What exactly are saints?

Question

What do they do and whats their purpose?

Do you even believe there were saints?

Answer 1

The word saint comes from the Greek word "hagios" which means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious." It is almost always used in the plural, “saints.” "…Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem" (Acts 9:13). "Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda" (Acts 9:32). "And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons … “(Acts 26:10). There is only one instance of the singular use and that is "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus…" (Philippians 4:21). In Scripture there are 67 uses of the plural “saints” compared to only one use of the singular word “saint.” Even in that one instance, a plurality of saints is in view “…every saint…” (Philippians 4:21).



The idea of the word “saint” is a group of people set apart for the Lord and His kingdom. There are three references referring to godly character of saints; "that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints …" (Romans 16:2). "For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints" (Ephesians 5:3).



Therefore, Scripturally speaking, the “saints” are the body of Christ, Christians, the church. All Christians are considered saints. All Christian are saints…and at the same time are called to be saints. 1 Corinthians 1:2 states it clearly, “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root as the word that is commonly translated “saints.” Christians are saints by virtue of their connection with Jesus Christ. Christians are called to be saints, to increasingly allow their daily life to more closely match their position in Christ. This is the Biblical description and calling of the saints.



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 the Bible, everyone who has received Jesus Christ by faith is a saint. In Roman Catholic practice, the saints are revered, prayed to, and in some instances, worshipped. In the Bible, saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone.

Answer 2

The connotation of "saint" depends on whose view you would like to hear it from.

For Catholics, the saints are those people that have demonstrated a life which is close to that of Christ. The lives of these saints serves as our guide or our model on how we should live. Also, it is believed by the catholics that these saints could help a person plead to God for the salvation of one's soul.

For Protestants, Born-again christians, baptists, methodists, etc., every believer is considered a saint.

Answer 3

Yes, I believe there were and are Saints.

Their purpose is to give us guidance towards God, towards our Savior.

The Saints are people who died for their beliefs or people who lived their faith and were so committed to God they were at a spiritual level most of us cannot even imagine. But we can read about their lives, about their spiritual understandings and learn from them.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/

Answer 4

Yes the New Orleans Saints and they
play NFL Football

Answer 5

in the catholic church saints are people who have been determined to have lived a life of heroic virtue. they have lived a life of holiness and were dedicated to God. yes there are saints, pope john paul II will become an official saint soon. there were many healing miracles attributed to him while he was still alive.
what is their purpose? they are people that you can look up to. many saints were great sinners before they turned their lives toward God. if they can, then so can we. it gives us hope when we think we're at rock bottom.

Answer 6

In the early christian church, all the believers were called saints. The Roman Catholic Church, and possibly others, believe that certain people are "exalted" and that you can ask them to pray for you. Although Jesus clearly said that no one can come to the Father except by him.

Answer 7

Saints - people who sacrificed themselves for their religion.

No, I do not believe in saints. I think that they were either fanatics or religious zealots.

But then again, I don't believe in the bible so I can't really say.

Answer 8

The bible makes it quite clear that all truly born again believers of the Lord Jesus Christ are saints. Our purpose is to serve Him, to represent Him, to preach his word to the lost, to intercede for others in prayer, to live in holiness and although we're not very good at it, to be His likeness here on earth.

Answer 9

Saints are the People of God in all dispensations. God's people are his Saints. The House of Israel, of whom the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is their God, provides ordinances that his Saints perform from Baptism, priesthood ordination, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, partaking of the Sacrament often -- all these things, when done with the authority of the holy priesthood of God, and when authorized to be performed by God's authorized servants, have been, are now, and will always be performed among the Saints of God. For they are his covenant people, much more than Christians who simply profess their belief in Christ, but have no authority to perform his works within the body of his Saints.

Paul, when writing his letters to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ during the New Testament period, started nearly all his letters out by addressing them as the Saint of Jesus Christ. Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church that not only refers to themselves as the Saints, but also are the only People that use the holy priesthood of God, in that same order that existed in the New Testament period as Jesus organized his church, starting with calling his Twelve Apostles who walked and taught with him during his ministry.

Answer 10

@"i've got heard that Saint Peter would be perched outdoors of the pearly gates analyzing from the e book of existence. " that's what happens once you do no longer study for your self. 2 Timothy 2: 15. be taught to coach your self (approved unto GOD). give up letting human beings (instructors) enable you to realize what the Bible say and study it for your self. The Bible say: Peter would be between the 24 ELDERS : Revelation 11:sixteen. those 24 comprise the 12 Tribal Leaders of each son of Jacob (Israel)...Revelation 21:12 and the 12 Apostles...Reveation 21: 14. (i do no longer understand if one is Matthias or Paul). i think we will would desire to attend and notice. Jesus is the "DOOR" he would be on the DOOR.