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doctrine of sanctification defined

New Member Posts: 23 **7/19/18 11:47 am**

Can someone clearly explain the doctrine of sanctification and what the COG believes.

The DoF is clear in many ways, but somewhat ambiguous regarding sanctification...

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **7/19/18 12:20 pm**

My thought for many years has been that it would help if we clarified our doctrine of sanctification to state that we affirm (as Wesley himself affirmed) that initial sanctification commences at regeneration, and that entire sanctification logically follows subsequent to regeneration, at the latest, at the moment of death. I would think every Christian would agree with that.

As it stands now, the DoF sounds as if we donâ€™t believe that a born again Christian is sanctified at all, even though Scripture says that without holiness, no one shall see God, and that it is the pure in heart who shall see God.

New Member Posts: 23 **7/19/18 12:31 pm**

Thanks I am a simpleton when it comes to this. I feel that the average person in the cog could not explain it if they had to do. For the other simpletons explain it for someone who is a recent convert.

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **7/19/18 1:10 pm**

The way I explain sanctification is that it is a state of purity/holiness entered into upon conversion, in which the repentant sinner has been born from above, the Holy Spirit now living within, giving new, resurrection life to the believer. As the newborn disciple grows in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, he should at the same time grow in his understanding of sanctification, as he is progressively conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Ideally, the growing, maturing believer will keep a holy heart as his ultimate intention. If the believer wavers in his intention and sins, the Spirit will be faithful to convict and reprove him, in kindness leading him to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, asking for forgiveness and restoration to the holy life he was always meant to walk in. At the moment of death, but perhaps sooner, if wholeheartedly sought, the faithful believer will realize entire sanctification.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **7/19/18 9:59 pm**

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 7307 **7/20/18 10:06 am**

To put it simply.

â€œSANCTIFICATION, is a relationship with God that enables a Christian to make their flesh behave.â€

Kenny Morris

The best explanation I have yet to hear. Very Happy

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Acts Mod Posts: 3346 **7/20/18 6:41 pm**

When I reported numbers under sanctification I counted those who were saved.
The AG is right about sanctification. It is a work in process.
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No one who died without Christ is happy about their decision.

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5923 **7/20/18 11:53 pm**

To be sanctified means "to be set apart for a holy purpose, from sin unto God." When we taught it to kids, we used a story about using Ma's good china in the china cabinet. The china was just to be used for Sunday dinner and special occasions. You wouldn't take that good china outside and play in the mudhole with it. It was to be used for a special purpose, and when we become saved, we are set apart like that - to be used for God's purposes and not for sin.

We also taught kids that it was God giving us the power to say no to sin. That when we are tempted to sin, God gives us the power to say no to sin. We don't have to give in to temptation - we can just say no!
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