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Westminster Confession, Chapter 13

Of Sanctification

They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened, in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

Acts 20:32

32And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

Romans 6:5-6

5For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

6We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

1 Corinthians 6:11

11And that is what some of you were. 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.

Philippians 3:10

10I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

Romans 6:6

6We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Romans 6:14

14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

John 17:17

17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

Ephesians 5:26

26to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

2 Thessalonians 2:13

13But 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.

Ephesians 3:16-19

16I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth

19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Colossians 1:11

11being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

Romans 8:13

13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:24

24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

2 Corinthians 7:1

1Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:14

14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.

Scripture references for paragraph 2

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:17

17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

1 Peter 2:11

11Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

Romans 7:18

18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:23

23But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

Philippians 3:12

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

1 John 1:10

10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Scripture references for paragraph 3

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

Romans 7:23

23But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

2 Corinthians 3:18

18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Peter 3:18

18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Romans 6:14

14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Ephesians 4:15-16

15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

16From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

1 John 5:4

4because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

2 Corinthians 7:1

1Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Source and edition

Westminster Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription

Unlicense. Source transcription.

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