Pope John Paul II is not forgotten. He’s in the hearts of many as we approach the first anniversary, which falls on Sunday (April 2, 2006).
Visitors to Rome are flocking to his tomb, in the grotto underneath the massive dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he and 60 other popes are buried. One of the tombs is believed to be the last resting place of St. Peter.
But for the last year, John Paul’s tomb has been the main attraction.
Catholics and non-Catholics alike pray and place flowers at the Polish pope’s tomb, which is lighted for visitors and simply labeled, in Latin loannes Paulus PP II.
Many are already calling him John Paul the Great. He’s also on a fast track to being named a saint of the church. It’s no wonder.
Visitors to Rome are flocking to his tomb, in the grotto underneath the massive dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he and 60 other popes are buried. One of the tombs is believed to be the last resting place of St. Peter.
But for the last year, John Paul’s tomb has been the main attraction.
Catholics and non-Catholics alike pray and place flowers at the Polish pope’s tomb, which is lighted for visitors and simply labeled, in Latin loannes Paulus PP II.
Many are already calling him John Paul the Great. He’s also on a fast track to being named a saint of the church. It’s no wonder.
(By Jim Jones - Special to the Star-Telegram)
If you are not familiar with the process of sainthood in the Catholic Church, let me give you the basics. First, the candidate for sainthood is supposed to be dead for at least five years. That rule was waived for Mother Teresa and has also been waived for John Paul. Second, for beatification (sainthood), a miracle, attributed to John Paul's intercession after his death (that is a neat trick), must be declared authentic after a Vatican-appointed panel of medical experts rule out any worldly explanation for the healing. Then a second miracle, attributed to John Paul's intercession after his beatification (while still dead), would then be required to qualify for canonization, or conferring of sainthood.
I know that many in the world venerate John Paul, but what a messed up theology of sainthood. All this runs contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Sainthood is not conferred upon anyone after death. In fact, if John Paul was not a saint before he died, I can certainly tell you that he will never be a saint at all.
According to the Word of God, all genuine believers are truly saints. Part of the process of sainthood for John Paul is to examine his life, to see if he is virtuous enough to be conferred with the title of “Saint.” Yet, what saith the Scriptures?
1 Corinthians 1:1-2
1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Anyone who reads through the book of 1 Corinthians knows that not all who where in the Corinthian church were great heroes of the faith. Many of them struggled spiritually and yet all who were born-again were called “saints.”
Romans 1:1, 7
1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here we read that “all who are beloved of God in Rome” are “called as saints.” Biblically we may simplify this to “all who are beloved of God are saints.” The word “saint” literally means “holy one.” All who have trusted in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection as the only and sufficient payment for their sin and rebellion against God, who have been transformed by the power of the Spirit of God, have been made “holy” (set-apart for God’s use), that is, they are “saints.” There is no waiting process and the only miracle needed is the “new birth” (John 3:3) wrought by the sovereign hand of God, not one generated by the person after he or she dies.
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Again, these Ephesian believers were not dead when the apostle Paul wrote to them and yet they are “saints.”
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Contrary to what some may think, we see here that even the overseers (Elders) and deacons are also “saints” (said with sarcasm). The point is, all who are in Christ are saints by the will of God; not by the cries of people as heard at John Paul’s funeral; Santo Subito, or "Sainthood Now." Nor does sainthood come at the consent or hand of a council of men (bishops or otherwise). And there is no "fast track." No, sainthood is confirmed by the promise of God’s Word as one truly trusts in Jesus Christ. In John 1:12-13 we see the true process of sainthood:
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Here we read that we who have “received” Him have been given the right to be “children of God” (saints) and that such a position manifests itself by consistent believing (present active verb) in Him. But notice, this position is not the result of anything human, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,” but is the act of God. Beloved, may we live out our position before God as saints. Yes, we may often fail to live up to our calling, but let us strive after our calling, lives of holiness and lives that bring glory to God.
Ephesians 4:1
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling (as saints) with which you have been called…
Soli Deo Gloria,
If you are not familiar with the process of sainthood in the Catholic Church, let me give you the basics. First, the candidate for sainthood is supposed to be dead for at least five years. That rule was waived for Mother Teresa and has also been waived for John Paul. Second, for beatification (sainthood), a miracle, attributed to John Paul's intercession after his death (that is a neat trick), must be declared authentic after a Vatican-appointed panel of medical experts rule out any worldly explanation for the healing. Then a second miracle, attributed to John Paul's intercession after his beatification (while still dead), would then be required to qualify for canonization, or conferring of sainthood.
I know that many in the world venerate John Paul, but what a messed up theology of sainthood. All this runs contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Sainthood is not conferred upon anyone after death. In fact, if John Paul was not a saint before he died, I can certainly tell you that he will never be a saint at all.
According to the Word of God, all genuine believers are truly saints. Part of the process of sainthood for John Paul is to examine his life, to see if he is virtuous enough to be conferred with the title of “Saint.” Yet, what saith the Scriptures?
1 Corinthians 1:1-2
1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Anyone who reads through the book of 1 Corinthians knows that not all who where in the Corinthian church were great heroes of the faith. Many of them struggled spiritually and yet all who were born-again were called “saints.”
Romans 1:1, 7
1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here we read that “all who are beloved of God in Rome” are “called as saints.” Biblically we may simplify this to “all who are beloved of God are saints.” The word “saint” literally means “holy one.” All who have trusted in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection as the only and sufficient payment for their sin and rebellion against God, who have been transformed by the power of the Spirit of God, have been made “holy” (set-apart for God’s use), that is, they are “saints.” There is no waiting process and the only miracle needed is the “new birth” (John 3:3) wrought by the sovereign hand of God, not one generated by the person after he or she dies.
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Again, these Ephesian believers were not dead when the apostle Paul wrote to them and yet they are “saints.”
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Contrary to what some may think, we see here that even the overseers (Elders) and deacons are also “saints” (said with sarcasm). The point is, all who are in Christ are saints by the will of God; not by the cries of people as heard at John Paul’s funeral; Santo Subito, or "Sainthood Now." Nor does sainthood come at the consent or hand of a council of men (bishops or otherwise). And there is no "fast track." No, sainthood is confirmed by the promise of God’s Word as one truly trusts in Jesus Christ. In John 1:12-13 we see the true process of sainthood:
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Here we read that we who have “received” Him have been given the right to be “children of God” (saints) and that such a position manifests itself by consistent believing (present active verb) in Him. But notice, this position is not the result of anything human, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,” but is the act of God. Beloved, may we live out our position before God as saints. Yes, we may often fail to live up to our calling, but let us strive after our calling, lives of holiness and lives that bring glory to God.
Ephesians 4:1
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling (as saints) with which you have been called…
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Ed
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