Return to Index.

Who are the Saints?
August 10, 2019

People sing about when the saints come marching in. A professional sports team is named after the saints. But who are the saints? Some think the saints are the faithful who have died in Jesus Christ, that one only becomes a saint upon the successful completion of this physical life and the transition to spiritual eternal life. Saints are mentioned in both the old and new testaments. What does the Bible say about the saints? We know that in all that God does, God does preserve the way of his saints. Think of the way as a street. A street filled with potholes and debris can be dangerous. I once almost had my windshield totally shattered by a large rock flying off a gravel truck, so sometimes others on the way cause us danger and harm. From God is his promise; He will preserve the way of His Saints. In other words no matter how bad the way seems, no matter how dangerous the way may appear, in the end, God will keep us safe. God will preserve the way for us. The only harm that could come to us is if we choose either intentionally or unintentionally to get off the way of the saints.

Proverbs 2:1-8
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

So we know the term saints applies to God's people, but when does it apply? The Apostle Paul would write to many of the early church congregations and in a few letters including the first letter to the Corinthians, referred to the church members as saints, that they were called to be saints. At the time of this letter's writing were they already saints, or would that designation come when they died in Jesus Christ and transitioned to spiritual eternal life?

1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The timing is clarified for us in the Book of Acts when Paul gives his testimony to Agrippa. Paul explains in part that when in Jerusalem, prior to his conversion he put many of the saints into prison. It would be incredible for a physical and mortal man to lock up any eternal spirit being, or to put to death the very same. Paul makes it very clear in his testimony that a saint is one who is currently alive, and is capable of being locked up in prison and put to death. He also makes it clear that the term also applies to the dead in Jesus.

Acts 26:1-11
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Who are the saints? Those are called by God according to His purpose and His plan, who who stay on the way are the Saints and could include people still alive and people who have died in Jesus.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
Copyright and Legal Information
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information