The term “saint” or “sanctified ones” as used in the New Testament is synonymous with regeneration and justification. This is called initial or positional sanctification and is distinguished from progressive sanctification, which is used with reference to the ongoing cleansing and purifying of the soul (2 Cor. 7: 1; 1 Thess. 4: 3, 5: 23; Heb. 12: 14), and ultimate sanctification, which happens at the Rapture. These are the three areas of sanctification that are covered in scripture.
There is initial sanctification, which is deliverance from the power of sin, which happens at regeneration. This is positional, is complete, finished, forever settled, and has to do with our standing in Christ, receiving sonship as a member of God’s family, and being translated into His kingdom (Col. 1: 13). Then there is progressive sanctification, which is deliverance from the practice of sin, which is incomplete, unfinished, under constant change, an ongoing process, as we seek after Christ, having our character changed to be like His in which we are transformed into His likeness (Rom. 12: 1, 2). Finally, there is ultimate sanctification, which is deliverance from the presence of sin, receiving a body like Christ’s, leaving this world and going to be with Christ, being transported into His presence at the Rapture (1 Cor. 15: 51-57; Rom. 8:30).
Paul shows us all three areas of sanctification by unveiling his personal conversion and Christian experience in Philippians chapter three. He shows his positional sanctification in Phil. 3: 1-7. He has left a religious system based on works to trust in Christ’s finished work for his salvation. He leaves being a man of a religious system to becoming a man of God. He shows us progressive sanctification in verses 8-14, with verse 14 summing up what it means; “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He then shows us ultimate sanctification in verses 20 and 21 where he speaks of his body being changed into the likeness of Christ at the Rapture of the Church.
If one has truly been saved and he stands redeemed, righteous and justified in God’s sight through Christ’s finished work, he will walk in righteousness and become more Christ like, and will leave with the righteous in the Rapture to be with Christ.
