Saints

In the Christian tradition, the term "saints" refers to all believers who are set apart for God’s purposes. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses his letters to the "saints" in various cities, indicating that all Christians are considered saints by virtue of their faith in Christ. For example, in Ephesians 1:1 , Paul writes, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus." Saints are called to live holy lives, reflecting the character of God in their conduct and actions. They are encouraged to persevere in faith, as seen in Hebrews 12:1 : "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us."

The role of saints extends to being the body of Christ on earth, serving as His hands and feet to accomplish His will. They are to engage in good works, as stated in Ephesians 2:10 : "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Saints are also called to intercede for others, support one another, and build up the church in love and unity.

Apostles

Apostles hold a foundational role in the early church, being chosen and sent by Christ to spread the Gospel and establish churches. The original twelve apostles, including Peter, James, and John, were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. In Acts 1:8 , Jesus commissions them, saying, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The apostles were instrumental in laying the doctrinal foundation of the church, as seen in Ephesians 2:20 : "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." They were given authority to teach, perform miracles, and provide guidance to the early Christian communities. The Apostle Paul, though not one of the original twelve, was called by Christ as an apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizing the role of apostles in expanding the reach of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities.

Prophets

Prophets in the New Testament continue the tradition of Old Testament prophets, serving as God’s spokespersons. They are given the gift of prophecy to edify, exhort, and comfort the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:3 , Paul explains, "But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort." Prophets play a crucial role in revealing God’s will and providing direction to the church.

The role of prophets is also to confirm and affirm the truth of the Gospel, as seen in Acts 11:27-28 , where prophets from Jerusalem come to Antioch, and one of them, Agabus, predicts a severe famine. Prophets are part of the fivefold ministry described in Ephesians 4:11-12 : "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ."

In summary, saints, apostles, and prophets each have distinct yet complementary roles within the Christian faith. Saints are the collective body of believers called to live holy lives and perform good works. Apostles are foundational figures who establish and guide the church, while prophets provide divine insight and encouragement to the community of believers. Together, they contribute to the growth and edification of the church, fulfilling God’s purposes on earth.