SAINTS AND SANCTIFICATION

When I was a child I was taught that “Saints” were the special few that were canonized by the
Roman Catholic Church and that it was reserved for them that died centuries ago. Since then, I
learned to read the Bible for myself and the Word “Saint” means something much different.
“Saints” are the ones who make Jesus Christ lord in their lives. Simply put, “Saints” are
Christians.
Romans 1:7 (KJV)
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29-31 (KJV)
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also
justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Christians are called. They are justified and they are glorified!
1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
As a Christian you were called and you answered that call. That makes you a Saint.
Ephesians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to
the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Colossians 1:2 (KJV)
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and
peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are the Saints of God and as Saints we are sanctified! Do you know what sanctification
means? It means “to be set apart.”
One of the first usage is in Exodus where God claims all of the first born of Israel as His. Israel is
to sanctify or set them apart. Even though they still abode among their brethren they were still
God’s.Exodus 13:1-2 (KJV)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel,
both of man and of beast: it is mine.
In Exodus chapter thirteen a mountain is set apart.
Exodus 19:23 (KJV)
23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us,
saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
In the Gospel of John the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ were “set apart” by the word of truth.
John 17:17 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
In Ephesians God gives the example of washing in water as to bathing in the purity of God’s Word.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Hebrews 13:11-12 (KJV)
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are
burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
By the Blood of Jesus Christ we are sanctified once and for all. But what are we Sanctified or sat apart
for? We set apart as God’s inheritance. We are set apart for Heaven. We are set apart for glory. We are
set apart as sons of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:32 (KJV)
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up,
and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
1 John 3:1-3 (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.Romans 8:15-18 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.
When you go through the day remember that you are a Saint and even though you are in the World you
are set apart as God’s child and you are glorified and you will see the manifestation of that glory when
Christ returns.
Acts 26:14-18 (KJV)
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew
tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a
minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will
appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that
is in me.
1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV)
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:10 (KJV)
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.Hebrews 10:14 (KJV)
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Jude 1:1 (KJV)
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the
Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: