What Does it Take to Become a Saint?

The following is how one becomes a saint according to the "Church" (Catholic Church)  

This is an excerpt from http://www.catholic.org/saints/faq.php.

"How does the Church choose saints?

Canonization, the process the Church uses to name a saint, has only been used since the tenth century. For hundreds of years, starting with the first martyrs of the early Church, saints were chosen by public acclaim. Though this was a more democratic way to recognize saints, some saints' stories were distorted by legend and some never existed. Gradually, the bishops and finally the Vatican took over authority for approving saints.

In 1983, Pope John Paul II made sweeping changes in the canonization procedure. The process begins after the death of a Catholic whom people regard as holy. Often, the process starts many years after death in order give perspective on the candidate. The local bishop investigates the candidate's life and writings for heroic virtue (or martyrdom) and orthodoxy of doctrine. Then a panel of theologians at the Vatican evaluates the candidate. After approval by the panel and cardinals of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the pope proclaims the candidate "venerable."

The next step, beatification, requires evidence of one miracle (except in the case of martyrs). Since miracles are considered proof that the person is in heaven and can intercede for us, the miracle must take place after the candidate's death and as a result of a specific petition to the candidate. When the pope proclaims the candidate beatified or "blessed," the person can be venerated by a particular region or group of people with whom the person holds special importance.

Only after one more miracle will the pope canonize the saint (this includes martyrs as well). The title of saint tells us that the person lived a holy life, is in heaven, and is to be honored by the universal Church. Canonization does not "make" a person a saint; it recognizes what God has already done.

Though canonization is infallible and irrevocable, it takes a long time and a lot of effort. So while every person who is canonized is a saint, not every holy person has been canonized. You have probably known many "saints" in your life, and you are called by God to be one yourself."

We find out that this is a false teaching propagated by the Catholic Church.  

Here is what the Bible says it takes to become a saint.

1 Corinthians 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:

How does God call people today?

God calls people today by the gospel.

1 Corinthians Chapter 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: Once you have trusted in that gospel, you become a saint of the Most High God.  There is no need of confirmed miracles, no evidence of clean living, or anything else.  This is a spiritual transaction that takes place.  The Spirit of God is there and that is all of the evidence God needs.  When He looks at you now, all He sees is you have been placed into Christ.  That is what it takes to be saint. Grace and Peace, Greg Resor Complete in Him

Sorry, You Cannot Fulfill the "Great" Commission

Many churches today speak of the great commission as their purpose statement.  

Mark 16:15 KJV

[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

This is a great goal to have, but Peter and the 11 were not going to be able to fulfill that commission during their time until Jesus Christ comes back after the seven year tribulation period.  The bad news is, you cannot fulfill that commission either.

Matthew 10:22-23 KJV

[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. …

Notice that Christ tells them that they will not have gone over all of the cities of Israel before He comes back; therefore, they could not preach their gospel to the whole world until after Christ comes back to set up His earthly kingdom.

That means you need to go preach the gospel of the kingdom in the cities of Israel and you cannot preach it to the world until Christ comes back, which means you have to go through the tribulation period.  Notice, Christ also tells them that they who endureth to the end shall be saved.  What is the end He is speaking about?  The end of the tribulation period of course.

What if you do not want to go live in Israel?  How about some good news?  

You have a new gospel to preach.  One you can preach to the whole world before Christ comes back. One you learn about not having to going through the tribulation period. 

Did you know that Christ gave a new gospel and a new commission?

New Gospel:  1 Corinthians 15:1-4

New Commission:  2 Corinthians 5:16-21

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV

[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [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:

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 KJV

[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. [17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Grace and Peace

Greg Resor