Sanctification is a big word that deserves a closer look. We typically dismiss sanctification as some type of mystical thing that we need to do, but we do not have a clear path to do it. It is a mystery. We look at something as simple as belief, or believing on Jesus as Messiah for our salvation, but that faith also sanctifies us. From that point on we can further sanctify ourselves if we choose. But we are also told to sanctify Yahweh. How does that work? We might become “sanctification happy” and want to sanctify everything in our lives. But Solomon points out that it is a trap. Jesus lived a sanctified life for us so that we could make disciples. In the Father’s foreknowledge we see that we are known and purified by the Elohim, the entire trinity. Let’s dive in.
Jesus talked to his disciples after his last supper on the 14th of Nissan while celebrating the correct passover date. This was as per the Zadok/Zedek calendar. He told his disciples to abide in him, and that he is the vine. He spoke about the Holy Spirit, and that he had overcome the world. His disciples asked questions and were concerned about the things he said. Jesus then prayed to the Father to glorify him as the Father would be glorified by Jesus. As Jesus prays for the disciples, he prays that the Father would sanctify them in the Father’s truth, the Father’s logos, word.
John17:17 G37 Sanctify G1473 them G1722 in G3588 G225 your truth! G1473 G3588 G3056 [2word G3588 G4674 1Your] G225 is truth. G1510.2.3
37 Dodson:ἁγιάζω I make holy, sanctify I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify.
TBESG:ἁγιάζω to sanctify
G:V
ἁγιάζω, Hellenistic form of ἁγίζω
(< ἅγιος),
to make holy, consecrate, sanctify; [in LXX chiefly for קדשׁ pi., hi. ;]
__1. to dedicate, separate, set apart for God; of things:
__2. to purify, make conformable in character to such dedication: forensically, to free from guilt,
of a nonbeliever influenced by marriage with a Christian, 1Co.7:14.
__3. In the intermediate sense of ceremonial or levitical purification:
__(a) of things, 2Ti.2:21;
__(b) of persons, Heb.9:13.
__4. to treat as holy:
(Cremer, 53, 602; MM, VGT, see word).
† (AS)
Thayer:
1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
2a) consecrate things to God
2b) dedicate people to God
3) to purify
3a) to cleanse externally
3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἁγιάζω
hagiazō hag-ee-ad'-zo From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
KJV Usage: hallow, be holy, sanctify.
38 LSJ Gloss:ἁγιασμός consecration, sanctification
Dodson:ἁγιασμός sanctification, holiness the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness, consecration.
TBESG:ἁγιασμός holiness
G:N-M
ἁγιασμός, -οῦ, ὁ
(< ἁγιάζω), [in LXX: Eze.45:4 (מִקְדָּשׁ), Sir.7:31, etc. ;]
as an active verbal noun in -μός, it signifies properly the process τὸ ἁγιάζειν, rather than the resultant state, ἁγιωσύνη, hence,
__1. consecration;
__2. sanctification: so strictly in
(Cremer, 55, 602).
† (AS)
Thayer:
1) consecration, purification
2) the effect of consecration
2a) sanctification of heart and life
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἁγιασμός
hagiasmos
hag-ee-as-mos'
From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier
KJV Usage: holiness, sanctification.
The verb form of “sanctify” is, hagiazō. The noun form of “sanctification” is hagiasmos. This tells us that there is something or someone that is sanctified and a process of sanctifying. It is something we do and are. The idea is that we set something apart for holiness or purity, and then something becomes holy or pure. Jesus prayed for the disciples to be separated out in the truth of the logos of the Father. He prayed for them to be consecrated in the truth of the Fathers word.
We then have two adjectives, hagion and hagios, translated “holy”. Both describe holy things or holy individuals. When we see the combination Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, we think of the Spirit of the Living God, the Spirit of Wisdom. What we are actually calling the Spirit, Pneuma, is “Consecrated Spirit” or “Pure Spirit”. The Spirit is pure, holy, consecrated, and sanctified. Jesus told us that if we blaspheme the Holy Spirit we will not be forgiven. Why? Because the Spirit is holy, pure, consecrated, and sanctified. The reason the Spirit of God is called The Holy Spirit or The Holy Ghost is in contrast to unholy, unclean, spirits. However we as a culture have watered down the word “holy” to become an exclamation or an adjective for a non-pure thing or person.
