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What does the Bible say about venerating saints?

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The Bible calls believers to honor the godly example of departed saints, but to worship, pray to, and trust in God alone through Jesus Christ, our one mediator. Hebrews 13:7 and Hebrews 12:1 encourage remembrance and imitation of faithful believers. Yet Acts 10:25-26 and Revelation 19:10 reject religious veneration directed to creatures, even holy ones. Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4 portray the prayers of God’s people as precious before him, while 1 Timothy 2:5 anchors our access to God in Christ alone. James 5:16 commends prayer among living believers, and Isaiah 42:8 guards God’s unique glory.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • James 5:16

    Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.

  • Revelation 5:8

    Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

    when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.

  • 1 Timothy 2:5

    For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

  • Revelation 19:10

    I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, "Look! Don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy."

  • Revelation 8:3-4

    [3] Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. [4] The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.

  • Acts 10:25-26

    [25] When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. [26] But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man."

  • Hebrews 12:1

    Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

  • Hebrews 13:7

    Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

  • Isaiah 42:8

    I am Yahweh, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to engraved images.

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