Process of Redemption from Repentance to Sanctification
The process of redemption from repentance to sanctification is a multifaceted theological concept rooted in biblical teachings. It begins with repentance, a change of mind and purpose that leads to a change in life, to which remission of sin is promised [9]. This concept is closely tied to the idea of redemption, which involves the purchase back of something lost by the payment of a ransom, specifically through the blood of Christ [2, 4, 5].
Repentance is a crucial initial step, as seen in Acts 3:19, where believers are exhorted to "repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" [6]. This act of repentance is not merely a feeling of regret but a deliberate change of heart and mind, as indicated by the Greek word "metanoeo," meaning to change one's mind and purpose [9].
Following repentance, the process of redemption unfolds through various stages, including reconciliation. Reconciliation refers to a change from enmity to friendship, involving both the sinner and God. In Colossians 1:21-22, this change is described as being wrought in the personal character of the sinner, who ceases to be an enemy to God and yields to Him in confidence and love [3].
A key aspect of redemption is the concept of atonement, or "at-one-ment," which denotes the state of being reconciled. The death of Christ is central to this reconciliation, bringing about a change in the sinner's disposition toward God. The word "atonement" itself is used to describe both the effect of Christ's death and the death itself [8].
Sanctification is the continuation and perfection of the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing the nature more and more under the influence of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul. This process involves separation to the service of God and is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [1, 7].
The biblical basis for sanctification is seen in various passages, including 1 Corinthians 6:11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Sanctification is also linked to the atonement of Christ and is a state in which all saints are considered to be, as seen in Acts 20:32 and 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30 [7].
The process of redemption, from repentance through sanctification, is a work of God, facilitated through the redemption accomplished by Christ. As stated in Ephesians 1:7, believers "have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" [4]. This redemption is not just a past event but a present possession, highlighting the ongoing nature of the redemption process.
The ultimate purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed, as noted in Isaiah 43:21 and 1 Peter 2:9 [11]. Thus, the journey from repentance to sanctification is a transformative process, grounded in the biblical concepts of redemption, reconciliation, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The theological understanding of this process is reflected in various Christian traditions. For instance, the Reformed tradition emphasizes the role of God's sovereignty in the process of redemption, while the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition highlights the importance of personal holiness and the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification [7, 10].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 1:7 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:14 (LITV) — in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins;”
- King James Version “[KJV] Acts 3:19 — Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 11:38: First washed - See on Mar 7:2-4 (note).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”