Are Christians Saints?

[Garland-Green]

Are Christians presently saints or do they have to die first? Do they have to be dead for sometime before they can be declared saints or does God call us saints while we are still alive? What does the Bible say about this?
The Root Word for Saints

The root word of the word saint corresponds to the Latin word sanctus which means “holy“ or “sacred.” Thus, someone who is sanctified is “set apart for holy use.” Surely Christians are made holy by the atoning work of Christ at Calvary on the cross. They of themselves are not holy, but once they become saved, they are set apart for holy use by God and that is to glorify God and share the Good News with those who are not yet saved. The Catholic use of this word is to have someone “beatified” or “canonized” which means that they are among the saints whose names have already been recorded in the Bible or by the Catholic church. If the Latin adjective sanctus means to be “holy” or “sacred”, the closely related word sancio is the verb form which means “to consecrate.”
The Use of “Saints” in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament there are only two uses of the word “saint” in the singular form and it is used in Psalm 106:16 and in Daniel 8:13, Psalm 106:16 says, “In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron, who was consecrated (from the Hebrew qadowsh meaning “sanctified”) to the Lord.” Daniel 8:13 says, “Then I heard a holy (qadowsh) one speaking, and another holy (qadowsh) one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled–the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?“ In the plural form, the Hebrew rendering of saint is mentioned at least 34 times in the Old Testament that I could find. The plural form of “saints” is taken from the Hebrew (qaddiysh) and it also refers to “holiness” which could also mean “faithfulness.”
The Use of “Saints” in the New Testament

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 1:7)

There are dozens and dozens of references to the “saints” in the New Testament but these were not to those already departed or for those who were “beatified” or “canonized.” The word saints was used, mostly in plural form, to those who were yet still alive at the time of the letters of Paul, John, Luke (in Acts) and Peter. The meaning is clear; you are a saint once you become a believer in Christ because you have been “set apart” or “sanctified” and made holy by Jesus’ shed blood. Notice these many Scriptural references to saints that were written to those who were alive at the time.

Acts 9:13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”

Acts 9:32 “And it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.”

Acts 26:10 “I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.”

Romans 1:7 “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.”

2 Corinthians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia.”

There are literally dozens more and most are found at the beginnings of the New Testament epistles (letters) like in Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, 1 Peter, in Hebrews and even in the Book of Revelation. The point is clear. Those who were believers and were yet alive already had the title of “saint.” You don’t have to be dead to be a saint. You just have to be a Christian. But how is this possible?
How Do Christians Become Saints?

When I became a Christian, most of my family members were not saved. They said that I was brainwashed. I agreed. I said my brain was dirty and needed washing but Christ cleansed it. First Corinthians 6:11 gives us an idea of the process as it says, “And that is what some of you were. 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.” Christians were washed. Washed in what? In the blood of the Lamb of God to be sanctified, made holy, and set apart for holy use. How were we justified? It says “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the [Holy] Spirit of our God.” Hebrews 13:12 says as much that “Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” Christians do not have it within them to make themselves holy. Instead we are sanctified “through His own blood.” This fact is confirmed in Hebrews 2:11a “For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source” and finally in Hebrews 10:14, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
Are Christians Saints Today?

If you have put your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then He has sanctified you (Heb 10:14) through His own blood (Heb 13:12) and you have been washed and justified in His Name (1 Cor 6:11). I love the use of the word justified…it is “Just if I’d” never sinned, because that is how God the Father now sees you. He sees you clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. This is exactly what Paul tells the church in Galatia (3:26-27), “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Rejoice today you who are Christians, rejoice I say, for you are cleansed and sanctified, and now appear holy before God. If you have repented of your sins, seen the need to have the wrath of God removed from off of you who rightly deserve it, the filth and stench of sin (Rom 6:23, 3:23), and you have confessed your sins to God (1 John 1:9), you already have eternal life (John 3:16-17) and have been made righteous in the sight of God because you have placed your trust in Christ to save you (Rom 10:9-13). If you have, then right at this very moment, you can know that you are a saint of God. You don’t have to wait until you die and go to the Kingdom of Heaven. If you are His, you are a saint right now! When God sees you He sees the Son of God’s holiness. As it is written in Isaiah 61:10, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/are-christians-saints-a-bible-study/#ixzz2EVUP32eQ  

[kdke]

From what I understand, the Catholic Church does recognize all Christians as saints. Always has. Those who are canonized are made so as to be shown as models of sainthood. Yes, they're formally declared saints because of their example of holiness, but that's all it is: a formal way for everyone to know that those saints lived lives exceptionally close to God during their time on earth. Other than that, yes, we're all saints in Christ.  

