Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org
Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org
Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
implied in this work, especially as it relates to man. With others we have always supposed that the<br />
work of cleansing or fitting the object or person for the service to which it or he is devoted is at least<br />
of equal importance with that of separation and consecration, and not "secondary" and merely<br />
"incidental to the main fact" of consecration. Also that the latter work is worthless without the<br />
former. This is true of both ceremonial and spiritual sanctification. Without quoting any passages<br />
from the Old Testament, which generally refer to inanimate things, we call special attention to one<br />
in Hebrews ix. 13, 14, and 18-23, where the apostle throws much light on the Old and New<br />
Testament meanings of the word. Let the reader turn to and read the passage. It will be noted here:<br />
1. That the sanctification of both inanimate things and living persons is referred to: "The<br />
tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry" and "all the people" were sanctified.<br />
2. That two or three things are implied in this sanctification: (1) The separation of "the tabernacle<br />
and vessels of the ministry" from "unholy or common uses," and their consecration to holy or<br />
religious purposes -- the service of God; and, (2) their ceremonial cleansing or purification, thus<br />
fitting them for that service. "All the people" were thus first ceremonially separated from idolatry<br />
and consecrated to God's service, and secondly, ceremonially cleansed from the stain of idolatry, and<br />
thus fitted for that service.<br />
3. That the real or spiritual sanctification of the believer is effected in the same way -- implies the<br />
same things. By the grace of God he (1) separates himself from the world and sin, and devotes<br />
himself to the service of God. Then (2) he is "purged," "cleansed," or "purified" by "the blood of<br />
Christ," and thus fitted for that service.<br />
4. That Paul here gives this second part or work of sanctification more prominence than he does<br />
the first. He uses the word but once, and the margin translates that "purified"; but the terms<br />
"purifying" and "purified, "purge" and "purged," he uses four different times. The Revised Version<br />
translates the Greek terms with "cleansed," and 'cleanness." This is the prominent idea involved in<br />
or resulting from this process of sanctification -- the mind is fixed on the resultant of the acts of<br />
separation and consecration.<br />
5. These "sprinklings" or "cleansings" are said to be sanctifications: "Sanctifieth to the purifying<br />
of the flesh," etc.<br />
6. It was to prepare them for God's service: "How much more shall the blood of Christ ... purge<br />
your consciences from dead works [fitting you] to serve the living God."<br />
The most casual observer will see here that much greater prominence is given to, and stress laid<br />
on, the second part of sanctification -- the work of cleansing and empowering that results from<br />
separation and consecration -- than there is to the latter work.<br />
In this passage special reference is made to the atoning or cleansing efficacy of the blood of<br />
Christ, as the procuring cause of our sanctification. But the same lesson is taught in those passages<br />
that set forth the work of the Holy Spirit, as the efficient cause of our sanctification. Paul to the<br />
Thessalonians says that God had chosen them "to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and