CHRISTIAN GROWTH

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This paper discusses the sanctification process that a Christian should go through in his life with God. Sanctify means to set apart, consecrate, dedicate, and separate with a derived meaning to be holy and pure. The sanctification process starts with God predestines the Christian to be His child or son of God. Then God sanctifies the Christian or sets him apart for His purpose. This is followed with the Christian being made holy with the Christian going on to the perfection. The final step for the Christian is to be made in the image of Christ as he becomes god-like with the divine nature maturing in him. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

Sanctification process: God predestines the Christian to be His child or son of God → God sanctifies the Christian or sets him apart for His purpose → Christian being made holy → Christian going on to the perfection → Christian is to be made in the image of Christ as he becomes god-like → Christian being made in the divine nature as he matures

THEME: Sanctification means to set apart, consecrate, dedicate, and separate with a derived meaning to be holy and pure into the image of Jesus as to be god-like..

Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

PURPOSE: The process for God's sanctified Christian is to mature to holiness followed by becoming perfected then conforming to Jesus image of being god-liked.

Hebrews 5:13-6:3 "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {14} But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {1} Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, {2} Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. {3} And this will we do, if God permit."

John 17:16-19 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {17} Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. {18} As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. {19} And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

Ephesians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"

WHAT: God sets His children apart for His purpose to bring them to maturity (perfection) in their lives and to conform them to Jesus image.

WHY: God's desires for the Christian is to go on to perfection (maturity) as His children.

2 Timothy 1:9 "Who hath saved us, and called <us> with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: {13} To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

WHEREAS: God's word (Bible) supplies the Christian maturing scriptures growth series (steps).

Exceed great and precious promises -> Partakers of divine nature -> Escape corruption in world through lust -> Faith -> Virtue -> Knowledge -> Temperance -> Patience -> Godliness -> Brother kindness -> Charity (love in action) -> Abound -> Fruitful in knowledge of Lord Jesus

2 Peter 1:4-8 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: (->) that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, (->) having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. {5} And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith (->) virtue; and to virtue (->) knowledge; {6} And to knowledge (->) temperance; and to temperance (->) patience; and to patience (->) godliness; {7} And to godliness (->) brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness (->) charity. (->) {8} For if these things be in you, and (->) abound, (->) they make <you that ye shall> neither <be> barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Thessalonians 2:13 "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"

Hebrews 2:10-11 "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. {11} For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"

Romans, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1 Peters, 2 Peters, Jude, and Revelation Series Growth examples:

I am sure that the Bible has many more such series for both growth towards maturity and death. These are several that I have found.

IIB) CALLED (ORDAINED & ELECTED) TO BE SAVED TO BE GOD'S CHILDREN OR SONS OF GOD?:

IIIA) SANCTIFICATION: See also HOLINESS & PERFECTION Pure, consecrated, blameless, sacred, saint, hallow

IIIB) BEFORE SALVATION – OLD NATURE: Christians do not have two natures

IIIC) AFTER SALVATION – THE CHRISTIAN IS SCANTIFIED OR SET APART WITH A NEW NATURE: Christians have only one nature

IIIE) HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE WHO SANCTIFIES AND SETS APART THOSE UNTO HIS SERVICE IN GOD'S KINGDOM:

IIIF) BIBLICAL SANCTIFICATION IS ALWAYS IN THE PAST TENSE AS BEING COMPLETED:

IVA) HOLY: See also SANCTIFICATION & PERFECTION Pure, consecrated, blameless, sacred, saint, hallow

IVB) SANCTIFICATION IS EQUATED WITH HOLINESS OR PARTAKES OF GOD'S MORAL QUALITIES TO BE LIKE GOD HIMSELF:

V) PERFECTION: See also SANCTIFICATION & HOLINESS Pure, consecrated, blameless, sacred, saint, hallow

VA) GOD GAVE US ABILITIES TO BE PERFECT IN CHARACTER AND CONDUCT NOT BY LIVING A SINLESS PERFECTION:

VB) PERFECTION - GOING ON TO THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST: Christian graduate

Justified by faith -> Peace with God -> faith access into grace -> Rejoice in hope -> Glory in God -> Glory in tribulation -> Patience -> Experience -> Hope -> Not ashamed

Romans 5:1-5 "Therefore being justified by faith, (->) we have peace with God (->) through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace (->) wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope (->) of the glory of God. (->) {3} And not only <so>, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation (->) worketh patience; {4} And patience, (->) experience; and (->) experience, (->) hope: {5} And hope (->) maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Called according to his purpose -> Foreknow -> Predestinate -> Conformed to image of Jesus -> Called -> Justified -> Glorified

