CULT OF THE SAINTS

Definition: The worship or veneration of saints is a very ancient religious practice within the Catholic Church, both East and West, which has its foundation in the belief in the Communion of Saints, that is, in the conviction that all Christians, both living and dead, are united to Christ, and therefore,  They can intercede with each other and help each other spiritually.

Source: https://www.elcampesino.co/culto-los-santos-donde-viene/

Context: According to historical records, the practice of the cult of the saints has its origin in the late first and early second centuries during the beginning of the bloody persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire, when the first martyrs began to emerge: those Christians who were tortured,  and cruelly murdered for confessing their faith in Jesus Christ.

The Christians of that time saw in the martyrs true heroes and perfect testimonies of Christ and began to classify them as "saints", because they believed that the martyrs at the very moment of their death were reborn to eternal life. In this context and during the course of the first three centuries of our era, Christians began to turn to the "saints" to implore their intercession and thus obtain material and spiritual help such as healing, protection, and courage.

During this time, the tombs of martyrs became favorite places of worship. After the executions, the remains of the martyrs were recovered, kept, and deposited by Christians in catacombs or secret tombs, and every year in commemoration of the anniversary of the martyr's death, relatives and friends gathered around the remains for a liturgical celebration, thus giving rise to the cult of the saints.

Several of the proofs that prove that the cult of the saints originated in the early Church are found in the acts of the martyrs, as shown for example in the act of martyrdom of St. Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle St. John and bishop of Smyrna and who died at the stake in the year 155. In this act it is mentioned: "We were able to collect the bones of the martyr, more valuable than precious stones and more precious than pure gold, which we deposited in a convenient place. There, as far as it is possible for us, gathered in joy and joy, the Lord will grant us to celebrate the birth of the martyrdom of Polycarp, in memory of those who have already finished their combat and exercise and preparation of those who still have to fight."

Over time, the tombs of the "saints" became places of pilgrimage, and churches began to rise on these tombs, as happened on Vatican Hill, an ancient cemetery on the outskirts of Rome, where St. Peter's Basilica was built over the tomb of the apostle.

By the beginning of the fourth century, the practice of veneration or worship of saints was already so deep-rooted that the Council of Nicaea in 325 decreed that every altar of a Church should house in its foundations relics of martyrs or of some saint.

By the middle of the fourth century, not only the cult of holy martyrs but also the cult of other Christian "saints," such as some hermits and confessors, who died leading exemplary lives, began to spread rapidly as Christianity spread throughout the globe.   And just as it happened with the martyrs, the relics of these other saints began to be venerated, and temples began to be erected over their graves.

SOURCE: https://www.elcampesino.co/culto-los-santos-donde-viene/

What is Veneration?

"Veneration is the act and result of venerating (worshipping, respecting something or someone to the maximum). The concept, which comes from the Latin term veneratĭo, is often used in the field of religion." (It is important to note the difference between the use of the word "veneration" and "adoration", since many times the use of the word "veneration" in this context is limited to a respect or reverence for people or objects such as: garments, medals, scapulars, holy cards, images, etc. and in this way justify the difference of performing an act of veneration and adoration,  when in fact the act of veneration is intimately linked to the worship of God, who is the only One who deserves praise, Glory, Honor, reverence, exaltation, which describes the act of venerating and adoring Him).

"Beyond the religious, the idea of veneration in this context that is not focused on God is associated with idolatry and the feelings generated by popular figures. For example: A rock band, in this sense, can generate veneration among young people: the group's followers can spend several sleepless nights to get tickets to a concert, wait for musicians at the door of a hotel, get a tattoo of the band's name, etc."

REFERENCES

Authors: Julián Pérez Porto and María Merino. Published: 2015. Updated: 2016.

Definition of: Definition of veneration (https://definicion.de/veneracion/)

The cult of the saints biblically never existed and is not accepted by God. Worship and worship belong to God alone. That was one of the temptations that Satan used with Jesus in the desert, he seeks to be worshipped and worshipped and hides behind idolatry.

Deuteronomy 13:4 "You must follow and worship the Lord your God alone. Keep His commandments and obey Him. serve him and remain faithful to him."

