Hebrews 10:10 KJVS
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
I don’t think there is a chapter in the New Testament which I have read more frequently than the 10th chapter of the book of Hebrews. There are verses in the chapter that are essential in terms of understanding sound doctrine concerning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as it pertains to sanctification. Such as the following verse.
Hebrews 10:14 KJVS
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Being sanctified is the same as being perfected or made mature. So we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ. Three chapters later in the book of Hebrews are these verses.
Hebrews 13:9-13 KJVS
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. [10] We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. [11] For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. [12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. [13] Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Some of the chapters in the book of Hebrews draw on symbolism surrounding the day of atonement sacrifice, and apply it to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our High Priest. The above verses are a prime example. But while trying to draw parallelisms between the two sacrifices one should consider the first few verses in the 10th chapter of Hebrews.
Hebrews 10:1-4 KJVS
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. [2] For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. [3] But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. [4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
The New Testament doesn’t come out and write exactly what sanctification is. But it is there if you have been given the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10,12-13 KJVS
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [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.
Definition for the word “comparing” in verse 13.
Thayer’s Definition
1.. to joint together fitly, compound, combine
2. to interpret
3. to compare
So to me comparing spiritual things with spiritual means combining Scripture to come to a deeper understanding. So let’s do just that.
Romans 6:6 KJVS
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 12:1 KJVS
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
We are crucified with Jesus Christ, and we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the end of which is sanctification. Our bodies of sin or sin nature are on this symbolic altar outside the camp.
Romans 15:16 KJVS
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
The offering up the Gentiles, is not just a metaphor, it is not just symbolism, but it is a reality of being sanctified and justified in Christ. Because it is due to the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Keep in mind, there’s two offerings on the day of atonement, the offering of blood and offering of the body of the sin sacrifice victim. And our Lord had this to say about his sacrifice.
John 6:56 KJVS
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
And apostle Paul wrote this.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 KJVS
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? [17] For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Primary Definition of communion in this verse.
Thayer’s Definition
1. fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse
Having communion with the body and blood of Christ is having a joint participation in his offering of his body.
Hebrews 2:11 KJVS
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Ephesians 5:30 KJVS
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
1 Corinthians 12:27 KJVS
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
John 17:23 KJVS
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Which brings me to this.
Hebrews 10:5 KJVS
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
The body that was prepared for him was the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:4 KJVS
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
All of this does not answer the question of just how exactly does the result of sanctification come about in a believer? The not so obvious answer to that question is through suffering.
1 Peter 4:1-2,12-13 KJVS
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; [2] That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. [12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Apostle Paul echoes the same message.
Philippians 3:9-11 KJVS
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
The ability to join the above verses together by the Spirit in me, is due to growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Which had a beginning nearly 40 years ago with the reading of this verse.
Colossians 1:24 ESV
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
When reading this verse years ago I questioned what was lacking in Christ’s afflictions in regard to his church. That one verse did not line up with the theology of Jesus Christ and the cross that I was familiar with at that time. 2 to 3 weeks later I was in a car wreck and I was paralyzed for 10 days. I walked again but it took many of the 39 years of weakness and suffering, reading and studying the scripture to be able to answer that question.