39 Strong’s:ἅγιον a sacred thing (i.e. spot)
Derivation: neuter of G40;
KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
TBESG:ἅγιον holy
G:A
ἅγιος, -α, ον
(< τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;]
primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration.
__1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory:
__(a) of things and places which have a claim to reverence as sacred to God, e.g. the Temple:
__(b) of persons employed by him, as angels: 1Th.3:13; prophets, Luk.1:70; apostles, Eph.3:5.
__2. Applied to persons as separated to God's service:
__(a) of Christ,
__(b) of Christians,
__3. In the moral sense of sharing God's purity:
__4. Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings:
SYN.: ἁγνός, pure, both in ceremonial and spiritual sense; ἱερός (sacer), sacred, that which is inviolable because of its (external) relation to God; ὅσιος (sanctus as opp. to nefas), that which is based on everlasting ordinances of right. (Cf. Tr., Syn., §lxxxviii; DB, ii, 399 f.; Cremer, 34, 594-601; MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
Thayer:
1) reverend, worthy of veneration
1a) of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned
1b) of persons whose services God employs, for example, apostles
2) set apart for God, to be as it were, exclusively his
3) services and offerings
3a) prepared for God with solemn rite, pure, clean
4) in a moral sense, pure sinless upright holy
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἅγιον
hagion hag'-ee-on Neuter of G40; a sacred thing (that is, spot) KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
40 LSJ Gloss:ἅγιος devoted to the gods, sacred, holy
Dodson:ἅγιος set apart, holy, sacred set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred.
Strong’s:ἅγιος sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Derivation: from ἅγος (an awful thing) (compare G53, G2282);
KJV Usage: (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
TBESG:ἅγιος holy
G:A
ἅγιος, -α, ον
(< τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;]
primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration.
__1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory:
__(a) of things and places which have a claim to reverence as sacred to God, e.g. the Temple:
__(b) of persons employed by him, as angels: 1Th.3:13; prophets, Luk.1:70; apostles, Eph.3:5.
__2. Applied to persons as separated to God's service:
__(a) of Christ,
__(b) of Christians,
__3. In the moral sense of sharing God's purity:
__4. Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings:
SYN.: ἁγνός, pure, both in ceremonial and spiritual sense; ἱερός (sacer), sacred, that which is inviolable because of its (external) relation to God; ὅσιος (sanctus as opp. to nefas), that which is based on everlasting ordinances of right. (Cf. Tr., Syn., §lxxxviii; DB, ii, 399 f.; Cremer, 34, 594-601; MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
Thayer:
1) most holy thing, a saint
Berry's New Testament Synonyms
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἅγιος
hagios hag'-ee-os From ἅγος hagos (an awful thing) compare G53, [H2282]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated) KJV Usage: (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
The Holy Spirit gave us the written words, scripture, our Bible, so that we can immerse ourselves in the words of the Elohim.
2 Peter 2:20 G3778 This G4412 first G1097 knowing, G3754 that G3956 every G4394 prophecy G1124 of scripture G2398 [3by private G1955 4explanation G3756 1does not G1096 2take place].
21 G3756 For not G1063 G2307 by will G444 of man G5342 was [2borne G4218 3at some time or other G4394 1prophecy], G235 but G5259 by G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy] G5342 being borne G2980 [5spoke G3588 1the G39 2holy G2316 4of God G444 3men].
Jesus was praying for his disciples to be sanctified in the truth of the word of the Father, and they became some of the ones who were led by the Holy Spirit to write scripture. By praying for them to be set apart in truth, they in turn will make others sanctified.
John 17:18 G2531 As G1473 you sent me G649 G1519 into G3588 the G2889 world, G2504 I also G649 send G1473 them G1519 into G3588 the G2889 world.
