Doctrine

What we believe about... Click here for printable version of GBBC Doctrinal Statement

What we believe about...

Sanctification

1. Sanctification, which is a setting-apart unto God, is threefold: It is already complete for every saved person because his position toward God is the same as Christ’s position. Since the believer is in Christ, he is set apart unto God in the measure in which Christ is set apart unto God. However, he retains his sin nature, which cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, while the standing of the Christian in Christ is perfect, his present state is no more perfect than his experience in daily life. There is, therefore, a progressive sanctification wherein the Christian is to “grow in grace,” and to “be changed” by the unhindered power of the Spirit. The child of God will yet be fully sanctified in his state as he is now sanctified in his standing in Christ when he shall see his Lord and shall be “like Him”.
2. The sanctification, which comes by the Spirit through faith, is imperfect and incomplete in this life. Although slavery to sin is broken and sinful desires are progressively weakened by the power of a superior satisfaction in the glory of Christ, yet there are remnants of corruption in every heart that give rise to irreconcilable war, and call for vigilance in the lifelong fight of faith.
3. Faith is awakened and sustained by God’s Spirit through His Word and prayer. The fight of faith is fought mainly by meditating on the Scriptures and praying that God would apply them to our souls. The words of God recorded in the Scriptures can save us from the deception of sin by displaying for us superior pleasures in the protection, provision and presence of God. Therefore, reading, understanding, memorizing and meditating upon the Scriptures are the primary means used of the Holy Spirit to break the power of sin’s deceitful promises in our lives.