From Abracadabra to Zombies
reader comments: saint
31 Jan 2000
I think that your article saints is oriented to Catholicism and while
accurate for Catholics (and I believe, Greek Orthodoxy) it does not
reflect the different usage by Protestants. The term saint is commonly
used in Protestant churches to refer to any one who has accepted Jesus
Christ as Savior, usually referring directly to the people seated in the
meeting. The correct name of the Mormon Church is "The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" again referring to people who are
alive.
Easton's Bible Dictionary defines a saint as: One separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ (Ps. 16:3; Rom. 1:7; 8:27; Phil. 1:1; Heb. 6:10).
The “saints” spoken of in Jude 14 are probably not the disciples of Christ, but the “innumerable company of angels” (Heb. 12:22; Ps. 68:17), with reference to Deut. 33:2.
This word is also used of the holy dead (Matt. 27:52; Rev. 18:24).
It was not used as a distinctive title of the apostles and evangelists and
of a “spiritual nobility” till the fourth century. In that sense it is
not a scriptural title.
Tim Boettcher
reply: You're right about which sense of 'saint' I am defining and commenting on. I know there are many other uses of the term. For example, my mother used to call her mother a saint, and everyone I knew who knew my mother called her a saint. I agree; they were both saints.
saint