Romans 8:28-31 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (->) {29} For whom he did foreknow, (->) he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, (->) that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, (->) them he also called: (->) and whom he called, them he also justified: (->) and whom he justified, them he also glorified. {31} What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Do not cease to pray for you -> Desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom -> Spiritual understanding -> Might walk worthy of the Lord -> Being fruitful in every good work -> Increasing in the knowledge of God -> Strengthened with all might -> According to his glorious power -> Unto all patience -> Longsuffering with joyfulness

Colossians 1:9-11 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; {11} Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"

As the elect of God -> Holy -> Beloved -> Bowels of mercies -> Kindness -> Humbleness of mind -> Meekness -> Longsuffering -> Forbearing one another -> Forgiving one another -> As Christ forgave you -> Do -> Above all -> Put on charity -> Bond of perfectness -> Let the peace of God rule in your hearts -> Ye are called in one body -> Be ye thankful -> Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom -> Teaching -> Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs -> Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord

Colossians 3:12-16 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; {13} Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. {14} And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. {15} And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Mention of you in our prayers -> Without ceasing your work of faith -> Labour of love -> Patience of hope -> Brethren beloved your election of God -> Gospel came not unto you in word only -> In power -> In the Holy Ghost -> In much assurance

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; {3} Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; {4} Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. {5} For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints -> Admired in all them that believe -> Because our testimony among you was believed -> In that day -> we pray always for you -> that our God would count you worthy of this calling -> fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness -> the work of faith with power -> That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you -> ye in him -> according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. {11} Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: {12} That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you -> Brethren beloved of the Lord -> God hath from the beginning -> Chosen you to salvation -> Through sanctification of the Spirit -> Belief of the truth: -> Whereunto he called you by our gospel, -> to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ -> Brethren -> Stand fast -> Hold the traditions which ye have been taught -> Whether by word -> Or our epistle -> Our Lord Jesus Christ himself -> God -> Even our Father -> Which hath loved us -> Hath given us everlasting consolation -> Good hope through grace -> Comfort your hearts -> Stablish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: {14} Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. {15} Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.{16} Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, {17} Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

Man of God -> Follow after righteousness -> Godliness -> Faith -> Love -> Patience -> Meekness -> Fight the good fight of faith -> Lay hold on eternal life -> Thou art also called -> Professed a good profession -> Before many witnesses

1 Timothy 6:11-12 "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. {12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Your work and labour of love -> Shewed toward his name -> Ministered to the saints -> Shew the same diligence -> Full assurance of hope unto the end -> Be not slothful -> Followers of them who through faith -> Patience inherit the promises

Hebrews 6:10-12 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. {11} And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: {12} That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Temptation -> Try faith -> Works patience -> Perfect work -> Wanting nothing -> Tried -> Endure temptation -> Receive crown of life

James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (->) {3} Knowing <this>, that the trying of your faith (->) worketh patience. (->) {4} But let patience (->) have <her> perfect work, (->) that ye may be perfect (->) and entire, wanting nothing."

James 1:12 "Blessed <is> the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, (->) he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

Good Gifts -> Word of Truth -> First-fruits -> Doers of Word -> Not hearer -> Deceived

James 1:17-18 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, (->) and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. {18} Of (->) his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that (->) we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures."

James 1:22 "But (->) be ye doers of the word, (->) and not hearers only, (->) deceiving your own selves."

Be ye all of one mind -> Having compassion one of another -> Love as brethren -> Be pitiful -> Be courteous -> Not rendering evil for evil -> Contrariwise blessing -> Knowing ye are called -> Ye should inherit a blessing -> For he that will love life and see good days -> Refrain his tongue from evil -> His lips that they speak no guile -> Eschew evil -> Do good -> Seek peace -> Ensue it

1 Peter 3:8-11 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: {9} Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. {10} For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: {11} Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."

2nd PETER SERIES OF GROWTH: Series of growth to maturity will produce fruits towards divine nature to escape world's corruption.

Beloved -> Building up yourselves on your most holy faith -> Praying in the Holy Ghost -> Keep yourselves in the love of God -> Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. -> Some have compassion -> Making a difference -> Others save with fear -> Pulling them out of the fire -> Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh -> Unto him that is able to keep you from falling -> To present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy

Jude 1:20-24 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, {21} Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. {22} And of some have compassion, making a difference: {23} And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. {24} Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"

I know thy works -> thy labour -> thy patience -> how thou canst not bear them which are evil -> thou hast tried them which say they are apostles -> are not -> hast found them liars -> hast borne -> hast patience -> for my name's sake hast laboured -> hast not fainted -> Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee -> because thou hast left thy first love -> Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen -> repent -> do the first works

Revelation 2:2-6 "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: {3} And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. {4} Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. {5} Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Follow peace with all men -> Holiness -> Without which no man shall see the Lord -> Lest any man fail of the grace of God -> Root of bitterness springing up trouble you -> Thereby many be defiled -> Be any fornicator -> Profane person -> He would have inherited the blessing -> He was rejected -> No place of repentance -> He sought it carefully with tears

Hebrews 12:14-17 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: {15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; {16} Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. {17} For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."