19 G2532 And G5228 for G1473 them G1473 I G37 sanctify G1683 myself, G2443 that G2532 also G1473 they G1510.3 might be G37 ones having been sanctified G1722 in G225 truth.
20 G3756 [3not G4012 4for G3778 5these G1161 1And G2065 2I ask] G3440 only, G235 but G2532 also G4012 for G3588 the ones G4100 believing G1223 [3through G3588 G3056 4their word G1473 G1519 1in G1473 2me];
Jesus prayed that as he has sanctified himself, his disciples would be sanctified in truth so that the people they speak to about Jesus will believe. This is for future believers to come to Jesus. The truth and logos of the Father set apart the disciples so that the people they speak to become believers in Jesus. The sanctified Spirit gives us the scriptures to become set apart, consecrated for holiness.
Jesus was sanctified. He was always known as Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus the Nazarene. This was a title, not a location. Nazareth was not a city or town until long after Jesus left earth. Nazareth was a Roman Garrison. The people who lived there were like people today who live near military bases. They sell merchandise and entertainment. Jesus being called a Nazarene or Jesus of the Nazarites means that he was a set apart, consecrated, individual who followed the Nazarene way.
The first thing we must note is that at this point in time Nazareth was not the name of a town. It was a region of Galilee in the northern kingdom with a Roman garrison, later called Nazareth. So when we hear of Jesus of Nazareth, it is actually a misrepresentation. It should be Jesus the Nazarene or Jesus of the Nazarenes. The Latin translators did not realize that at this time there was no one town with that name, it was a large region from the ocean to the sea of Galilee. Therefore everywhere we read this phrase we have to remember it is not a village but a holy religious order. The region included Mount Carmel through to Galilee and is larger than Judea. This is the region that the Mount Carmel prophets stem from, meaning the Nazarenes were not just ordinary people but were prophets of the order of Melchizedek, Elijah, and Elisha. Nazarenes could be men or women who make a vow to the Elohim. In Jesus’ time there was a synagogue in the region. This is where Jesus was from but it was not necessarily filled with holy people, just like any region there was a mix of adherent Jews, Essenes, priests, prophets, and Roman soldiers and their families. Culturally the people of the south found ways to disparage the people of the north, portraying them as uneducated.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2023/10/james-mikron-erasing-nazarenes-non.html
These caves in the northern kingdom were on Mount Carmel, which is located by the sea. The caves were relatively large as up to 50 prophets could live in each cave. This tells us that at this time there must have been a great number of prophets in the northern kingdom as Jezebel didn’t notice 100 prophets missing from the execution. These prophets lived in the region of northern Israel between Carmel and the Sea of Galilee. That is where Nazareth would eventually become a Roman Garrison and later known as a town. Carmel since this time became a holy mountain, probably due to Elijah’s miracles there, and some religious groups adhere to the belief that their order started with the Carmel prophets.
Joseph and Mary were living among the prophets, Zedeks, in the region of Nazareth. Nazareth lies between Mt Carmel and Galilee. The trek to Egypt would have been a long journey and they probably went by boat because by land the journey is over 500 miles to Alexandria, Egypt. One might wonder why they would have gone there, and we will get to that in a moment. But we have to recognize that Joseph was not some half-witted carpenter who could not measure correctly. Joseph has, by this time, received some incredible revelation, prophetic revelation. Joseph was a Zedek, living a vow of purity in Nazareth. The only people receiving angelic visitations and revelations in dreams are the prophets, right? So Joseph was not just some goofball who got tangled up in some sort of crazy God story, he was a devout man, chosen to raise the Son of the Most High on the earth. How would you like that job? In all fairness, we do not give Joseph the respect he deserves.
The Therapeutaes were known healers, it was a healing ministry. They believed in a lot of praise and worship. Mary and Joseph would have fit in at the Therapeutae community and would have been protected there. So let’s make a mental note of this, at this time period there were Zedeks in Damascus and Zedeks in Nazareth, Zedeks in Qumran, and Zedeks in Egypt. We have mistakenly thought that Mary and Joseph were all alone. On the contrary, they were nurtured and cared for by their religious community. This is the way the Church functions when it operates in purity and love. Caring for one another, learning, worshiping, praising, and praying. Then making sure all the needs of the individuals in the community are met. The Therapeutaes had all things in common.
