Mission Venture Ministries

According to the Bible, all believers in Jesus Christ are called “saints.” The term refers to anyone who has been set apart by God through faith in Christ, not because of personal achievements, heroic virtue, or miracles. Sainthood in the Bible is about being made holy by God’s grace, not by earning it through works or recognition by a church authority. As soon as someone believes in Christ and accepts Him as their Savior and make Him the Lord of their life, they are considered a saint, whether mature or immature in faith. In the New Testament, especially in Paul’s letters, the word “saint” means being holy or set apart – not by one’s own merit, but by the sanctifying work of Christ. 

Let us see how different churches hold diverse understandings of sainthood, shaped by a relationship with Christ, established tradition or liturgical practice in comparison of what is stated in Scripture. 

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that sainthood is a special status achieved by a select few, usually after death, based on evidence of a virtuous life and miracles attributed to the person. This status is conferred through a formal process called canonization, overseen by church authorities. Catholics often venerate these saints, pray for their intercession, and sometimes assign them as patrons over various causes or places. 

The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that sainthood is revealed by God through miracles and local veneration, not strictly through formal canonization. Community recognition leads to broader acceptance. The church does not require miracles but emphasizes evidence of virtue and prior veneration. Saints are considered alive in heaven, able to intercede for the living on earth. 

The Anglican Communion teaches that saints are viewed as holy individuals elevated by popular opinion, seen as examples in “elder brothers and sisters.” Official creeds recognize saints in heaven, and some Anglicans venerate them, especially in Anglo-Catholic traditions. However, invocation of saints is mostly discouraged. The term can apply both to biblical figures and exemplary Christians. 

Lutheranism teaches that saints are all Christians, living or dead. Lutherans honor certain saints for their exemplary lives and encourage learning from their virtues, but prayer to saints is prohibited. Saints may pray for the church, but are not mediators of salvation. Their liturgical calendars honor notable saints. 

Methodism teaches that saints are believed to be all Christians, yet the term is mainly reserved for biblical figures, martyrs, and influential Christian leaders. Methodists honor saints and observe ‘All Saints’ Day,’ but do not venerate or pray to them. 

In Protestant Churches, saints are used generally for all believers, anyone “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” Sainthood is interpreted as an imputed status, not earned by merit. Intercessory prayers to saints are usually rejected; as such treatment is seen as idolatry. 

As we see, the Bible views sainthood as a gift of grace for all Christians, not achieved by works; while the traditional view, especially in Catholicism, regards it as a special status for a few, conferred after rigorous examination of one’s deeds, often posthumously (after death). 

So, can anyone become a saint according to biblical teaching? Yes. 

When a person repents, believes in Jesus, and is spiritually united with Him, they are set apart by God and called a saint. This transformation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, received at the moment of conversion, and not something that can be earned through good works or human effort. The biblical concept emphasizes that all believers, regardless of their background or past, who put their trust in Christ are saints, holy and special in God’s sight. 

The Bible contains many passages that explain who qualifies as a saint. These passages consistently teach that saints are those who are believers in Jesus Christ, set apart by God, and called to live holy lives through their faith: 

1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse highlights that all who call upon Jesus as Lord are considered saints, set apart and sanctified in Christ. 

Romans 1:7: “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people (saints): Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Saints here are defined as those who are loved by God and called to holiness. 

Ephesians 1:1: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.” Paul consistently uses “saints” to describe all believers in Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 1:1: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” Again, saints refers to every believer united with Christ, not just a special group. 

1 Peter 1:14-16: “As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” This echoes the call for saints to live in holiness, grounded in God’s own character. 

Acts 9:13, 32; Romans 16:2; Ephesians 4:12: Various passages in Acts and the epistles show “saints” as ordinary, living Christians, not a select group, and describe the expected character of saints as set apart, consecrated, and involved in the work of evangelization (Matthew 28:19-20). 

In summary, the biblical passages emphasize that anyone who believes in Christ, is sanctified by God, and is called to live a holy life qualifies as a saint. 

Christianity is not about signing up for a religion. Christianity is about being born into the family of God (John 3:3). It is a relationship. Just as an adopted child has no power to create an adoption, we have no power to join the family of God by our own efforts. We can only accept His invitation to know Him as Father through adoption (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15). When we join His family through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside our hearts (1 Corinthians 6:19; Luke 11:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22). 

If you have turned away from your sins and trusted in Jesus and what He has done on the cross, you are a saint, a “holy one.” It means God has set you apart for His special purposes in this world and has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. The Holy Spirit is at work in you to transform your life so that you reflect the Ultimate Holy One, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

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