Of Sanctification
Westminster Confession of Faith · 13.1–13.3
13.1. Of Sanctification
They who are once effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Proof texts
- 1 Cor. 6:11 — [11] And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
- Acts 20:32 — [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
- Phil. 3:10 — [10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
- Rom. 6:5, 6 — [5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
- John 17:17 — [17] Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
- Eph. 5:26 — [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
- 2 Thess. 2:13 — [13] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
- Rom. 6:6, 14 — [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. [14] For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
- Gal. 5:24 — [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- Rom. 8:13 — [13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Col. 1:11 — [11] being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
- Eph. 3:16, 17, 18, 19 — [16] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- 2 Cor. 7:1 — [1] Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
- Heb. 12:14 — [14] Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Cor. 6:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 14 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q35 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q36 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q35 · WSC Q36 · WLC Q75 · WLC Q76 · WLC Q77 · WLC Q78 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Chapter teaches the following propositions : 1st. All of those in whom God has by regeneration sanctification. 2Qb created a new spiritual nature continue under his gracious influence, his Word and Spirit dwelling in them, and thus have the grace implanted in them developed more and more. 2d. This work of sanctification involves both the gradual destruction of the old body of sin and the quickening and strengthening of all the graces of the new man, and the inward purification of the heart and mind, as well as all those holy actions which proceed from them. 3d. This work of sanctification involves the entire man — intellect, affections and will, soul and body. 4th. It is never perfect in…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): In Scripture, the word sanctification bears a variety of senses. It signifies separation from a common to a sacred use, or dedication to the service of God. Thus the altar, temple, priests, and all the sacred utensils, were sanctified. It also signifies purification from ceremonial defilement. — Heb, ix. 13. But the sanctification of believers, of which this chapter treats, consists in their purification from the pollution of sin, and the renovation of their nature after the image of God. Antinomians maintain, that believers are sanctified only by the holiness of Christ being imputed to them, and that there is no inherent holiness infused into them, nor required of them. This is a great and dangerous error; and, in opposition…
13.2. Of Sanctification
This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part: whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.
Proof texts
- 1 Thess. 5:23 — [23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 John 1:10 — [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
- Rom. 7:18, 23 — [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
- Phil. 3:12 — [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
- Gal. 5:17 — [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
- 1 Pet. 2:11 — [11] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Thess. 5:23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q35 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q36 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q35 · WSC Q36 · WLC Q75 · WLC Q76 · WLC Q77 · WLC Q78 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Chapter teaches the following propositions : 1st. All of those in whom God has by regeneration sanctification. 2Qb created a new spiritual nature continue under his gracious influence, his Word and Spirit dwelling in them, and thus have the grace implanted in them developed more and more. 2d. This work of sanctification involves both the gradual destruction of the old body of sin and the quickening and strengthening of all the graces of the new man, and the inward purification of the heart and mind, as well as all those holy actions which proceed from them. 3d. This work of sanctification involves the entire man — intellect, affections and will, soul and body. 4th. It is never perfect in…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): In Scripture, the word sanctification bears a variety of senses. It signifies separation from a common to a sacred use, or dedication to the service of God. Thus the altar, temple, priests, and all the sacred utensils, were sanctified. It also signifies purification from ceremonial defilement. — Heb, ix. 13. But the sanctification of believers, of which this chapter treats, consists in their purification from the pollution of sin, and the renovation of their nature after the image of God. Antinomians maintain, that believers are sanctified only by the holiness of Christ being imputed to them, and that there is no inherent holiness infused into them, nor required of them. This is a great and dangerous error; and, in opposition…
13.3. Of Sanctification
In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Proof texts
- Rom. 7:23 — [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
- Rom. 6:14 — [14] For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
- 1 John 5:4 — [4] For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
- Eph. 4:15, 16 — [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
- 2 Pet. 3:18 — [18] But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
- 2 Cor. 3:18 — [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
- 2 Cor. 7:1 — [1] Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Rom. 7:23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q35 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q36 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q35 · WSC Q36 · WLC Q75 · WLC Q76 · WLC Q77 · WLC Q78 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Chapter teaches the following propositions : 1st. All of those in whom God has by regeneration sanctification. 2Qb created a new spiritual nature continue under his gracious influence, his Word and Spirit dwelling in them, and thus have the grace implanted in them developed more and more. 2d. This work of sanctification involves both the gradual destruction of the old body of sin and the quickening and strengthening of all the graces of the new man, and the inward purification of the heart and mind, as well as all those holy actions which proceed from them. 3d. This work of sanctification involves the entire man — intellect, affections and will, soul and body. 4th. It is never perfect in…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): In Scripture, the word sanctification bears a variety of senses. It signifies separation from a common to a sacred use, or dedication to the service of God. Thus the altar, temple, priests, and all the sacred utensils, were sanctified. It also signifies purification from ceremonial defilement. — Heb, ix. 13. But the sanctification of believers, of which this chapter treats, consists in their purification from the pollution of sin, and the renovation of their nature after the image of God. Antinomians maintain, that believers are sanctified only by the holiness of Christ being imputed to them, and that there is no inherent holiness infused into them, nor required of them. This is a great and dangerous error; and, in opposition…