Author's Bias | Interpretation: conservative

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How Does Jesus Christ Sanctify?

As mediator of the New Covenant (Heb 7:18-8:15), Jesus works to sanctify all Believers in the following manner:

Resurrection of Jesus and Doubting Thomas
  • Believers are forgiven of their sins (Eph 1:7; 4:32; Col 1:14) which makes one holy in the eyes of God.
  • Believers have a spiritual union with Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 1:26-29), which indicates a two way relationship and reveals that Jesus sanctifies progressively from the inside – out: "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Jesus Christ provides the power for the Believer to live a sanctified life (Gal 2:19-20; Rom 8:10-11; 2 Cor 13:5), and this dependence should not be forgotten.

Sharing a spiritual union with Jesus Christ implies that Believers share in the work of God; namely, to show other human beings that Jesus Christ is the means of sanctification so that God can dwell among His people (Matt 28:16-20).

Paul understands the union in Jesus Christ to include imitating Him in all behavior (1 Cor 11:1; 1 John 2:3-6; Rom 15:7; Eph 5:25; Col 3:13; 1 John 3:16; 1 Pet 2:21-24; Philip 3:10). And this imitation serves the purpose of developing Believers in becoming more like Jesus in holiness (Eph 4:13-15; Rom 8:29).

Corporately, this spiritual union with Jesus Christ unites a Believer with other Believers (Matt 18:20; Rom 12:5) serving each other and serving God (Rom 12:9-13).


For deeper study

How does Jesus sanctify human beings?

What is assurance?



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Series: The Doctrine on Salvation
How Does the Holy Spirit Sanctify?

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How Does God Sanctify?


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