BELIEVERS IN CHRIST ARE ALREADY SAINTS

The word "saints," appears ninety-eight times in ninety- five verses of the King James Version of the Holy Bible.  Surprisingly, about a third are found in the Old Testament (thirty-two, with twenty of those in the Book of Psalms).  Today, when one hears the word "saint," it is usually in reference to someone who has been venerated by the Roman Catholic Church.  To Catholics, the only way a person can become a saint, is by a declaration from the Pope.  The criteria for sainthood, according to the Vatican, involves four steps:

First Step:  an investigation of the person's life.
Second Step:  proof that the candidate lived heroic virtues.
Third Step: two miracles acquired through the candidate’s intercession.
Fourth Step: the Pope declares the person a "Saint."

But what does God's Word teach about "saints?"  The first person called a "saint" in the Bible was Aaron (Ps. 106:16).  Obviously one need not be perfect to be so titled (Num. 12:1-16)!  God's people, Israel, were called "saints" (Ps. 149:1), which is confirmed by Jesus (Mt. 27:52; note:  Old Testament references to "saints," were written while the Church was still a mystery to the Jews).

The New Testament refers to all born again believers as "saints."  The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:27).  Paul thanked God for making us suitable to partake as "saints in Light" (Col. 1:12).  Jude encouraged believers to "contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3).  Luke writes of the persecution of the "saints" at the hand of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:13; 26:10).  In two passages of Paul's writings, the interpreters have added, in italics, the words "to be" between the words "called" and "saints" (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2).  That was meant to be helpful, but it contradicts the rest of God's Word.  Unbelievers are called to faith; they are not called "to be" saints.  Believers, to which both Romans and 1 Corinthians were written, were already "saints!" 

The words translated as "saint" or "saints," have nothing to do with our worthiness, but have everything to do with the work of God in setting individuals apart for His service.  For example, in the two verses (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2), the Greek is ἅγιος (hagios), which it translated  "holy" 161x; "saints" 61x; and "Holy One" (4x - all referring to Jesus - Mk. 1:24; Lk. 4:34; Acts 3:14; 1 Jn. 2:20).  It is closely related to the Greek ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos), which translates "sanctification" as found in five verses (1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Th. 4:3, 4; 2 Th. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2).  The good news is, the work of our sanctification has been done for us (Jn. 17:19; Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; Heb. 2:11; 10:10)!

 

It is God who washes the "vessels" He intends to use (Heb. 2:11)!