Tempted -> Man's Lust -> Enticed -> Lust conceived -> Sin -> Finished -> Death

James 1:13-15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: {14} But every man is tempted, (->) when he is drawn away of his own lust, (->) and enticed. (->) {15} Then when lust hath conceived, (->) it bringeth forth sin: and sin, (->) when it is finished, (->) bringeth forth death."

CONCLUSION: Series towards Christian growth of maturity or death are to measure, test, maturity and prove ones real faith.

I am sure that the Bible has many more such series for both growth towards maturity and death. These are a few that I have found.

Matthew 25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" God predestinated these Christians to be in His kingdom before the foundation of the world.

Romans 9:11-13 "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) {12} It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. {13} As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." God election before their birth. Malachi 1:2-3

Ephesians 1:4-5 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Chosen before the world’s foundation & predestinated by God. God is sovereign to save, whomsoever he wants to save and whomsoever he want to be lost is lost. Romans 9

IIB) CALLED (ORDAINED & ELECTED) TO BE SAVED TO BE GOD'S CHILDREN OR SONS OF GOD?:

John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Acts 13:48 "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."

Romans 8:13-14 "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. {14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Romans 8:29-31 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate <to be> conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. {31} What shall we then say to these things? If God <be> for us, who <can be> against us?"

Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"

1 John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh should glory in his presence." God has predestinated all people & things for his own purposes and goals. He will receive all glory. His works and power will be shown.

Romans 9:11 "(For <the children> being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)"

Romans 9:17 "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." Pharaoh wanted to do evil. God predestined his wish for His own purpose.

Ephesians 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" God works all things out for His purpose.

Ephesians 3:11 "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:" God is eternally in control.

1 Corinthians 1:30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (God made the Christian sanctified)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: {4} That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;" (Sanctified life results in Christian)

IIIA) SANCTIFICATION: See also HOLY & PERFECTION Pure, consecrated, blameless, sacred, saint, hallow

Also see my paper: Walk As Jesus Walked for more information on this subject.

Also see my paper: Christian Growth for more information on this subject.

H6942. qadash, kaw-dash'; a prim. root; to be (causat. make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):--appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.

1 Chronicles 15:12 "And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it." H6942

G37. hagiazo, hag-ee-ad'-zo; from G40; to make holy, i.e. (cer.) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.

- The word of God (Bible) as a guide to help us clean & purify with the Holy Spirit working in us.

- The Christian is a saint or set aside for God's purpose. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.

IIIB) BEFORE SALVATION – OLD NATURE: Christians do not have two natures

Ephesians 2:1-3 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; {2} Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: {3} Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

IIIC) AFTER SALVATION – THE CHRISTIAN IS SANCTIFIED OR SET APART WITH A NEW NATURE: Christians have only one nature

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. {18} And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; {19} To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

Ephesians 2:4-5 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, {5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

1) Baptismal Regeneration/sanctification {Lutherans and Roman Catholics) is a false view that baptism washes away original sins of infants depravity of the human nature.

2) Progressive sanctification (some Protestants) is a false view that begins at conversion. Past tense is by the blood of Jesus Christ; Present tense is by the Word of God (Bible); and Future tense is by the return of Jesus when they will be perfected.

3) Sanctification by the literal meaning Biblical view which is the Christian is set apart unto God to be different from the world free from sin (Romans 6:17-19); new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-19); and ceased from sin (1 Peter 4:1). Sanctified is what the believer is; perfected is what the Christian is to become.

Romans 6:17-19 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. {19} I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."

1 Peter 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

IIIE) HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE WHO SANCTIFIES AND SETS APART THOSE UNTO HIS SERVICE IN GOD'S KINGDOM:

Romans 15:16 "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost."

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

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: {14} Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (God made the Christian sanctified)

1 Peter 1:2 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."

IIIF) BIBLICAL SANCTIFICATION IS ALWAYS IN THE PAST TENSE AS BEING COMPLETED:

Acts 20:32 "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Sanctified life results in Christian)

1 Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

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

2 Timothy 2:21 "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Christ's death sanctified Christian's life)

Hebrews 10:14 "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Hebrews 10:29 "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Christ's death sanctified Christian's life)

Jude 1:1 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:"

1 Peter 1:15-16 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Old Testament uses of Sanctify include to set apart Levities and priests for God's service, the alter was set apart for God's service, and the nation of Israel.

