“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone, and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14 (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)
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” – Ephesians 2:8–10 (BSB)
“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)
Justification gives us assurance—confidence that we are accepted by God, not because of our merit, but because of Christ’s righteousness. Sanctification gives us purpose—a new way of living in response to God’s mercy. Fr. Isaac Rehberg (ACNA, All Saints San Antonio, TX) explains, “Justification gives the believer peace; sanctification gives the believer purity. One brings security, the other produces fruit.” (The Gospel That Saves and Shapes, 2021)
These doctrines are essential not only for personal assurance, but also for faithful Christian living. Fr. Caleb Evans (Anglican Orthodox Church, St. Stephen’s Mission, GA) teaches, “Without justification, you strive in vain to earn God’s favor. Without sanctification, you dishonor the grace you’ve received. The true Christian life holds both—peace with God and progress in holiness.” (Grace that Works, 2020)
Together, they protect us from legalism on one side and lawlessness on the other. Fr. Thomas Buchan (Anglican Union, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, VA) writes, “Justification says ‘You are accepted in Christ’; sanctification says ‘Now become like Christ.’ This is the rhythm of grace—the gospel not only forgives, it transforms.” (Formed by Grace, 2021)
Canon George Grant (ACNA, Parish Presbyterian Church, TN) adds, “These two doctrines are the bedrock of Anglican piety and Reformation faith. To know we are justified is to rest in God’s mercy. To know we are being sanctified is to walk forward in His power.” (Recovering Anglican Piety, 2019)
“Justification begins the life of faith, sanctification perfects it. Without both, no man shall see the Lord.” – Basil the Great, Homily on Faith and Holiness, c. 370 AD
“The righteous are justified by mercy and sanctified by power. Let none claim grace without growth, or pardon without purity.” – John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans 6, c. 390 AD
“Holiness and justification are twins of grace. One frees from guilt; the other from corruption. Together they prepare us for glory.” – Cyprian of Carthage, On the Renewal of the Faithful, 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.
St. Thomas Church
PO Box 873
Abbotsford, BC,
V2T 7A2, Canada
If you are interested in starting a St. Thomas Church in your area and or ordination path fill the contact card form.
St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.