The Messiah was prophesied as being born in Bethlehem, coming from Nazareth (separated out), and coming out of Egypt. Now why are these prophecies important regarding where Jesus was from?
The prophets Micah, Hosea, Isaiah, and Ethan the Ezrahite all spoke of the Messiah and where he would come from. The only people paying attention to these prophecies were the prophets. If Jesus came from Bethlehem he would be seen as a ruler like David. If Jesus came out of Egypt he would be like the sons of Jacob. If Jesus came out of Nazareth he would be known as a separated one, a consecrated one with a vow of purity. Is there anyone else that satisfied these three requirements to fulfill what the prophets prophesied? How could the Jews miss the Messiah? Because they were not Zedeks, they were not schooled in prophecy. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit was not on the people in general. The Holy Spirit was not on the Pharisees or Sadducees, or the general Levites unless they were pure and righteous. The common people may not have known that the Messiah was to come from all three places. The common people heard the scriptures read in synagogues, which were run by rabbis, not prophets or Zedeks.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/jesus-essene-therapeutaes-joseph-zedek.html
Jesus was “separated out” from birth, and a “consecrated one” through his own family. They were among the sanctified of their time. The sanctified people were the people who worshipped Yahweh Elohim and were holy, who separated themselves from the defiled temple and defiled politics of Judah and the temple. Just as the Damascus Community separated themselves, many people who were of Shem/Melchizedek’s school, the school of the prophets under Samuel and under Elisha, and the Desert Scribes, the Essenes, Nazarenes Therapeutaes, and Assideans, repeatedly, through all time, separated themselves. Jesus separated himself for our benefit.
We could think of this as any religion or group that separates from others. In order to live a godly life, people decide not to partake in the world, not to do what the unsaved do, and to put Jesus first and foremost in their family. Many families invest their time in their children’s spiritual education. This is the type of sanctifying we can do. We can set ourselves apart and set our family apart. Everyone has to make that decision for themselves. Parents make those decisions for their children until their children are on their own and they themselves have to choose to be sanctified or not. This is what our part is, to believe on Jesus and to separate ourselves from the world. Paul then tells us about Messiah Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:30 G1537 [4of G1473 5him G1161 1But G1473 2you G1510.2.5 3are] G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus, G3739 who G1096 became G1473 wisdom to us G4678 G575 from G2316 God, G1343 both righteousness G5037 G2532 and G38 sanctification G2532 and G629 release by ransom;
“But you from out of him ye are in Messiah Jesus that became wisdom for us away from Elohim righteousness both and sanctification and release by ransom.”
Messiah Jesus became wisdom for us away from the Elohim. He became our righteousness, sanctification, and release by ransom. Now, instead of boasting in our flesh we boast in the Messiah. We are not righteous because we were born that way, we become righteous when we believe on the Messiah. We are not born sanctified, we become sanctified when we believe on Him. We are not released by ransom, by our own payment, but Jesus Messiah made our redemption possible by His payment, his own blood.
The first thing we see sanctified by the Elohim is the seventh day.
Genesis 2:3 G2532 And G2127 God blessed G3588 G2316 G3588 the G2250 [2day G3588 G1442 1seventh], G2532 and G37 sanctified G1473 it; G3754 for G1722 in G1473 it G2664 he rested G575 from G3956 all G3588 G2041 his works -- G1473 G3739 which G756 God began G3588 G2316 G4160 to do.
The seventh day is blessed and separated out, or consecrated, because of the completion of the work done. The word for “rested” is katapauō, “downward stop”. This was the day the earth was finished. The work had been completed. The Elohim set this day apart. We don’t consecrate His work, he does. We can enjoy his seventh day, we can make it a day for us to rest, but he made it holy. We do not make it holy by participating in resting. It is already holy.
Isaiah suggests that we sanctify Yahweh.
Isaiah 8:13 G3588 The G2962 lord G3588 of the G1411 forces -- G1473 sanctify him! G37 G2532 and G1473 he G1510.8.3 will be G1473 your G5401 fear.