IVA) HOLY: See also PERFECTION & SANCTIFICATION Pure, consecrated, blameless, sacred, saint, hallow

Also see my paper: Christian Growth for more information on this subject.

H6918. qadowsh, kaw-doshe'; or qadosh, kaw-doshe'; from H6942; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary:--holy (One), saint.

Leviticus 11:45 "For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." H6918

- The believer is to strive to be pure, consecrated, and holy as a representative of God.

H6944. qodesh, ko'-desh; from H6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstr. sanctity:--consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.

Isaiah 63:8-12 "For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. {9} In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. {10} But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. {11} Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? {12} That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?" H6944

G40. hagios, hag'-ee-os; from hagos (an awful thing) [comp. G53, H2282]; sacred (phys. pure, mor. blameless or religious, cer. consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."

- God's Holy Spirit is perfectly pure and without fault since God has done no evil.

IVB) SANCTIFICATION IS EQUATED WITH HOLINESS OR PARTAKES OF GOD'S MORAL QUALITIES TO BE LIKE GOD HIMSELF:

Exodus 19:14 "And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes."

Exodus 40:10 "And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy."

Leviticus 19:2 "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy."

Romans 6:17-19 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. {19} I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now {20} yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." (Sanctified life results in Christian)

1 Corinthians 7:14 "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy."

Ephesians 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"

Ephesians 5:25-27 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Christ's death sanctified Christian's life)

Colossians 1:21-22 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled {22} In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:" (Christ's death sanctified Christian's life)

1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (Sanctified life results in Christian)

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Sanctified life results in Christian)

V) PERFECTION: See also SANCTIFICATION & HOLINESS Pure, consecrated, blameless, sacred, saint, hallow

VA) GOD GAVE US ABILITIES TO BE PERFECT IN CHARACTER AND CONDUCT NOT BY LIVING A SINLESS PERFECTION:

Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

PERFECTION OR FAITH MATURITY: Growth unto a mature Christian who is pure, holy, complete in the Holy Spirit.

Also see my paper: Christian Growth for more information on this subject.

H8003. shalem, shaw-lame'; from H7999; complete (lit. or fig.); espec. friendly:--full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect (-ed), quiet, Shalem [by mistake for a name], whole.

1 Kings 8:61 "Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day." H8003

- The commandment is to love the Lord with all thy heart, mind & soul. Love neighbor as self.

H8549. tamiym, taw-meem'; from H8552; entire (lit., fig. or mor.); also (as noun) integrity, truth:--without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

Genesis 17:1-5 "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. {2} And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. {3} And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, {4} As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, & thou shalt be a father of many nations. {5} Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee." H8549

- Perfect in faith. Abraham believed God and it was counted for his righteousness.

G5046. teleios, tel'-i-os; from G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neut. (as noun, with G3588)

Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."5046

G5048. teleioo, tel-i-o'-o; from G5046; to complete, i.e. (lit.) accomplish, or (fig.) consummate (in character):--consecrate, finish, fulfil, (make) perfect.

John 17:23 "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." G5048

- Jesus in us as Jesus and the Father are one having the perfect love of God because God is love.

G5051. teleiotes, tel-i-o-tace'; from G5048; a completer, i.e. consummater:--finisher.

Hebrews 5:13-6:3 "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {14} But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {1} Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, {2} Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. {3} And this will we do, if God permit." G5051

- Mature (perfection) growth in the deeper/meat principles of the doctrines of Christ as He permits

Ephesians 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" Jesus is the perfect man. The fulness of Christ is the entire Godhead within us.

Romans 12:5 "So we, <being> many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Every Christian in Christ.

Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." I live yet not I, but Christ lives in me.

Colossians 1:27 "To whom God would make known what <is> the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"God's glory through Christ in us.

Job: Job 1:8 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"

Noah: Genesis 6:9 "These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."

Enoah: Genesis 5:24 "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."

Hebrews 11:5 "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

Moses: Numbers 12:6-8 "And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. {7} My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. {8} With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"

Some do walk in perfection even though they are sanctified; others live in perfection of holiness in their sanctification:

Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, {23} Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. {24} And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. {25} If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {12} Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"

Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

1 Corinthians 15:49 "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Colossians 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:"

Philippians 3:21 "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

John 14:20 "At that day ye shall know that I <am> in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." As Christ is in Father, we are in Him.

John 17:22-23 "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: {23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." We are perfected in one with the Father & Jesus.

Ephesians 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." God's fulness within the Christian

Ephesians 5:30-32 "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. {31} For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. {32} This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." The Christian is one with Christ as Church.

2 Peter 1:3-4 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: {4} Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."