Author’s Note: Interested readers can find all previous volumes of this series here. News Flash: The first 56 volumes are compiled into a book titled “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible.” More details at the end. Now back to our regular programming.
Thanks for joining our study. Since today is Halloween, let’s explore the biblical basis for the holiday. (Cue irritating buzzer sound.) Wrong! – No biblical basis. However, a connection runs through the original Catholic All Saints Day dedicated to the deceased who have attained heaven and those the church officially recognizes as saints.
While historical accounts differ, according to Catholic.org, the holy day was founded by “Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD.” Later, in the 800s, Pope Gregory IV extended the feast day to the broader church and established the Nov. 1 date.
In merry old England, All Saints Day was called “All Hallows Day” because saints or holy people were called “hallows.” (Why “hallowed be thy name” is the opening verse of the Lord’s Prayer.) Thus, the night before All Saints Day was “All Hallows Eve.”
But long before All Hallows Eve, the “scary” traditions associated with Halloween originated with pagan Celtics who celebrated Samhain. Celts believed the great divide between life and death was open for deceased loved ones and other spirits to traverse the two worlds during this holiday at the end of the harvest season in October. Then, quoting from that respected theological source History.com – “As Christianity gained a foothold in pagan communities, church leaders attempted to reframe Samhain as a Christian celebration.”
Eventually, Samhain traditions, dark Celtic beliefs, and All Hallows Eve festivities merged and gained popularity, especially when European immigrants brought the celebration to America. Ultimately, it morphed into you buying bags of Reese’s pieces, costumes, and decorations – injecting over $10 billion into the U.S. economy this year. (Cue standing ovation from China’s costume and decoration manufacturers.)
Tomorrow, All Saints Day is also observed by most Protestant denominations, so let’s explore the meaning of saints and verses that include the word.
In the Old Testament, “chaciyd” is the Hebrew word for saint – meaning faithful, kind, godly, and holy one. Yet, the word “saints” is never used as a prefix in the Hebrew Bible, and why you will never see St. Moses, St. David, St. Daniel, etc. However, the word itself is used throughout the Old Testament.
For example, in Deuteronomy (the fifth of the Five Books of Moses comprising the Torah), “saints” is written in Moses’ farewell blessing to the tribes of Israel describing the love God has for His Israelite people and their reverence for Him:
“Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words” (Deuteronomy 33-3 NKJV - New King James Version).
When researching this study, I discovered in the New International Version – the most popular study Bible and my usual go-to translation – the word “saints” is not used in either the Old or New Testament. Instead, “holy one” or “holy people” references those alive and dedicated to the Lord.
Perhaps it is because saints are associated with deceased holy people such as St. John, St. Paul, St. Mary, and angels like St. Michael that conjure up images of statues and churches named for saint this or that? Of course, I am just speculating, but I ask Mr. or Ms. Zondervan (publisher of NIV) to explain the omission if you are reading this study.
Back to the Old Testament (NKJV translation), and what follows are two of many Psalm verses referencing saints who are alive:
“As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight" (Psalm 16:3).
“Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (Psalms: 30-4).
But here is an example referencing the deceased:
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116-15).
And a promise from the book of Daniel:
“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” (Daniel 7:18).
Turning to the New Testament, Jesus never says the word “saint” or “saints.” And Matthew’s is the only gospel where the word appears describing what occurred the moment Jesus died:
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;” (Matthew 27:51-53). (That reads like a climactic scene from a scary Halloween movie.)
Back to the living again when Paul wrote:
“But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints” (Romans 15:25).
Also, Paul summarizes the essence of what All Saints Day commemorates:
“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2-3).
Are you called to be a saint? You can start by serving and loving the Lord Jesus Christ while you are alive. Meanwhile, on All Saints Day, remember those in church history who suffered or were martyred in His name. And special prayers for today’s saints throughout the world who worship and serve Him silently and secretly at great risk. Every day is a Halloween nightmare for these brave believers of Jesus and His Word living in nations ruled by governments and leaders who fear His eternal power.
Myra Kahn Adams is a media producer and conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her new book, “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible,” reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to Shroud of Turin education. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member