70 New Testament Verses About Holiness and Sanctification

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70 New Testament Verses About Holiness and Sanctification

100% New Testament Theology

A Scripture Study Prepared by the Priory of Salem Institute of Theology

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The New Testament teaches that Christians are not merely forgiven, but also called to holiness and sanctification. To be sanctified is to be set apart unto God, cleansed from sin, renewed in the inner man, and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

Holiness is not a later invention of church tradition, nor a secondary doctrine for a few unusually devout believers. It is a central part of the Gospel itself. Christ saves His people from their sins, calls them out of darkness, and forms them into a holy people who belong to God.

From the words of Jesus Christ, to the writings of St. Paul, St. Peter, St. James, St. John, St. Jude, and the Book of Revelation, the New Testament repeatedly teaches purification, consecration, sanctification, separation from sin, and growth in godliness.

The following passages demonstrate that holiness and sanctification are not optional additions to Christianity, but essential elements of conversion, discipleship, and the new life in Christ.

Many modern debates ask whether holiness is necessary. The New Testament repeatedly answers that God’s people are called to be holy, sanctified, purified, and set apart for Him.

70 New Testament Verses About Holiness and Sanctification

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 (purity is required)

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48 (pursue holiness)

“Every tree that bringeth forth good fruit…” — Matthew 7:17 (holy fruit expected)

“Whosoever shall do and teach them…” — Matthew 5:19 (holy example)

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17 (sanctification through God’s Word)

“For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified…” — John 17:19 (Christ our sanctifier)

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted…” — Acts 3:19 (repentance begins sanctification)

“God hath granted repentance unto life.” — Acts 11:18 (new life begins)

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God…” — Romans 12:1 (holy consecration)

“Be not conformed to this world…” — Romans 12:2 (transformation required)

“The kingdom of God is… righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” — Romans 14:17 (holy living)

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not.” — 1 Corinthians 15:34 (righteous living expected)

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (God dwells in the holy)

“The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” — 1 Corinthians 3:17 (believers set apart)

“Come out from among them, and be ye separate…” — 2 Corinthians 6:17 (separation unto God)

“Having therefore these promises… cleanse ourselves from all filthiness…” — 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ongoing sanctification)

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new life)

“He hath chosen us… that we should be holy and without blame…” — Ephesians 1:4 (God’s purpose)

“Put off concerning the former conversation the old man…” — Ephesians 4:22 (leave the old life)

“Put on the new man…” — Ephesians 4:24 (new holy life)

“Be ye therefore followers of God…” — Ephesians 5:1 (imitate God)

“Walk as children of light.” — Ephesians 5:8 (holy conduct)

“Christ also loved the church… that he might sanctify and cleanse it…” — Ephesians 5:25-26 (sanctified by Christ)

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” — Philippians 2:12 (spiritual diligence)

“That ye may be blameless and harmless…” — Philippians 2:15 (holy witness)

“Whatsoever things are true… think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8 (holy mind)

“Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” — Colossians 1:10 (holy conduct)

“Set your affection on things above…” — Colossians 3:2 (heavenly focus)

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…” — Colossians 3:5 (put sin to death)

“Put on therefore… humbleness of mind, meekness…” — Colossians 3:12 (holy virtues)

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (explicit sanctification)

“God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (holy calling)

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (complete sanctification)

“Follow after… holiness…” — Hebrews 12:14 (holiness required)

“Without which no man shall see the Lord.” — Hebrews 12:14 (holiness necessary)

“Let us draw near… having our hearts sprinkled…” — Hebrews 10:22 (cleansed hearts)

“Lay apart all filthiness…” — James 1:21 (remove impurity)

“Pure religion and undefiled before God…” — James 1:27 (practical holiness)

“Cleanse your hands, ye sinners…” — James 4:8 (purification)

“Purify your hearts, ye double minded.” — James 4:8 (inner holiness)

“As obedient children…” — 1 Peter 1:14 (holy conduct)

“As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy…” — 1 Peter 1:15 (explicit command)

“Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16 (God’s standard)

“Abstain from fleshly lusts…” — 1 Peter 2:11 (self-control)

“Add to your faith virtue…” — 2 Peter 1:5 (growth in holiness)

“If these things be in you, and abound…” — 2 Peter 1:8 (fruitful sanctification)

“Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” — 2 Peter 1:10 (holy perseverance)

“What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” — 2 Peter 3:11 (holy conduct)

“Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself…” — 1 John 3:3 (personal purification)

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” — 1 John 3:6 (sanctified life)

“He that doeth righteousness is righteous.” — 1 John 3:7 (righteous living)

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin…” — 1 John 3:9 (new birth changes life)

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments…” — 1 John 5:3 (holy obedience)

“Keep yourselves from idols.” — 1 John 5:21 (avoid spiritual corruption)

“Keep yourselves in the love of God.” — Jude 1:21 (persevere in holiness)

“Building up yourselves on your most holy faith…” — Jude 1:20 (growth in holiness)

“To him that overcometh…” — Revelation 2:7 (victory expected)

“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” — Revelation 2:11 (holy perseverance)

“Be thou faithful unto death…” — Revelation 2:10 (faithfulness)

“He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end…” — Revelation 2:26 (enduring holiness)

“Hold fast till I come.” — Revelation 2:25 (steadfastness)

“He that is holy, let him be holy still.” — Revelation 22:11 (continue in holiness)

“Blessed are they that do his commandments…” — Revelation 22:14 (obedience rewarded)

“They shall see his face…” — Revelation 22:4 (final reward of the holy)

Continue This Scripture Study Series

This article is part of a larger Scripture study prepared by the Priory of Salem Institute of Theology examining repentance, conversion, obedience, holiness, and the new life in Christ.

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Recovering True Orthodoxy: Scripture Teaching, Not Merely Cultural Sentiment

Conclusion

The Orthodox Church of the Culdees affirms the historic Christian doctrine that salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet Scripture also teaches that this grace sanctifies, purifies, and consecrates the people of God. Christians are not called merely to escape judgment, but to become holy unto the Lord.

For this reason the historic Churches developed catechumen instruction, baptismal vows, confession of faith, confirmation, confession of sin, and preparation for Holy Communion. Candidates publicly renounced Satan, forsook the works of darkness, confessed Christ, and committed themselves to walk in newness of life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church of the Culdees practices inter-communion broadly with churches that preserve the mainstream Gospel of Jesus Christ, requiring communicants to be converted, baptized, confirmed where applicable, and prepared for the Holy Mysteries.

We understand Orthodoxy in its broad historic sense: the reception of the Ecumenical Faith, the practice of the Sacraments, and Apostolic Succession. While maintaining our own traditions, including Saturday liturgies and the Biblical Holy Days preserved within our communion, we gladly recognize fellow Christians who confess Christ, repent of sin, seek holiness, and endeavor to walk in obedience to the Gospel.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:3

“Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” — Hebrews 12:14