Acts Theology 24: Holy Ones Family

Acts 9:13 identifies Jesus' followers as "saints" or "holy ones," emphasizing their identity as part of God's restored family. This term points to people set apart for God.
The term "holy ones" (hagioi in Greek) is frequently found in the Old Testament (Kedoshim in Hebrew) and is applied to both divine beings, such as members of the Divine Council, and human beings. This rich theological background is often obscured by the translation "saints." The consistent use of "holy ones" for both divine and human members of God's family underscores the ultimate plan for humanity to be glorified and share in God's presence, reflecting an Edenic ideal of God ruling among people on earth.
Believers are called to live as holy ones, not merely as forgiven individuals, but as members of God's newly reconstituted divine-human family. This identification has implications for allegiance, witness, and inheritance in God’s kingdom. Our calling implies participation in God's plan to reclaim what is His, including places and people with complicated or sinister histories, illustrating that nothing is beyond the power of the Gospel.
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