Is sanctification an event, a process, or both?

[Fenris]

Good point, Fenris. So when we sin, ( I believe the dietary laws were in order to teach separation), we defile ourselves and soil our garments.

Or just don't eat forbidden foods?

[glad4mercy]

I agree that we are sanctified by God once and for all, and there is also a sense in which we need to learn to appropriate what God has already done. We are called to perfect ( perfect as a verb, not adjective) holiness in the fear of the Lord. ( 2 Corinthians 7:1)

Perfect- ( Verb)
ἐπιτελέω
Transliteration
epiteleō
Pronunciation

e-pē-te-le'-ō (Key)


Part of Speech
verb

Root Word (Etymology)

From ἐπί (G1909) and τελέω (G5055)

TDNT Reference
8:61,1161

Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete

a) to take upon one's self

b) to make an end for one's self

1) to leave off

2) to appoint to, impose upon

So Sanctification is accomplished once and for all by the finished work of Christ, ( Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14) but we still need to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit..." ( 2 Corinthians 7:1) and continually walk in the Light for if we walk in the Light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses ( Present active indicative) us from all sin. ( 1 John 1:7)

[episkopos]

I certainly see initial sanctification in which we are made holy in standing before God postionally in Christ, 1 Corinthians 6:11 - Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 1:2 - To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified (past tense) in Christ Jesus.. Yet I also see progressive sanctification in which the reality of that holiness becomes more and more evident in our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes, and motives. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, - For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain (present tense) from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor. Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

So becoming washed, sanctified and justified in Christ is a one time event, yet abstaining from sexual immorality is not a one time event. Here is how I see it. The believer possess a positional, judicial standing of righteousness in Christ and, second, a remaining need for practical, progressive holiness. Although the word "sanctified" is often applied to Christians, it doesn't necessarily refer to salvation. In 1 Corinthians 7:14, Paul uses it to specifically refer to an unbelieving husband who is "sanctified" or "made holy" by his believing wife. (And by this Paul does not mean that he is saved). If he is unbelieving then he is not saved even though he is said to be "sanctified" (set apart) by outward connection with his believing wife. If the word "sanctified" simply meant saved, then we would have to say that the Sabbath was saved (Genesis 2:3), the tabernacle was saved (Exodus 29:43), the Lord was saved (Leviticus 10:3), the Father saved the Son (John 10:36), which of course would not line up with Scripture.

There is nothing "positional" (as in make-believe) about the work of God. It takes real power to overcome real sin.

[episkopos]

Although I'm restudying this, at this point, I view spiritual maturation as progressive sanctification. Even though we are completely set apart when we are saved, it takes a lifetime to to manifest what is true about us regarding initial sanctification. We are perfected forever, and that perfection is manifested increasingly in our lives as we grow into Christ's likeness.

W

Yes...there is a difference between purity and maturity. Maturity seeks to preserve the purity just as wisdom seeks to apply a gained knowledge in a way that is profitable. To see this is understanding.

[Noeb]

I agree with your last post glad4mercy but does scripture call it sanctification? I see a lot of posts about realized sanctification, but I don't see any about two sanctifications. What is realized has no effect on what has been given. There's only one sanctification and it is finished.

[Noeb]

Nobunaga, I simply took what you said to its only possible conclusion. You said there has to be a starting point, and you are right. It is Christ and him crucified. You are complete in him, and as you received him, even so walk in him. Growth doesn't change 'ye are complete in him" and "walk by faith, not by sight". One sacrifice for all is the starting point and the finish.

[glad4mercy]

I agree with your last post glad4mercy but does scripture call it sanctification? I see a lot of posts about realized sanctification, but I don't see any about two sanctifications. What is realized has no effect on what has been given. There's only one sanctification and it is finished.

I can agree with you on this. I do not know of a passage where progressive growth is called Sanctification, although the words saint, holiness, sanctify, and sanctification all come from the same root. Yet we are saints, ( sanctified or Holy ones immedietely at conversion by the finished work of Christ and through our faith in Him. Then the growth begins, but our standing before God is the same. We are accepted in the Beloved.

