D. S. Warner, un ministro de la Iglesia de Dios de finales del siglo XIX, se le atribuye la declaración de que si alguna doctrina necesita ser mayormente enfatizada es la doctrina de la Santificación.

Definición de santificación.

El diccionario define la palabra 'santificar' como:

Hacer sagrado o santo; apartar a un oficio sagrado o a un uso u observancia religiosa; consagrar mediante ritos apropiados.
Liberar del pecado; limpiar de la corrupción y la contaminación moral; purificar.

Una segunda obra de gracia definitiva; o bautismo del Espíritu Santo.

La santificación es parte del gran plan de redención, aunque es una obra definida por sí misma.

Jesús oró para que sus discípulos sean santificados y él murió para hacer posible esa experiencia.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Hebreos 13:12:Por lo cual también Jesús, para santificar al pueblo mediante su propia sangre, padeció fuera de la puerta.

La santificación es definitivamente una doctrina del Nuevo Testamento.

Ephesians 5:25-26
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

I Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Una obra del Espíritu Santo.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

II Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

La santificación encuentra su antitipo en el Antiguo Testamento bajo la ley mosaica.

Hebrews 10:1 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.

Hebrews 8:1-5
(1) Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
(2) A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
(3) For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
(4) For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
(5) Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Hebrews 9:1-9
(1) Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
(2) For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
(3) And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
(4) Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
(5) And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
(6) Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
(7) But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
(8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
(9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

El tabernáculo constaba de dos compartimentos rodeados por un patio exterior. El patio exterior contenía un altar y una fuente de agua. Los dos compartimentos del tabernáculo eran conocidos como el Lugar Santo y el lugar Santisimo.

El Lugar Santo contenía la mesa de los panes de la proposición, el candelabro de oro y el altar del incienso. La sangre tenía que ser aplicada al Altar de Bronce y al Altar de Oro. Esto simboliza dos obras de gracia definidas. En el lugar Santisimo estaba el Arca de la Alianza que contenía las tablas de piedra junto con otros objetos sagrados. Las dos secciones estaban separadas por un velo muy costoso.

Los sacerdotes ministraban en el Lugar Santo, pero en el lugar Santisimo el sumo sacerdote entraba solo una vez al año (Día de la Expiación).

Mientras que los sacerdotes no podían ministrar en el Lugar Santisimo, la muerte de Cristo rasgó el velo e hizo posible que el hombre disfrutara de una doble experiencia.

Mark 15:37-38
(37) And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
(38) And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Hebrews 10:19-22
(19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
(20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
(21) And having an high priest over the house of God;
(22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

La santificación le permite a uno entrar en el Lugar Santisimo donde las leyes de Dios están escritas en el corazón, no en tablas de piedra.

Hebrews 10:14-16
(14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
(15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
(16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Hoy en día, Dios no habita en un tabernáculo, templo o santuario literal, sino en los corazones de sus santos santificados.

La naturaleza del pecado hace necesaria una segunda obra de gracia definitiva.

Las transgresiones voluntarias son pecados que deben ser perdonados:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

El pecado hereditario o pecado adámico, el pecado original, la naturaleza carnal del corazón heredada de Adán:

Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Romans 7:7-9
(7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
(8) But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
(9) For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Los niños pequeños a menudo manifiestan esta carnalidad antes de que lleguen a la edad de rendir cuentas mientras son todavía inocentes ante Dios. A veces esta carnalidad se manifiesta en personas salvadas antes de ser santificadas.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3
(1) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
(2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
(3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

La santificación, o el bautismo del Espíritu Santo purga esta carnalidad.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Acts 15:8-9
(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Los discípulos de Cristo eran hombres salvos pero necesitaban la experiencia de la santificación o el bautismo del Espíritu Santo.

Jesús testificó que sus discípulos eran hombres salvos.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Sin embargo, hubo varias ocasiones que demostraron su necesidad de una segunda obra de gracia (Al manifestar un deseo de preeminencia y exhibición de enemistad).

Mark 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Matthew 20:20-24
(20) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
(21) And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
(22) But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
(23) And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
(24) And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

Ejemplos del bautismo del Espíritu Santo.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Los propios apóstoles recibieron la experiencia de la santificación en el día de Pentecostés. Referencia Hechos 2.

Los nuevos conversos en Samaria recibieron el Espíritu Santo.

Acts 8:5-12
(5) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
(6) And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
(7) For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
(8) And there was great joy in that city.
(9) But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
(10) To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
(11) And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
(12) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Ellos creyeron y fueron bautizados en agua. Fueron salvados pero necesitaban ser santificados.

Acts 8:14-16
(14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
(15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

La familia de Cornelio recibió el Espíritu Santo tras su conversión. Referencia a Hechos 10.

Los discípulos de Éfeso no tenían conocimiento del Espíritu Santo antes de que llegara Pablo.

Acts 19:1-6
(1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
(2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
(3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
(4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
(5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Condiciones para recibir el Espíritu Santo.

Sólo aquellos que han nacido de nuevo están calificados para recibir el bautismo del Espíritu Santo.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 15:2-3
(2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
(3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Se debe hacer una entrega completa e incondicional de uno mismo a Dios sin ninguna reserva, seguida de un deseo ferviente y una oración ferviente para la llenura del Espíritu Santo.

Romans 12:1-2
(1) 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.
(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

El trabajo negativo del Espíritu Santo es:

Santificar.

Romans 15:16 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.

Para purgar.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Para purificar.

Acts 15:8-9
(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

La obra positiva del Espíritu Santo es:

Para dar poder.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Para guiar.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Para consolar

John 14:16-17
(16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
(17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Para enseñar.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Aumentar los frutos espirituales.

Juan 15:2: Todo pámpano que en mí no lleva fruto, lo quitará; y todo aquel que lleva fruto, lo limpiará, para que lleve más fruto.

Galatians 5:22-23
(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Para unificar al pueblo de Dios.

John 17:20-23
(20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
(21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
(22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
(23) 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.

Acts 4:31-32
(31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
(32) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Y para moldear a uno para el servicio a Dios.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.