Topical Bible: The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ

◄ The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ ►

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The concept of the Church being sanctified and cleansed by Christ is a profound theological truth that underscores the relationship between Christ and His body, the Church. This sanctification and cleansing are central to the Church's identity and mission, as depicted in the New Testament.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, provides a foundational text for understanding the sanctification and cleansing of the Church by Christ. Ephesians 5:25-27 states, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

This passage highlights several key aspects:

1. Christ's Sacrificial Love: The sanctification of the Church is rooted in the sacrificial love of Christ. His giving of Himself is the ultimate act of love, serving as the basis for the Church's purification.

2. Sanctification and Cleansing: The process of sanctification involves setting the Church apart for holy purposes. Cleansing, as mentioned in the text, is achieved "by the washing with water through the word," indicating the role of Scripture in purifying and renewing the Church.

3. The Church's Glorious Presentation: The ultimate goal of this sanctification and cleansing is to present the Church as "a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish." This eschatological vision points to the Church's future perfection and holiness.

The Role of the Word

The "washing with water through the word" emphasizes the transformative power of Scripture in the life of the Church. The Word of God acts as a cleansing agent, purifying believers and guiding them toward holiness. This aligns with Jesus' prayer in John 17:17 , "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth."

The Work of the Holy Spirit

The sanctification of the Church is also a work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit applies the redemptive work of Christ to believers, enabling them to grow in holiness. 1 Corinthians 6:11 affirms this: "And that is what some of you were. 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."

The Church's Response

While sanctification is primarily a divine work, the Church is called to respond in faith and obedience. Believers are exhorted to pursue holiness, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

The Church as the Bride of Christ

The imagery of the Church as the Bride of Christ further illustrates the intimate and sanctifying relationship between Christ and His Church. Revelation 19:7-8 describes the marriage of the Lamb: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." This imagery underscores the purity and holiness expected of the Church as she prepares for her union with Christ.

Conclusion

The sanctification and cleansing of the Church by Christ is a dynamic and ongoing process, rooted in His sacrificial love and accomplished through the Word and the Spirit. This divine work calls the Church to a life of holiness, reflecting the character of her Savior and preparing for her ultimate presentation as a glorious, spotless bride.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:26,27
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... sanctified, John 15:3, "Now are ye clean through the word that I have spoken unto
you." Ephesians 5:26, the church is "sanctified and cleansed with the ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

Whether the Blessed virgin was Sanctified Before Her Birth from ...
... Therefore neither could the Blessed Virgin be cleansed from original ... Now the Church
does not celebrate feasts except of ... Therefore she was sanctified in the womb ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the blessed virgin was.htm

Epistle Lxix. To Januarius and Other Numidian Bishops, on ...
... the Church, since there is one baptism appointed in the holy Church. ... It is required,
then, that the water should first be cleansed and sanctified by the ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxix to januarius and.htm

Fowler -- the Spirit of Christ
... If you are sanctified, or cleansed, that is God's work ... Christ Jesus; you are only
a babe"cleansed, indeed, and ... and all about everything in the Church, I will ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/fowler the spirit of.htm

Epistle Lxx.
... water upon you, and ye shall be cleansed from all ... which the baptized are anointed,
the oil sanctified on the ... creature of oil, who has neither altar nor church. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/epistle lxx.htm

Whether the Blessed virgin was Sanctified Before Animation?
... indeed contract original sin, but was cleansed therefrom before ... Reply to Objection
3: Although the Church of Rome ... not known when she was sanctified, the feast ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the blessed virgin was 2.htm

On Sin in Believers
... is wholly new; never heard of in the church of Christ ... succeeding generations: That
although we are renewed, cleansed, purified, sanctified, the moment ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 13 on sin in.htm

The Redeemed on Mount Zion.
... on him the iniquity of us all," Isa.53:6. The redeemed church will be faultless,
because its members will be sanctified and cleansed by the blood of Christ. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the redeemed on mount zion.htm

An Advance in the Exhortation.
... Through His priesthood our hearts are cleansed by the ... Apostle with the idea of the
Church, over which ... his sons' garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, and ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ix an advance in.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... I am aware, it is usual here to object, that Christ hath cleansed the Church "with
the washing ... It is true, therefore, that the Church is sanctified by Christ ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm