What makes a "Saint"?

With the upcoming Halloween traditions about to get into full swing, I thought it would be helpful to examine that day's origins. The word "Halloween" comes from the name "All Hallows Eve". "All Hallows Eve" is the day before "All Hallows", or as it's known today, "All Saints' Day". "All Saints' Day" is a celebration that was instituted by one of many state religions, known as Catholicism, about 100 years after that religion was established in the 3rd century. The purpose of this celebration was to honor martyrs, those who had been put to death for their faith in Christ.

While we're examining origins here, let's take a moment to talk about that word "martyr". Our English word "martyr" comes from the Greek word "mártys", which simply means "witness". Technically, then, Catholics observe a celebration of all witnesses for Christ. How does one become a witness for Christ?

Step 1 is to believe and receive; believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again to take the punishment for your sins, and receive Him as your savior. That instantly makes you one of the elect - a born-again, adopted son of God.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12-13

Another word that the Bible uses for "the elect" is "saints". That's right - if you have received Christ as your savior, you have become a saint. Pretty cool, eh? Step 2 is to fulfill the great commission. Tell others about Christ!

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15

It's fascinating to me to think about how one of the world's major religions honors ME, as well as all my brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, once each year without even realizing it. What's scary about this concept is that this is a celebration in honor of MEN. Do you see the problem yet? GOD is the only one worthy of all honor, glory, and praise, right? As men created in His image, our purpose on the earth is solely to honor and glorify HIM, not ourselves! Even if we take the meaning of "All Saints' Day" and "martyr" as the Catholics intend, there's still a major problem; it's the worship of the DEAD, not God. No wonder "Halloween" grew over time out of this Catholic concept!

Ever since Adam's day of sin in the garden, there have been saints; that is, those who believed in the Messiah's atonement for our sin. Before Christ came, men were saved by faith in the COMING Messiah. They expressed their faith through sacrifice. They spilled a spotless lamb's blood, just as Jesus' sinless blood would some day be spilled for us all.

There are still saints today. Today, men are still saved by faith in the Messiah's atonement for our sin. The only difference is that the expression of faith has changed, because Jesus' work on our behalf has been COMPLETED. Our baptism pictures Christ's death (going down), burial (being underwater), and resurrection (coming up), and symbolizes the washing away of sin. We eat unleavened bread, signifying His broken body, and we drink the fruit of the vine, signifying His blood spilled on our behalf.

I'll be spending this year's Halloween day in worship of God with other saints, celebrating Jesus' finished work on the cross for my sin. Would you like to join us?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." - Romans 10:9-10

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4