(All names and Bible verses are taken from the German version of the Bible by Yehoshua Mashiah)

„Pursue peace with all, and the sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord„ (Hebrews 12:14).

1) hagiasmos: dedication/consecration and purification

The Greek word hagiasmós „has to do with a kind of purification. One separates oneself and is separated from the things of the world. It is devotion to Yehoshua and his work in the heart and life of a person“ [1].  We recognise here that this partly refers to a process of sanctification. When we read here that, alongside peace, we must also pursue this sanctification —and indeed that this is a condition for seeing the Lord— it is therefore essential for every Christian to know exactly what this word means. We will examine both meanings in more detail below. First, let us look at a verse from the Hebrew text of the Torah.

„And Elohim blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because in it he rested from all his work which Elohim had created by making it“ (Bereshit/Genesis 2:3).

2) qadash – to be set apart and consecrated

Here we read of the goal and outcome of sanctification: the original Hebrew word qadash also speaks of purity. According to definition [2], the verb means  to be pure in a ceremonial or moral sense. The Creator is already pure and holy. Humanity and fallen creation must therefore not only undergo the process of purification and sanctification, but also be declared pure and holy by the Creator.

This kind of sanctification is necessary, not because sin or impurity is necessarily present, but because the Lord wishes to do something special with that person’s life. The seventh day mentioned in the Bible passage, for example, was not at all dishonourable or unclean. It was simply intended to fulfil a special function amongst all the days.

„Therefore, you will be perfect, just as your father in the heavens is perfect“ (Mattithyah/Matthew 5:48).

3) The prospect of perfection

Here, Yehoshua explains to the children of Elohim (God) in his Sermon on the Mount that they will be perfect. Unlike many Bible versions in various languages, which state „Be/Become perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect“ – that is, where the Lord’s statement has been translated as an imperative – the future tense is used here [3]. The „future“ tense means that something will most certainly happen in the future. Instead of a frustrating command that no human being can obey, because quite simply nobody is perfect [4],  the Lord Yeshua gives us a beautiful prospect here: we shall be perfect! 

Of course, this ultimate goal of perfection also implies a process leading up to it: the journey towards perfection. It is so good to keep the image of our perfect heavenly Father in mind; how much better for us that He Himself came to earth to set an example for us!

„9 And you will take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is in it, and will sanctify it, and all its utensils, and it will become holy. 10 And you will anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all its utensils, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will become holy of holies. 11 And you will anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. 12 And you will cause Aaron and his sons to draw near to the door of the tent of meeting, and wash them with water. 13 And you will put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 And you will cause his sons to draw near, and clothe them with tunics. 15 And you will anoint them, as you did anoint their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. And to become, their anointing will become an everlasting priesthood in their generations. 16 And Moshe did according to all that YHWH had commanded him, so did he“. (Exodus 40:9–16)

4) The chosen vessels

Here we read of a commission that YHWH (Yahweh) gave to Moshe (Moses) concerning the establishment of the sanctuary: he was to prepare both utensils and people for service in the temple, that is, as mentioned earlier, to consecrate them. We read here the various terms „consecrate“, „anoint“, „wash“, „clothe“.

As we may have heard before, the Old Covenant, which concerned the physical construction of a sanctuary, is always a picture of the spiritual reality that Yehoshua intended and intends for his church, the assembly of believers. Just as these vessels and the sons of Aaron were to be prepared for service to the Holy One, so too are we to be prepared and to be the Holy One’s. The Holy One is Elohim Himself; His children have been on earth for 2000 years as the „Temple of the Holy Spirit“ [5]. This has been brought about by the work of the Cross, the Resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And since then, the children of Elohim have also been regarded as a holy priesthood [6], corresponding to the sons of Aaron, who were priests at the sanctuary in the Old Covenant.

Thus, it is already evident that there are people who, as in former times, are consecrated to the Lord with these utensils. One consecrated to Elohim can no longer see, do or say whatever he wishes, but must be made fit for service to Elohim. This is called sanctification.

