What are Christian saints according to the Bible?
The word “saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious.” It is almost always used in the plural, “saints.” “…Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13). “Now as Peter was traveling through all those…
Is it true that the bodies of some saints are incorruptible?
The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches believe that the dead bodies of some of the saints remain miraculously incorruptible, that is, their bodies do not decay as the corpses of “normal” people would. Catholics claim that these saints’ bodies are supernaturally preserved as a fulfillment of Psalm 16:10, “Thou wilt not . . .…
Can people in heaven pray for us?
There is no biblical evidence that any created being in heaven can pray or intercede for humans on earth. This includes Mary, church fathers, apostles, saints, and angels. Despite the beliefs of certain branches of Christianity that place undue weight on tradition, the Bible offers no proof that people in heaven can pray for us…
What are patron saints?
In Catholic thinking, a saint is a deceased individual who, having achieved sanctification and a notable degree of holiness, is officially declared an intercessor to whom the living may pray. A patron saint is a saint who is looked to for protection and intercession by a person, a guild, or a place. For example, the…
What is the Immaculate Conception?
Many people mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ conception was most assuredly immaculate—that is, without the stain of sin—but the Immaculate Conception does not refer to Jesus at all. The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to Mary, Jesus’ mother. The…
What is Mariolatry?
Mariolatry is defined as “excessive veneration or worship of Mary, the mother of Jesus.” The word literally means “Mary-worship.” Protestants often accuse Catholics of Mariolatry, and Catholics deny the charge, insisting that they venerate Mary but stop short of giving her divine worship. The official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church is that God alone…
Was Mary sinless?
Mary the mother of Jesus was a godly and blessed woman, but she was not without sin. Jesus was the only human without sin. Jesus “had no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “In him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Nothing of the sort is ever said of Mary or anyone else. Jesus Christ is fully…
Are apparitions of Mary, such as Lady Fatima, true messages from God?
In Catholic tradition, there are many reported occurrences of Mary, angels, and/or saints appearing and delivering a message from God. It is likely that, at least in some of these cases, the people were genuinely seeing something supernatural. While some of what is seen in various places is perhaps the work of charlatans, other apparitions…
What are dulia, hyperdulia, and latria?
Dulia is a Greek word roughly equivalent to “service.” The word latria (or, in its ancient Greek form, latreia) is the Latin word for “worship.” In Roman Catholic teaching, latria is offered to God, but the saints receive dulia (veneration) and Mary is worthy of hyperdulia (“beyond service” or “super-veneration”). Catholicism draws a fine line…
Who is the Lady of Guadalupe? Were the apparitions of Mary at Guadalupe real?
In Catholicism, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico, pictured as a woman in a blue mantle. Her hands are folded, her eyes are cast downward, and she is surrounded by a radiant glow. She is standing on a crescent moon supported by an angel underneath. This image is based on a…