Sanctification has a meaning of setting apart, of consecrating for holy service. This is very basic in doctrine, but the work of sanctification of the believer is a more complete and definite work. The vessels, the articles of worship in the old dispensation were sanctified for service. Offerings were set apart, sanctified unto the Lord. Priests, kings and others were set apart and anointed for service. We strongly endorse this thought. No one can receive the cleansing baptism of the Holy Ghost without this first act of setting apart only for God. Jesus refers to this act of himself as he prayed for his disciples, as recorded in John, the seventeenth chapter. “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself; that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

Jesus had consecrated himself to a holy purpose, to a Divine service; to sanctify them: “that they also might be sanctified.” Jesus needed no cleansing. “He knew no sin.” He was the Holy Son of God. Neither did the vessels or offerings need a purifying of nature. These are inanimate articles. The priests and kings were ceremoniously cleansed. Articles of furniture were ceremoniously cleansed and did not need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. The ritual of the law only cleansed outwardly the body. The rite of sanctifying of the unclean; the person or article must first be set apart, washed and ceremonially cleansed before being anointed for service. The Divine grace of sanctification completes all that needs to be done that we might live a life of holiness. We as fallen creatures are the only ones that need the purifying of our nature. The senseless articles could not need this. The already Holy Son of God did not. Holy Angels do not: only sin scarred humanity needs the baptism with the Holy Ghost.

Thank God for the cleansing stream! “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this cause he is the mediator of a new testament.” Hebrews 9:13-15 Not only does sanctification imply setting apart, but also a cleansing of the heart and a Divine infilling of Gods spirit. “The cleansing stream I see, I see, I plunge and oh! it cleanseth me.” Dear troubled heart, let no man turn you aside from your search for this rest of the soul. “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and he that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he ask an egg, will he for an egg give him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:9-13 Delay no longer, beloved, ask, seek, and knock now. He wishes to give you his Spirit.

Long pursued by sin and Satan, Weary, sad I longed for rest, Then I found this heavenly shelter Opened in my Savior’s breast. —James