Editing Sanctification in Christianity (section)

==Teaching by Christian denomination==
===Roman Catholicism===
The [[Catholic Church]] upholds the doctrine of sanctification, teaching that:<ref name="SMOM2011"/>
{{Blockquote|Sanctifying grace is that grace which confers on our souls a new life, that is, sharing in the life of God. Our reconciliation with God, which the redemption of Christ has merited for us, finds its accomplishments in sanctifying grace. Through this most precious gift we participate in the divine life; we have the right to be called children of God. This grace is the source of all our supernatural merits and bestows upon us the right of eternal glory.<ref name="SMOM2011">{{cite book|last=Fitzgerald |first=Maurus |title=Order of Malta Catholic Book of Prayers |year=2011|publisher=Catholic Book Publishing Corp.|page=240}}</ref>}}

[[Paul of the Cross|Saint Paul of the Cross]] stated that "Prayer, good reading, the frequent reception of the sacraments, with the proper dispositions, and particularly the flight of idleness—these are, believe me, the means of sanctifying yourself."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kelly |first1=Matthew |title=The Wisdom of the Saints |date=2022 |publisher=Blue Sparrow |page=59}}</ref>

According to the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' "sanctity"<ref>[http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Sanctity ''Catholic Encyclopedia'': Sanctity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105232613/http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Sanctity |date=2011-01-05 }}</ref> differs for God, individual, and [[corporate body]]. For God, it is God's unique [[absolution|absolute]] [[morality|moral]] [[perfection]]. For the individual, it is a close union with God and the resulting moral perfection. It is essentially of God, by a divine [[gift]]. For a society, it is the ability to produce and secure holiness in its members, who display a real, not merely nominal, holiness. The Church's holiness is beyond human power, [[supernatural|beyond natural]] power.

===Eastern Orthodoxy===
<!--[[File:Автомобиль освятили в православной церкви - Донор.jpg|thumb|160px|A car blessed by a priest of the [[Russian Orthodox Church]].]]  REMOVED, BECAUSE BLESSING OF CAR IS INEXPLICABLE, AS NOT MENTIONED OR TIED TO EXT IN ANY FASHION.-->
[[Eastern Christianity|Orthodox Christianity]] teaches the doctrine of [[Theosis (Eastern Orthodox theology)|theosis]], whereby humans take on divine properties, and in a particular sense, participate in the being of God. A key [[scripture]] supporting this is [[wikisource:2 Peter|2 Peter 1:4]]. In the 4th century, [[Athanasius]] of Alexandria taught that God became [[Christ|Man]] that [[Man (word)|man]] might become God.<ref name="Athanasius">Athanasius: "On the Incarnation", Crestwood: Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1989. p.93</ref> [[essence|Essentially]], man does not become divine, but in Christ can partake of divine nature. This [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Church]]'s version of salvation restores the likeness of God in man.<ref name="Rakestraw">Robert V. Rakestraw: "On Becoming God: An Evangelical Doctrine of Theosis," Journal of Evangelical Theological Society 40/2 (June 1997) 257-269</ref> One such theme is release from mortality caused by desires of the world.<ref name="Karkkainen">[[Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen]]: "One With God:  Salvation as Deification and Justification," Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2004. p.18</ref>

