Salvation and sanctification are the two main pillars Christianity; each of which have a distinct realm. Let’s see how they apply.

Salvation is for the lost and sanctification is for the saved. They pertain to two different and separate realms. Once we understand this then clarity will ensure in our walk in relation to everyone in our lives, including family.

Salvation:

Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Salvation applies to every lost person.

Acts 20:21 – Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Salvation is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for the lost.

Acts 28:28 – Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

God selects and sends Paul the preach the gospel to all the lost in the non-Israel nations.

John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Salvation is for the lost so that they may have eternal life in knowing Jesus Christ.

Sanctification:

1 Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

1 Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 10:14 – For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Jude 1:1 – Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

We see that sanctification is for believers only.

John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We as believers are sanctified, or made more like Christ, through reading, studying, and learning Scripture.

So salvation applies to the lost and sanctification is for believers. The Christian has two main roles/responsibilities/duties: be personally sanctified in his/her walk through teaching of the Word, and be an ambassador by preaching the gospel to the lost for their salvation.

A believer grows his faith by teaching; and shares his faith by preaching. Teaching is exclusively for believers and preaching is exclusively for the lost. (Even the world recognizes this in the cliche, “Hey, don’t preach to the choir”.)

So notice the distinction in these verse; who do they apply to? What group are they addressing? What group is given commands from God?

Romans 12:7 – Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

1 Corinthians 2:13 – Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Corinthians 14:19 – Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Colossian 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

These verses that mention teaching are only for the body of Christ.

Now look at this group:

Acts 10:42 – And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Acts 13:24 – When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel

Romans 10:15 – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Ephesians 3:8b – …that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

We see believers preaching the gospel to the lost for their salvation.

So we see that salvation and preaching apply to the lost; and sanctification and teaching apply to believers.

Let us now look at the body of Christ as a group. When they meet weekly, is that time spent together for just believers, for both saved and lost, or just the lost? I hope the answer is clear now- it is just for believers.

The weekly assembly (I don’t want to use the word service as that is not found in Scripture and has worldly connotations that we’ve brought into the church) is for the purpose of fellowship, worship, prayer, and teaching- of which these can apply only to believers, and not the lost.

• How can the lost have spiritual fellowship if they can’t see spiritually and don’t have the indwelt Holy Spirit?
• How can they worship an unknown God? One they have no personal relationship with?
• How can the lost pray if God hears not their prayers (Is 59:2)?
• How can they be taught if they can’t understand Scripture?

Praise God for His Word that clearly distinguishes salvation and sanctification that we may understand them and live them accordingly personally and when we gather with believers and interface with the lost in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.