Articles - Sanctification.org

Peacemakers

On a hillside in Galilee, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which would become one of the most powerful messages in history. Jesus begins his sermon with the Beatitudes. Here he lists a number of things that lead to true happiness in life.

3 min read

Radical cleansing

On a hillside in Galilee, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which would become one of the most powerful messages in history. Jesus begins his sermon with the Beatitudes. Here he lists a number of things that lead to true happiness in life.

4 min read

The Apostolic Fathers—Clement of Rome

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.

10 min read

God’s promises to the merciful

On a hillside in Galilee, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which would become one of the most powerful messages in history. Jesus begins his sermon with the Beatitudes. Here he lists a number of things that lead to true happiness in life.

3 min read

Reuben Archer Torrey the authority of the Bible

The Authors of Sanctification: Reuben Archer Torrey

Reuben Archer Torrey was active as a preacher, theologian, and author in the period before the First World War. The era was characterized by great optimism about the future, and also by major Christian revivals. Among Christians, there was at the same time a growing trend toward liberalization, and a central dogma that was being challenged was the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. Torrey became known as a defender of the authority of the Bible, and wrote extensively on this subject. Why was this in particular so important to him?

12 min read

The Authors of Sanctification: Georg Steinberger

The German author and preacher Georg Steinberger had a special ability to write texts that radically challenged Christians to discipleship. The books he wrote are still a source of edification and help for many Christians. Steinberger spent much of his life in the German countryside, where he evangelized and carried out social work. Many could testify that in his life they saw "Christianity in practice." He died at only 38 years of age, but made rich use of his short lifetime.

8 min read

The Authors of Sanctification: Jessie Penn-Lewis

Jessie Penn-Lewis was an active Christian author, preacher, and editor of the magazine "The Overcomer" in the early 1900s. Her literature was widely read and discussed in her time. Is it still relevant for us today? She also wrote about the distinction between "Soul and Spirit" as the letter to the Hebrews describes it. Why is it important for us as Christians to understand this?

8 min read

The Authors of Sanctification: Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray grew up in South Africa, as the son of a Scottish Reformed minister. He trained as a pastor, but experienced the conditions in South Africa as a spiritual desert. What was it that led Murray to think this way? What caused Murray, despite this, to experience revivals and Christian renewal? And is Murray's message still relevant for us today?

8 min read

The Apostolic Fathers: Ignatius of Antioch

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.

7 min read

Righteous in God’s Eyes

On a hillside in Galilee, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which would become one of the most powerful messages in history. Jesus begins his sermon with the Beatitudes. Here he lists a number of things that lead to true happiness in life. One of the things Jesus says is, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt. 5:6) It's written about being righteous in God’s eyes in a number of places in the Bible, in addition to this verse in the Sermon on the Mount. But what does it mean to be righteous? And what promises does God make to righteous people?  

4 min read

The Exact Opposite of Elbowing Your Way Through 

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 the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) What does it really mean to be meek? And why is it the meek who will one day inherit the earth? 

3 min read

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