Whenever you want to know the
meaning of biblical terms, you must search the Scriptures to see how God uses
those terms in his Word. The word "sanctify" is used in three
distinct ways in the Bible.
THE
FIRST, PRIMARY MEANING OF THE WORD "SANCTIFY" IS "TO SET
APART". Sanctification is taking something that is common and ordinary
and setting it apart, or separating it, for God's service alone. The Bible
provides us with many examples of this. The seventh day was set apart for God
(Gen. 2:3). The day was not changed in any way at all. It was simply set apart
from the other days of the week and separated as the Sabbath day, for the
service of God alone. The firstborn of the families of
Secondly, as the word
"sanctify" is used in the Scriptures, IT MEANS TO REGARD TO TREAT,
AND TO DECLARE A PERSON OR THING AS HOLY. For example, God himself is
frequently said to be sanctified by his people. We do not make God more holy.
And we do not separate God unto himself. But we do regard him as being holy,
treat him as One who is holy, and declare that he is
holy. This is what God requires of us. "Sanctify the Lord of hosts
himself; and let him be your dread, and let him be your fear" (Isa.
Thirdly, as the word "sanctify" is used in
Scripture, IT MEANS TO ACTUALLY PURIFY SOMETHING AND MAKE IT HOLY. This
is an actual change in the nature of things. The thing sanctified is not only
set apart and declared to be holy, it is actually made holy. In the Old
Testament, the ceremonial cleansings of the people pictured this aspect of
sanctification. When God was about to come down and give the law at Sinai, he
required the children of
Do you see the meanings of the words
"sanctify" and "sanctification", as they are used in
Holy Scripture? To sanctify is (1) TO SET APART FOR GOD, (2) TO
REGARD, TO TREAT, AND TO DECLARE AS HOLY, and (3) TO PURIFY AND
MAKE HOLY. This is the way God has sanctified his people. The Lord set us
apart and separated us to himself in ETERNAL ELECTION. Through the
redemptive work of Christ accomplished at Calvary, God regards us as holy,
declares that we are holy, and treats us as holy people in ABSOLUTE
JUSTIFICATION. And in the new birth the Holy Spirit actually imparts a holy
nature to us, purifying us and making us holy in DIVINE REGENERATION.