Bible verses that support this position:

The enemy (Satan) rises up with a deceiving power:

"Lying wonders" refers to genuine supernatural miracles that trick people into accepting a lie. It is possible that these demonstrations of the supernatural will even be seen on television around the world. Millions will be impressed, deceived and persuaded by this apparent charismatic leader because they have no deep commitment or love for the truth of God's Word. Both Paul's words (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) and Jesus' words (Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and perform great signs and wonders, so that they will deceive, if possible, even the elect.") must warn believers against the assumption that everything miraculous comes from God.

People who preferred lies, preferred deception and fell into Satan's trap with those wonders and signs.

Many times, when supernatural things happen, attributing them to God, ignoring that there is also an evil and deceiving power to lead many to perdition, making them believe things that contradict the Bible which is the pure Word of God.

The Bible tells us that by knowing the truth, the truth will set us free (John 8:31-32), free from doctrinal error, and knowing the true teaching about eternal life, salvation, worship, is what testifies to us about Jesus, etc. (John 5:39). The apostle Peter himself recognized in Jesus words of life (John 6:68). The apostle Paul also instructs Timothy as to the teaching purposes and instruction that God's Word gives us, which protect us from error so as not to fall into customs and traditions that pervert the true meaning of the gospel (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The fact that a person lives a Christian life, in faith, obedience, good example, facing battles and persecutions, suffering, shortages, illness, or different adverse situations, does not mean that he should be worshipped even if he becomes a martyr. In the light of the Word we find the example of Stephen, the first martyr of the Church (Acts 7) and he died in defense of the Gospel, He was a deacon, full of the Holy Spirit, chosen by God, within his defense he presented Jesus as Lord and Savior showing us how we can approach Jesus directly since he is our savior and reconciler with God. After this fact the remaining apostles did not speak of Stephen worshiping him, they continued to preach of Christ.

Likewise, God spoke through his prophets regarding the need for instruction:

Moreover, in the Word we find in the book of Hebrews that a life in faith leads to facing difficult situations.

In addition, our Lord Jesus Christ declared that the Christian life would often not be easy, but that He also promises to help us and to have as our greatest joy when we suffer for the sake of the Kingdom.

And he declared great rewards (Matthew 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or land for my sake will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.")

So also the apostle Peter declared diligence, study, and dedication to the Scriptures of the prophets regarding the messages of salvation (1 Peter 1:10 "The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was destined for you, inquired and diligently inquired about this salvation,") How much more do we now as Christ's church need to know this good news and be prepared as bearers of the sound doctrine of hope in Jesus (Romans 10:15 "And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: !! How beautiful are the feet of those who preach peace, of those who preach good news!")

We can also see that for the expansion of the good news of salvation, God has bestowed gifts on His church for the purpose of honoring and glorifying His holy name, which are not human capacities but in supernatural abilities bestowed by the Holy Spirit; These gifts can be manifested in signs and wonders, such as: gift of healing, gift of miracles, etc. (Note: these gifts come from God and are to glorify the name of God, He gives them to His church, so that while these servants are here on earth working for the kingdom of heaven,  signs are performed that strengthen the church in faith and that many more believe and be added to the church of the Lord; As this is a power that comes from God and a person alone cannot do these miracles and much less when he dies, since God gives these here on earth for the church for the expansion of the kingdom so that more people believe in the redemptive work of Christ).

We know that there are different spiritual gifts, gifts that come from the Holy Spirit and are from God, these gifts are to glorify the name of God:

These gifts as we can see God distributes to His Church, when these members are serving,  that is, in life with the sole purpose of showing the Glory and Power of God and thus also bringing more souls to the feet of Christ to be saved, which goes according to the Word, as opposed to the deceiving power that does NOT go according to the Word of God and that this power is to perdition.

We see many manifestations of the gifts in the apostles and disciples of Jesus, even when they went to the Gentiles and other lands preaching that they might be converted from their old beliefs and follow the truth, whom the Jews had crucified, that is, Christ alone.

