📖 Biblical Definition
Definitive sanctification is the decisive, one-time break with sin’s dominion that takes place at conversion — the believer is set apart in Christ, transferred from death to life, no longer a slave of sin (Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 6:11). It is distinguished from progressive sanctification (the lifelong growth in holiness) and is the foundation on which that growth rests. John Murray recovered the doctrine: in Christ the believer has already died to sin (Romans 6:2, 11) — not aspires to die, has died. Progressive sanctification is therefore not earning a status but working out what is already true. The Christian fights from victory, not for it. Recognizing definitive sanctification settles the war.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The decisive break with sin's reign at conversion.
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The Reformed doctrine that at the moment of saving union with Christ, the believer is decisively set apart unto God — sin's dominion broken, the new man put on, the old man crucified — distinct from progressive sanctification which follows.
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 6:6 — "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
1 Corinthians 6:11 — "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Hebrews 10:10 — "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Collapsed entirely into progressive sanctification, missing the once-for-all break that grounds growth.
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Many believers feel sin still wins because they never received the news that the chains are already broken. Definitive sanctification says: sin's reign is over; growth is the application of an accomplished freedom, not the achievement of one.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek hagiazō — set apart, sanctify.
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['Greek', 'G37', 'hagiazō', 'to make holy, sanctify']
['Greek', 'G40', 'hagios', 'holy, set apart']
Usage
"Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God."
"The break has been made; live into it."