Intercession of the Saints.

Definitions:

Saints: Those called by God to be conformed to the Image of Christ,
both physically/spiritually alive and those who are spiritually alive
(iow bodies now deceased).

Intercession: The act of speaking to/for or supplicating to/for,
praying to/for, requesting to/of, or having concern to/for any other
living being/soul/spirit or part of the creation by another living
being to God the Divine Holy Trinity and any other living being
believed to be in God's Presence or service.

Mediator: The unique and special role of Jesus Christ, the Second
Person (Persona-Hypostasis) of the Divine Holy Trinity in Mediating
the New Covenant in His Blood for sinful humanity. No other human did
or could mediate the new Covenant between God and humanity.

Prayer: The conversational act of speaking to, with, at, whether
audible or inaudible, or the thinking of, or meditating upon, or
interacting with God the Divine Holy Trinity and any other living
being believed to be in God's Presence or service.

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:46:35 +1000, Athanasius
REMOVEyahoo.com.au> wrote:

Part 2 of 4.

Where is Intercession in the Bible?

Prayer for the faithful dead.

2Ti 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of. Onesiphorus for he oft
refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
2Ti 1:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently,
and found me.
2Ti 1:18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in
that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus,
thou knowest very well.
2Ti 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

Names of Saints invoked for aid.

Psalm132: 1 "**LORD, remember David,** And all his afflictions;
10 For **Your servant David's sake,** Do not turn
away the face of Your Anointed."

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:19:52 +1000, Athanasius
REMOVEyahoo.com.au> wrote:

Oh oh, I forgot two of the most utilized verses :

Prophets appear to God's people and interceed for them:

2 Maccabees
Chapter 15: 12
What he saw was this: Onias, the former high priest, a good and
virtuous man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, distinguished
in speech, and trained from childhood in...

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:46:35 +1000, Athanasius
REMOVEyahoo.com.au> wrote:

Teachings of the Ancient Church Fathers.

Part 3 of 4.

Intercession of the Saints.

Hermas
"[The Shepherd said:] 'But those who are weak and slothful in prayer,
hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of
compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask him. But you,
[Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and
having obtained from him such intercession, and not being slothful,
why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from
him?'" (The Shepherd 3:5:4 [A.D.80]).

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:46:35 +1000, Athanasius
REMOVEyahoo.com.au> wrote:

Part 4 of 4.

Answering Objections:

1. We are all saints.

Yes all Christians are called saints and are called to be saints. All
Christians can pray for one another and ask the prayers of other
Christians. If those who are still subject to the flesh are able to be
of benefit to us by their prayers, how much more those who have
acquired the glories which Christ has laid up for those who have gone
ahead. It can also be stated that the only true "saint" or Holy One is
God Himself. The Holy Scriptures states "For I am the Lord your God;
you shall name yourselves holy and keep yourselves holy, because I am
holy..." (Lev. 11:44; 19:2, 20:7). Man becomes holy and "sainted" by
participation in the holiness of God. Holiness/sainthood is a gift of
God to man, through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

2. Why do we have intercession? Why is it important?