“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:11 (BSB)
“…and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death…” – Philippians 3:9–10 (BSB)
“But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are 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.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (BSB)
“He saved us… not by righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy… so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:5–7 (BSB)
These doctrines are distinct. Justification is a once-for-all declaration received by faith alone. Sanctification is a progressive work involving our growth in obedience, prayer, and spiritual maturity. Fr. Isaac Rehberg (ACNA, All Saints San Antonio, TX) explains, “We are justified instantly, but sanctified gradually. One removes guilt, the other renews character. Yet both are inseparable fruits of Christ’s saving work.” (Two Graces, One Christ, 2021)
Justification changes our status before God—making us His children and giving us peace with Him. Sanctification changes our nature—transforming our hearts, desires, and actions. Fr. Caleb Evans (Anglican Orthodox Church, St. Stephen’s Mission, GA) teaches, “The justified are never left unchanged. If Christ is in you, His Spirit is at work in you—to kill sin, to grow holiness, and to produce fruit.” (Alive in Christ, 2020)
Anglican theology clearly affirms the connection: Article XII of the Thirty-Nine Articles teaches that good works follow justification and “spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith.” Fr. Thomas Buchan (Anglican Union, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, VA) notes, “Justification without sanctification is false assurance; sanctification without justification is legalism. But together, they declare the whole gospel of grace.” (Grace Working in the Soul, 2021)
Canon George Grant (ACNA, Parish Presbyterian Church, TN) concludes, “The gospel that justifies is the gospel that sanctifies. God not only forgives sin—He frees us from its power. And He is faithful to complete what He began.” (Recovering Anglican Piety, 2019)
“Faith justifies, and the Spirit sanctifies. The first opens the gate of life; the second walks with us through it.” – Basil the Great, Homily on Faith and Holiness, c. 370 AD
“Justification is the beginning, sanctification the path, and glory the end. The whole journey is by the mercy of God.” – John Chrysostom, Homily on Philippians 3, c. 390 AD
“The justified must walk in holiness. For he who is born of God ought to grow in God, bearing fruit in righteousness.” – Cyprian of Carthage, On the Grace of the Spirit, c. 250 AD
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.
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