Articles - Sanctification.org

Is It Positive to Mourn?

On a hillside in Galilee, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which would become one of the most powerful messages in history. Early in his sermon, he says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4) What did Jesus actually mean by this? How can someone be blessed and mourn at the same time?

3 min read

New Film: Escaping Esau – Ladder to Heaven

« And he said to him: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. » (John 1:52)

2 min read

What Is Sanctification – and Why Is It Important?

All Christians are familiar with John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This is how people could be reconciled with God through a simple act of faith. But what happens next? What about the rest of your life? 

7 min read

What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?

In the Gospel texts, Jesus repeatedly invites people to follow him. What does that mean for us?  

7 min read

Johan Oscar Smith and Sanctification 

Johan Oscar Smith was radically gripped by God in the early 1900s. Together with his brother Aksel, he began publishing the magazine Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) in 1912 to promote the doctrine of sanctification. What can their radical and life-changing Christianity teach us today? 

6 min read

Sanctification in History 

Church history is full of people who have written about and been concerned with sanctification. Much of what they wrote is now regarded as literary treasures, and their lives have been an inspiration to generations. What can we learn from them?  

5 min read

The Bible—a Bestseller for Centuries

The Bible. Not just a book, but a collection of 66 unique texts.  For some, a rather haphazard collection of philosophical, mythological, apocalyptic, poetic, and biographical writings and letters. For others, sacred texts that form the very foundation of life. With five billion copies in circulation and translations into 776 languages, the Bible is the most popular literary work of all time. For centuries, people around the world have found the meaning of life in this best-selling book.

11 min read

Of Jesus’ laws I With Joy Will Sing—A Christian Song That can Transform Your Life! 

During his lifetime, Aksel Johan Smith was a key figure and preacher in BCC. As editor-in-chief of the Hidden Treasures magazine for 40 years and the author of numerous song lyrics in the Ways of the Lord songbook, he was a gifted writer. Smith wrote the song “Of Jesus' laws I with joy will sing” in 1936. It was included in the Ways of the Lord songbook in 1937. A new recording of this moving song has recently been released, with a slightly different musical arrangement than before. 

3 min read

The Apostolic Fathers – Polycarp of Smyrna

Towards the end of the first century, both Paul and the other apostles had died. But there were still Christians who carried on Jesus’ teaching and maintained contact between the churches. The most well-known of these are called the Apostolic Fathers. These are individuals who are believed to have had a connection to the apostles, either as their disciples or co-workers, and who carried on the apostles’ teaching and work after their death. 

3 min read

I Really Need a Miracle

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) With these words, Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount—one of the most important texts in the Bible. What did he really mean? What is the connection between being poor and belonging to the kingdom of heaven?

3 min read