Some time ago, while talking with a friend about sanctification, I was explaining that it came after repentance. Repentance was the first work of grace, and sanctification was the second. Both are necessary for salvation. He replied, “I got that, but I just got it all when I got baptized.” We continued with our conversation and I cannot recall it now, but the statement “I just got it all when I got baptized” has stuck with me over the years. It highlights to me a fundamental misunderstanding of what sanctification is, what it is not, and how to find it. Sanctification is not repentance.
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”-Luke 5:32
When you repent, you turn your back on sin. Your sin. You have changed your mind, turned your heart, and resolved to follow Christ. Forgiveness is a product of repentance; made possible through the authority of God and Christ. The work of repentance is a pardoning work that brings profound change; however, it doesn’t strike at the root of the problem. The carnal nature of sin still remains. Since the root remains, sinful actions come back and you find yourself sinning and repenting. Sinning and repenting. Which is why you need the second work of grace; which is sanctification. Sanctification gets down to the root of the matter. It changes your nature.
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”-Matthew 3:11
Repentance is the first work, because God made it so. John came first, preaching repentance. Jesus followed preaching repentance. The scriptures are filled with the instruction to repent, but it didn’t stop there. After repentance we must be filled with the Holy Ghost. Furthermore, before you can be sanctified you must be clean. Before you can be married, you must be betrothed. Repentance prepares the way for the coming of Christ, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is the second sanctifying work. Perhaps the most profound distinction of all, repentance was available before sanctification. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”-John 3:5
Two things that are separate and distinct, bond with one another to create new life. Hydrogen and oxygen exist as distinct elements but combined they create life-giving water. Two people enter into the union of marriage to become one. Repentance and Sanctification are two distinct spiritual works which, when combined, create salvation to the believer. A new creation. To stop at repentance is to leave off salvation. You are clean, but not reborn. You can be engaged or married, but you cannot be engaged and married. You can be a sinner or a Christian, but you cannot be a sinning Christian. You can repent and be sanctified; but you cannot be sanctified and repenting; else you crucify the Son of God afresh. The water is symbolic of repentance, and the Spirit is prophetic of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit, which would be given after Jesus's resurrection on the day of Pentecost. A day that continues until now. A blessing that endures to this day. A baptism to supersede all baptisms. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost; the second work of grace, all of these- follow repentance- and change everything.
