WHAT IS A SAINT?

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 5, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 10.

Just now a particular interest is being taken in saintship because of the canonization of Jeanne d'Arc. Two years ago she was beatified, or declared supremely blessed. Presumably she had been this all the time if she were living, but it was not supposed to be known until the “church” declared it. Now she is to be canonized, or enrolled among the saints. What subliminal folly is all this (the details of which make it more apparent, but which we have not space to give) compared with the simple truth of the Word.

The word “saint” in the Old Testament comes from two words: (a) qadash (kaw-dash'), to make or pronounce clean; to consecrate, hallow, sanctify; (b) chasad (khaw-sad'), to bow in courtesy to an equal, to be kind, pious, godly, merciful, holy. In the New Testament it comes from the Greek word hagios, meaning sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, sanctified. The following are instances of its occurrence: Ps. 106: 16; Deut. 33: 2, 3; Dan. 8: 13; Ps. 16: 3; 50: 5; 89: 5; 116: 15; Dan. 7: 25; Acts 9: 13, 32, 41; Rom. 1: 7; 15: 25, 26; Eph. 4: 12; Rev. 13: 7; 14: 12. In all the word occurs in our common English version over one hundred times, and in most cases it refers to the people of God living on this earth. Sometimes it refers to angels, holy ones, and sometimes to the saints in glory.

According to both Hebrew and Greek, a saint is a sanctified person, one made holy, not by any holiness of his own, not by any deeds that he wrought, not by any miracles that he did; but one made holy by the holiness of God, sanctified, saintified, by the creative power of God, through the agency of the Spirit and Word. So we read that God gave His Sabbath “to be a sign between Me and them [God's people], that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Eze. 20: 12. “Thy people also shall be all righteous;” and “their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord.” Isa. 60: 21; 54: 17.

And the material which God uses out of which to make saints, is poor sinful humanity. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3: 20–24.

The same lesson is taught elsewhere. The apostle tells us that only saints can have a part in God's kingdom at all. “Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” What hope is there then? Hear him further: “And such were some of you [thieves, adulterers, covetous, etc.]; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6: 9–11.

The saints are God's elect “through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus” (1 Peter 1: 2); chosen “to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess. 2: 13). Hence our Lord's earnest prayer: “Sanctify [sanctify] them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth.” John 17: 17.

The characteristics of the saints of God do not necessarily include signs, wonders, or miracles. They need not be recognized as saints by any church or council. Their names need be on no earthly roster. There will, we opine, be seen tremendous differences between God's roll of saints and that which men have made. Here are the divine characteristics of latter-day saints as given in the Word of God: “Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12, R.V. Of that holiness of character, of that power to keep God's commandments and the faith of Jesus, no one will boast; it is all of God through Jesus Christ.

It is the blessed privilege of every soul right here and now, no matter what his condition, to have the Lord call him a saint; his highest, most blessed expression of that condition will be to call himself a servant of Jesus Christ. And the true servant is God's saint.