Page 24 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook

What is progressive sanctification?
The word translated “sanctification” in most Bibles means “separation.” It is used in the New Testament,
according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, of the separation of the believer from evil,
and it is the result of obedience to the Word of God. Progressive sanctification is what gradually separates the
people of God from the world and makes them more and more like Jesus Christ.

Sanctification differs from justification in several ways. Justification is a one-time work of God, resulting in a
declaration of “not guilty” before Him because of the work of Christ on the cross. Sanctification is a process,
beginning with justification and continuing throughout life. Justification is the starting point of the line that
represents one’s Christian life; sanctification is the line itself.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed
away; behold, new things have come” (NASB). At the moment of justification (salvation or declaration of
righteousness), sanctification begins. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and brings to him new life and
spiritual understanding. He brings with Him a new nature. Not only is our past behind us when we are born
again, but we also are remade as entirely new creations because spiritual awakening brings a new life. And that
new life becomes evident to not only the believer, but to all who observe his life.

Therefore, sanctification becomes visible to all. A person who claims faith in Christ will demonstrate that faith
by a desire to read God’s Word and to seek fellowship with Christ and other believers. This does not mean that
a believer never sins again. However, fellowship with Christ is renewed by confession of sin. Also see 2
Corinthians 3:18; 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

Sanctification is a life-long process. However, for hundreds of years, various theologians have differed in their
view of what progressive sanctification should look like in the life of a believer. Here are some common views:

What are common views of progressive sanctification?

Wesleyan (Holiness Movement)

The Wesleyans are an evangelical Protestant church group who trace their heritage back to John Wesley. Wesley
was the founder of the Methodist movement, which came out of the Church of England in the mid-1700s. The
name “Methodist” referred to the practice of several “methods” of personal discipline to live the Christian life.
Generally speaking, the Wesleyan Church, as others of the Methodist movement, holds to an Arminian doctrine
which emphasizes man’s free will in spiritual matters, and teaches that a person can lose salvation. A key
doctrine of the church is “prevenient grace,” which refers to God’s grace working in an individual before his or
her decision to trust Christ and enabling him or her to receive God’s gift of salvation.

The Holiness movement/church is an influence within Christianity that teaches that a person can achieve perfect
holiness, or sinless perfection, while on earth. This doctrine teaches “entire sanctification,” which usually comes
via a spiritual experience that those in the Holiness movement refer to as the “second work of grace” or the
“second blessing.” The Holiness movement is opposed by Reformed thinkers, who assert that original sin still
exists in even the most faithful person.

The Holiness movement began in 1840 when a Methodist leader named Phoebe Palmer began to hold revivals
and teach the necessity of holiness—and how to attain it. Groups and denominations historically associated with
the Holiness movement include Wesleyans, Methodists, Nazarenes, and the Salvation Army. However, it should
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