BIBLE STUDY | "SAINTS" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. Christians Saints
a) 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?
a) 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?
2. “Saints” in the New Testament
a) 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.
b) 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.”
a) 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.
b) 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.”
c) 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.
“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.”
c) 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.
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