When we sanctify Yahweh it is not something we do to make Him holy, it is us recognizing who he is. Part of the definition of hagiazō is “to acknowledge”. When used in this way it is not something we do to purify him, he is already pure, we simply recognize and acknowledge Him. Our job is to acknowledge him. This is similar to what Jesus said, the ones who will believe through the disciples are set apart, and like Paul said, He did it for us. Solomon has some practical advice.
Proverbs 20:25 G3803 It is a snare G435 to a man G5036 quickly G5100 [2anything G3588 G2398 3of his own G37 1to sanctify]; G3326 for after G1063 G3588 G2172 vowing it, G3340 changing of the mind G1096 happens.
Solomon brings the reality of our human nature into focus. The trap. Sometimes we get caught up in our emotions and want to consecrate things, make vows over things, and set people, places, or certain dates, apart. When we do it will become a snare. Why? The evil fallen spiritual beings will see it as a target. It will become a burden to us. Either that or we will want to change our mind about it and break our vow for our own particular reasons. In any event it becomes a trap.
While we separate ourselves from the world we do not have to dedicate every child, farm animal, or plant, to Yahweh Elohim, as holy. We want people to believe on Jesus as Messiah, and that will sanctify them. Jesus taught us to pray ‘hallowed be thy name’.
Matthew 6:9 G3779 So G3767 then G4336 you pray! G1473 G3962 Our father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens, G37 sanctify G3588 G3686 your name! G1473
We could say “hallowed or holy is the name of the Elohim the Father”. This is our acknowledgement of Him. We acknowledge that He is holy, He is sanctified, He is consecrated. When we acknowledge His position then we recognize our position in the need to believe on Jesus Messiah. As Isaiah cried out “holy, holy, holy”.
Paul gives us a list to be aware of. It is not that people cannot confess Jesus as Lord and Messiah and believe he rose up on the third day to receive salvation. The point Paul is making is this list of sinful behaviors are not the behaviors of those set apart, sanctified. Paul is commenting that the people doing these things do not inherit the kingdom of God because they are not believers in Jesus Messiah. Paul makes the pivot that some of us were doing these things, but now because we believe we are washed off and sanctified.
1 Corinthians 6:9 G2228 Or G3756 do you not G1492 know G3754 that G94 the unjust G932 [3 the kingdom G2316 4of God G3756 1shall not G2816 2inherit]? G3361 Do not G4105 be misled; G3777 neither G4205 fornicators, G3777 nor G1496 idolaters, G3777 nor G3432 adulterers, G3777 nor G3120 soft, G3777 nor G733 homosexuals,
10 G3777 nor G2812 thieves, G3777 nor G4123 hoarders of wealth, G3777 nor G3183 intoxicated ones, G3756 nor G3060 revilers, G3756 nor G727 predacious G932 [2 the kingdom G2316 3of God G2816 1shall inherit].
11 G2532 And G3778 [3these G5100 1some G1510.7.5 2of you were]; G235 but G628 you were washed off, G235 but G37 you were sanctified, G235 but G1344 you were justified G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 of the G2962 Lord G* Jesus, G2532 and G1722 by G3588 the G4151 spirit G3588 G2316 of our God. G1473
12 G3956 All things G1473 to me G1832 are allowed, G235 but G3756 not G3956 all G4851 advantageous; G3956 all things G1473 to me G1832 are allowed, G235 but G3756 [3not G1473 1I G1850 2shall] be brought under the authority G5259 by G5100 any.
“All to me is in my power however not all bring together. All to me is in my power however I control not under any one".
Paul makes a perfect point here. All of us could have been on the naughty list but we were sanctified and justified when we believed. While it is within the power of each of us to do any of those things, after we are sanctified and justified, it doesn’t add anything to our benefit. Also, we are not under anyones control. We can drink one alcoholic beverage or several. However several alcoholic beverages do not benefit us. But we are not under anyones control. We alone control whether we drink one or five margaritas. The consequences are all ours. Grace is not a license to sin.
