Berean Baptist Church

SEMESTER 4

255 – Calling – Sanctification #1

COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY IV LESSON # 55

THE DOCTRINE OF CALLING
POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION  (SANCTIFICATION # 1)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Like justification, the doctrine of sanctification falls under the heading of several other issues of Soteriology.

i. In election: we are separated by choice. (Eph. 1:3-5)
ii. In atonement: we are sanctified by Christ’s death. (Heb. 10:10)
iii. In preservation: we are sanctified progressively by the Word. (Jn. 17:17)

2. For the purpose of this study, I want us to view it under the heading of calling, or the work of regeneration. (I Cor. 1:2)

I. THE BASIC MEANING OF THE WORD

1. The Greek noun is hagiasmos, and the Greek verb is hagiazo
2. The noun is translated “sanctification” and “holiness,” “saint” and “saints.”
3. The verb is translated “sanctify” or “hallow.”
4. The word simply means to hallow or set aside from profane or secular things.
5. It means to separate something or someone for the purpose of dedicating it, or them, to God.
6. This term refers to all believers, not to some special class.

II. BELIEVER’S PRESENT POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION

1. By this, we mean we are now set aside from the world of natural men, and consecrated to God. (Acts 20:32, Acts 26:18, I Cor. 1:2, I Cor. 6:11, II Thes. 2:13, Heb. 10:14, I Pet. 1:2)
2. This category of sanctification carries at least three attributes:

i. It is past consecration: in this the believer is the object, not an active participant.

Illustrations are: Ex. 29:37, Ex. 30:25-29, Ex. 40:8-11, Lev. 21:23, I Kings 7:51, II Chron. 2:4; 5:1; 29:19; Parallels are: Gen. 2:3, Joel 1:14, Jer. 1:5, Jn. 10:36.

Note: This type of sanctification is objective and external, and carries no thought of inward holiness.

ii. It is past legal cleansing; that is, in the eyes of God’s law we are clean. (I Cor. 1:30, Eph. 5:26, Heb. 10:10, Heb. 12:12)

Note: In this we are sanctified by His blood. (I Cor. 6:11, Gal. 3:13, Rev. 1:5, Rev. 7:14)

iii. It is the moral cleansing of the believer’s; soul. (II Thes. 2:13, I Pet. 1:2, I Cor. 6:11)

3. The means of present positional sanctification.

i. God is the author of it. (II Thes. 2:12-13)
ii. The Holy Spirit is the agent of God in accomplishment. (I Cor. 6:11, II Thes. 2:13, I Pet. 1:2)
iii. The death of Christ is the basis of it. (Heb. 10:10, and 14)
iv. Faith is the means of it. (Acts 26:18, Acts 15:9, I Pet. 1:22)
v. The word of God is the instrumental means. (Rom. 10:13-17)

Grateful acknowledgement: The basic content of this outline is from T. P. Simmons’ A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF BIBLE DOCTRINE.