What is the meaning of being sanctified?

Definition and Core Concept

Being sanctified refers to the process of being set apart for a holy purpose and made increasingly conformed to divine standards. The term in Scripture stems from the Hebrew “qadash” in the Old Testament, meaning “consecrated” or “holy,” and from the Greek “hagiazō” in the New Testament, meaning “to make holy” or “to separate from profane things.” This sanctification involves both a definitive aspect—God’s immediate act of setting a person apart—and a progressive aspect—God’s ongoing work in the believer’s life.

Old Testament Foundations

1. In the Old Testament, examples of sanctification abound, such as the sanctifying of the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 29:44). These items were set apart for exclusive use in worship, illustrating the core idea of belonging solely to God.

2. The people of Israel themselves were called to be holy because God is holy: “For I am the LORD your God; you shall consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy…” (Leviticus 11:44). This passage from the essential Torah manuscripts, verified in part by the Dead Sea Scrolls, demonstrates the consistency and ancient reliability of the call to holiness.

3. These physical and national examples of consecration foreshadowed the spiritual sanctification believers would ultimately experience in the Messiah.

New Testament Revelation

1. In the New Testament, sanctification takes on a more overtly spiritual dimension. Jesus prays for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Here, the living Word is central to setting believers apart in truth.

2. The epistles often stress that sanctification is inseparable from the believer’s union with Christ, who secured sanctification through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection: “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).

3. The resurrection of Christ stands as the pivotal event that confirms His authority to call and sanctify believers. Numerous historical documents, including the early Creeds in 1 Corinthians 15 and the accounts preserved in manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus, affirm Christ’s bodily resurrection, which undergirds the power of sanctification.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

1. Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit is the primary agent of our ongoing sanctification: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and by faith in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

2. The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin, guides into righteousness, and bears fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22–23). This internal transformation testifies that sanctification is not merely external rule-following, but a Spirit-enabled heart change.

Definitive and Progressive Dimensions

1. Definitive Sanctification: At the moment of genuine conversion, believers are considered “holy” and “set apart” by the merit of Christ’s righteousness. As Paul notes, believers are God’s “holy people,” already viewed as sanctified when they receive salvation.

2. Progressive Sanctification: This is the lifelong process of spiritual growth. As Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This involves daily yielding to God, resisting sin, and embracing God’s revealed truth as the ultimate authority.

Intersection with Daily Living

1. Ethical and Moral Behavior: Being sanctified affects how believers live. They increasingly flee from unrighteousness (2 Timothy 2:21) and pursue qualities pleasing to God.

2. Worship and Service: Sanctification leads to a life of worship. As one continually yields to God, spiritual gifts are exercised, edifying the body of believers. Archaeological evidence, such as early church gathering sites found in the regions of Syria and Judea, indicate that from the earliest days, believers met for worship centered on God’s holiness and Christ’s resurrection life.

3. Ongoing Repentance and Renewal: Sanctified believers are sensitive to sin and consistently turn back to God in repentance. This ongoing renewal is grounded in grace rather than any human effort alone.

God’s Part and the Believer’s Responsibility

1. God’s Sovereign Work: Scripture underscores that sanctification is ultimately God’s work: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

2. Our Cooperation: Believers are called to cooperate through obedience, faith, and prayer. Passages like 1 Peter 1:15 remind that “just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

3. Grace-Filled Effort: This cooperation never suggests earning or meriting sanctification. Rather, it involves responding (through disciplines such as regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship) to divine grace.

Eschatological Fulfillment

1. A Future Completion: The full realization of sanctification occurs when believers shall be glorified, made perfect in Christ’s presence. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely… The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

2. Hope in the Resurrection: Because Christ was raised, believers share in the hope of everlasting life and complete holiness. Outside corroboration, such as multiple attestations of the empty tomb documented by early Christians and supported by billions of adherents across centuries, testifies to that resurrection hope.

Historical and Scientific Support

1. Manuscript Reliability: The concept of sanctification runs consistently through the earliest manuscripts such as p66 (for the Gospel of John) and p46 (for Pauline Epistles). Scholarly comparisons show a high level of fidelity to the original text.

2. Archaeological Discoveries: Findings like the Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrate that even pre-Christian Jewish writings upheld the concept of holiness, supporting the continuity of Scripture’s message.

3. Intelligent Design: The intricate systems observed throughout creation—such as the specified complexity in DNA—offer reasoned support for a Creator who is both wise and purposeful in sanctifying His people.

Practical Application

1. Daily Practices: Reading Scripture, praying for transformation, and fellowshipping with other believers cultivate ongoing sanctification.

2. Lifelong Journey: Christians are encouraged to endure in this process, trusting in God’s continued work to draw them into greater Christlikeness.

3. Glorifying God: The chief aim of sanctification is God’s glory, reflecting His holiness to the world and living in the joy of His presence.

Conclusion

Being sanctified means being set apart by God for His holy purposes, initially at the moment of salvation and progressively through one’s lifetime. This sanctification is enabled by the Holy Spirit, rooted in the redeeming work of Christ, and verified throughout the genuine history and reliability of Scripture. It involves human cooperation but is ultimately a work of divine grace, pointing to a future where humanity’s full holiness will be realized in the presence of the risen Lord.