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In this episode of “Kingdom Questions,” hosted by Victor Vigorito and introduced by a Voiceover, Victor engages with the question of why the apostle Paul does not refer to the Galatian believers as saints in the opening of his letter to them, contrasting this with his later epistles where he exclusively uses the term “saints.”
Victor elaborates on the implications of using “saints” versus “church.” He explains that the term “church” may include both true believers and inquirers who have not yet committed to Christ, which could lead to misunderstandings about one’s salvation. In contrast, the term “saints” clearly delineates those who are righteous in God’s sight and have been set aside for His purposes. This usage emphasizes a believer’s identity rooted in the righteousness of Christ rather than mere church affiliation.
He argues that being identified as a saint requires a genuine faith in Christ and a commitment to serve God. Victor references biblical passages, including Matthew 7:22, which illustrates that mere association with a church does not guarantee salvation, reinforcing the notion that true believers are transformed in their conduct.
Further, he brings in the parable from Matthew 13 about the dragnet, indicating that both good and bad people may be part of the visible church, but only the righteous will be separated by angels at the end of the age. Victor stresses that true saints are to focus on their respective roles in the Kingdom, undeterred by the presence of unrighteous individuals around them.
He also cites 2 Peter to caution listeners that some who consider themselves part of the faith community may not be genuinely growing in their faith, suggesting that such stagnation could signal they were never true believers. He concludes this discussion by encouraging his listeners to fully identify as saints in Christ and to acknowledge their purpose in His service.
Main Theme: Why does Apostle Paul not refer to Galatian believers as saints in his letter?
In this episode of “Kingdom Questions,” hosted by Victor Vigorito and introduced by a Voiceover, Victor engages with the question of why the apostle Paul does not refer to the Galatian believers as saints in the opening of his letter to them, contrasting this with his later epistles where he exclusively uses the term “saints.”
Victor elaborates on the implications of using “saints” versus “church.” He explains that the term “church” may include both true believers and inquirers who have not yet committed to Christ, which could lead to misunderstandings about one’s salvation. In contrast, the term “saints” clearly delineates those who are righteous in God’s sight and have been set aside for His purposes. This usage emphasizes a believer’s identity rooted in the righteousness of Christ rather than mere church affiliation.
He argues that being identified as a saint requires a genuine faith in Christ and a commitment to serve God. Victor references biblical passages, including Matthew 7:22, which illustrates that mere association with a church does not guarantee salvation, reinforcing the notion that true believers are transformed in their conduct.
Further, he brings in the parable from Matthew 13 about the dragnet, indicating that both good and bad people may be part of the visible church, but only the righteous will be separated by angels at the end of the age. Victor stresses that true saints are to focus on their respective roles in the Kingdom, undeterred by the presence of unrighteous individuals around them.
He also cites 2 Peter to caution listeners that some who consider themselves part of the faith community may not be genuinely growing in their faith, suggesting that such stagnation could signal they were never true believers. He concludes this discussion by encouraging his listeners to fully identify as saints in Christ and to acknowledge their purpose in His service.
Main Theme: Why does Apostle Paul not refer to Galatian believers as saints in his letter?
