Called to Be Saints ~ A Detour Before Ephesus

Our tour of Ephesus included a private mass.  We did not know that when we signed up for the excursion!  It was an interesting experience that I'll talk about more in my next post, but many of the sites we saw on our trip made me think about the word "saint." 

According to Bible Study Tools:  "The word "saint" is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo) whose basic meaning is "to set apart, " "sanctify, " or "make holy." In the history of the Old Testament religion, the idea of holiness or separateness was inherent in the concept of God...  Saints, in the New Testament, are never deceased individuals who have been canonized by the church and given sainthood. They are living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God."

Got Questions.org had a great explanation of the differences in the Biblical use of the word and that of the Catholic church, "How does the Roman Catholic understanding of “saints” compare with the biblical teaching? Not very well. In Roman Catholic theology, the saints are in heaven. In the Bible, the saints are on earth. In Roman Catholic teaching, a person does not become a saint unless he/she is “beatified” or “canonized” by the Pope or prominent bishop.  In Roman Catholic practice, the saints are revered, prayed to, and in some instances, worshiped. In the Bible, saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone."

I think even more important is what Got Questions had to say about praying to saints, "The issue of Catholics praying to saints is one that is full of confusion. It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that Catholics do not pray TO saints or Mary, but rather that Catholics can ask saints or Mary to pray FOR them. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that asking saints for their prayers is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. However, the practice of many Catholics diverges from official Roman Catholic teaching. Many Catholics do in fact pray directly to saints and/or Mary, asking them for help – instead of asking the saints and/or Mary to intercede with God for help. Whatever the case, whether a saint or Mary is being prayed to, or asked to pray, neither practice has any Biblical basis.

"The Bible nowhere instructs believers in Christ to pray to anyone other than God. The Bible nowhere encourages, or even mentions, believers asking individuals in heaven for their prayers. Why, then, do many Catholics pray to Mary and/or the saints, or request their prayers? Catholics view Mary and the saints as "intercessors" before God. They believe that a saint, who is glorified in Heaven, has more "direct access" to God than we do. Therefore, if a saint delivers a prayer to God, it is more effective than us praying to God directly. This concept is blatantly non Biblical. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we, believers here on earth, can "approach the throne of grace with confidence." 

Matthew Henry's commentary of Ephesians 1:1 when Paul writes "to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus," simply says, "All Christians must be saints; if they come not under that character on earth, they will never be saints in glory."

My favorite usage of the word saint was by Elder Morton at my Mom's funeral.  After telling a couple of funny stories and sharing a little about Mom's ornery side he said, "She was a saint, not an angel."

I hope this little detour makes sense!  I agree with the Biblical interpretation and I am striving to live my life as a saint, one who is set apart.  I'd be happy to pray with and for you now (while I'm still living) and I hope you'll do the same for me.