===Lutheranism===
At the time of the justification of an individual, the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Churches]] teach that the process of sanctification commences, which is defined as "the Holy Spirit’s work which follows justification through faith and consists of renewing the believer and bringing forth in him works of renewal."<ref name="Harstad1997"/> In Lutheranism, sanctification has two components, including: "1.) The inner renewal of the Holy Spirit in the Christian, and 2.) the living out of that inner renewal in the Christian’s new life of good works."<ref name="Harstad1997"/> The Lutheran Confessions hold that it is "necessary to exhort people to Christian discipline and good works, and to remind them how necessary it is that they exercise themselves in good words as an evidence of their faith and their gratitude toward God".<ref name="Harstad1997"/> For Christians, "good works are necessary fruits of faith in the life of a Christian and that they proceed from a renewed heart that is thankful to God for His mercy and love".<ref name="Harstad1997">{{cite web |last1=Harstad |first1=Adolph L. |title=Justification Through Faith Produces Sanctification |url=https://els.org/resources/document-archive/convention-essays/essay1997-harstad/ |publisher=[[Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] |date=10 May 2016}}</ref> These [[good works]] done by Christians are rewarded by God.<ref name="Preus2025"/> Those individuals who commit [[mortal sin]] "render themselves subject to divine wrath and eternal death unless, turned again, they are reconciled to God through faith."<ref name="Pieper1950">{{cite book |last1=Pieper |first1=Franz |title=Christian Dogmatics |date=1950 |publisher=Concordia Publishing House |isbn=978-0-570-06712-2 |page=568 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Chemnitz2007">{{cite book |author1=[[Martin Chemnitz]] |title=Ministry, Word, and Sacraments: An Enchiridion; The Lord's Supper; The Lord's Prayer |date=2007 |publisher=Concordia Publishing House |isbn=978-0-7586-1544-2 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Formula of Concord]] summarizes salvation in Lutheran Christianity:<ref name="Harstad1997"/>
{{quotation|First the Holy Spirit kindles faith in us in conversion through the hearing of the Gospel. Faith apprehends the grace of God in Christ whereby the person is justified. After the person is justified, the Holy Spirit next renews and sanctifies him, and from this renewal and sanctification the fruits of good works will follow.” (FC, Solid Declaration, Article III, Righteousness, 40,41 [Tappert])<ref name="Harstad1997"/>}}
The Lutheran Confessions state:<ref name="Harstad1997"/>
{{quotation|“After a person has been justified by faith, a true living faith becomes ‘active through love’ (Gal. 5:6). Thus good works always follow justifying faith and are certainly to be found with it, since such faith is never alone but is always accompanied by love and hope.” (FC, Epitome, Article III. Righteousness. Tappert p. 474)<ref name="Harstad1997"/>}}
{{quotation|We also reject and condemn the teaching that faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are not lost through malicious sin, but that the holy ones and the elect retain the Holy Spirit even though they fall into adultery and other sins and persist in them. (FC, Article IV, Good Works)<ref name="Harstad1997"/>}}

[[Martin Luther]] taught in his [[Large Catechism]] that Sanctification is only caused by the Holy Spirit through the powerful [[Bible|Word of God]]. The Holy Spirit uses churches to gather believers together for the teaching and [[preaching]] of the Word of God.<ref>Lutheran Dogmaticians consider this the broad sense of sanctification. See [http://www.bookofconcord.org/largecatechism/4_creed.html Luther's Large Catechism], the Apostles' Creed, paragraph 53 and following</ref>

{{Blockquote|Sanctification is the Holy Spirit's work of making us holy. When the Holy Spirit creates [[Faith in Christianity|faith]] in us, he renews in us the image of God so that through his power we produce [[good works]]. These good works are not meritorious but show the faith in our hearts (Ephesians 2:8-10, James 2:18). Sanctification flows from [[Justification (theology)|justification]].  It is an on-going process which will not be complete or reach perfection in this life.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080102112002/https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=45&cuItem_itemID=12095 WELS Topical Q&A: Sanctification and Justification], by Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod</ref>}}

The Lutheran Churches teach that God rewards good works done by Christians; the [[Apology of the Augsburg Confession]] teaches: "We also affirm what we have often said, that although justification and eternal life go along with faith, nevertheless, good works merit other bodily and spiritual rewards and degrees of reward. According to 1 Corinthians 3:8, ‘Each will receive his wages according to his labor.’"<ref name="Preus2025">{{cite web |last1=Preus |first1=James |title=Rewards for Good Works |url=https://christforus.org/NewSite/index.php/2025/01/02/rewards-for-good-works/ |publisher=Christ for Us |access-date=14 May 2025 |date=2 January 2025}}</ref>

Luther viewed the [[Ten Commandments]] as a means by which the Holy Spirit sanctifies. <blockquote>"Thus we have the Ten Commandments, a commend of divine doctrine, as to what we are to do in order that our whole life may be pleasing to God, and the true fountain and channel from and in which everything must arise and flow that is to be a good work, so that outside of the Ten Commandments no work or thing can be good or pleasing to God, however great or precious it be in the eyes of the world...whoever does attain to them is a heavenly, angelic man, far above all holiness of the world. Only occupy yourself with them, and try your best, apply all power and ability, and you will find so much to do that you will neither seek nor esteem any other work or holiness."<ref>From [http://www.bookofconcord.org/largecatechism/3_tencommandments.html Luther's Large Catechism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517083644/http://bookofconcord.org/largecatechism/3_tencommandments.html |date=2008-05-17 }}, the Ten Commandments, paragraph 311 and following. For further reading of Lutherans on Sanctification, see [http://www.ctsfw.edu/ctq/text/aprjul85scaer.pdf Sanctification in Lutheran Theology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406170436/http://www.ctsfw.edu/ctq/text/aprjul85scaer.pdf |date=2008-04-06 }} by David P. Scaer, [http://www.wlsessays.net/authors/B/BrugLutheran/BrugLutheran.PDF The Lutheran Doctrine Of Sanctification And Its Rivals] by John F. Brug, [http://www.wlsessays.net/authors/L/LangeSanctification/LangeSanctification.PDF Sanctification In The Lutheran Confessions] by Lyle W. Lange, and [http://www.wlsessays.net/authors/K/KundeCreed/KundeCreed.PDF Apostles' Creed, Third Article - Of Sanctification: The Holy Ghost Works Through The Word] by A. J. Kunde</ref></blockquote>

