Page 574 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SAMARIA - SANCTIFICATION

therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye [See also Abel, Adoption, Atonement, Blood, Crucify,
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Eternal Security, Glory, Gospel, Grace, Holy, Hope,
Here we are told the believer is to bring his daily walk Justification, Law, Mercy, Mystery, Propitiation,
into line with his eternal calling. He does not live right Reconcile, Redemption, Repentance, Roman Catholic
in order TO BE called or in order to perfect his calling, Church, Sanctification, Seventh-day Adventism.]
but because he HAS BEEN called. There is a world of SAMARIA (guard, watch station). This city was built
difference between these two things. To serve God by Omri, king of Israel, and came into prominence by
because you have been saved is the Gospel; to serve God becoming the capital of the kingdom of the ten tribes (1
in an attempt to attain salvation or to perfect one’s Ki. 16:23-24). It was situated on the side of a hill and
salvation is a perversion of the Gospel. Ep. 5:8 says, “For was adorned and fortified by the kings of Israel. Ben-
ye were sometimes darkness, but NOW are ye light in hadad, king of Syria, besieged Samaria in the reign of
the Lord: WALK as children of light.” The believer’s Ahab, but by the intervention of God it was not taken (1
position in Christ is that he is “light in the Lord.” This is Ki. 20:1-34). In the days of Jehoram it was again
a present, eternal reality, and he is instructed to live up besieged by Ben-hadad, and the famine became so great
to that position in his daily life. that they were on the point of capitulating when some
John’s First Epistle. The difference between position lepers brought word that the enemy had fled, and
and practice is also seen in 1 John. Here the Lord makes abundance of provision was to be found in the camp (2
a plain distinction between relationship and fellowship. Ki. 6:24-33; 7:1-20). It was besieged again by
The theme of 1 John is found in 1:3. The theme is Shalmaneser, about B.C. 723, but held out for three
fellowship, not relationship. It is written to those who years, being eventually taken by Sargon. The people
have established a relationship with God as children were carried into captivity (2 Ki. 18:9-12) (Concise).
through faith in Christ. The Scriptures teach that a SAMARITANS. The people who inhabited the region
person is placed into the family of God when he believes of Samaria in central Israel. Samaritans were a mixed
on the Lord Jesus Christ. God imputes the righteousness race of Jews and foreigners (2 Ki.17:24-41). For this
of Christ to the sinner’s account once-for-all and is reason, the Samaritans were despised by the Jews (Jn.
eternally satisfied (propitiated) because of the blood 4:9). When they called Jesus a Samaritan, they were
and death of Christ. This is where confession of sins slandering Him (Jn. 8:48). The Lord Jesus led a
enters into the Christian life. Obedience and confession Samaritan woman to salvation (Jn. 4) and used a
of sins are essential in order to remain in fellowship Samaritan in His teaching on showing compassion to
with the Savior, but our walk does not change our one’s neighbor (Lk. 10:30-37). Of ten lepers who were
position in Christ or our relationship with God as Father. healed, only the Samaritan returned to give thanks to
If we sin He still remains our Father and Christ remains Christ (Lk. 17:11-19). Jesus commanded that the gospel
our Advocate (1 Jn. 2:1). This is because He paid the be preached to the Samaritans (Ac. 1:8; 8:25).
full price demanded by God’s law for sin (1 Jn. 2:2), SAMGARNEBO (keeping of Nebo). Je. 39:3.
and eternal life is a free gift that is received by faith in
Christ. SAMLAH (distinguished robe) Ge. 36:36.
John’s Gospel. The Gospel of John also shows this SAMOS (high place). Ac. 20:15.
distinction. In John 1-12 the focus is on the unsaved, SAMOTHRACIA. An island in the Aegean Sea
and the main message is “believe on the Lord Jesus belonging to Thrace (Potts) (Ac. 16:11).
Christ” (Jn. 1:7, 12; 3:15-16, 18; 4:39; 5:24; 6:35, 47; SAMSON (sunlike). The judge of Israel who was
7:38; 8:24; 9:35; 10:38; 11:26). When the unsaved defeated because of his sin and disobedience (Ju.
asked about doing the works of God, Christ replied, 13-16). Samson was a Nazarite. [See Nazarite.]
“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom SAMUEL (heard of God). The last judge of Israel (1
he hath sent” (Jn. 6:29). Faith in Christ is the only work Sa. 1-17; Ac. 3:24; 13:20; He. 11:32).
God will accept from the unsaved. In chapter thirteen, SANBALLAT (hatred in secret). Ne. 2:10.
though, Christ turns His attention to His own little flock, SANCTIFICATION. “Sanctify,” “holy,” “hallow,”
and the theme changes from faith to obedience. “If a “sacred,” and “saint” are translated from the same Greek
man love me, he will keep my words” (Jn. 14:23). This root word, hagias. Basically they mean to be set apart
change in the theme of John’s Gospel illustrates the for service. In the Bible many things other than people
difference between relationship and fellowship. Faith is are said to be sanctified. The Tabernacle furniture was
the requirement for eternal relationship; obedience is sanctified, meaning it was set apart for God’s service
the requirement for daily fellowship. Faith is the way to (Ex. 40:10, 11, 13). Mt. Sinai was sanctified by God’s
become a child of God; obedience is the way to walk in presence and set off from the surrounding territory (Ex.
fellowship with the Father.
19:23). The believer’s meals are sanctified unto God and

574 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity