Christ's Sanctification of the Church

 

Christ's Sanctification of the Church

Eph 5:25 "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her"

Eph 5:26 "That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word"

Eph 5:27 "That He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish"

 

Item	Past Stage	Present Stage	Future Stage
Christ's Identity	Redeemer	Life-giving Spirit	Bridegroom
Primary Work	Gave Himself for the church	Sanctifying the church	Presenting the church to Himself
Nature of Work	Judicial redemption	Organic salvation  (beautification and preparation of the bride)	Glorification  (presentation of the bride)
Means of Sanctification	Christ's blood (redemption)	• Washing of water in the word • Christ's love and nourishing care • Indwelling and operation of the Spirit • Impartation of life	Christ's glorious appearing
Sanctification Process	Positional separation (saved from sin)	• Separation: Separated from the world • Saturation: Saturated with Christ's element • Transformation: Renewal of mind and transformation • Growth: Growing up in Christ to maturity • Building: Built up as Christ's Body	Complete maturity and presentation
Purpose of Sanctification	Generation of the church	• Personal: To be holy and without blemish • Corporate: To be a glorious church • In disposition: Conformed to Christ's image • In function: Manifesting Christ's riches	• To be Christ's bride • Christ's satisfaction • Fulfillment of God's will
Practical Application	Justification by faith, receiving salvation	• Personal life: Pursuing holiness, Bible reading and prayer • Church life: Faithful meeting attendance, receiving nourishment • Word supply: Listening to ministry, Bible study, receiving washing • Life experience: Experiencing Christ in all things	Preparing for the Lord's coming
Related Scriptures	• John 19:34 "Blood and water came out" • Eph 2:13 "By the blood of Christ" • 1 Pet 1:18-19 "Redeemed with precious blood"	• 1 Thes 4:3a "This is the will of God, your sanctification" • 1 Pet 1:15-16 "Be holy" • 1 Thes 5:23-24 "Sanctify you wholly" • Rom 6:19,22 "Present your members as slaves to righteousness unto sanctification" • 2 Cor 3:18 "Transformed into the same image" • Eph 4:13 "Unto a full-grown man" • Eph 4:16 "Building up of the Body"	• Rev 19:7 "The marriage of the Lamb has come" • Rev 21:2 "The bride adorned for her husband" • 1 Cor 15:51-52 "We shall all be changed" • Phil 3:21 "Transform our body of humiliation"
Resultant Characteristics	Saved church	• Holy church • Washed and cleansed church • Grown and mature church • Built-up church	• Glorious church • Church without spot or wrinkle • Holy and blameless church • Perfect bride
Time Characteristic	Once-for-all accomplished work	Ongoing continuous process	Future accomplishment
Church's Condition	Generated	Growing and maturing	Perfected and presented

  

Conclusion:

This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how Christ's sanctification of the church unfolds through three distinct stages. Beginning with His redemptive work as the Redeemer, continuing through His present sanctifying work as the life-giving Spirit, and culminating in His future presentation of the church as the glorious bride. The entire process is grounded in Christ's love and accomplished through the washing of the water in the word, ultimately fulfilling God's eternal purpose for the church to be His holy and blameless bride.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 4 The Beauty of the Bride