Who is a Saint?

For the same reason Mary has been deified, so too have Roman Catholic “saints.” Roman pagan religion was “polytheistic,” i.e., it had a multitude of “gods.” In order to accommodate this, Rome instituted the practice of elevating dead people to the level of godhood, calling them “saints.” In the beginning, the first people to be elevated to sainthood were, of course, the apostles, but this designation was eventually extended to others through an elaborate process of election by the church hierarchy. Over the centuries, thousands of dead Roman Catholics have been given this status, and adherents are encouraged to pray to these exalted humans. They are usually given some sort of special designation (e.g., “the patron saint of ecology”: Francis of Assisi), and are placed as guardians over particular areas of life.

What saith the Scripture concerning the issue of sainthood? The word “saint(s)” is referred to 38 times in the Old Testament and 60 times in the New Testament. In both, the word simply means someone or something that is consecrated, dedicated or hallowed (made holy). The Apostle Paul refers to it in his 13 epistles 39 times, and from his usage of it, it must mean anybody who is part of the household of faith, no matter what the dispensation. Consider what it says in the following verses:

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

“For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”   Romans 15:26

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

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”  Eph 2:19

“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Col 1:2

These are but a few of the many references to “the saints,” but they are more than enough to show that a saint is anyone who is of the household of God. This would, of course, include those of us saved into the body of Christ. (Notice in these passages that the folks referred to as saints are all living.) I challenge the Roman Church to show me anywhere in Scripture where a saint is to be worshipped or prayed to,^** or where they (the Catholic Church hierarchy) have been given (scriptural) authority to determine who is and who isn’t a saint. Even if they (the episcopate) are the successors to the apostles—which they are not—the Lord never gave any of them (the true apostles) the authority to make dead people little gods. Indeed, a true saint today is one who has confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, believing he died for their sins, and was raised again for their justification (1 Co. 15:1-4; Rom. 4:25; 10:9). Have you done this?