The saints, their memory, and intercession
Protestant churches commonly honor faithful Christians as examples, while many reject asking departed saints for intercession. The Augsburg Confession urges remembrance and imitation but says Scripture does not teach invoking saints; Protestant practice is not uniform in its calendar or commemoration.
Historical context
Christians remember exemplary witnesses to Christ. The churches disagree over requests for the prayers of departed saints, while all three traditions affirm that Christ is the source of salvation and that worship belongs to God.
Tradition note
This Lutheran source illustrates a major Protestant objection; Protestant churches vary in devotional and liturgical practice.
Key points
- Remembering a saint's faith is different from addressing a request to that saint.
- The Lutheran confession presents Christ as the mediator and intercessor to whom prayer is directed.
Scripture
- Hebrews 12:1-2 — The cloud of witnesses is set beside the command to look to Jesus; the text does not itself prescribe invocation of departed saints.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-5 — The passage calls for intercessory prayer and names Christ as the one mediator; traditions interpret its implications differently.
- Revelation 5:8 — The heavenly elders present prayers in John's vision; its application to requests for saints' intercession is debated.
Primary sources
Augsburg Confession Article XXI states:
The Lutheran Augsburg Confession commends remembering saints in order to imitate their faith and works.
the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works
Passage context and translation
The article commends remembrance and imitation of saints while rejecting invocation of them. This is a Lutheran witness, not a universal Protestant position.
Before the excerpt
Of the Worship of Saints they teach that
After the excerpt
according to our calling