Sanctification is a profound and transformative doctrine in Christian theology, reflecting the process by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. As Paul articulates in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality." This emphasizes that sanctification is not merely a passive experience but an active pursuit of holiness in accordance with God's will. The Bible teaches that sanctification is both a positional reality and a progressive journey; believers are declared holy through faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2), yet are called to grow in holiness throughout their lives (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus, in John 17:17, prays for His followers, saying, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth," highlighting the essential role of Scripture in the sanctifying process. Furthermore, Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, indicating that sanctification involves a total commitment to God. Ultimately, sanctification is a work of grace, as Philippians 1:6 assures us that "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ," reminding us that this journey culminates in eternal glory.
Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the objection that holiness as a possible attainment and as a second work of grace is of modern origin by providing evidence of its antiquity through testimonies from various ages, including early church fathers like Clement of Rome, Justin Martyr, and Macarius the Egypti