Beth-El Baptist Church

06/17/2012

Greg Tomlinson


What is the extent of man's sanctification during life?


As we have been studying some of the theologies of Calvinism and Arminianism, one of the unique doctrinal views of some Arminians is the view of “complete sanctification”.


  1. What does complete sanctification mean?

John 5:14, 8:11 Exodus 20:20

1 Corinthians 15:34 1 John 2:1a

1 Peter 1:14-16 Matthew 5:48; 19:21

Luke 6:40 John 17:23

2 Corinthians 13:11


The idea behind complete sanctification is that the believer in Christ conducts his life in such a real way that it is completely absent of ANY sin. He is truly living a sin free life even as Jesus truly lived a sin free life.


  1. Do saved people continue to sin?

Romans 7:14-21, 25 1 John 1:8-10; 2:1

1 Peter 1:17-19 Luke 18:18-22


The Apostles Paul, John and Peter all agree. Faithful Christians WILL continue to sin. John actually goes so far as to say that if anyone claims to not or no longer sin, then they are deceiving themselves. Jesus takes it a bit further by stating that anyone who is good – is God. Those who are saved DO continue to sin.


  1. Doesn't the sinning of saved people raise the question of the reality of their salvation?

Romans 7:22-25 2 Corinthians 12:21

Galatians 6:1-5 Jude 1:4-5


The issue of saved people sinning has more to do with what they do after they have sinned. If the person confesses his sins and turn from them then he is indicating his need for faith and God's grace and mercy. This does in fact indicate the reality of his salvation. If the person does not care about whether or not he has sinned and nonchalantly claims that his sins are forgiven and he continues to just life a life of sin, then the reality of his salvation should rightly be called into question.


  1. How does ones view of complete sanctification affect ones interaction with others?

James 1:20-22; 5:19-20 1 Corinthians 9:16-19


Whatever view of complete sanctification you have, the interaction we have with others is not actually modified. Christ has called us to preach Christ and Him crucified. Our pleasure ought to be found in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the need for sinners to confess their sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be converted. The concept of complete sanctification has nothing to do with any of this.