by Anthony Bertrand

Created on: November 16, 2010   Last Updated: November 18, 2010

Christian Understanding of Sanctification

Since this is a Christian discussion, the bible has to be the source we use to find the answers. The biblical word used in the Hebrew for sanctify is “qadash”, which is defined in the Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon as, “qadash kaw-dash' a primitive root; to be (causatively, 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.” Now in the definition we see the word “defile” which seems out of place in this instance, yet when you search the word it has as one of its meaning “qadash”.

Staying in the Old Testament for now, we can explore how God expected His people to be sanctified. We see that God instructed who would be anointed and set apart for His use. In the book of Exodus chapter 28 verse 41, “And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” God told men to anoint and sanctify Aaron for ministering unto God. There are many other verses in the Old Testament saying the same thing, but when we go to the New Testament, we will experience something new and more exciting.

Looking up the word, sanctify, using Strong’s lexicon we find these two definitions:
hagiazo hag-ee-ad'-zo from 40; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:-hallow, be holy, sanctify.
hagnizo hag-nid'-zo from 53; to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally):-purify (self).

From these definitions, we see that we have been made pure, holy, when we accepted Christ as our Saviour. In the Old Testament man was led by God to anoint and pray over a chosen person to be set apart for God’s use. In the New Testament the person is set apart, made holy or sanctified by God when they are cleansed by the blood of Christ who was sacrificed in our place on an old rugged cross.  Peter instructs the saints to be holy: 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.

We as Christians are called to keep ourselves pure as God is pure, knowing that “if” we sin we have an advocate with the Father who will forgive us of those sins.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>