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Quote from: pppp on Mon Aug 24, 2026 - 03:34:38The Israel of today is the same as the Israel of the Bible.

I don't think I agree?  It kind of depends what you mean by "Israel."

The way God defines it seems to be in terms of belief and obedience.  Modern Israel is not that.

Quote from: Amo on Sat Sep 12, 2026 - 19:22:03More concerning Ignatius' seeming death wish. Salvation it would seem, by a literal death of martyrdom. I wonder, is martyrdom really martyrdom, if it is what one truly desires above all else? Does Holy Scripture call us to seek out, pray for, dwell upon, and ask our brethren to participate as well, with our martyrdom?

Martyrdom isn't just the dying part.  The more important part is the testimony of the condemned.

Quote from: Wycliffes_Shillelagh on Mon Sep 14, 2026 - 13:42:08Martyrdom isn't just the dying part.  The more important part is the testimony of the condemned.

its easy to see that some destroy the meaning of martyr and violite the warning not to add or subtract the original meaning  from one holy  word   Deuteronomy 4:2

The Original Meaning of "Martyr"

The Greek word μάρτυς (martys) literally means "witness." Nothing more and nothing less.

 The law of interpretation protects the one "author" and "finisher" "the one who gives his understanding --- do not add new meaning to one word. . It can change all the loving commandments.  Found in Deuteronomy 4:2 another at the end(Rev22) do not add or subtract.

Two working to protect the integrity of Christ the invisible author. The just and justifier our Holy father Christ

A martyr is anyone who testifies to the truth of God's Word, often at the cost of their life, but the emphasis is on faithful witness, not the act of dying itself.----all die in the end

In Sola Scriptural   John the Baptist, Stephen, and the apostles were martyrs because they witnessed God's truth, even unto death.

 Institutional confusion---- Catholic oral tradition  emphasizes suffering or death as a kind of works-righteousness making dying mankind venerable, praise worthy of prayer . .

This can falsely lead to a mindset where the act of dying for faith becomes a venerable merit, rather than faithfulness of Christ being the witness---  yoked with Christ .

True Christian witness is faithful living-- testifying to sola scriptura God's Word not achieving reward through martyrdom. In that way "let the dead bury the dead "

All Believers Are "Martyrs" in the true biblical sense. Every believer who testifies to God's living word--- whether through preaching , obedience, or enduring persecution, is a witness.(martyr ) Death may or may not occur, but the key is faithful testimony. Christ in us

In that sense, all believers are martyrs, because every life lived in obedience is a testimony to God.

The unseen witness of Christ must be mixed with that which is seen the temporal historical dying .  No unseen gospel version given to the father of lies .Not subject to the gospel . .His vision the tip of his lying nose what the eyes see  no hidden manna-- daily bread no understanding of the parables

Thank you Wycliffes_Shillelagh for your reply.

The Israel of today is the same as the Israel of the Bible.
The Children of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob by blood.

 The Holy Bible also mentions that ultimately all those who believe in Christ will also become the children of Abraham spiritually.

And so Israel will include  the present day Israel who are Children of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob by blood & the children of Abraham spiritually.

And so God loves both the Christians & the children of Abraham by blood.
And to understand this, one first needs to understand the nature of God.
The Holy Bible clearly teaches believers that God's promises are not like shifting shadows.
When He makes a promise, He already knows that He will not take them back.

And God already knows the future.
He made the beginning already knowing the future & before the future comes, He made the beginning.
This shows that when God promises, He knows exactly what He's doing.
And God doesn't do favouritism.
In whatever He does, He has a divine purpose.

So when He chose Israel, He already knew why He had chosen them above others.
He knew that through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Leah, would come Judah & through him, Our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ.
The first time, Christ came, He came through Israel,
the children of Abraham through blood.
And the Second time again, Christ will come through the children of Abraham through blood.
And that's given in the Holy Bible.

That is why Scripture says, that after Satan along with his two evil accomplices comes to persecute the Jews,
Christ will come & throw the unholy trio in the abyss & save the Jewish community.
(Revelation 13, Revelation 20;7-10,)
And after seeing this, the Jewish people will begin to believe in the Blessed Messiah.
And so they along with the Christians, will also enter Heaven with an eternal life.
And so Israel will contain both the Jews who are children of Abraham through blood & the Christians who will believe in Our Lord Christ.
Thus the prophecy of God will be fulfilled according to Scripture.
Amen.
Ecclesiastes 3:1: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Isaiah 60:22: "When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen."

Habakkuk 2:3: "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."


