“10By that will we HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10).
SANCTIFICATION is Greek: “Hagiasmos” – Strong’s #38. As used in the New Testament it means “separated to God, purify, or make holy.” The Hebrew term “qodesh,” rendered “sanctify,” has a corresponding meaning. The dominant idea of sanctification, therefore, is separation from the secular and sinful and setting apart for a sacred purpose. As the holiness of God means His separation from all evil (see eschatology Study Series 1 “THE CHARACTER OF GOD – HOLY”), so sanctification, in the various Scripture applications of the term, has a kindred lofty significance.
Preterism understands that we have been SANCTIFIED in Christ. That is we have been set apart tor God and are holy in Christ.
“30But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and RIGHTEOUSNESS and SANCTIFICATION and REDEMPTION—31that, as it is written, ‘he who glories, let him GLORY IN THE LORD.’”(1 Cor. 1:30-31; Jer. 9:23-24).
“18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I SANCTIFY Myself, that they also may be SANCTIFIED by the truth.” (John 17:18-19).
“3For this is the will of God, your SANCTIFICATION: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in SANCTIFICATION and honor.”(1 Thess. 4:3-4).
“13But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord， because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:13-14).
“23Now may the God of peace Himself SANCTIFY YOU COMPLETELY; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the COMING of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thess. 5:23).
“20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, SANCTIFIED and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Tim. 2:20-21).
“11For both He who SANCTIFIES and those who are BEING SANCTIFIED are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren (Heb. 2:11).
“14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are BEING SANCTIFIED.” (Heb. I0:14).
“2elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” (1 Pet. 1:2).
“15But SANCTIFY the Lord God in your hearts…” (1 Pet. 3:15a).
“14For SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU, for you are not under law but under GRACE.” (Rom. 6:14).
“8Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), 9then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10By that will we HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:8-10).
“10We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12Therefore Jesus also, that He might SANCTIFY the people with HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered outside the gate.” (Heb. 10:10- 12).
“1Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, SANCTIFIED by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:1).
Justification and Sanctification Compared
(1) Sanctify Means To “Set Apart.” Sanctification Has Three Aspects: Positional (Unchangeable), Experiential (Progressive), And Ultimate (Complete: Being In God’s Presence).
(2) Positional Sanctification (Rom. 6:1-11) Is The Basis For Experiential Or Progressive Sanctification (Rom. 6:12-14).
(3) Experiential Sanctification Is The Process Whereby God Makes The Believer More And More Like Jesus Christ Through Our Union With Christ And The Indwelling Spirit. Note: Just As In Justification, Sanctification Is The Work Of God That Must Also Be Appropriated By Faith.
(4) Sanctification (Experiential) May Change From Day To Day. Justification Never Changes. When The Sinner Trusts In Christ As His Or Her Savior, God Declares Him Or Her To Be Righteous, And That Declaration Will Never Be Repealed Nor Need To Be Repeated.
(5) Justification Looks At Our Eternal Position In Christ (Positional Sanctification) Whereas Sanctification, Depending On The Context, May Look At Our Experiential Condition From Day To Day.
(6) Justification Exempts Us From The Great White Throne Judgment, Whereas Experiential Sanctification Prepares Us For The Bema, The Judgment Seat Of Christ, And The Blessings Of Rewards.
(7) Justification Removes The Guilt And Penalty Of Sin For Us. Experiential Sanctification Removes The Growth And Power Of Sin In And Over Us.
(8) In Justification Christ Died For Sin’s Penalty, Where As In Sanctification He Died Unto Sin’s power.
See also related “Topic Studies & Terms”:
Related full “Study Series” (available upon request if not hyperlinked):
[For a more in-depth study see salvation/soteriology “Study Series 1 Meaning, Need and Scope of Salvation”]