|
Chapter 8
DEFINITIONS OF SANCTIFICATION
Holiness in the Dictionary -- For the purpose of outlook we leave for the moment the atmosphere of the theological treatise and turn to those very matter-of-fact volumes, the dictionaries. On the subject of holiness in the dictionary, Rev. C. W. Ruth says:
"Men speak of the subject of sanctification as though it were something so mysterious and incomprehensible that but, very few could know its meaning. While its reality can only be known as the result of experience, the meaning of the word may be found by consulting almost any dictionary, just as one finds the meaning or definition of any other word.
"While different phases of the subject may be emphasized by different lexicographers, there is a most substantial agreement regarding the fact of this word having both a human and a divine aspect; the human aspect being a consecration and devotement to God and His service, and the divine work in sanctification a complete deliverance and purification from all sin. To use the word contradictory to these authenticated definitions is to do violence to the word and make words meaningless. No man is at liberty to say that light means darkness or darkness light" (Entire Sanctification a Second Blessing, p. 15).
On this subject also Rev. H. T. Heironimus writes: "'Rightly dividing the word of truth' is truly to know what sanctification means as the dictionaries define it. The Word of God, the dictionaries, the encyclopedias, and the theologies here quoted all agree that it has two meanings -one, in consecration as setting aside for a sacred work, man's; part; the other, making pure and holy, God's part. The one is a rite or ceremony, a sacred religious operation, an office or performance, on the human side, a duty to ourselves and to our God -- a true fitting for service. The other is a divine act that renovates the nature, that purifies the soul, that makes clean and holy the heart and the life, that transforms the affections, perfects the love, and lifts out of sin into divine likeness and fellowship; a process of the Holy Spirit to a believing, willing child of God -- a thorough inward purging and qualification for divine service. "A man cannot be an unbiased student and scholar and ignore sanctification, since even our secular dictionaries have so clearly defined it. One cannot be truly educated, either in sacred or profane writings, without giving this subject a place in his thought" (The Theme of the Ages, pp. 11, 12).
Here are nine dictionaries with their respective meanings, to which, doubtless, many more could be added.
Webster's Dictionary. "Sanctify. -- 1. To make sacred or holy, to set apart to a holy or religious use, to consecrate by appropriate rites, to hallow. 2. To make free from sin, to cleanse from moral corruption and pollution, to purify (John 17:17). Esp. (Theol.) , The act of God's grace men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God. "
Century Dictionary. "Sanctify. l. To make holy or clean, either ceremonially or morally and spiritually; to purify or free from sin." 2. In theology, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified and the soul is cleansed from sin and consecrated to God ... conformity of the heart and to the will of God. "
Imperial Dictionary. "Sanctify. l. To make holy or sacred; to separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use." 2. To purify in order to prepare for divine service and partaking of holy things." 3. To purify from sin, to make holy.'
Worcester's Dictionary. "Sanctify. l. To free from the power of sin; to cleanse from corruption; to make holy . ..sanctification; the act of sanctifying, or purifying from the dominion of sin." 2. The act of consecrating or setting apart to a sacred end or office; consecration.
Universal Dictionary. "Sanctify. I. To make holy or sacred; to consecrate." 2. To make holy or godly; to purify from sin."
Standard Dictionary. "Sanctify. To make holy; render sacred; morally or spiritually pure, cleansed from sin. ... sanctification; especially in theology, the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer is freed from sin and exalted to holiness of heart."
The Encyclopedic Dictionary. "Sanctification. -- State of being sanctified, purified, or made holy; conformity of heart and life to the will of God. "
Funk and Wagnall's Practical Standard Dictionary. "Sanctify. l. To make holy; purify, as from sin; in theology, to cause to experience sanctification." 2. To set apart as holy, or for holy purposes; consecrate. 3. To render operative for, or productive of, holiness. 4. To give a sacred or inviolable character to.
New Standard Encyclopedia. "Sanctification. In theology, the process by which the Holy Spirit renews in man the divine image, destroying within him the power of evil and quickening the life of holiness" (Vol. XXI, p. 452). However theologians may quibble, the makers of our dictionaries agreed that when plain English is needed, there can be no doubt as to the meaning of the words "sanctify" and "sanctification."
|