God's everlasting love for Israel (the children of Abraham through blood & the present & future Israel)

Deuteronomy 14:2 – "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession."

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 – "The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors." God chose them out of His own love and faithfulness.

Genesis 12:3 – "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." God promises protection and blessing to the descendants of Abraham.

Romans 11:1-2 – "Did God reject his people? By no means!... God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew."
Romans 11:29 – "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."

Jeremiah 31:35-37 tells about God's commitment to the nation of Israel.
God compares His commitment to the nation of Israel just like the fixed laws the sun, moon, and stars,
stating that only if these natural laws ever fail will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before Him.

And since these laws will never fail, so God's love for the nation of Israel (the children of Abraham through blood), will remain forever.
Amen.

Quote

CHAP. VII.—REASON OF DESIRING TO DIE.

The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome] help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet prefer this world to Him. Let not envy find a dwelling-place among you; nor even should I, when present with you, exhort you to it, be ye persuaded, but rather give credit to those things which I now write to you. For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything; but there is living water springing up in me,4 and which says to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.

Ignatius of Antioch, "The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans," in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 77.

Jhn 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Psa 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: 14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Psa 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. 22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Psa 30:1 A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. 9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? 10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. 11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psa 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. 18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. 19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. 20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. 21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. 22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. 23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. 24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. 25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. 26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. 27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Psa 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

CHAP. VII.—REASON OF DESIRING TO DIE.

......I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
John 6:35
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
Luke 22:19
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:51

CHAP. VII.—REASON OF DESIRING TO DIE.

The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome] help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet prefer this world to Him. Let not envy find a dwelling-place among you; nor even should I, when present with you, exhort you to it, be ye persuaded, but rather give credit to those things which I now write to you. For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything; but there is living water springing up in me,4 and which says to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch.



So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:17   

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." — John 7:38

Matthew 16:24
 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
Luke 9:24

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:14

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

      

Quote from: pppp on Sat Sep 19, 2026 - 17:38:45CHAP. VII.—REASON OF DESIRING TO DIE.

The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome] help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet prefer this world to Him. Let not envy find a dwelling-place among you; nor even should I, when present with you, exhort you to it, be ye persuaded, but rather give credit to those things which I now write to you. For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die for the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me that loves anything; but there is living water springing up in me,4 and which says to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch.



So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:17   

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." — John 7:38

Matthew 16:24
 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
Luke 9:24

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:14

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

      

All truth. None of which demonstrates an unhealthy desire to be torn apart by wild animals, and asking brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for the same fate for you.

Amo, When people talk about Saints,
it should be known, that the way Saints thought was way different from how the ordinary people thought or think about their life.
Being a Saint is not an ordinary life,
it means completely surrendering to the will of God, without questioning God.

And that's showing complete trust.
The lives of many Saints was not full of joy, rather a trying life,
which meant standing up for the protection of the Christian people,
being a defender of light,
& not giving up on the Christian faith despite repeated threats or facing persecution.

When an ordinary person tries to save their life,
the Saint is willing to martyr his life,
because an earthly life doesn't mean anything to them,
they know that their ultimate destination is Heaven,
where illumination exists,
where there is the sacred presence of Christ,
& where there is pure light.

The life of a Saint was never meant for comfort & self protection,
their lives was an imitation of the suffering of earlier Saints,
who stood up for what was right.
Saints lived hard frugal lives because they never pleased their earthly wishes,
but rather prepared to enter Heaven.
It's because of their sacrifices that today many Christians live lives of joy, peace & comfort.
They gave their today for the tomorrow of other Christians.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch was a Christian Saint & martyr,
worthy of great respect & reverence.

He was a servant of Our Beloved Christ & walked in His footsteps of devotion, serving & saving humanity.
And Christ recognizes His own,
Amen.

It does not matter what the denomination of a Saint is,
what matters is their sacrifice, their devotion, their faith,
their love for both God & the Christians.
And they deserve respect not only because they were Martyrs but also because they were Christian brethren.
And all the Christians in the world belong to one family, whose Head is Blessed Christ.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13

Quote from: pppp on Sun Sep 20, 2026 - 10:58:45Amo, When people talk about Saints,
it should be known, that the way Saints thought was way different from how the ordinary people thought or think about their life.
Being a Saint is not an ordinary life,
it means completely surrendering to the will of God, without questioning God.

And that's showing complete trust.
The lives of many Saints was not full of joy, rather a trying life,
which meant standing up for the protection of the Christian people,
being a defender of light,
& not giving up on the Christian faith despite repeated threats or facing persecution.

