What are Christian saints according to the context of the Church?

Question

what qualities are needed to be considered one? is there a difference in the Church's definiton of the early and modern saints?

Answer 1

According to Scripture, anyone who is born again by faith in Christ is a saint. Paul wrote to all the saints (Christians) in Rome:

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:7

Many other verses express the same truth:

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours" 1 Corinthians 1:2

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" Ephesians 3:8
"...Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," Jude 1:14

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" Ephesians 4:11-12

(See also Acts 9:13; 9:32; 9:41; 26:10; Romans 8:27; 12:13; 15:25; 15:26; 15:31; 16:2; 16:15; 1 Cor-inthians 6:1, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, plus dozens of other New Testament references.)

Answer 2

Saints must have been martyred, must have lived a life of Christian devotion, and must have performed 3 miracles, at least one of which must have occurred after the person's death to indicated that their special relationship with God continues after death.

It should be remember that the Catholic Church does not make Saints, but rather has set up a system of recognizing them.

"Formal canonisation is a lengthy process often taking many years, even centuries. The first step in this process is an investigation of the candidate's life, undertaken by an expert. After this, the report on the candidate is given to the bishop of the area and more studying is done. It is then sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. If they approve it, then the person may be granted the title of "Venerable", further investigations may lead to the candidate's beatification and given title of "Blessed." At a minimum, three important miracles are required to be formally declared a saint. The Church, however, places special weight on those miracles or instances of intercession that happened after the individual died and which are seen to demonstrate the saint's continued special relationship with God after death. Finally, when all of this is done the Pope canonises the saint."

Answer 3

in the New Testament every Christian is a saint
living or dead. Everyone with saving faith and part of the church is a saint, a holy one.

in modern times, a saint is someone who the Catholic Church has done so many good works that they feel justice demands that God rewards them and they earned excess grace which becomes part of the treasury of the church and helps others

I think the modern view of special overachievers is contrary to the view of grace in the New Testament where Jesus told the apostles "in the end you are unprofitable servants' Taking Jesus at His word, In the end it is amazing grace that saves

Answer 4

The major differences are between the Catholic interpretation and the rest of the churches interpretation. The Catholic Church has a cannonisation process and the proof of miracles etc. The rest off the church believes as written by the early church leaders all those who are saved are counted as saints.

Answer 5

First, to determine who qualifies, the Vatican looks to its Congregation for the "Causes of Saints". Typically, a would-be candidate's "cause" is presented to the local bishop by his or her admirers who persuade him that the life of the candidate was a model of holiness.

Once the applicant is approved as a candidate, an appointed postulator interviews those who knew the individual. Personal testimonies, letters, and writings of the candidate's are put together. A relater then sifts through this information and prepares a position paper. If the volumes of evidence prove a life of "heroic virtue", the person is given the title "venerable" by the Pope.

The next title, beatified (blessed), is attained if it can be proven that a miracle occurred after the death of the candidate, the result of someone praying to that person for help.

To finalize a canonization, it must be established that a second miracle occurred. (Martyrs are the exception. The pope can reduce their miracle requirement to one or waive it altogether.) Most often prayer requests are for a physical healing.

Verifying a miracle is considered the most difficult hurdle in the process. Just deciding what constitutes one causes debate. A life of heroic virtue is obviously easier to establish than a healing that results from prayers.



Hope this helps!

Answer 6

According to the context of the "Bible" a *Saint* is only a "Christian".

Over and over the writters of the books in the Bible say things like "The saints living in -this town, or that city".

A Saint is another word for "Christian" plan and simple.

Answer 7

In the New Testament Greek; Saint means martyr. A saint is a person who gave them self to the Lord. That's not a Roman Catholic position, but it's a Biblical one.

Answer 8

In the Roman Catholic Church, I believe one must have 3-4 miralces attributed to them though God's power. God bless.

Answer 9

the bible says that EVERY christian is a saint. i couldn't tell you what it takes to be a canonized catholic saint. they have their own definition, and you have to be catholic to fit that definition.

Answer 10

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2B.HTM