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Why don't Baptist churches recognize the Saints with the same authority that Catholics do?
In the New Testament every believer was called a saint. For example, Paul started his letter to the church at Corinth:
“To the church of God which is at Corinth….saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB)
If you are a believer, you are a saint. Congratulations! Saint just means someone “set apart" for God. But are some believers more important than others, or in a special class? Paul made it clear that while some believers had more visible ministries, yet all were just as necessary to the church. He said we are all like different parts in the Body of Christ, the church:
“The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” (1 Corinthians 12:21-22)
You may be just a big toe hiding in a sock in the Body of Christ. But you’re just as important as someone who is highly visible because of the calling God gave them. Well known saints are just that—well known. But they are not go-betweens for us to get favor with God. Jesus already did that. The Bible never once records anyone praying to a dead believer to ask favors.
But should we follow the example of men and women who demonstrated unusual faith in God or service? Of course! In Hebrews 11 the writer gives a whole chapter of examples of people who left everything “in faith” to follow God. We should copy their example and be encouraged. Paul himself told the Corinthian church, “Follow my example as I follow Christ.” |
