[Alamo-Girl]

Can you cite any sources for this? After all the Greek bishops which came together in the 7 councils were pretty good speakers of Greek. I think they'd know what words meant.

If I may, the Greek root which is interpreted to mean “saint” in English is hagios. The term means devoted to God, holy or sanctified, and is used in the New Testament in reference to God Himself, believers, angels, the temple, holy mountain, prophets etc.

The Hebrew root which is interpreted saint, also meaning holy or sanctified, is chaciyd.

Further meanings attached to the word “saint” originate from the doctrines and traditions of mortal men: Etymology of Saint

Personally and for cause, I eschew all the doctrines and traditions of mortal men:

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. – Mark 7:7

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. – Deu 4:2

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: - Rev 22:18

No matter how one understands Peter’s blessing in Matt 16:19, we ought remember that Jesus’ parting commandment to Peter was to feed His sheep. Taking the food out of their mouths would therefore be quite wrongful:

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. – John 21:15-17

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Matt 4:4

As I have said before on this thread, it is a perilous thing for anyone to stand willfully between Christ and His sheep.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

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.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. – John 10:7-18

As Christ said to Peter: if you love me, feed my sheep.

Saying it three, count 'em, three times puts the commandment in "flashing neon" importance.

So I ignore the doctrines and traditions of mortal men and feed on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God - including the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself. (John 1, Rev 19, John 6)

[Quix]

Wonderful spiritual, Biblical truths.

Praise God for His faithfulness through your fingers.

[kawaii]

ping

[blue-duncan]

"No matter how one understands Peter’s blessing in Matt 16:19, we ought remember that Jesus’ parting commandment to Peter was to feed His sheep"

What we continually forget is that one of the last words of Jesus to Peter was, "It's none of your business."

If Peter was to have leadership of the apostles and the church you would think what was happening to one of his charges would be his business.

Jhn 21:21, "Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what [shall] this man [do]? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me."

[hosepipe]

Thank you for compounding the discourse on Holy..
No doubt its real news to some..

Taking apart the greek words for love(phileo and agapeo) in John 21;15-17 would also be an eye opener to some others.. What Jesus was actually saying to Peter..

I know of few that even know what Jesus was actually instructing Peter.. The meaning is absolutely occluded in English.. because English has only one word for love..

The drama of these verses is pregnant with meaning, missed by everybody I personally know..

[kosta50]

A-G, hagios means "most holy." It appears in the latter part of Acts for the first time in the NT applied to believers (in the Gospels it is applied to the Holy Ghost/Spirit, i.e. that which is divine).

Calling believers "saints" or "divines" (which is icnredibly arrogant) was something +Paul came up with. That is Paulian Christianity. The term agios, as used originally, was always reserved for God. Until Paul changed it. The Church, however, ignored Paulian innovations and reserved it for only special individuals who have supposedly attained theosis, martyrs, and people who generally fit the Beatitudes (cf. Mat 5), the pure in heart, the poor in spirit ((humble), the merciful, etc.