MEM

Yeshua (Jesus) is building His Church

Another dominant note of the New Testament church lay in the consecration of its members. "Saints" is one of the most frequently recurring designations for them that we find. As thus employed, the word has in the first place an objective meaning; the sainthood of the Christian society consisted in its separation from the world by God's electing grace; in this respect it has succeeded to the prerogatives of Israel under the old covenant. The members of the church, as Peter said, are "an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" (1Pe 2:9). But side by side with this sense of an outward and priestly consecration, the flame "saints" carried within it the thought of an ethical holiness--a holiness consisting, not merely in a status determined by relation to Christ, but in an actual and practical saintliness, a consecration to God that finds expression in character and conduct.

No doubt the members of the church are called saints even when the living evidences of sainthood are sadly lacking. Writing to the Corinthian church in which he found so much to blame, Paul addresses its members by this title (1Co 1:2). But he does so for other than formal reasons--not only because consecration to God is their outward calling and status as believers; but also because he is assured that a work of real sanctification is going on, and must continue to go on, in their bodies and their spirits which are His. For those who are in Christ are a new creation (2Co 5:17), and those to whom has come the separating and consecrating call (2Co 6:17) must cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2Co 7:1).

1Cor 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

2Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2Cor 6:17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

2Cor 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul looks upon the members of the church, just as he looks upon the church itself, with a prophetic eye; he sees them not as they are, but as they are to be. And in his view it is "by the washing of water with the word," in other words by the progressive sanctification of its members, that the church itself is to be sanctified and cleansed, until Christ can present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Eph 5:26-27).

Eph 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

• the action of making or declaring something, typically a church, sacred:
• the action of ordaining someone to a sacred office, typically that of bishop:

Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV) "For you are a people holy (H6942) to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Num 7:1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated (H6942) it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated (H6942) them.

Strongs Consecrate H6942 Qadash

(2) nazar, nezer (Num 6:7; Num 6:9; Num 6:12;) "separate".

2Chr 26:18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the LORD God."

In the New Testament teleioo, "to make perfect" (Heb 7:28); egkainizo, "to make new" (Heb 10:20 "dedicated").

Romans 1:7 … beloved of God, called to be saints…

Deut 33:3 … All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words.

1Sam 2:9 He will guard the feet of His saints…

Ps 16:3 As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."

Ps 106:16 … Aaron the saint of the LORD,

Matt 27:52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Acts 9:32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

Eph 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Rom 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dan 7:18 'But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever… 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

Zech 14:5 … Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.

Jude 1:14 …"Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

Rev 15:3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!

1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Rev 17:14 "…for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."

Proverbs 2:8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.

Prov 20:25 ESV ​​​​​​​​It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," ​​​​​​​and to reflect only after making vows. ​​​

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (NKJV) When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed -- Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Ps 30:4 Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Ps 31:23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful…

Ps 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.

Ps 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.

Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.

“Learned arguments do not make a man holy and righteous, whereas a good life makes him dear to God.”
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