When an ordinary person tries to save their life,
the Saint is willing to martyr his life,
because an earthly life doesn't mean anything to them,
they know that their ultimate destination is Heaven,
where illumination exists,
where there is the sacred presence of Christ,
& where there is pure light.

The life of a Saint was never meant for comfort & self protection,
their lives was an imitation of the suffering of earlier Saints,
who stood up for what was right.
Saints lived hard frugal lives because they never pleased their earthly wishes,
but rather prepared to enter Heaven.
It's because of their sacrifices that today many Christians live lives of joy, peace & comfort.
They gave their today for the tomorrow of other Christians.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch was a Christian Saint & martyr,
worthy of great respect & reverence.

He was a servant of Our Beloved Christ & walked in His footsteps of devotion, serving & saving humanity.
And Christ recognizes His own,
Amen.

It does not matter what the denomination of a Saint is,
what matters is their sacrifice, their devotion, their faith,
their love for both God & the Christians.
And they deserve respect not only because they were Martyrs but also because they were Christian brethren.
And all the Christians in the world belong to one family, whose Head is Blessed Christ.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13

Different people and denominations define what a saint is differently.  I judge who is or is not a saint, by their submission to the world of God or not. Of course saints will be willing to die for their faith. True faith requires the death of every believer, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Without our spiritual death first in Christ, our literal deaths mean nothing concerning the faith.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

All the saved in Christ Jesus are saints. There is no special class of people above all their brethren in the body of Christ. All will either choose to die in Christ unto a new creature, or remain the old man. The former are saved, the latter are lost.

No one is or will be a saint simply because someone labeled them as such at one time. In the end, God will determine who the saints were, and who were not. There are people called saints by certain denominations who both broke and have taught the breaking of God's commandments, even to the point of persecuting and killing others.

Ignatius teaches as I understand it, extra biblical teachings which contradict the plain testimony of Holy Scripture. Including his fixation upon a death of being torn apart by wild animals, and admonishing his brethren to pray for this end for him as well. An attitude I find demonstrated nowhere else in Holy Scripture by our Lord, His apostles, or His prophets. I have serious questions about his status as a saint or not. You are of course free to believe as you wish.

The members of the church are referred to as the saints many times in the New Testament. The book of Revelation adds further detail to just exactly who the saints are.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Thanks Amo for your reply.
I've understood your point of view.
There were other Saints too who welcomed or requested their martyrdom rather than accepting to be freed,
because they saw death for the Christian faith as the ultimate union with Our Beloved Saviour Christ.

Saint Peter the Apostle-According to earlier tradition, when he was sentenced to be crucified,
he actively requested to be crucified upside down because he thought of himself as being unworthy to die in the same way as Beloved Jesus.

Saint Andrew the Apostle- Tradition holds that when Saint Andrew was led to the X-shaped cross where he was to be ex*cuted.
He cried out, ''O good cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord, long have I desired thee, ardently have I loved thee, unceasingly have I sought thee, and now thou art ready for my eager soul. Receive me from among men and restore me to my Master, so that He, who redeemed me through thee, shalt receive me through thee.
Amen.


 Saint Lawrence (258 AD).

Saint Sebastian (c. AD 255 – c. AD 288)- After being tied to a post,
sh*t with arrows & left for dead by ...archers,
he was secretly rescued & nursed back to his proper health by Saint Irene of Rome.
But once he recovered, instead of fleeing Rome to save his life,
he purposely placed himself in the path of an Emperor to openly rebuke him for his cruelty towards the Christian people.
This deliberate second confrontation led to his direct re-arrest & ex*cution. And he totally refused the chance to save his life.

I'm continuing my post ...

In fact, there are many who may not even have been called Saints,
yet they devotion towards the Christian faith,
their desire to suffer persecution than forsake Christ,
is also an act of Saintliness.
Almost in every era, Christians have suffered persecution.

And Churches were broken, relics were taken away,
people were forcefully converted down the ages,
& there were times when Kings & knights were so small in number that the common man had to come forward to defend Christendom against a huge number of heathen.
And many Christian Kings or Knights gave up their lives defending Christendom.

Had it not been for their acts of determination & courage,
an entire population would have either been lost or converted by force.
These Christian Kings, Knights & the common men who stood up to defend their lands, people & the Churches, with Christ in their hearts, showing courage & selflessness, was also an act of Saintliness.

And these were the people who joined together despite being of different Christian denominations but what was important was that they were all one in Christ.

Whether the Chosen servants belong to a particular denomination or a different one,
what matters is that they were in themselves righteous people.
These were the people who were selfless & despite the odds stacked against them,
they rose with the Holy Cross, carrying it with faith in God,
& giving up their lives,
but saving those behind them.

