Sanctification initially occurs at salvation.

Sanctification initially occurs at salvation.

• A. After the first year in church.
• B. At baptism.
• C. At salvation.
• D. At the return of Christ.

Answer: (C)

Sanctification begins when a person places faith in Jesus, as God sets the believer apart and declares them holy because of Christ’s righteousness—this is the initial or positional sanctification that starts at salvation. From there, the Holy Spirit continues to work in the believer’s life to grow in holiness (progressive sanctification), and ultimate sanctification occurs at Christ’s return when believers are fully redeemed. So saying it initially occurs at salvation captures the starting point of being set apart for God. Baptism is a public sign of faith and an important ordinance, but it isn’t the starting point of sanctification. Waiting until after a year in church isn’t when sanctification begins, and the return of Christ relates to glorification, not the initial setting apart.

Sanctification begins when a person places faith in Jesus, as God sets the believer apart and declares them holy because of Christ’s righteousness—this is the initial or positional sanctification that starts at salvation. From there, the Holy Spirit continues to work in the believer’s life to grow in holiness (progressive sanctification), and ultimate sanctification occurs at Christ’s return when believers are fully redeemed. So saying it initially occurs at salvation captures the starting point of being set apart for God. Baptism is a public sign of faith and an important ordinance, but it isn’t the starting point of sanctification. Waiting until after a year in church isn’t when sanctification begins, and the return of Christ relates to glorification, not the initial setting apart.