Brothers, Sisters, and Saints

If you have read this blog for very long, you are aware that I do not refer to biblical persons as "Saint Paul" or "Saint Andrew" or "Saint Lydia."  I call them by their personal names.  I have to admit that this is partly due to my Protestant beliefs but I believe that there is strong biblical warrant for it.

The believers in the Bible called each other by their personal names and referred to one another as brothers and sisters.  Paul referred to the believers in the churches as ἁγίοις, "saints," "set apart ones."  This is the meaning of the word, set apart or separated for God.  We are all saints.

A few examples of this from scripture:

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

  

"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 their's and our's:" 1 Corinthians 1:2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: 2 Corinthians 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: Ephesians 1:1

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Colossians 1:2

All the saints salute you. 2 Corinthians 13:13

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