The Church is termed the Holy Catholic Church.  When the epithet “holy” is applied to the Church, it is not meant that all who profess faith in Jesus Christ and are in connection with the visible Church, are holy, or that any of them are altogether holy.  Our Lord taught that while in the world His Church would contain a mixture of good and bad.  He likened it to a net in which good and bad fishes are caught, and to a field in which wheat and tares grow together.  Though all are called to be saints, “there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not."[186] The sanctification of believers is the work of the Holy Spirit, effected not by a momentary act but by degrees, and never perfected in this life.

Upon all who truly receive the Lord Jesus a change is wrought by the Holy Spirit of God, which results in holiness.  Looking unto Jesus, they behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and are changed into the same image.  The transformation which they undergo extends to every part of their being.  The subject of sanctification is the whole man.  The understanding, will, conscience, memory, affections are all renewed in their operations, and the members of the body become instruments of righteousness unto holiness.  As believers are enabled to die unto sin, they live unto righteousness.  Being renewed in the inner man by the Divine Spirit, they bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.  Their desire is after holiness, for they know that the restoration of holiness is the end for which Jesus died and for which the Spirit works.  “Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."[187] Now, the Church is marred by many blemishes, but her imperfection is for a time only.  When her period of work and probation is accomplished she will be purged and perfected, and will be a church without spot or wrinkle.  Meantime she is the Holy Church because her Head is holy, and because she is called out of the world and consecrated to the service of God.  She is holy because she is the body of Christ, of whose fulness she receives, and whose graces she reflects, and because it is through her teaching, prayers, and institutions that the Holy Spirit usually works and influences men to follow holiness.  The ministry, the preaching, the sacraments, the laws, and the discipline of the Church have as their end the turning of men from their sins and persuading them to follow holiness.