Is sanctification PROGRESSIVE or a solo event?

[kyredneck]

Does the lamp have the ability to light itself?

Does the clay determine what shape the potter will make it?

Did the tabernacle and the priestly garments declare themselves sanctified?

There is never a time in Scriptures were the word sanctify is used as some human ability to attain to any "set apart state" nor the ability of humankind to set them self apart.

Too often the "progressive sanctification" advocates taking verses of scriptures that discuss the determination of the believer to live a life of holiness and growing in the knowledge and grace of God as sanctification.

It is not.

It does not fit the definition nor the application of how the word is used in Scriptures.

Not accepting the view of "progressive sanctification" in NO WAY diminishes the need of the believer to grow in Christ and work diligently to separate from the worldly.

The verse you posted serves very well to emphasis the believer is responsible to separate from the worldly.

But, that isn't sanctification.

Remember, when the word is used, it is always in the context of what is accomplished by performance upon (be it believer, priest, tabernacle...) and not some change or movement generated from within that (believer, priest, tabernacle...) "progressively sanctifies."

OK. Does it just boil down to the terminology one is using? I'm not up on what goes on in the popular evangelical arena, is a conflict concerning 'progressive sanctification' going on with you all? I've always thought of sanctification as having 'two sides'. I kinda sorta think we're actually not far apart on what we believe, just not using the same terms.

 

[kyredneck]

I don't like getting into splitting hairs or straining out gnats, but you reference the OT a lot to make your point; but from the OT:

And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow Jehovah will do wonders among you. Josh 3:5

I have to believe that there is indeed a 'sanctification' that we are active in. It's not only passive from God's side.

 

[kyredneck]

kyredneck posted:
These are good verses to demonstrate how the misconception of "progressive sanctification" is so pervasive.

Eph 5: 8

Does the believer turn on their own light, or are they commanded to walk as children of the light?

Progressive sanctification would lead one to conclude if one works hard they may turn on and off the light, and will have more light (faith, Holy Spirit, ...) and be more powerful in prayer, faith, light, Holy Spirit...

Look at Gal. 5:25.

Progressive sanctification would in effect say that one must grow and mature to acquire and use the Holy Spirit effectively.

However, neither verse gives credibility to the view of "progressive sanctification."

Rather, both in Eph 5 and Gal 5 the verses assume the fact of the position of the believer (light, spirit) and then encourages the believer to demonstrate that positional status in daily life.

Again, neither verse validates "progressive sanctification."

I missed this post. Again, I'm not following 'progressive sanctification', at all, or the problems this concept has caused with evangelicals. Maybe you all are splitting hairs and straining out gnats.

All I know is God has expected me over the years to clean my act up, and, believe it or not, I am a whole lot wiser than I was, and a whole lot happier because of it.

 

[evangelist6589]

Oh, wait a minute .... hold the fort!!

I see what you are saying now.

You have a disagreement with "purify" vs. "purifies".

The NIV 2011 says this: "All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."


The NIV 1984 (had a hard time finding this!!) says this:
"Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure."


Brother, this isn't a theological clash of progressive sanctification vs. a one time sanctification .... it's just subject-verb agreement.


All purify themselves. (2011)

Everyone purifies himself. (1984)


No difference.

I disagree. The 2011 version indicates its a one time event while the 1984 version as well as the ESV do not. Well looking at the dictionary they both mean the same, however I wish they would use the plural word.

Why did you have a hard time finding a NIV 1984? Don't you have hard copies?

 

[evangelist6589]

Excellent. Thank you for sharing that. Very pertinent to this discussion.

They are not the only church that thinks this way as there are other charismatic groups.

 

[JonC]

Yes. We are set apart once.
We are continually perfected.
Yes to both.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: