The concept of atonement is central to Christian theology, representing the reconciliation between God and humanity achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sanctification, as a process of being made holy, is intrinsically linked to the atonement, as it is through Christ's atoning work that believers are sanctified.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a robust framework for understanding how the atonement leads to sanctification. In Hebrews 10:10, the author states, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." This verse underscores the belief that sanctification is a definitive act accomplished through Christ's sacrifice, setting believers apart for God's purposes.

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 1:30 emphasizes that Christ is the source of sanctification: "It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption." Here, sanctification is presented as an integral aspect of the believer's union with Christ, made possible by His atoning work.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of sanctification, applying the benefits of Christ's atonement to the believer's life. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul writes, "But we should always thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth." The Spirit works within believers to transform their hearts and minds, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will.

Progressive Sanctification

While sanctification is positionally achieved through the atonement, it is also a progressive process. Philippians 2:12-13 encourages believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This passage highlights the cooperative nature of sanctification, where believers actively pursue holiness while relying on God's power.

The Call to Holiness

The atonement not only provides the means for sanctification but also calls believers to a life of holiness. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, Peter exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is a response to the transformative work of Christ's atonement, urging believers to reflect God's character in their daily lives.

The Assurance of Sanctification

The assurance of sanctification is rooted in the completed work of Christ. Hebrews 10:14 declares, "For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." This assurance provides believers with confidence in their standing before God, knowing that their sanctification is secured through the atonement.

Conclusion

The atonement of Jesus Christ is the foundation of sanctification, providing both the means and the motivation for believers to pursue holiness. Through the atoning sacrifice, believers are set apart, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God.2 Corinthians 5:15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:26,27
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 10:10
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 13:12
Why Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... is one of the works of the devil, therefore its destruction is provided for in the
atonement, and, therefore, still again, entire sanctification is obtainable. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

Christ Our Sanctification.
... From these three we must be delivered. From the penalty by Christ's atonement; from
guilt by His satisfaction; and from the stain by sanctification. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi christ our sanctification.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... First, atonement for guilt and to secure pardon; afterwards, the Holy ... First,
justification through the blood; then entire sanctification through the Spirit. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Contents. Lecture I.
... EXTENT OF ATONEMENT. For whose benefit the atonement was intended. " Objections
answered 274. ... SANCTIFICATION. Some points that have been settled. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/contents lecture i.htm

Sanctification.
... Of course we are not to divorce sanctification from life ... The blood of atonement means,
not those particular drops which flowed from the cross, and were lost in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/i sanctification.htm

Sanctification.
... God-justifying spirit, that a thorough apprehension of the atonement of Christ ...
apprehended and embraced by us, as the condition of our entire sanctification. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxix sanctification.htm

Sanctified by God the Son.
... And sanctification, no more than justification, releases us from our
dependence upon the atonement. If we are either justified or ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xii sanctified by god.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Peter.
... up with a terse expression of the great doctrine of the atonement "by whose ... or to
sins without us, implies holiness of heart, that is, entire sanctification. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter viii entire sanctification as.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... If this does not mean entire sanctification, what use is there in language as ... therefore
do not need this cleansing, and can do without this atonement, then we ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

Entire Sanctification
... and more worthy of the merit of the infinite atonement of Christ ... which in this life
flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification; namely, assurance of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clarke/entire sanctification/entire sanctification.htm

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