[[Pietism|Pietistic Lutheranism]] heavily emphasizes the "biblical divine commands of believers to live a holy life and to strive for holy living, or sanctification."<ref name="Granquist2015">{{cite book|last=Granquist|first=Mark A.|title=Scandinavian Pietists: Spiritual Writings from 19th-Century Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland|year=2015|publisher=Paulist Press|language=en|isbn=9781587684982|page=13}}</ref>

===Anabaptism===
[[Anabaptist]] belief emphasizes that sanctification is initiated by being born again by the Spirit of God and then practiced by following or being a disciple of Christ. The role of the Spirit, Word of God, suffering, self-denial as well as the community of believers in sanctification is also considered essential. Sanctification is believed to be a process that begins with conversion and continues throughout the Christian life. Perfectionism or eradication of the flesh is rejected and it is considered necessary to take up the cross and deny yourself daily to truly be a disciple of Christ. When a believer steps out of the sanctification process, his salvation is seen as jeopardized. Sanctification is seen as mortifying the deeds of the flesh, cleansing impure motives and thoughts of the mind and heart as well as glorifying the Father through worship, obedience and faith working in love.

===Anglicanism===
A 2002 Anglican publishing house book states that “there is no explicit teaching on sanctification in the Anglican formularies”.<ref>Owen C. Thomas, [[Ellen K. Wondra]], ''Introduction to Theology'', 3rd ed (Church Publishing, 2002), 222.</ref> A glossary of the Episcopal Church (USA) gives some teaching: “Anglican formularies have tended to speak of sanctification as the process of God's work within us by means of which we grow into the fullness of the redeemed life.”<ref>Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, eds, ''An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church'' (Church Publishing, 2000), s. v. "Sanctification", 467. Online at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/sanctification-0</ref> Outside official formularies sanctification has been an issue in the Anglican Communion since its inception.

The 16th  century Anglican [[theologian]] [[Richard Hooker]] (1554–1600) distinguished between the “righteousness of [[justification (theology)|justification]]” that is imputed by God and the “righteousness of sanctification” that comprises the works one does as an “inevitable” result of being justified.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gibbs |first=Lee W. |date=1981 |title=Richard Hooker's Via Media Doctrine of Justification |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1509447 |journal=The Harvard Theological Review |volume=74 |issue=2 |pages=211–220 |doi=10.1017/S0017816000030583 |jstor=1509447 |issn=0017-8160|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

[[Jeremy Taylor]] (1613–1667) argued that justification and sanctification cannot be separated; they are “two steps in a long process”.<ref>Ralph McMichael, ed, ''The Vocation of Anglican Theology: Sources and Essays'' (SCM, 2014), 214-215.</ref>

A 19th century Church of England work agreed with Jeremy Taylor that justification and sanctification are “inseparable”. However, they are not the same thing. Justification is “found in Christ's work alone”. “Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, and is a progressive work.”<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yTJWAAAAcAAJ |title=An Explanation of the Articles of the Church of England. pt. 1 |date=1843 |publisher=Not published |language=en}}</ref>

===Baptist===
[[Baptists]] believe in progressive sanctification, the work of sanctification of the believer through [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] and the decisions of the believer after the [[new birth]].<ref>Keith Kettenring, ''The Sanctification Connection: An Exploration of Human Participation in Spiritual Growth'', University Press of America, USA, 2008, p. 29</ref><ref>James Leo Garrett, ''Baptist Theology: A Four-century Study'', Mercer University Press, USA, 2009, p. 131</ref><ref name="Roger E. Olson 2004, p. 319">Roger E. Olson, ''The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology'', Westminster John Knox Press, USA 2004, p. 319</ref>