„4 But, when the kindness and the philanthropy of Elohim our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not on the basis of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, through the bath of the new birth and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 which he shed on us abundantly through Yehoshua Mashiah our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace, we should become, according to the hope, heirs of the eternal life“ (Titos/Titus 3:4–7).

5) Stages of sanctification

5.1) First stage of sanctification: 

new birth, consecration, dedication

What the Apostle Paul explains here to his fellow believer Titus illustrates very clearly what happens when someone accepts Yehoshua Mashiah (Jesus Christ) as their Lord and Saviour and chooses to believe in him. We are speaking here of the process commonly referred to as „conversion“. One is ‘justified by his grace’, as stated in the verse above, and one receives the Holy Spirit. This first stage of sanctification has – as illustrated in the following verses – several names. However, it always refers to the same thing. For example, it is also referred to as ‘baptism with the Holy Spirit’. Yehoshua himself, in turn, described it to the Pharisee Nicodemus as ‘being born from above’. We shall explain both these symbols below, using two passages from the Bible.

„1 But there was a man out of the Pharisees, Nikodemos his name, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This one came to Yehoshua by night and said to him: Rabbi, we know that you are a Teacher come from Elohim, for no one can do the signs that you do, except Elohim be with him. 3 Yehoshua answered and said to him: Amen, amen, I say to you: Except anyone be born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of Elohim. 4 Nikodemos says to him: How can a human being be born, being old? He cannot come in a second time to his mother’s belly, and be born! 5 Yehoshua answered: Amen, amen, I say to you: Except anyone be born out of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Elohim„ (Yohanan/John 3:1–5).

Birth from above and baptism with the Holy Spirit

The adverb „from above“ comes from the Greek word anothen, which means „from above, from a higher place, that which comes from the heavens or from Elohim, from the beginning/from the origin“ [7].  Anothen contains ano. This word was translated either as „above“ or as „heavenly“ [8].  Yehoshua teaches us here that the birth from above is a birth that took place in the New Yerushalayim [9]. 

It should also be noted here that “born of water and of the Spirit” means that the Word and the baptism of the Spirit are necessary for someone to become a child of Elohim. In the biblical sense, water is repeatedly used as a synonym for the Word. This becomes understandable when one considers that faith comes only from hearing the Word [10]. The cleansing with water will be discussed again later.

The baptism of the Spirit is not necessarily accompanied by speaking in tongues, as is erroneously preached in many Christian congregations, but is rather expressed in the renewal of the Spirit mentioned earlier in Titus 3:5. „Baptism of the Spirit“ can simply be used as a synonym for „conversion“. For when someone’s spirit is renewed —that is, their mindset changed— they automatically make a U-turn in their life. They turn 180 degrees and from that moment on swim against the tide. That is sanctification. So long as you have turned, you should not reproach yourself if you have not received the gift of speaking in tongues. There are plenty of other gifts that the Holy Spirit pours out [11]. 

„1 And it came to pass that while Apollos was in Corinth, that Paulos, having passed through the upper parts, came to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples, 2 he said to them: Have you received the Holy Spirit since you have believed? And they said to him: But we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3 And he said to them: Into what then were you baptized? And they said: Into the baptism of Yohanan“ (Acts 19:1–3).

Digression: The baptism of Yohanan

These disciples were followers of John who wished to turn to YHWH with all their hearts. Before the ministry of Yehoshua, Yohanan had preached repentance to YHWH, which concerned the people of Israel: the annual cleansing from sins. Only when his eyes were opened did he point to the „Lamb of Elohim“, Yeshua Mashiah [12].  When they then learnt of the baptism of the Spirit through Paulos, they were ready for conversion.

„Pursue peace with all, and the sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord“ (Hebrews 12:14).

