Invocation of Saints
Brief history on the "Veneration and Invocation of Saints"
- The earliest roots of this concept are during the persecutions.
Martyrs and confessors gained spiritual authority by their status
as sufferers for the faith. This authority sometimes exceeded or contradicted
that of the bishops.
- Confessors gained the authority of interceding for those who had
"lapsed" -- i.e. denied the faith under persecution. They
could ask for the church to restore those who were under discipline.
- As martyrs died, it became a practice to build small shrines to
them. One of these shrines has been excavated under St. Peter's in
Rome and appears to be a serious contender for the actual tomb of
Peter.
- The idea that confessors and martyrs could intercede for one in
this life led to the belief that they could continue to do so after
death. After all, their deaths were glorious and exceedingly pleased
God, and now they were closer to God than ever.
"Invocation of Saints" as spiritualism
Protestant opposition
But the Scripture teaches not the invocation of saints or to ask
help of saints, since it sets before us the one Christ as the Mediator,
Propitiation, High Priest, and Intercessor. He is to be prayed to,
and has promised that He will hear our prayer; and this worship He
approves above all, to wit, that in all afflictions He be called upon,
1 John 2, 1: If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
etc. --Philip Melancthon, The
Confession of Faith, 1530.
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