The Centrality of Holiness in Scripture

God desires a holy people, filled with His Holy Spirit, submitted to His holy Word, and preparing to live in His holy heaven.

This is a partial transcript, summary from a lesson taught by Raymond Woodward.

Holiness is a central theme in Scripture.

The word "holy" appears over 600 times in the Bible, and more than 700 times when including derivatives like "holiness," "sanctify," or "sanctification."

Understanding God’s holiness is essential to comprehending the Bible, as it pervades His entire being and shapes His attributes.

God’s love is a holy love.

His mercy is a holy mercy.

His judgment is a holy judgment.

His anger is a holy anger.

Above all, God desires a holy people, filled with His Holy Spirit, submitted to His holy Word, and preparing to live in His holy heaven.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Hebrews 12:14

Holiness: The Mark of Every Disciple

Holiness is not optional for believers; it is the essence of the Christian life. Scripture emphasizes that believers are sanctified, being conformed to Christ’s image, making holiness the distinguishing mark of every disciple. An unholy Christian is a contradiction, as holiness is synonymous with being set apart, separate, distinct, and sanctified.

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:14–16

Sanctified disciples exhibit visible good works, walking in, being rich in, furnished with, and zealous for good works. They maintain good works observable even by sinners and provoke one another to good works through worship, preaching, and teaching.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”

Hebrews 10:24

The Effort of Godliness

The New Testament teaches that godliness requires effort and lifelong discipline. Believers must put to death the deeds of the flesh, fight the good fight, put off the old man, and put on the new man. They must strive to enter the narrow gate, press toward the prize, run the race, and discipline the body.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

2 Peter 1:10

Holiness affects every aspect of life—body, eyes, ears, mouth, hands, hair, clothing, thoughts, and spirit. It is challenging, requiring the Holy Spirit’s power, as true holiness cannot be produced by the flesh but is a work of the Spirit.

“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.”

Romans 12:1

Holiness as Separation

In Leviticus, God commanded Israel to be holy, distinct from other nations through specific standards in worship, relationships, appearance, sexuality, morals, ethics, food, and clothing. While some Old Testament commandments have transitioned, the principle of separation from the world remains.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Peter’s sermon in Acts emphasizes sanctification, urging believers to save themselves from a perverse generation. Holiness involves a lifestyle set apart from worldly culture, not to please the world but to please God.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost… And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” Acts 2:38, 40

Apostolic Teaching on Holiness

The Apostle Paul consistently addresses the topic of holiness, particularly for Gentile converts coming from sinful backgrounds. He teaches that sanctification is a protective wall around a believer’s life, heart, mind, and family.

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

Paul emphasizes presenting the body as a holy sacrifice, not conforming to the world but being transformed by a renewed mind. Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, created for righteousness and true holiness.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

Warnings Against Rejecting Holiness

Jude strongly warns against those who reject sanctification, describing them as ungodly men who turn God’s grace into lasciviousness—unrestricted, unrestrained behavior. Such rejection denies God and Christ.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3–4

Holiness is serious in Scripture.

It alters a disciple’s lifestyle, affecting both belief and behavior. Pastors address holiness to make disciples, despite resistance from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Holiness as Proximity to God

Holiness is a spatial term, meaning separation and observable distance from the world. It is about withdrawing unto God in the beauty of holiness.

The “Trihagion” (thrice holy) in Scripture underscores God’s holiness, spoken by angelic beings in visions of His throne.

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

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The theologians call it the Trihagion.

It means thrice holy, 3 times holy, and the Trihagion appears 2 times in the Bible, once in the Old Testament in Isaiah 6, once in the New Testament in Revelation 4.

Both times, that phrase is spoken by angelic beings, and both times, it occurs in a vision of the throne of God.

The Prophet Isaiah, he sees the 6-winged seraphim flying around the throne. They are covering their faces and their feet in reverence. And the old prophet, he hears them cry one to another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory."

The Apostle John, some 6 centuries later, he hears the same beings echoing the same refrain, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was and is and is to come."

"And they rest not day and night."

In other words, they've been singing that refrain for all the endless ages of eternity, which is to say, the closer you get to the throne of God, the more you're going to hear about holiness.

Because by its definition, holiness is proximity to the throne.

You wanna get in God's presence?

You can approach Him in His holiness.

So the closer you get to the throne of God, the more His holiness will matter to you and the more holy you will become.

The closer you get to Jesus, the more this thing called sanctification is going to have an impact on your life.

If the seraphim show reverence, then the saints should show reverence. If heavenly creatures cover themselves in honor to God, then it is not unreasonable that human beings should cover their bodies in reverence to God.

If the angels can't stop talking about God's holiness, then I don't think the apostolic Church should ever stop talking about God's holiness.

Holiness as a Lifelong Process

Sanctification is a lifelong process, beginning with redemption and ending with transformation. It starts at an altar and culminates at God’s throne. Believers must keep growing, allowing time for new disciples to develop under grace.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Pastors and saints should avoid pressuring new believers to conform prematurely, focusing instead on protecting and nurturing their growth. The church is a family, loving believers at every stage—mature or immature, healthy or struggling—while encouraging progress in holiness.

Principles for Discipling in Holiness

Explain Principles, Not Just Practices
Teach why holiness matters, grounding standards in Scripture. Avoid weak answers like “because my church demands it.” Instead, point to God’s Word.“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalm 101:3

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Holiness Is Caught, Not Just Taught
New believers learn by observing mature saints. Be an example in worship, prayer, giving, and responding to preaching.

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

Direction Determines Destination
Focus on a believer’s direction, not their current position. Encourage growth without criticizing those still developing.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13–14

Holiness Makes Righteousness Normal
Holiness makes righteousness look normal and sin strange, while worldliness does the opposite. Eliminate anything that sympathizes with sin or distances from the church.

“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.” Romans 12:2

The Holy Spirit Retrains the Flesh
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just restrain but retrains the flesh, creating new desires. Yielding to holiness becomes easier over time, replacing old addictions with godly joy.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:13

Obey Immediately, Understand Gradually
Obedience to God’s Word doesn’t require full understanding.

A willing heart leads to immediate obedience and eventual blessing.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

A Testimony of Growth in Holiness

Consider Alicia, a former college party girl who came to church after a life of being used and abused. She asked if she needed to wear a skirt, having never owned one. Instead of mandating a dress code, she was given Scriptures to pray over.

Months later, she joyfully wore a dress, humorously referring to her experiences as “Skirt Adventures.” Her enthusiasm for holiness grew naturally, not from coercion but from a desire to please God. Today, Alicia and her husband are doing mission work in Paris, France, starting a new church. This is how holiness works—through growth, love, and God’s transformative grace.

A Call for a Spirit of Holiness

In 2025, the church needs more than standards; it needs a spirit of holiness to touch homes, marriages, teenagers, children, churches, music teams, pastors, and saints. A spirit of holiness protects and empowers believers to live set apart for God’s glory.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15–16

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