Huntington Church of Christ

The New Testament teaches a man must be called to be a saint. "God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). In the second epistle Paul describes how that "calling" takes place! "He called you through our gospel" (2 Thessalonians 2:14). This is why the Christians at Rome were referred to as "...the beloved of God, called to be saints" (Romans 1:7). They had been called through the gospel and obeyed its commands. All men are called to be saints (sanctified in Christ Jesus) through His Word. Sadly, not all men will come.

To become a saint we must believe Jesus is the Son of God. Paul used the term "saint" interchangeably with the phrase "them that believed" in 2 Thessalonians 1:10. The believers/saints will glorify and marvel when Jesus returns from heaven with His angels (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Note that verse 10 indicates they believed the apostles testimony (the gospel that called them out of sin).

To become a saint I must turn from sin and turn to Jesus, making Him the Lord of my life. This is repentance. In 2 Timothy 2:14-21 Paul wrote, "...Let everyone that nameth the name of the Lord depart unrighteousness...If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work"

We are told in 1 Peter 3:15 that those who sanctify Christ in their heart as Lord are always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks a reason concerning their hope. The saint of Christ Jesus is always willing to confess his faith in Him. If I am ashamed of Christ and His Word, I cannot be a saint (Matthew 10:32,33; Romans 1:16).

One becomes a saint when upon his belief, repentance, and confession he is sanctified through baptism. When Paul wrote to "the church of God which is at Corinth," he described them as being "sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints..." (1 Corinthians 1:2). He explains how and when this sanctification took place in chapter six, "...but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ..." When they were washed (baptized) they were sanctified. Notice the actual event which is recorded in Acts 18:8, "and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized". To become saints the Corinthians had to believe the words taught and obey them.

As a result of obedience we are sanctified. The rewards of sainthood are described by Paul in Acts 26:18 "...they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance..." This is how one really becomes a saint. When compared to the Roman Catholic process of sainthood we are amazed at the simplicity and fairness of our Creator. He is truly wise. "...The world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the preaching to save them that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