“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.” — Ephesians 5:25–27 (BSB)
“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints…” — 1 Corinthians 1:2 (BSB)
“And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” — Hebrews 10:10 (BSB)
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” — John 17:17 (BSB)
The holiness of the Church rests first on the finished work of Christ, who “gave Himself up for her… to present her holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25–27). She is washed, justified, and sanctified by the blood of Jesus and by the ongoing work of the Spirit. Even in her visible weakness and failure, the Church remains the chosen and beloved Bride of Christ, being made ready for His return.
Article XIX of the Thirty-Nine Articles describes the Church as “a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached and the sacraments duly administered.” These means of grace are how the Church is nourished in holiness by the Spirit.
Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote: “The Church is holy because its members are sanctified in Christ, and called to be saints. It is holy because the Holy One is in its midst and His Spirit is at work within.”
Archbishop Ben Kwashi (Nigeria) explains: “The Church is holy not by human merit but by divine calling. God has claimed her, cleansed her, and clothed her with righteousness through Christ.”
Canon Dr. Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College) teaches: “The holiness of the Church is not an achievement but a condition of belonging to Christ. It is grounded in the cross and manifested in lives shaped by the Word and sacraments.”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Gauthier (ACNA) says: “To be the holy Church means to be God’s possession, living under His Word, nourished by His sacraments, and bearing the fruit of His Spirit in the world.”
Thus, the Church is holy by position in Christ and called to be holy by practice through the Spirit. Her holiness is visible in her worship, teaching, sacraments, fellowship, and her growing likeness to Jesus.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “The Church is holy even now, though made up of sinners, because she is sanctified by Christ and sealed by the Spirit.” — On the Creed, Sermon 213
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD): “She is holy because she was founded by the Holy One, is taught by the Holy Scriptures, and is nourished by the Holy Sacraments.” — Catechetical Lectures, 18.26
St. Basil the Great (c. 329–379 AD): “The Church is the house of holiness, where sinners are cleansed and made new by the Spirit, in hope of the eternal kingdom.” — On the Spirit, 15
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