5.2)  Second stage of sanctification: purification

Let us return to our very first verse, the pursuit of sanctification. This pursuit is continuous. It does not cease after conversion, but continues until the end of life. Thus, the noun hagiasmós means not only „dedication and consecration“, but also „purification“. When one cleans something, one must take the time to wash it thoroughly. Your life no longer belongs to you, but to the Lord. You can no longer live as you please, you can no longer see what you please, you can no longer do and say what you please, nor even think what you please. Elohim repeatedly leads you into situations to set you apart, to make you even more devoted, to purify you even further. 

„But if we walk in the light, as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yehoshua Mashiah his Son cleanses us from all sin„ (1 Yohanan/1 John 1:7)

Digression: Purification through blood

Many people, or rather Christians, believe that one must be cleansed by blood time and again and that prayers must be offered for this purpose. Yet the verse just mentioned simply means that, for those who love the truth, the blood of the Messiah is valid. The blood of Yeshua has cleansed us once and for all and made us righteous [13].  It was shed just once, on the cross at Golgotha. The blood does not need to be poured out or shed again and again. The idea of a large vessel of blood hanging somewhere above us is absurd. Prayers in which one calls down the „blood of Jesus Christ“ —for example, upon oneself, one’s family and one’s home, or for a specific undertaking— are completely unbiblical and meaningless. The blood is already flowing through our veins as the life of the Messiah. It is within us. We are redeemed.

„1 I, I am the vine, the true one, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that bears no fruit, he cuts off, and he prunes every fruit bearer, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already pure, because of the word which I have spoken to you“ (Yohanan/John 15:1–3)

Example of pruning

The verb kathaírō used here in Greek means „to cleanse of dirt and impurities“. It also means to rid trees and vines of useless shoots, i.e. to „prune“. When a tree is pruned, it is trimmed and cut back. All so-called „wild shoots“ and growths that could lead to irregular growth are removed. When the Lord applies this method to human beings, it is inevitably painful. The flesh suffers, but ultimately the pruning brings about redemption and an introduction into Elohim’s perfect will. You become the beautiful plant that He envisioned.

„21 … And El’azar the priest said to the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the torah which YHWH commanded Moshe; 22 Only the gold, and the silver, the copper, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 Every thing that may abide the fire, you will make it go through the fire, and it will be clean: nevertheless it will be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire you will make go through the water. 24 And you will wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you will be clean, and afterward you will come into the camp“ (Bamidbar/Numbers 31:21–24)

Purification by fire and water 

In these verses, we learn that there are two methods by which the Lord purifies His people. Once again, the Old Covenant explains to us in advance, in an earthly manner, what will also hold true in the spiritual realm according to Yehoshua: objects are purified by fire and water. In the following two points, we shall examine this more closely using Bible passages from the Gospels.

„Sanctify them by your truth! Your word is the truth“ (Yohanan/John 17:17)

„26 that he might sanctify it, cleansing with the washing of water bath by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious Assembly, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish“ (Ephesians 5:26-27) 

• Purification through water

In the Bible, the Word is also compared to water. Water is for cleansing. These two verses show how important it is to uphold our faith through the Word—that is, through daily Bible reading—and thus to continually experience the renewal of the Spirit and to constantly absorb the truth. Of course, one can also listen to audio Bibles or sermons. However, this does not replace daily reading of the Word. It is a MUST for Christians! Sometimes we feel distant from Elohim’s presence, forsaken, sinful, alone. If we then take the time to immerse ourselves in His presence and read the Word, something within us changes completely and life appears in a new light. We must continue to be cleansed until we are completely pure. Only in this way will we, over time, become „holy and blameless“, and what we once thought impossible will be fulfilled—as the Word in Matthew 5 has promised us: 

„Therefore, you will be perfect, just as your father in the heavens is perfect“

„11 I, indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I and I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. 12 His fan is in his hand and he will completely clean his threshing floor, and he will gather his wheat into the granary, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire“ (Mattithyah/Matthew 3:11–12).

