Jer. 1:5.
    3. God is shown to be holy by the revelation of His character, Ezk. 28:22; Ezk. 38:16; Ezk. 39:27.
       
  3. THE TIME OF SANCTIFICATION
    Sanctification may be viewed as past, present, and future; or instantaneous, progressive, and complete.
    1. Instantaneous or positional
      The important word here is position. The very moment a man believes in Christ, he is sanctified, that is, in this first sense, he is separated from sin and separated unto God.

      Ephesians 4:22-24; Hebrews 10:10, 14; 1 Corinthians 6:11. The believer grows IN sanctification rather than INTO sanctification out of something else ,
      Imperfect believers are positionally sanctified and are saints. The Corinthians were unholy in life (1 Cor. 5:1-2; 6:1-8), but they are said to be sanctified (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11).
       
    2. Progressive or experiential sanctification
      Experiential sanctification in relation to Christian growth: Christians are immature in wisdom, knowledge, experience and grace. In all these things they are appointed to grow, and such growth should be manifest, 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Thes. 3:12; 4:1, 10; 2 Cor. 3:18; 7:1; Eph. 4:11-15.
    3. Complete or final or ultimate sanctification
      This aspect of sanctification will be ours in the glory, 1 Thes. 5:23; 3:13; 1 Jn. 3:2; Phil. 3:12-14; 3:20-21.
       
  4. THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATICN
    1. The Divine side
      1. It is the work of God, 1 Thes. 5:23-24; Jn. 17:17.
      2. It is the work of Christ, Heb. 10:10; Eph. 5:25-27; 1 Cor. 1:30.
      3. It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies, 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thes. 2:13; Rom. 8:2; Gal. 5:17-23.
    2. The human side
      1. Faith is the redemptive work of Christ, 1 Cor. 1:30; Acts 26:18; Rom. 12:1
      2. The study of the Scriptures and obedience to them, Jn. 17:17; 15:3; Eph. 5:26.
        The Word of God sanctifies by:
        1. revealing
        2. awakening conscience
        3. revealing the character of Christ
        4. offering the influences and powers of the Holy Spirit
        5. setting forth spiritual motives and ideals
      3. By the acts of the believer, Rom. 6:19-22; 2 Cor. 6:17; 7:1; Heb. 12:14. The lazy man is not the holy man.
         
  5. THE RESULTS OF SANCTIFICATION
    1. The believer is separated unto God from the guilt of sin. His standing is secured, Heb. 10:14.
    2. Those whom Jesus sanctifies are one with Him, and He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Heb. 2:11.
    3. We are saved through sanctification, 2 Thes. 2:13.
    4. Complete sanctification results in seeing the Lord, Heb, 12:14; cp. Mt. 5:8.
    5. Sanctification secures an inheritance, Acts 20:32; cp. Rom. 8:14-18.
       
  6. DEFINITIONS
    1. Sanctification is that work of Christ for the believer which sets him apart for God.
    2. Sanctification is that work of God in the believer through the Spirit and the Word which changes him into the image of Christ progressively.
    3. Sanctification is that work of God which perfects the believer in the likeness of Christ by His appearing in glory.
 

"Mason's Notes"


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