===Reformed===
It is not clear that John Calvin, in his ''Institutes of the Christian Religion,'' conceives of sanctification as a doctrine separate from justification. There is no separate treatment there of a doctrine of sanctification. Instead, the clearest references he makes to the process of the Christian's growth in holiness appear in Book III of the Institutes, which concerns the work of the Holy Spirit. There he intermixes the grace by which justification is accomplished and the grace that empowers the Christian toward moral reform. Following Augustine, Calvin embraces a non-perfectionist account of sanctification as progressive but incomplete until eschatological consummation:<blockquote>"I insist not that the life of the Christian shall breathe nothing but the perfect Gospel, though this is to be desired, and ought to be attempted. I insist not so strictly on evangelical perfection, as to refuse to acknowledge as a Christian any man who has not attained it. In this way all would be excluded from the church, since there is no man who is not far removed from this perfection, while many, who have made but little progress, would be undeservedly rejected."<ref>(Institutes 3.6.5).</ref>  </blockquote>Against those who "maintain the perfection of holiness in the present life," Calvin replies:<blockquote>"...we deem it sufficient briefly to reply with Augustine, that the goal to which all the pious ought to aspire is, to appear in the presence of God without spot or blemish; but as the course of the present life is at best nothing more than progress, we shall never reach the goal until we have laid aside the body of sin, and been completely united to the Lord."<ref>(Institutes 3.17.15).</ref> </blockquote> But the imperfection of sanctification in this life is not, for Calvin, an excuse for slackness in the search thereof. The grace of justification is not separable from the grace that makes one perform good works and the grace that perfects what is deficient in the works of the regenerate:<blockquote>“Justification, moreover, we thus define: the sinner being admitted into communion with Christ is, for his sake, reconciled to God; when purged by his blood he obtains the remission of sins, and clothed with righteousness, just as if it were his own, stands secure before the judgment seat of heaven. Forgiveness of sins being previously given, the good works which follow have a value different from their merit, because whatever is imperfect in them is covered by the perfection of Christ, and all their blemishes and pollutions are wiped away by his purity, so as never to come under the cognizance of the divine tribunal. The guilt of all transgressions, by which men are prevented from offering God an acceptable service, being thus effaced, and the imperfection which is wont to sully even good works being buried, the good works which are done by believers are deemed righteous, or, which is the same thing, are imputed for righteousness.”<ref>(Institutes 3.17.8).</ref> </blockquote>