Just like the many pastors we hear about who commit adultery, doing so is within one’s power but it is not beneficial. And it is within the pastors own control, the pastor is not controlled by anyone else. The consequences are far reaching, affecting many people, but it does not mean the pastor is cast out of the sheepfold. That pastor may lose rewards, and that is something to consider. The adulterer will not miss out on the kingdom of God but the adulterer may not like his position there compared to if he had never sinned.
Jesus is paying for our sins with his own blood. Paul is suggesting to the Corinthians that they are to be set apart in these worldly behaviors, but just because they won’t be kicked out of the kingdom of God over it doesn’t mean that they should do any of these things, they are not being controlled. Instead, they are sanctified and justified by their confession and belief on Jesus Messiah. Remember that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are two different places. The kingdom of heaven is within the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is for all those who confess Jesus as Lord and believe he rose up on the third day. The kingdom of heaven is a place for the faithful. The writer of Hebrews shares something important.
Hebrews 12:14 G1515 [2peace G1377 1Pursue] G3326 with G3956 all, G2532 and G3588 the G38 sanctification! G3739 apart from which G5565 G3762 no one G3708 shall see G3588 the G2962 Lord;
Without sanctification no one will see Yahweh. No one. No one. The only way to be sanctified is to confess Jesus as Lord and believe he rose up from the dead on the third day. When we believe on Him we will then be able to look upon or experience Yahweh. We will be able to perceive and discern Him as well. At our passing we will look upon and experience Him. But today, we can perceive and discern Yahweh if we are sanctified. This is why the unbeliever cannot know or perceive Yahweh. Peter writes to his disciples about his own credentials.
1 Peter 1:1 G* Peter, G652 an apostle G* of Jesus G5547 Christ, G1588 to the chosen G3927 immigrants G1290 of the dispersion G* of Pontus, G* Galatia, G* Cappadocia, G* Asia, G2532 and G* Bithynia,
2 G2596 according to G4268 the foreknowledge G2316 of God G3962 the father, G1722 in G38 sanctification G4151 of spirit, G1519 in G5218 obedience G2532 and G4473 sprinkling G129 of blood G* of Jesus G5547 Christ. G5484 Favor G1473 to you G2532 and G1515 peace G4129 be multiplied.
Peter is writing by downward foreknowledge. “Downward”, kata, from heaven to earth, and prognōsis “knowing beforehand”. The downward foreknowledge of the Elohim Father in sanctification of Spirit, into obedience and ceremonial sprinkling blood of Jesus Messiah. This is a mouthful. The downward foreknowledge of the Elohim Father tells us that the Father knew Peter would become an apostle. In consecration of the Elohim Spirit tells us that the Holy Spirit set Peter apart by renewing Peters’ spirit by the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Into obedience and ceremonial blood purification of Yahweh Elohim Jesus Messiah tells us that by Jesus’s obedience His blood purified Peter. Peter makes the case for the trinity undergirding his letter to which he then salutes his disciples with ‘grace and peace be multiplied’. Just in case anyone had any doubts about Peter’s letter, Peter gave his credentials from the Elohim. He was foreknown from heaven, he was sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and he was ceremonially purified by Jesus’ blood.
All of those things apply to us as well. We are in the foreknowledge of the Father God from heaven. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit who dwells within. And we are ceremonially purified by Jesus’ blood, shed for our sins. We believers are, of all humans, most endeared. We have the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son setting us apart figuratively and literally. Can any of the fallen sons of God, the servants of Satanas, ever say that they have been purified by Jesus’ blood? No. Can any of them ever say that they are sanctified by the Holy Spirit? No. They can however say that in the Father’s foreknowledge the Father knew they would rebel and align with Satanas.
We are sanctified by the truth and the logos as the disciples shared Jesus with the world. We have the benefit of all the things they wrote as the Holy Spirit inspired them, so that we can understand these incredible subjects. We are made sanctified by believing. Then we live sanctified by separating from sin. We sanctify the Yahweh Elohim by acknowledging Him, setting him apart from all other gods in our lives and in our minds. While we may still sin and do dumb things, we are still sanctified by our belief. Jesus made us sanctified, we make ourselves sanctified, we sanctify the Elohim.