• Purification by fire 

Just like circumcision, purification by fire sounds painful – and it is. You find yourself in the winnowing basket used to toss the grains of corn, along with the chaff – that is, the empty husks – into the air. Everything that does not weigh enough is blown away. Here, then, one is weighed—or rather, one’s own faith is weighed—to see whether one still walks with the Lord, even when one is tossed, shaken and sifted. The question is therefore: Does one remain in the Lord’s winnowing basket, or rather in His sieve? Or does one drift away in one’s thoughtlessness, falling through because one’s faith was too small?

To prevent his children from falling through, the Lord purifies us time and again with fire throughout our lives. These are the trials, the challenges, the tests of life, which are meant to refine us, toughen us up and make us fireproof. We thus understand that the difficulties and the attacks are also a grace from the Lord, who under no circumstances wants us to be blown away with the chaff or ultimately burned by the unquenchable fire.

„6 In this you exult, now for a little while, if it is necessary, having been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the test of your faith, much more precious than gold that perishes, but is tested through fire, may be found a subject of praise and honor and glory in the revelation of Yehoshua Mashiah“ (1 Petros/1 Peter 1:6–7)

6) Ready for the special mission

If you as a Christian have recognised or wish to recognise your special calling for this world, you must understand that purification and separation are indispensable in your life, and you must also recognise this sanctification in your life. If this is not the case, you will constantly ask yourself questions and —even worse— complain about your circumstances. You will not recognise the hand of YHWH in your life —your Potter, who lovingly shapes you through adverse circumstances— but will see everything in a negative light. So understand and accept your sanctification!

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[1] Footnote on the word „sanctification“ in Hebrews 12:14 from the BYM (Bible of Yehoshua Mashiah)

[2] This definition can be found in Strong’s H6942. A Strong’s is very informative for the interested Bible reader. It is a standardised, alphabetical, numbered list of all words occurring in the Bible (in the original Hebrew and Greek texts), in which each word is precisely broken down, i.e. translated and explained. This concordance was developed by the American theologian James Strong at the end of the 19th century. The Hebrew words are marked with ‘H…’ and the Greek words with ‘G…’. 

[3] BYM version; but also Elberfelder 

[4] „as it has been written: That there is none righteous, not even one“ (Romans 3:10).

[5] 1 Corinthians 6:19 

[6] 1 Petros/1 Peter 2:5 

[7] See also Mattithyah/Matthew 27:51; Markos/Mark 15:38; Loukas/Luke 1:3; Yohanan/John 3:31; 19:11; 19:23; Yaacov/James 1:17; 3:15; 3:17

[8] Yohanan/John 8:23; 11:41; Acts 2:19; Galatians 4:26; Colossians 3:1–2; Philippians 3:14 

[9] Footnote on the phrase ‘from above’ in John 3:3 from the BYM (Bible of Yehoshua Mashiah) 

[10] see Romans 10:14 

[11] Footnote on Mattithyah/Matthew 3:11 in the BYM: The baptism of the Holy Spirit must not be confused with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a completed act that implants us into the body of Mashiah at the moment we are converted (see 1 Corinthians 12:13). In contrast, the fullness consists of a continual renewal which we must actively seek (see Ephesians 5:18). Certain contemporary charismatic Christians teach that speaking in tongues is the sign that distinguishes those who have been baptised in the Spirit. This doctrine is based on at least the following three biblical passages: Acts 2:4; 10:44–46; 19:1–7. If this were truly the case, many Christians would still be remaining in their sin and would not belong to the Lord Yehoshua ha Mashiah. For Romans 8:9 explains: „… But if anyone have not the Spirit of Mashiah, he is not his“. It is evident, however, that a not inconsiderable number of Christians who are born from above do not speak in tongues, a fact also confirmed by Paul (see 1 Corinthians 12:30). There is no verse in Scripture that commands us to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and this is for a simple reason: we receive it automatically upon conversion.