===Methodism===
In [[Wesleyan–Arminian theology]], which is upheld by the [[Methodist Church]]es (inclusive of the [[holiness movement]]), Methodism teaches that sanctification has three components—initial, progressive, and entire:<ref name="TWC2017"/>
{{Blockquote|We believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is separated from sin unto God and is enabled to love God with all the heart and to walk in all His holy commandments blameless. Sanctification is initiated at the moment of justification and regeneration. From that moment there is a gradual or progressive sanctification as the believer walks with God and daily grows in grace and in a more perfect obedience to God. This prepares for the crisis of entire sanctification which is wrought instantaneously when believers present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, being effected by the [[baptism with the Holy Spirit]] who cleanses the heart from all inbred sin. The crisis of [[entire sanctification]] perfects the believer in love and empowers that person for effective service. It is followed by lifelong growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The life of holiness continues through faith in the sanctifying blood of Christ and evidences itself by loving obedience to God’s revealed will. —Articles of Religion, [[The Wesleyan Church]]<ref name="TWC2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.wesleyan.org/about/articles-of-religion|title=Articles of Religion: The Wesleyan Church|year=2017|publisher=The Wesleyan Church|language=en|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>}}
As such, "sanctification, the beginning of holiness, begins at the [[born again#Methodism|new birth]]".<ref name="Kettenring2007">{{cite book|last=Kettenring|first=Keith|title=The Sanctification Connection|date=15 September 2007|publisher=University Press of America|language=en|isbn=9780761837381|page=29}}</ref> With the [[Grace in Christianity|Grace of God]], Methodists "do [[works of piety]] and [[works of mercy|mercy]], and these works reflect the power of sanctification".<ref name="AbrahamKirby2009">{{cite book|last1=Abraham|first1=William J.|last2=Kirby|first2=James E.|title=The Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies|date=24 September 2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|language=en|isbn=9780191607431|page=475}}</ref> Examples of these [[means of grace]] (works of piety and works of mercy) that aid with sanctification include frequent reception of the [[sacrament]] of [[Holy Communion]] (work of piety),<ref name="Jr2014">{{cite book|last=Yrigoyen|first=Charles Jr.|title=T&T Clark Companion to Methodism|date=25 September 2014|publisher=A&C Black|language=en|isbn=9780567290779|page=259}}</ref> and visiting the sick and those in prison (work of mercy).<ref name="White2014">{{cite book|last=White|first=James W.|title=Brief Christian Histories: Getting a Sense of Our Long Story|date=17 March 2014|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|language=en|isbn=9781556352430|page=99|quote=He espoused a "method" of study, prayer, and community by which persons might know "sanctification" before God. Wesley thought that the truly devout could "move on to perfection," an ends ethic idea. The Methodist ''Book of Discipline'' with "Rules for Methodist Societies" specified what the ways were: daily reading of the Bible, prayer, feeding the hungry, and visiting the sick and those in prison.}}</ref> [[File:The history of Methodism (1902) (14742412186).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|[[John Wesley]] held that the doctrine of [[entire sanctification]] was "the grand [[doctrine|depositum]]" of Methodism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ucmpage.org/sgca/wesley01.htm|title=Wesleyan Heritage Series: Entire Sanctification|last=Gibson|first=James|publisher=South Georgia Confessing Association|language=en|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529053529/http://ucmpage.org/sgca/wesley01.htm|archive-date=29 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>]] [[Wesleyan covenant theology]] also emphasizes that an important aspect of sanctification is the keeping of the moral law contained in the [[Ten Commandments#Methodist|Ten Commandments]].<ref name="2011Campbell">{{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Ted A.|title=Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials, 2nd Edition|date=1 October 2011|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en|isbn=9781426753473|pages=40, 68–69}}</ref> As such, in "sanctification one grows to be more like [[Jesus Christ|Christ]]."<ref name="Jones2010">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Scott J.|title=United Methodist Doctrine|date=1 September 2010|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en|isbn=9781426725593|page=197}}</ref> This process of sanctification that begins at the new birth (first work of grace) has its goal as [[Christian perfection]], otherwise known as entire sanctification ([[second work of grace]]),<ref name="Kettenring2007"/><ref name="Campbell2011">{{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Ted A.|title=Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials, 2nd Edition|date=1 October 2011|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en|isbn=9781426753473|page=41|quote=Methodist piety describes the goal of sanctification as ''entire sanctification'' or ''Christian perfection''. If the notion of perfection is offensive, it is also biblical: Jesus taught us to "Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). And to what perfection can human beings aspire? Methodists have always answered this by repeating the Great Commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37; cf. Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27). Along with this, Methodists insist that Christian perfection also means the fulfillment of the second Commandment: love of our neighbor. Thus, Christian perfection or entire sanctification denotes primarily the perfection of our love for God and for our neighbor.}}</ref> which [[John Wesley]], the progenitor of the Methodist faith, described as a heart "habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor" and as "having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1813 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210141434/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1813 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2007 |title=Distinctive Wesleyan Emphases (Page 2) |publisher=Archives.umc.org |date=2006-11-06 |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>  To John Wesley the work of entire sanctification was distinctly separate from [[Regeneration (theology)#Wesleyan-Arminianism|regeneration]],<ref name="Wesley, John, 1703-1791. 1991">{{Cite book|title=Christian perfection, as taught by John Wesley|last=Wesley, John, 1703-1791.|date=1991|orig-year=1885|publisher=Schmul Pub|isbn=0-88019-120-1|oclc=52723806}}</ref> and was "wrought instantaneously, though it may be approached by slow and gradual steps."<ref name="Wesley, John, 1703-1791. 1991"/> A more complete statement of Wesley's position goes like this:<blockquote>"It is that habitual disposition of soul which, in the sacred writings, is termed holiness; and which directly implies, the being cleansed from sin, 'from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit;' and, by consequence, the being endued with those virtues which were also in Christ Jesus; the being so 'renewed in the spirit of our mind,' as to be 'perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.'"<ref>Wesley, J. (1872). The Works of John Wesley (Third Edition, Vol. 5, p. 203). London: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room.</ref></blockquote>This is the doctrine that by the power of God's sanctifying grace and attention upon the [[Means of Grace|means of grace]] may cleanse a Christian of the corrupting influence of [[original sin]] in this life. It is expounded upon in the Methodist [[Articles of Religion (Methodist)|Articles of Religion]]:<ref name="MethodistArticles">[http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-articles-of-religion-of-the-methodist-church The United Methodist Church: The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church - Of Sanctification]</ref> 
{{Blockquote|Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanseth from all sin; whereby we are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in his holy commandments blameless.<ref name=MethodistArticles/>}}
Terming the experience of entire sanctification the [[baptism of the Holy Spirit]], [[John William Fletcher]], the systematic theologian of Methodism, emphasized that the experience of entire sanctification through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit cleanses the believer from [[original sin]] and empowers the believer for service to God.<ref name="ShapiroBarnard2017">{{cite book |last1=Shapiro |first1=Stephen |last2=Barnard |first2=Philip |title=Pentecostal Modernism: Lovecraft, Los Angeles, and World-Systems Culture |date=9 February 2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4742-3874-8 |page=69 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Justification (theology)|Justification]] is seen as an initial step of acknowledging God's holiness, with sanctification as, through the grace and power of God, entering into it.  A key scripture is Hebrews 12:14:  "Follow after...holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord." The importance of "growth in grace", according to Methodist doctrine, is important before and after entire sanctification:<ref name="IMC1986"/>
{{blockquote|In order to maintain right relationship with God; it is necessary that we grow in grace (Eph. 4:15, 16; Col. 2:6, 7: I Pet. 1:5-10; II Pet. 3:18), both before and after sanctification. There is, however, a more abundant growth with increased fruitage after sanctification (John 15:2). To keep sanctified the soul must continually seek God's face and strength (Luke 21:36; Psalm 105:4). This is the maturing process of all Spirit-filled saints. 
—Articles of Religion, [[Immanuel Missionary Church]]<ref name="IMC1986">{{cite book |title=Discipline of the Immanuel Missionary Church |date=1986 |publisher=[[Immanuel Missionary Church]] |location=[[Shoals, Indiana]] |pages=9–10 |language=English}}</ref>}}
In the same vein, in addition to entire sanctification, the [[Kentucky Mountain Holiness Association]] affirms a belief in "the progressive growth in grace toward Christian maturity through a consistent Christian life of faith and good works."<ref name="KMHA2020">{{cite book |title=KMHA Handbook |date=15 September 2020 |publisher=[[Kentucky Mountain Holiness Association]] |page=5 |language=English}}</ref>