[Garland-Green]

ca adam

From what I understand, the Catholic Church does recognize all Christians as saints. Always has. Those who are canonized are made so as to be shown as models of sainthood. Yes, they're formally declared saints because of their example of holiness, but that's all it is: a formal way for everyone to know that those saints lived lives exceptionally close to God during their time on earth. Other than that, yes, we're all saints in Christ.

The dangers of what the Catholic church is doing is that we as humans tend to make idols in our hearts, replacing Jesus. It is expressed religiously. It takes the form of relic worship, and places dead Christians in a special position with God to intercede for us, and allows people to venerate (which in all forms appear to be worship) the dead, when the Bible say there is only one mediator between God and man. 1 Timothy 2:5

It makes me uneasy, because I feel that the only thing canonization of saints do, is draw attention from God. Draw worship from where it belongs. I am of course on the outside of the Catholic church looking in, but that is how it appears to me.

I will show you some pictures of why it seems like worship to me, why it makes me uneasy, what it ultimately leads to and why I would not suggest anyone do it. America has only the light version of veneration of saints, but this is what you can find in for example Italy.







 

[kdke]

Well, as someone looking at the Catholic from the inside—not yet as a Catholic, but as a catechumen who is learning and researching information about the Church—I would have to disagree with you, but I can see where misconceptions can manifest, especially when it comes to the history between Catholicism and Protestantism, and the differences between the two sects of Christianity in general.

From what I've seen so far in Mass, in the Catechism, in adult reformation, and reading on Catholic forums/articles/websites, there's no worshiping of other saints happening. The only person being adored is Jesus Christ, as God and Savior. No saint shares the same position as He.

Veneration of the saints is respect for saints, an admiration for those who lived exceptionally holy lives. The Catholic Church is very firm in making that line between respecting saints and worshiping God alone; once you cross it, yes, the Church recognizes it as idolatry.

Unfortunately, you do have people who cross that line at times, though that line is usually crossed because of other outside cultural influences. They use saints as their one mediator rather than Jesus. The intercession of saints, however, for a learned Catholic, is the same concept as asking his neighbor to intercede for him; it's the same concept as when someone comes onto this guild, goes into the prayer request sub forum, and says, "Please pray for me." I assume that no one here is trying to make the other members their mediator between them and God. That's not what's happening, and that's not what's happening when a Catholic asks a saint in heaven to pray for him, either.

As for relic worship, the Catholic Church doesn't worship its relics. Perhaps some Catholics do, though; perhaps some Catholics do hold relics to a level that is only meant for God. I say, shame on them. But the veneration of relics is, for the Church, no different than keeping a precious item from someone who was highly respected.

For example, my mother has gold makeup compacts that belonged to my great grandmother. My mother really respects those compacts, not just because they're old and pretty, but because they belonged to her grandmother. The objects hold a cherished connection to someone she still loves and honors. She's not worshiping the makeup compacts, but is keeping them in honor of her grandmother.

Same concept as venerated relics, but at a different level. The Catholic Church believes that certain objects have a special connection to the persons they once belonged to. This makes sense, though, because the first churches believed this same thing. In Acts 19, Paul's handkerchiefs were used in healing people. When Jesus was walking on this earth, people would try to get one touch of his robes, believing that just touching his clothing would be enough to heal them. And it did! It's not that the clothes were magical or anything; it's because of these items connection to their owners.

I suggest that reading up on veneration of saints and relics is a wise thing to do. No offense, but I've noticed a pattern with a lot of articles about Catholic traditions/beliefs written by people who don't really like Catholicism: the truth tends to be muddled by that dislike, and misunderstandings occur. While I'm not saying you'll suddenly come to agreement with the real beliefs, you will definitely find that in Catholic documents, especially in the Catechism itself, God is held at an everlasting, Almighty place that no relic or saint could ever reach, and it's always been that way.

Anyway, as to not hijack your thread too much on this subject, I'll digress, lol. If you want to talk to me about it, I'm happy to have a good-natured discussion over PMs about it. God bless.  

[Garland-Green]

ca adam

Well, as someone looking at the Catholic from the inside—not yet as a Catholic, but as a catechumen who is learning and researching information about the Church—I would have to disagree with you, but I can see where misconceptions can manifest, especially when it comes to the history between Catholicism and Protestantism, and the differences between the two sects of Christianity in general.