We see the example of Peter, the Bible says that they put the sick in their shadow and that they were healed, what we are seeing here is the power of God and anointing of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself in one of his servants.

In this passage the following points are fulfilled:

Another point that the Word tells us is that Jesus is our deliverer, there were many being tormented by Satan and his disciples in the name of Jesus liberated the oppressed, demon-possessed, and healed the sick, among other things.

Something distinctive about this that we can see is:

In conclusion, there are several aspects that are not according to the Word regarding the saints:

Jeremiah talks about the statues and images that humans create to worship, which makes no sense, they are statues created by human beings that have no power, in fact, we even carry them because they cannot even walk, they worship them believing that they will do something but in the Bible it clearly tells us: "NOR CAN THEY DO EVIL,  THEY DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO DO GOOD"

on the other hand, the one who does not recognize Jesus outside of him. So this person no longer has contact with the earth and the things that happen on it.

Reflection: People who have died are not aware of what happens on earth to the living.

Reflection: A deceased person cannot be roaming the earth with the living, this is also seen in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, when it is seen that there are only two destinies after death and that they cannot return from them.

WORSHIP GOD

Many people get carried away by what an authority says about God, instead of going directly to God's Word. What does the Holy Bible really say about worship? Who should we really worship? LET'S BELIEVE THE TRUE GOD AND NOT A HUMAN.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan wanted Jesus to kneel (kneeling is a symbol of worship). He rebuked him, replying, "Then Jesus said to him, 'Go away, Satan,' for it is written, ' The Lord your God you shall worship, and him only shall you serve.'"(Matthew 4:10)

The Magi worshipped only Jesus

And when they entered the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and WORSHIPPED HIM (JESUS ALONE); and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  (Matthew 2:11) 

Peter refused to let them bow down before him.

When Peter entered, Cornelius came out to meet him, and fell down at his feet and worshipped.

But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Get up, for I myself am a man." (Acts 10:25-26) 

Angels reject worship

I, John, am the one who saw and heard all these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, "No, you don't worship me. I am a servant of God just like you and your brothers the prophets, as are all who obey what is written in this book. Worship God alone!" (Revelation 22:8-9)

Paul and Barnabas rejected every kind of human honor toward their persons (read the context).

and saying, Men, why do you do this? We also are men like you, who proclaim to you that from these vanities you turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.

(Acts 14:15)

The Virgin Mary should not be adored, but loved, respected, and not worshipped.

Then Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has beheld the lowliness of his servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.  (Luke 1:46-48)

Mary acknowledges God as Savior. She also needs a savior because she is a sinner like us, and who needs salvation? The lost. In the angel's greeting to Mary he tells her that "The Holy Being who will be born will be by the work of the Holy Spirit" completely the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus does not carry any cell, nor blood of Mary. Why? Jesus is completely holy and Mary had sins.

IN HEAVEN ONLY THE FATHER AND THE SON ARE WORSHIPPED, AND HERE ON EARTH IT MUST ALSO BE THE SAME.

Is veneration the same as worship?

Many use that justification to "venerate" someone other than Christ Jesus, yet it is the same condition found in the Ephesians. They venerated Diana and even created images of her and temples to venerate her. Paul in his journey and preaching of Jesus along with his companions show that Jesus Christ is the ONLY one worthy of all worship, praise, and veneration (Acts 18-19).

But have I received answered prayers and miracles or has an angel, my great-grandmother, the virgin, etc., appeared to me? What about those signals? CARE! Do not think that God is the only one who does signs:

"And it is no wonder, because Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light."  2 Corinthians 11:14

"The coming of this wicked one, which is the work of Satan, will be accompanied by great power and deceitful signs and wonders, and with all falsehood and iniquity to those who are perishing, because they would not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

CARE! THE BIBLE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF. Yes, God has already said that only HE and no one else are worshipped.

"But if we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you any gospel other than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I repeat it even now: If anyone preaches to you a different gospel than that which you have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9

There are many passages in the Bible where they talk about worshipping, worshipping, and worshipping God alone and no one else.

"Only the Lord your God must you follow and worship. Keep His commandments and obey Him.  serve Him and remain faithful to Him."

(Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV).