SAINTS
This same word is most often translated “holy” in the New Testament and is even used for the “Holy” Spirit. How could sinners, even forgiven sinners, be called “saints”? Because God see us “in” Christ, Whom we trust, and He was perfect. When someone trusts Christ Jesus for salvation, not only are his sins forgiven, but he is made a “new creature” in Christ and receives His righteousness (see RIGHTEOUSNESS). It is God Who does this so that no one can think of another (or himself) more highly than he should. “That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29–31). “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15; see also 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Because of the numerous references to “saints” (over 60) in the New Testament and how the word is used, it can be seen that all Christians were called saints: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” (Romans 1:7). “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (1 Corinthians 1:2).“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:1). “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi…” (Philippians 1:1). Notice that these saints were still alive, unlike the practice at some churches, which make the decision who was a saint many years after his or her death. And it is God Who makes men and women saints, not a committee. Though a church may say they are not making a person a saint but only officially recognizing that he was a saint, still in the Bible all believers were saints, and no committees were formed in the Bible to count how many miracles or good deeds a deceased person did and then “vote” for or against that person. The apostle Peter went to two small communities where “saints” lived, but they did not work miracles; instead Peter was called to do this (Acts 9:32–35, 36–41).
Christians were called “saints” not because they were without sin but because their Savior was without sin; even at the “carnal” church of Corinth they were called “saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:1). No one in the Bible prayed to dead people (“saints”), as some do today (see PRAYER; MEDIATOR).
This same word is most often translated “holy” in the New Testament and is even used for the “Holy” Spirit. How could sinners, even forgiven sinners, be called “saints”? Because God see us “in” Christ, Whom we trust, and He was perfect. When someone trusts Christ Jesus for salvation, not only are his sins forgiven, but he is made a “new creature” in Christ and receives His righteousness (see RIGHTEOUSNESS). It is God Who does this so that no one can think of another (or himself) more highly than he should. “That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29–31). “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15; see also 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Because of the numerous references to “saints” (over 60) in the New Testament and how the word is used, it can be seen that all Christians were called saints: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” (Romans 1:7). “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (1 Corinthians 1:2).“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:1). “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi…” (Philippians 1:1). Notice that these saints were still alive, unlike the practice at some churches, which make the decision who was a saint many years after his or her death. And it is God Who makes men and women saints, not a committee. Though a church may say they are not making a person a saint but only officially recognizing that he was a saint, still in the Bible all believers were saints, and no committees were formed in the Bible to count how many miracles or good deeds a deceased person did and then “vote” for or against that person. The apostle Peter went to two small communities where “saints” lived, but they did not work miracles; instead Peter was called to do this (Acts 9:32–35, 36–41).
Christians were called “saints” not because they were without sin but because their Savior was without sin; even at the “carnal” church of Corinth they were called “saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:1). No one in the Bible prayed to dead people (“saints”), as some do today (see PRAYER; MEDIATOR).
