Concerning Sanctification

We believe that sanctification, or setting apart, is a process of becoming holy unto God and is threefold:

  1. Sanctification is already complete for every saved person because his position toward God is the same as Christ's position.  Since the believer is in Christ, he is called to be holy unto God in the same way in which Christ is set apart unto God.

  2. We believe, however, that the believer retains his sin nature, which cannot be eradicated in this life.  However, provision has been made for victory over the old nature.   Therefore, while the standing of the Christian in Christ is perfect, his present state is not more perfect than his experience in daily life.  There is, consequently, a progressive sanctification wherein the Christian is to 'grow in grace,” and to be changed by the unhindered power of the Spirit.

  3. We believe, also that the child of God will yet be fully sanctified in his state as he is now sanctified in his standing in Christ when he shall see his Lord and shall be “like Him” (1 Cor. 1:2; Heb. 10:10,14; Rom. 6:1-3; John 17:17,19; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 4:24, 5:25-27; Heb 12:10; 2 Cor. 3:18).