These were true stories of courage, resilience & the love for Christ.
Whether the Saints or these people (who were also Saintly),
but they all truly deserve respect & reverence.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:13

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:4-5

How good and pleasant it is
when God's people live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8

I appeal to you, family of believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 1:10

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16:18

        

Our Holy Bible also tells us about Saints ....

Revelation 7
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"

13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

14 I answered, "Sir, you know."

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,

"they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
16 'Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,'
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
'he will lead them to springs of living water.'
    'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'



Revelation 20:4
New International Version
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Yes, the Holy Scriptures do speak often of the saints.

Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Act 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Act 9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Act 9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

Act 26:10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

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

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Rom 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

Rom 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

Rom 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Rom 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Rom 16:15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1Co 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

2Co 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2Co 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

2Co 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

2Co 13:13 All the saints salute you.

Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Php 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

Col 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

1Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

1Ti 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Phm 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Heb 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Rev 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Rev 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

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CHAP. VIII.—BE YE FAVOURABLE TO ME.

I no longer wish to live after the manner of men, and my desire shall be fulfilled if ye consent. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet no longer I, since Christ liveth in me." I entreat you in this brief letter: do not refuse me; believe me that I love Jesus, who was delivered [to death] for my sake. "What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits towards me?"7 Now God, even the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, shall reveal these things to you, [so that ye shall know] that I speak truly. And do ye pray along with me, that I may attain my aim in the Holy Spirit. I have not written to you according to the flesh, but according to the will of God. If I shall suffer, ye have loved me; but if I am rejected, ye have hated me.

Ignatius of Antioch, "The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans," in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 77.

Strange. So I guess if you are a "saint" and want to commit suicide via persecutors, that is just saintly. But if you aren't a special saint, and you want to die and end up having to effect such by yourself, well then you have committed a mortal sin. What sense does that make? If wanting to die so you can meet Jesus and doing it yourself is wrong, how can it be right if you want someone else to do it for you, and thereby make them commit murder?

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CHAP. IX.—PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN SYRIA.

Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria, which, instead of me, has now for its shepherd the Lord, who says, "I am the good Shepherd." And He alone will oversee it, as well as your love towards Him. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one born out of due time. But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to God. My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches which have received me in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passerby. For even those Churches which were not near to me in the way, have brought me forward, city by city.

Ignatius of Antioch, "The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans," in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 77.

Apostle Paul copycat.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Quote by Amo.
Yesterday at 09:26:51
Yes, the Holy Scriptures do speak often of the saints.

Amo, thanks for your reply.
Yes, the Holy Scriptures speak of Saints.
And even after the time of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the coming eras,
there were many Holy people who did wonderful deeds, performed miracles & healed.
In fact some were both religious leaders & warriors.
These were the people who gave up their lives to save the lives of others.
Then there were those who refused to forsake the Christian faith even though they lost their lives.
Even in this era, there are many good people who have stood up or are standing up for the Christians & there have been blessed Saints too.

In every Christian denomination, there are good people.
In the past, when heathen were attack*ng the Christians in many parts of the world,
it was from all denominations that good, upright & very brave religious Heads, Knights & kings,
who though were heavily outnumbered,

yet stood up against the might of the heathen numbers,
& though the battle appeared one sided as the heathen were numerous,
but miraculously the Christian Kings, knights & warriors (which even included the common man sometimes),
won.

The way they used to win was in itself amazing.
And on many occasions, it was because of these Saints, religious Heads, Christian Kings, knights & warriors (which even included the common man sometimes),
that the Christian people survived.

Otherwise the state of the Christians would have been so sad.
But because of these brave & upright people,
the Churches were saved, the Christians were saved, & Christianity was saved.

This showed the divine intervention of God & where God stands,
nothing can overcome,
Amen.


So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10   

But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

I love you, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1-2

Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

        

https://bibleask.org/who-are-the-saints-according-to-the-bible/

Quote below from link above. A good study regarding saints.

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The Bible describes saints as those who are set apart by God, living in accordance with His will, and dedicated to His service. In the Old Testament, saints are primarily the faithful people of Israel, while in the New Testament, the term extends to all believers in Christ.

Saints are characterized by their holiness, faithfulness, love, and service. They play a vital role in God's plan, both in their present witness and service and in their future reward and eternal presence with God. Revelation depicts the saints as those who endure trials, remain faithful, and are ultimately rewarded with eternal blessings. Understanding the nature and role of saints helps believers grasp their identity and purpose in God's kingdom.