Ch.8.Cont. The Spirit and Paul's Images of Salvation

Sanctification.

Paul's primary use of the word "Sanctification" is also a figure of Speech for conversion, not an extra work of Grace following conversion.

2Th 2:13  But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first-fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 

{Sanctification  G38 S̔γιασμός hagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos'
From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification. Strongs}

So the Experience of Salvation is by "the Sanctification (purification) by the Spirit, and belief in the Truth." e.g. Jewish Sacred rites and utensils were set-apart solely for God's Holy Purposes. 

Compare.  Rom 15:16  to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  ESV. The Jewish Christians in Rome may not  call "common or unclean" the gentile believers, (because of failure of Gentiles  to be circumcised) because they are those whom God has Sanctified by His Spirit. The Gentiles' reception of the Spirit was God's ultimate act of creating for Himself a sanctified offering composed of both Jews and Gentiles.

Compare 1Co 6:11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

 Conversion always includes the Sanctifying Work of the Spirit of God.

Conclusions:

1. The wide variety of Images and figures of speech "anointing"; "sealed"; "down payment"; "first-fruits" - show that no single image is sufficient. The Work of Christ , as applied by the Spirit in conversion has so many facets. It depends on the Human Condition addressed in each context.

e.g. Propitiation responds to our being under the wrath of God.

Redemption responds to our being enslaved by sin.

Justification responds to our guilt before the Law of God.

Reconciliation to our being God's Enemies.

Sanctification to our being unholy.

Washing to our being unclean.

2. Images were used in keeping with the issue at the moment.

3. There is no such thing as conversion that does not have the coming of the Spirit into the Life of the believer as an essential ingredient.