Wesleyan theology teaches that the state of entire sanctification can be lost through willful sin:<ref name="Emmanuel2002">{{cite book |title=Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association of Churches |date=2002 |publisher=[[Emmanuel Association]] |location=[[Logansport, Indiana|Logansport]] |page=9 |language=English}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|After we have received the Holy Ghost, any careless attitude toward the covenant we entered into when we were sanctified shall cause us to depart from grace given, and to fall into sin. Only through deep repentance, which God may permit, shall we then turn to God and receive forgiveness of our sins. ―Principles of Faith, [[Emmanuel Association of Churches]]<ref name="Emmanuel2002"/>}}
If a person [[backsliding|backslides]] but later decides to return to God, he or she must confess his or her sins and be entirely sanctified again (see [[conditional security]]).<ref name="Robinson">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Jeff |title=Meet a Reformed Arminian |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/meet-a-reformed-arminian/ |publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] |access-date=16 June 2019 |language=en |date=25 August 2016 |quote=Reformed Arminianism's understanding of apostasy veers from the Wesleyan notion that individuals may repeatedly fall from grace by committing individual sins and may be repeatedly restored to a state of grace through penitence.}}</ref><ref name="CaugheyAllen1850">{{cite book |last1=Caughey |first1=James |last2=Allen |first2=Ralph William |title=Methodism in Earnest |url=https://archive.org/details/methodisminearn00wisegoog |date=1850 |publisher=Charles H. Peirce |language=en |quote=She had lost the blessing of entire sanctification; but a few days after this she obtained it again.}}</ref><ref name="Brown2008">{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Allan P. |title=Questions About Entire Sanctification |url=https://www.gbs.edu/questions-about-entire-sanctification/ |website=God's Bible School & College |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=en |date=1 June 2008 |quote=Does an entirely sanctified person who rebels against God but later comes back to Him need to be entirely sanctified again? We do know that a person can rebel against God and later turn back in repentance and then be "re-saved." Answer: Yes. To come back to God is the action of a backslider having his re in need of continual cleansing. The verb "cleanses us" is a present indica-relationship with God restored. After the restoration, one must walk in the light and obey Romans 12:1 and offer himself a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice to God. This can be done only by a person in right relationship with God.}}</ref>

