Role of Community in Christian Sanctification Process
Christian sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy and conformed to the image of Christ, a work primarily attributed to the Holy Spirit [1, 2, 5]. This process extends to the "whole man" and involves more than mere moral reformation, encompassing the entire nature of an individual [1]. While sanctification is fundamentally a work of God—effected by God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit—it is also deeply intertwined with the Christian community [2].
The early Christian community, as described in Acts 2:42-47, demonstrates a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community [4]. Life in this community involved devotion to apostolic teaching, fellowship (Greek koinōnia), sharing, joy, and praise [4]. This communal life was not merely incidental but integral to the growth and development of believers. The goal of Christian ministry, according to Ephesians 4:13, is for the entire community to deepen its understanding and experience of the Christian faith, leading to a more profound knowledge of God’s Son and maturity in the Lord [5]. This maturity is measured by Christ himself, as the Spirit's work transforms individuals to be fully like Christ [5].
The concept of sanctification involves separation to the service of God [2]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, describes sanctification as a "Laver, the Purification," reminding believers of their uncleanness from which God freed them, thus fostering humility [3]. He emphasizes that salvation and sanctification are not primarily due to human good deeds but to God's loving-kindness [3]. John Gill, one theologian, distinguishes between internal and external sanctification. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit, implanting spiritual life and grace, while external sanctification manifests as holiness in daily life and conversation [8].
The community plays a vital role in fostering this holiness. The church is depicted as the "spouse of Christ," which Christ "washes, cleanses, and sanctifies" for himself, alluding to ancient purification rites [7]. This communal cleansing and sanctification prepare the church to be glorious [2]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:14, suggests that even an unbelieving spouse is "sanctified" by their believing partner, implying that the presence of a sanctified individual within a close relationship can impart a degree of hallowed character, potentially leading the unbeliever to faith [9]. This highlights how the holiness of individuals within a community can have a transformative effect on those around them.
Furthermore, the community provides the context for believers to "sanctify Christ as Lord" in their hearts and to be prepared to defend their faith to others [6]. This readiness to give an apologetic answer arises from an inward sanctification that honors God's holiness within the heart, where His Spirit dwells [6]. The communal aspect of sanctification is not merely about individual growth but also about the collective body of Christ growing together in maturity and knowledge [5]. The Lord's continuing addition of new believers to the community in Acts 2:47 demonstrates how the vibrant, sanctified life of the community itself serves as a witness and draws others to salvation [4].
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”
- 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”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:42: 2:42-47 Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community. Life in this new community involved devotion to the apostolic teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise, and it resulted in the Lord’s continuing to add to their number those who were being saved. 2:42 fellowship: Greek koinōnia, a close mutual relationship and participation in life together. • At this stage, prayer probably included participation in the formal prayers of the Temple (see 3:1).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it - The Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, as the woman is the spouse of the man; and, to prepare this Church for himself, he washes, cleanses, and sanctifies it. There is certainly an allusion here to the ancient method of purifying women, who were appointed to be consorts to kings; twelve months, it appears, were in some instances spent in this purification: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other things, for the purifying of women. See the case of Esther, Est 2:12; see also Ps”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:14: sanctified--Those inseparably connected with the people of God are hallowed thereby, so that the latter may retain the connection without impairing their own sanctity (compare Ti1 4:5); nay, rather imparting to the former externally some degree of their own hallowed character, and so preparing the way for the unbeliever becoming at last sanctified inwardly by faith. by . . . by--rather, "in . . . in"; that is, in virtue of the marriage tie between them. by the husband--The oldest manuscripts read, "by the brother." It is the fact of the husb”