Page 112 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

the moment they believe. God also wants them to become holy in their daily lives. Consider the
following passages that deal with sanctification. Notice that justification requires nothing from the
individual but faith. Experiential sanctification however requires much from you and I as believers. The
goal of sanctification is not to stand before God and get into heaven based on our progress in holy living.
It is to become like Christ and to represent Him to the world. We will be rewarded based on our faithful
works. Our justification, eternal salvation, is based on faith alone (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

Romans 6:1–14 –
Romans 8:2 –
2 Corinthians 3:18 –
Galatians 2:20 –
Galatians 4:19 –
2 Thessalonians 2:13 –

Theological Descriptions: Milliard Erickson – “The individual’s spiritual condition is progressively altered;
one actually becomes holier. This progressive subjective change is referred to as sanctification (“making
holy”).”
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Norman Geisler - “deliverance from the present power of sin” Lewis Sperry Chafer – “The believer is
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being saved from the dominion of sin.” Note: Due to major confusion and debate the relationship of
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justification and experiential sanctification will be covered at length later in this course. This will be done
in the section on eternal security.

Theological Definitions and Biblical Usage of Glorification.

As with Sanctification there is a sense in which we are already glorified. We have been given a new
nature that does not sin. Yet we must still deal with the fallen nature until Christ returns and removes
sin from us and our world completely. Glorification as an aspect of salvation happens in the future. As
the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible explains “Glorification is the completion, the consummation, the
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perfection, the full realization of salvation.” Glorification is the actualization of the hope of the
believer.

Theological Descriptions. Milliard Erickson – “Sanctification finally comes to completion in the life
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beyond death, when the spiritual nature of the believer will be perfected. This is termed glorification.”
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Norman Geisler - “deliverance from the future presence of sin.” Lewis Sperry Chafer – “The believer is
yet to be saved from the presence of sin when presented faultless in glory (Rom. 13:11; 1 Thess. 5:8;
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Heb. 1:14; 9:28; 1 Pet. 1:3–5; 1 John 3:1–3)”

nd
89 Millard J. Erickson, Christian theology, 2 ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998), 918.
90 Geisler, Norman L. Geisler, Sin, Salvation: Systematic Theology (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers,
2004), 3:224.
91 Chafer, Systematic Theology, 6.
92 Walter A. Elwell and B. J. Beitzel, “Sanctification,” in Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 1988), 869.
93 Erickson, Christian Theology, 918.
94 Geisler, Sin, Salvation, 520.
95 Chafer, Systematic theology, 6.

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