Bible Question: Hello everyone, could someone please tell me in plain english what the meaning of sanctification is in relation to "Affirmation", "Realisation", and "Ministration". I'm new at leading Bible studies and am having some difficulty becoming familiar with this process. Can you please give examples of what God has told us for each aspect of sanctification. God Bless you. Jim |
Bible Answer: Jim, Just one example, not even the first from Acts, but one that show the Holy Spirit setting apart and affirming a ministry which has dramatic realization at its first mission stop is Acts 13. Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. Acts 13:6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, Acts 13:7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Acts 13:9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, Acts 13:10 and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Acts 13:11 "Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Acts 13:12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Emmaus |