To All The Saints
“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints” Psalm 149:1 (NKJV UK)
There are officially two more saints, thanks to the Catholic church canonising two of its late Popes. Apparently it takes two verifiable miracles for someone to be so honoured by that title. The procedure was carried out in public at the Vatican and then broadcast in sound and vision worldwide.
However, long before there was any Vatican or any pope, Paul was addressing himself to “the saints”. These were the church members in, for example, even Rome, where Paul says, “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints.” (Romans 1:7 Most versions word it “Called to be saints…” but the original Greek doesn’t have the words there that I have put in italics.)
No, as far as Paul was concerned, if you were called to be a Christian, even in Rome itself, you were a saint. He says the same in 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified [set apart for holy use] in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” He repeats this concept in many of his opening salutations to brethren in his letters.
So, if you are called and set apart by God, you are a saint. No halo needed, and no long inquisition needed. Not even a miracle or two. You are declared to be a saint by God himself.
Interestingly, for some, saints have a role still to play in this day and age, however long they may have been dead. Although some may think that dead saints intervene for those still on earth, that is, the day-to-day Christian struggling with every-day problems, the Bible tells us that this is Christ’s job (Hebrews 7:25). Pray to him, not to a dead saint.
Prayer
Holy Father, thank you so much that you have placed Jesus Christ as our High Priest, always ready to hear us directly and to act for us personally before your throne in heaven. In Jesus’s name we pray.
Amen
Study by John Stettaford
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About the Author:
John Stettaford is an Elder in the Reading Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.
Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Reading
Prospect School,
6th Form Common Room
Honey End Lane
READING
RG30 4EL
Meeting time:
Saturday 11am
Local Congregational Contact:
John Stettaford
Phone: 01923-241426
Email: pastor@wcg-reading.org.uk