Sunday Hymn: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Theological Term of the Week: Progressive Sanctification

progressive sanctification
“That gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works”;1 often simply called sanctification.

• Scripture used to support the idea of prevenient grace:

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

• From The London Baptist Confession, 1689: 

Chapter 13: Of Sanctification

1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14)



2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 7:18, 23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11)

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them. (Romans 7:23; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1)

• From Systematic Theology by Robert Letham, page 607: 

Sanctification in its most commonly recognized aspect is understood in ethical terms. The letters of Paul are replete with instructions on how we are to live. That we can obey God is due to the Spirit’s work within us, transforming us into his image (Ephesians 4:24; Col. 3:10). The dynamic of union with Christ is expressed in the life experience of believers. Christ has risen, never again to die. So we, in union with him are no longer subject to the domain of sin and death, and so grow “more and more” (WCF, 13.1) in conformity to Christ by the Spirit through the means God has provided: the ministry of the Word, the Sacraments, and prayer (WSC, 88),

Learn more:

1. Tim Challies: The Essential: Sanctification
2. Simply Put: Sanctification
3. Got Questions: What is sanctification?
4. Nick Batzig: 5 Things You Should Know about Sanctification
5. Fred Zaspel: The Doctrine of Sanctification
6. J. Ligon Duncan: The Good News of Progressive Sanctification
7. John Murray: Definitive and Progressive Sanctification
8. Sinclair Ferguson: The Reformed View of Sanctification

Related terms:

• adoption
• conversion
• glorification
• justification
• mortification
• regeneration
• repentance

Filed under Salvation

1 Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof, page 532.

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Sunday Hymn: Ride on, Ride on in Majesty

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes Hosanna cry;
O Saviour meek, pursue thy road
With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
O’er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes
To see th’approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
The Father on his sapphire throne
Expects his own anointed Son.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die:
Bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
Then take, O God, thy power and reign.

—Hen­ry H. Mil­man