Whats with the word saint?

Question

What is in the word saint that I get scolded everytime in our protestant evangelical school when I affix it to a saint's name. ex Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, Saint Paul, Saint Francis etc...

Answer 1

Whoa . . . ! Thanks for opening THAT particular can of worms!

I think the reason your teacher goes ballistic when you affix the "saint" (or "holy one") to the name of a person is that (given you're in a Protestant evangelical school) the "sainting" of people, humans, mortals was a practice of the Catholic Church. It was a way of elevating certain individuals over others on this earth.

Your evangelical church is definitely one of those which rejected this tenet of the Catholic Church because, I'm guessing, your church believes all individuals are equal in the eyes of God.

It's interesting that there are only "saints" from the New Testament, never from the Hebrew Bible. And this is in spite of the many who "walked with God", wrestled with God, disputed directly with God and even ( Exodus 24: 9 -11) literally SAW God and "ate and drank" in His presence.

Jesus, as an orthodox Jew, would have rejected the term "saint" (or "holy one"), as it's defined by the Catholic Church, being applied to any mortal since, in Judaism, the only two specific references to "holy" things are God Himself and the Land of Israel.

Answer 2

Maybe because we're all saints?

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Just because a group of men said some person is "better" than others doesn't make it so.

Answer 3

A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying...or as 'teach' put it, set apart for a holy purpose. By this definition, all christians are saints because we are all set apart. We sin but we keep on trying just like Paul did. You need to ask at your school to get an accurate answer but, most likely, the school leadership is uncomfortable with elevating people to places of honor when Jesus is the only one worthy of honor.

Answer 4

If you're in a protestant school how would you even know about St. Lorenzo?
Here's the deal.The Bible says when we become Christians,real Christians,we are" set apart" "sanctified" that's what the word Saint means.The Catholics took it and made it seem one had to be some super duper miracle worker to be a saint.
Yeah,I can see you now......"Wha..What did I say? Why are you upset?"
You blew your cover with St. Lorenzo, nobody but a Catholic would know him .Ask 100 Baptists who St. Veronica is and they will give you a blank stare.

Answer 5

Supernova - Liz Phair life is largely a Bowl of Cherries - Ray Henderson Bowl for 2 - The Expendables The super Bowl Shuffle - The Chicago Bears Champagne Supernova - Oasis

Answer 6

The first adherents to Christ's church were called saints. Catholics began assigning the term post-mortem to those who qualified for "sainthood" according to certain criteria for holiness. Protestants didn't like the Catholic veneration of saints, seeing it as un-biblical and even blasphemous. So, while Catholics like to speak of Saint Paul or Saint Peter, protestants try to avoid the term.

Answer 7

In all of paul's greetings and dealings with the brothers and sisters in any local church he addressed them as saints.. as the believers in Christ ...
You do not become a saint when you are dead as some religions do...
In paul's opening word to the church at corinth he greeted the saints of God who are in Corinth..
Even the very last verse in the bible, brother john says..
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints.
We as christians and lovers of Jesus are saints...

Answer 8

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.

Recommended Resource: Bible Answers for Almost all Your Questions by Elmer Towns.

Answer 9

You would be speaking about a Catholic Saint. The pope thinks he can name God's saints. Protestants do not like that idea.

Answer 10

A saint is someone who believes in Jesus and follows Him. A saint does not mean someone that has attained perfection- because no one has, even those who have been saved. We are striving to be like Him, but until we see Him face to face we grow- we don't arrive there. Any person who acknowledges that Jesus has died for their sins, is a saint- because He has clothed us with His righteousness.