Hagiasune- Holiness, which we are called to perfect, ( 2 Corinthians 7:1) and which we need to be established in. ( 1 Thessalonians 3:13)- "May God establish our hearts unblameable in holiness..."

Hagiasomos- 1 Timothy 2:15, (which states that it is necessary to continue in holiness), Hebrews 12:14 (which says holiness must be followed after), and 1 Peter 1:2 (which says that we are sanctified unto obedience). see also Romans 6:19, Romans 6:22, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:4, ),

Hagios- Saint. one who is sanctified, set apart, and holy. You can find this word at the beginning of many of the epistles. ( Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; etc)

Hagiozo- To sanctify, set apart, make holy. ( 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26)

So sanctification is accomplished once for all, ( Hebrews 10:10), but Holiness is also something to follow ( Hebrews 12:14), to be established in ( 1 Thessalonians 3:13), to continue in ( 1 Timothy 2:15), and to be perfected in us ( 2 Corinthians 7:1).

I already know you agree with this. I just posted this for the purpose of edification for all.

Blessings.

[Nobunaga]

Nobunaga, I simply took what you said to its only possible conclusion. You said there has to be a starting point, and you are right. It is Christ and him crucified. You are complete in him, and as you received him, even so walk in him. Growth doesn't change 'ye are complete in him" and "walk by faith, not by sight". One sacrifice for all is the starting point and the finish.

Your logic needs serious work if you think that is the only conclusion available. I stand by what i have said and if you have an issue with what i have said then quote it and and comment on it. Do not attribute statements to me which i do not believe or have written.

[Noeb]

John 8:32, if you are progressing to finish or complete the race, it hasn't been completed.

[Noeb]

Nobunaga, then show me another conclusion.

[Nobunaga]

Nobunaga, then show me another conclusion.

I thought my sentiments were clear in my first post that the Gospel saves us..by faith in the atoning work of the blood of Christ we are set apart. Then in practical life we grow in grace.

For you to attribute to me the blood of Christ is not sufficient is an absolute intolerable insult to me as a Christian ! this is turf i defend, hence the tone. You may not be used to quoting people, but next time quote what i have written and comment on that instead of what you think i have said.

[glad4mercy]

You said there has to be a starting point, and you are right. It is Christ and him crucified. You are complete in him, and as you received him, even so walk in him. Growth doesn't change 'ye are complete in him" and "walk by faith, not by sight

I agree with this statement, sanctification is a finished work but holiness is something that we need to be established in, continue in, follow, and be perfected in, (that is to reach the goal.). See post 52. I don't think Nobunaga and Noeb are far apart. I think their disagreement is based on a misunderstanding in communication or semantics somewhere, but I've been wrong before.

I do not think that Nobunaga is saying that the blood of Christ is not sufficient. He is just saying that we progressively grow in grace through the work of the Holy Spirit. Whether or not that is progressive sanctification is a different issue.

[MoreMercy]

Is sanctification an event, a process, or both?

It is an event, the process comes in keeping sanctified, amen !



God bless.

[glad4mercy]

Is sanctification an event, a process, or both?

It is an event, the process comes in keeping sanctified, amen ?



God bless.

Yes, I think you are correct. Yet is it possible to grow in practical Holiness, in other words to become more and more like Jesus as we grow in grace and knowledge? Is it necessary not only to continue in practical holiness, but also be established in it, follow after it, grow in it, and seek to perfect it, ( that is to allow it to accomplish that which it is meant to accomplish)? I think this is what people mean by progressive sanctification. I agree with the principle, but it may be that the terminology is confusing and causing disagreement.

Blessings

[Noeb]

I never said Nobunaga said it. I made that clear. What are question marks for if not clarification? But we can't say we are completely sanctified then say it is progressive. Well, we can say it if we want to not make sense.

When I am home or can use my tablet I always quote. When they fix the mobile version and I can quote, I will. My post was immediately after yours Nobunaga. No quote is irrelevant.