John Wesley taught [[outward holiness]] as an expression of "inward transformation" and theologians in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition have noted that the observance of standards of dress and behaviour should follow the new birth as an act of obedience to God.<ref name="Thornton2008">{{cite book | last1=Thornton | first1=Wallace Jr. |title=Behavioral Standards, Embourgeoisement, and the Formation of the Conservative Holiness Movement |date=2008 |publisher=Wesleyan Theological Society |pages=187–193 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seedbed.com/getting-it-right-christian-perfection-and-wesleys-purposeful-list|title=Getting It Right: Christian Perfection and Wesley's Purposeful List|last=Headley|first=Anthony J.|date=4 October 2013|publisher=Seedbed|language=en|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>

===Pentecostalism===
There are two Pentecostal positions on sanctification, entire sanctification and progressive sanctification.<ref>Roger E. Olson, ''The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology'', Westminster John Knox Press, USA, 2004, p. 319</ref>

[[Christian Perfection|Entire sanctification]] as a second work of grace, is the position of Pentecostal denominations that originally had their roots in Wesleyan-Arminian theology, such as [[Apostolic Faith Church]], [[Calvary Holiness Association]], [[International Pentecostal Holiness Church]], [[Church of God (Cleveland)]] and [[Church of God in Christ]].<ref>James Leo Garrett, ''Systematic Theology, Volume 2, Second Edition'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2014, p. 395; "Those branches of the Pentecostal movement in the United States which arose from the Holiness movement have retained the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification and made baptism in or with the Spirit to be the third essential experience (e.g., Church of God, Cleveland, Tenn., Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Church of God in Christ)."</ref> These denominations differ from the Methodist Churches (inclusive of the Holiness Movement) in that they teach the possibility of a third work of grace—glossolalia.<ref name="TWTHS2002">{{cite book|title=The West Tennessee Historical Society Papers - Issue 56 |year=2002|publisher=West Tennessee Historical Society.|language=en|page=41|quote=Seymour's holiness background suggests that Pentecostalism had roots in the holiness movement of the late nineteenth century. The holiness movement embraced the Wesleyan doctrine of "sanctification" or the second work of grace, subsequent to conversion. Pentecostalism added a third work of grace, called the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is often accompanied by glossolalia.}}</ref>

Progressive sanctification is the work of sanctification of the believer through [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] and the decisions of the believer after the [[new birth]].<ref name="Roger E. Olson 2004, p. 319"/> This is the position of other Pentecostal denominations, such as [[Assemblies of God]] and [[The Foursquare Church]].<ref>James Leo Garrett, ''Systematic Theology, Volume 2, Second Edition'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2014, p. 395; "those branches which derived from Baptist or Reformed roots have taught positional and progressive sanctification as distinguishable from baptism in or with the Spirit (e.g., Assemblies of God, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel)."</ref>

===Quakerism===
[[George Fox]], the founder of [[Quakerism]], taught Christian perfection, also known in the Friends tradition as "Perfectionism", in which the Christian believer could be made free from [[sin in Christianity|sin]].<ref name="Fox1661"/><ref name="Stewart1992"/> In his ''Some Principles of the Elect People of God Who in Scorn are called Quakers, for all the People throughout all Christendome to Read over, and thereby their own States to Consider'', he writes in section "XVI. Concerning Perfection":<ref name="Fox1661">{{cite web |author1=George Fox |title=Some Principles of the Quakers |url=http://www.qhpress.org/texts/gfprinc.html#s16 |publisher=Robert Wilson |language=en |date=1661|author1-link=George Fox }}</ref>
{{Blockquote|HE that hath brought Man into Imperfection is the Devil, and his work who led from God; for Man was Perfect before he fell, for all God's Works are Perfect; So Christ that destroyes the Devil and his works, makes man Perfect again, destroying him that made him Imperfect, which the Law could not do; so by his Blood doth he cleanse from all Sin; And by one offering, hath he Perfected for ever them that are Sanctified; And they that do not Believe in the Light which comes from Christ, by which they might see the Offering, and receive the Blood, are in the unbelief concerning this.

And the Apostles that were in the Light, Christ Jesus, (which destroyes the Devil and his works) spoke Wisdom among them that were Perfect, though they could not among those that were Carnal; And their Work was for the perfecting of the Saints, for that cause had they their Ministry given to them until they all came to the Knowledge of the Son of God, which doth destroy the Devil and his works, And which ends the Prophets, first Covenant, Types, Figures, Shadowes; And until they all came to the Unity of the Faith which purified their hearts, which gave them Victory over that which {{sic|sep|erated}} from God, In which they had access to God, by which Faith they pleased him, by which they were Justified; And so until they came unto a Perfect Man, unto the Measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ; and so the Apostle said, Christ in you we Preach the hope of Glory, warning every man, that we might present every Man Perfect in Christ Jesus.<ref name="Fox1661"/>}}

