What Are Saints?

What Are Saints?

A significant controversy among Christians pertains to who a saint is and what they can do. In this article, we will conduct a biblical analysis on the topic.

Saints Are All Throughout The Earth:

In the book of Acts, we read about some Saints living on Earth: "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy," (Acts 9:32-33 KJV). Luke, the author of Acts, notes some saints are in Lydda; specifically, Aeneas is mentioned as one. 

We also read in Acts: "But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem,"  (Acts 9:13 ESV). There are too many saints in Jerusalem. 

 Again in Acts, we read: "And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them," (Acts 26:10 ESV). 

Paul tells us there are also Saints in Ephesus: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus," (Ephesians 1:1 ESV).

Saints Can Be in Heaven:

"The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised," (Matthew 27:52 ESV). 

Saints Are Pious:

In the book of Revelations, it defines what a saint is: "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus," (Revelations 14:12 ESV). A saint is one who follows God and has faith in the Lord. 

"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says," (1 Corinthians 14:33-34 ESV). This verse implies the saints have churches that are better or holy. It notes that in the churches that have saints, they do not follow what is condemned.

The saints also pray: "And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints," (Revelations 5:8 ESV).  

Saints fulfill the great commission: "To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ," (Ephesians 4:12 ESV).

As Saints are pious, their prayers are far stronger: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working," (James 5:16 ESV).

Work Cited:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.