142. Sanctification, What Is It?
142. Sanctification, What Is It?
142 SANCTIFICATION - WHAT IS IT?
INTRODUCTION One of the first laws of an intelligent investigation is to inquire into the meaning of things. Much time will be saved; deception be avoided.
I. BIBLE DEFINITION (a) To set apart for a special purpose ; to dedicate to Jehovah; to consecrate; to make holy; to separate from other things or persons.
(b) When "set apart for Jehovah," it is always called holy. (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 13:12; Luke 2:23.) (c) Ezra "set apart" twelve men in Babylon to carry the vessels and gifts to Jerusalem.(Ezra 8:24) All were "holy" then. (Ezra 8:28.) II. BIBLE EXAMPLES
1. Things.
(a) Mt. Sinai was sanc tified or set apart for the giving of the Mosaic law. (Exodus 19:23.) It was called the holy mount. (b) Tabernacle and all its vessels and furniture were called holy. (Exodus 40:9-10; Hebrews 9:13;
2 Chronicles 5:5.) (c) One could sanctif y ones’ hou se to Jehovah. (Leviticus 27:14.) (d) One’s field (Leviticus 27:16-17); it became holy. (Leviticus 27:21.) (e) Fasts. (Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15-16.) (f) Sabbath day (Nehemiah 9:14); keep it holy (Exodus 20:8.)
2. Animals.
(a) All firstborn males. (Exodus 13:12.) (b) All animals sanctified in offerings .
3. People.
(a) Firstborn of males. (Exodus 13:2.) (b) All Israel (Exodus 19:10) ; were made holy (Leviticus 11:44.) (c) Levites were set apart from other tribes. (Numbers 8:14; Numbers 8:17.) (d) House of Aaron from tribe of Levi. (e) People sanctified themselves. (Isaiah 66:17.) (f) Jeremiah sanctified before he was born . (Jeremiah 1:5.) III. JEHOVAH SANCTIFIED (Made holy) THINGS, ANIMALS AND PEOPLE 1. People sanctified things, anima ls and people. (Job 1:5.) IV. NEW TESTAMENT SANCTIFICATION (Same meaning as in the Old Testament) 1. Christ was sanctified-holy. (John 10:36.) (a) He sanctified himself. (John 17:19.) (b) Christians sanctify him. (1 Peter 3:15.) (c) Christians are sanctified in Christ . (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30.) 2. The church has been sanctified. (Ephesians 5:26.) (a) It is holy (Ephesians 5:27) ; holy brethren (Hebrews 3:1.) (b) It is a holy temple. (1 Corinthians 3:17.) (c) It is a holy nation . (1 Peter 2:9.) (d) It is a holy priesthood . (1 Peter 2:9.) (e) All its members are sanctified and holy; we are sanctified when we come into Christ or the church.
V. HOW ARE WE SANCTIFIED OR MADE HOLY?
1. Through the truth. (John 17:17.) 2. By the will of God . (Hebrews 10:10.) 3. By God. (1 Thessalonians 5:23.) 4. By Christ. (Hebrews 13:12.) 5. By Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2.) 6. In Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4.)