The early Quakers, following Fox, taught that as a result of the [[Born again|New Birth]] through the power of the [[Holy Spirit]], man could be free from actual sinning if he continued to rely on the [[inward light]] and "focus on the cross of Christ as the center of faith".<ref name="Elwell2001">{{cite book |last1=Elwell |first1=Walter A. |title=Evangelical Dictionary of Theology |date=2001 |publisher=Baker Academic |isbn=9780801020759 |language=en}}</ref> George Fox emphasized "personal responsibility for faith and emancipation from sin" in his teaching on perfectionism.<ref name="Elwell2001"/> For the Christian, "perfectionism and freedom from sin were possible in this world".<ref name="Stewart1992">{{cite book |last1=Stewart |first1=Kathleen Anne |title=The York Retreat in the Light of the Quaker Way: Moral Treatment Theory : Humane Therapy Or Mind Control? |date=1992 |publisher=William Sessions |isbn=9781850720898 |language=en|quote=On the other hand, Fox believed that perfectionism and freedom from sin were possible in this world.}}</ref>

Some Quaker denominations were founded to emphasize this teaching, such as the [[Central Yearly Meeting of Friends]].<ref name="CYMF2013">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.centralyearlymeetingoffriends.org/AboutUs.dsp |publisher=[[Central Yearly Meeting of Friends]] |access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005062231/http://www.centralyearlymeetingoffriends.org/AboutUs.dsp |archive-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=usurped |date=2013}}</ref>

===Keswickianism===
[[Keswickian theology]], which emerged in the Higher Life Movement, teaches a [[second work of grace]] that occurs through "surrender and faith", in which God keeps an individual from sin.<ref name="Naselli">{{cite web |last1=Naselli |first1=Andy |title=Models of Sanctification |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/models-of-sanctification/ |publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] |access-date=30 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Keswickian denominations, such as the [[Christian and Missionary Alliance]], differ from the [[Holiness movement|Wesleyan-Holiness movement]] in that the Christian and Missionary Alliance does not see [[entire sanctification]] as cleansing one from [[original sin]], whereas holiness denominations espousing the [[Wesleyan-Arminian theology]] affirm this belief.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Radical Holiness Movement and The Christian and Missionary Alliance: Twins, perhaps, but not Identical |url=https://www.bavdw.com/index.php/papers-presentations/fourfold-gospel-papers/15-the-radical-holiness-movement-and-the-christian-and-missionary-alliance-twins-perhaps-but-not-identical#_ftnref11 |publisher=Bernie A. Van De Walle |access-date=30 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Wu2012">{{cite book |last1=Wu |first1=Dongsheng John |title=Understanding Watchman Nee: Spirituality, Knowledge, and Formation |date=1 April 2012 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-63087-573-2 |page=58 |language=en|quote=D. D. Bundy notes that A. B. Simpson (1843–1919)—Presbyterian founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance—who never accepted the Wesleyan doctrine of eradication of sin, accepted the Keswickian understanding of sanctification. }}</ref>

===The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints===
In [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], sanctification is viewed as a process and gift from God which makes every willing member holy, according to their repentance and righteous efforts, through the Savior Jesus Christ's matchless grace.<ref>Mark Juergensmeyer, Wade Clark Roof, ''Encyclopedia of Global Religion'', SAGE Publications, USA, 2011, p. 1116</ref> To become Sanctified, or Holy, one must do all that he can to live as Christ lived, according to the teachings of Christ. One must strive to live a holy life to truly be considered Holy.<ref>See D. Todd Christofferson, "Justification and Sanctification," [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2001/06/justification-and-sanctification?lang=eng Ensign, June 2006]; C. Eric Ott, "Sanctification," [http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Sanctification Encyclopedia of Mormonism].</ref> In the Church's scriptural canon, one reference to sanctification appears in [[Helaman]] 3:35, in the [[Book of Mormon]]:{{blockquote|Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.<ref>{{cite web|title=Helaman 3:35|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng|work=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|publisher=Intellectual Reserve, Inc.|access-date=28 October 2012}}</ref>}} Elder [[Dallin H. Oaks]], then of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)|Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]], also expounded on the meaning of sanctity.<ref>{{citation |first= Dallin H. |last= Oaks |author-link= Dallin H. Oaks|title= The Challenge to Become |journal= [[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]] |date=November 2000 |page= 32 |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/11/the-challenge-to-become?lang=eng }}</ref>{{clarify|date=November 2024}}