Catholic Verses - 95 Bibles Passages That Confound Protestants?
THE IMITATION OF PAUL AND THE VENERATION OF SAINTS
Page 133: 1 Corinthians 4:16. Philippians 3:17. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9. These verses provide a primary biblical basis for the Catholic practice of venerating the saints. We honor the saints because the Bible instructs us to do so (see also Heb. 11). There is nothing wrong or unbiblical in venerating or trying to emulate the saints, unless we were to put them in the place of God, which is idolatry.
Note: As do cult members, this author has tried to change the definition of the word venerate to hide its pagan roots.
Definition of venerate: to solicit the goodwill of (a god), worship, revere, verbal derivative of vener-, stem of venus, presumably in its original sense “desire”; see Venus)
Note: Saint Paul wanted the Thessalonians to imitate or follow his example in not being a burden to other Christians.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
Page 134: When Catholics honor, and keep themselves mindful of, the saints by the use of images and statues, many Protestants immediately conclude that this must be idolatry. They argue that prayerful honor can be given only to God. But the verses just cited show us the proper honor given to saints is not idolatrous and, to the contrary, is even commanded by St. Paul. When we honor and venerate saints, we are giving all the glory to God, who is the source of all saintly qualities.
Note: Saint Paul wanted the Corinthians to imitate or follow his example in how to react to harassment by non-Christians.
1 Corinthians 4:11-13 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
Page 135: Protestants today usually argue that great Christian figures of the past can provide inspiration and example for us in our Christian walk today (per passages just cited), but they deny that we ought to venerate them. They say this because they have drawn a false dichotomy between the worship and adoration of God himself and the veneration of those children of God who show forth his glory by displaying the grace that he gave them to be what they are. But it is by no means certain from Scripture that this approach is necessary.
Note: Saint Paul wanted the Philippians to imitate or follow his example in how not to act like non-Christians.
Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.