Which Came First?

I can think of several right off:

1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess 2:13 -- sanctification to salvation
1 Cor 7:15 -- experience of the grace of God by an unbeliever through the obedience of a believer
Heb 12:14; 1 Thess 4:3, etc. -- Spiritual growth after salvation
1 Tim 4:5 -- Setting apart of food
Luke 11:2 -- the name of God

The word group hagiazo simply means to "set apart." We have to look at the context to see what was set apart and what it was set apart for.

 

They all sound like "growth in grace" to me. We even eat food and grow in the grace of God. These all seem to be setting apart for growth in grace, no? Even the infant is "grows in grace" by having a believing parent. The vessels of the temple were for the Jews to grow in grace.

skypair

 

Um, I don't think I would characterize it that way. An infant, or an unbelieving spouse, is not growing in grace. They are receiving blessings from God through their association with a believer.

But even if so, they are still not experiencing "post salvation growth" which is generally what people think of when they think of sanctification.

 

"Secondary grace" so to speak. Children DO learn about Jesus and there is greater likelihood that they will believe. Even so with the spouse, right?

This is true, for sure. :thumbs:

skypair

 

I wouldn't use that terminology.

Greater in what sense? The Bible teaches that the elect will believe, whether they have believing parents or spouses or not.

 

Good answer, Good Answer.. and the survey says:
Being on BB sometimes feels like a Family Feud!