From what I've seen so far in Mass, in the Catechism, in adult reformation, and reading on Catholic forums/articles/websites, there's no worshiping of other saints happening. The only person being adored is Jesus Christ, as God and Savior. No saint shares the same position as He.

Veneration of the saints is respect for saints, an admiration for those who lived exceptionally holy lives. The Catholic Church is very firm in making that line between respecting saints and worshiping God alone; once you cross it, yes, the Church recognizes it as idolatry.

Unfortunately, you do have people who cross that line at times, though that line is usually crossed because of other outside cultural influences. They use saints as their one mediator rather than Jesus. The intercession of saints, however, for a learned Catholic, is the same concept as asking his neighbor to intercede for him; it's the same concept as when someone comes onto this guild, goes into the prayer request sub forum, and says, "Please pray for me." I assume that no one here is trying to make the other members their mediator between them and God. That's not what's happening, and that's not what's happening when a Catholic asks a saint in heaven to pray for him, either.

As for relic worship, the Catholic Church doesn't worship its relics. Perhaps some Catholics do, though; perhaps some Catholics do hold relics to a level that is only meant for God. I say, shame on them. But the veneration of relics is, for the Church, no different than keeping a precious item from someone who was highly respected.

For example, my mother has gold makeup compacts that belonged to my great grandmother. My mother really respects those compacts, not just because they're old and pretty, but because they belonged to her grandmother. The objects hold a cherished connection to someone she still loves and honors. She's not worshiping the makeup compacts, but is keeping them in honor of her grandmother.

Same concept as venerated relics, but at a different level. The Catholic Church believes that certain objects have a special connection to the persons they once belonged to. This makes sense, though, because the first churches believed this same thing. In Acts 19, Paul's handkerchiefs were used in healing people. When Jesus was walking on this earth, people would try to get one touch of his robes, believing that just touching his clothing would be enough to heal them. And it did! It's not that the clothes were magical or anything; it's because of these items connection to their owners.

I suggest that reading up on veneration of saints and relics is a wise thing to do. No offense, but I've noticed a pattern with a lot of articles about Catholic traditions/beliefs written by people who don't really like Catholicism: the truth tends to be muddled by that dislike, and misunderstandings occur. While I'm not saying you'll suddenly come to agreement with the real beliefs, you will definitely find that in Catholic documents, especially in the Catechism itself, God is held at an everlasting, Almighty place that no relic or saint could ever reach, and it's always been that way.

Anyway, as to not hijack your thread too much on this subject, I'll digress, lol. If you want to talk to me about it, I'm happy to have a good-natured discussion over PMs about it. God bless.

I take no offense at all. ^^ I was thinking... Perhaps you could share some of the insight you have as a catechumen to provide a more nuanced picture? We do tend to only hear one side of the argument. If you decided to, I believe it would help tremendously. As for me I do try, and hope that what I think about various practices is just me misinterpreting what I come across.
God bless you.  

[kdke]

Garland-Green

I take no offense at all. ^^ I was thinking... Perhaps you could share some of the insight you have as a catechumen to provide a more nuanced picture? We do tend to only hear one side of the argument. If you decided to, I believe it would help tremendously. As for me I do try, and hope that what I think about various practices is just me misinterpreting what I come across.
God bless you.

For one, I want you to know how much I appreciate the respect you've given in response to my post despite whatever disagreement there is. That means a lot, so thanks for that.

For another, I can barely consider myself an amateur, unofficial Catholic, even though I was made formally a part of the Catholic Church as a catechumen just recently. There's still a lot to learn, a lot to understand and study, but I can say I know the basics so far.

So, if it doesn't cause any contention in the guild, I'll do my best to answer general questions about the Catholic Church as they come up, and I'll do so in an informative and peaceful manner. Any questions I can't directly answer I can always point towards very good, exhaustive sources that I've found to be trustworthy.

I know that the Catholic Church, for a good amount of people, can seem foreign and strange from the outside (especially with Catholicism overseas or in parts of Latin America, though some Latin communities go pretty overboard), but like anything—at first, something unknown might seem strange and even uncomfortable. A non-believer can walk into a regular, non-denominational church during Sunday worship and feel uneasy and out of place, not because what's happening is bad, but because it's a foreign environment with foreign concepts. As understanding sets in, though, even when disagreement is still there, things can become clearer.