As to Acts 11:26; Rom.1:7; what is the difference in a Christian and a Saint?

Acts 11:26

It was first in Antioch that “the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” (Acts 11:26b) That God-approved name aptly describes those whose way of life is modeled on that of Christ.

Romans 1:7

Persons brought into relationship with God by means of the new covenant are sanctified, cleansed, and set apart for God’s exclusive service by “the blood of the covenant,” the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:29; 13:20) They are thereby constituted “holy ones” (“saints” in KJ and some other versions). They do not become “holy ones,” or “saints,” by decree of a man or an organization, but by God, who brings them into covenant relationship with himself through the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:15, 16; Leviticus 11:44) All the spiritual brothers of Christ in the congregations are frequently called “holy ones.”—Acts 9:13; 26:10; Romans 1:7; 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 13:13.

In Acts 11:26 the disciples of Jesus were first called "Christians" in Antioch, by those who ridiculed them.

In Romans 1:7, all the disciples who are loved by God called by Him to be saints.

The Greek word for saints has the basic meaning of holiness. They are positionally set apart to God and are experientially being made increasingly holy by the Holy Spirit.

There is absolutely no difference between the disciples in Antioch and the disciples in Rome - both were equally called to belong to Christ, and to be holy - saints.

The believers were "were called Christians first in Antioch."

The name "Christian" was at first a derogatory term, referring to the people of the Christ.

Obviously the Antichenes, constantly hearing the name of Christ, name these people such.

The Jews would never label them as Christians, because that would be tantamount to saying that these were the people of the Messiah.

The term Christian occurs in only two other biblical passages: Acts 26:26; 1 Peter 4:16.

The word "saint" is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo) whose basic meaning is "to set apart," "sanctify," or "make holy."

In history of the OT religion, the ideal of holiness or separateness was inherent in the concept of God.

God was unapproachable in the tabernacle or temple by the ordinary individual, being accessible only by the priests and only under carefully specified conditons.

His presence (the Shekinah) dwelled in the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place, the most remote and inaccessible place in the wilderness tabernacle and later in the Jerusalem temple.

This idea of the separateness of God and his people is carried forward in the NT, which was written by Jews (except possibly Luke-Acts) who interpreted God's covenant with Israel through the teachings of Christ.

Those who were dedicated to the teachings of Christ were frequently called saints by these writers (Matt.27:52; Acts. 9V13; 26:10; Rev.14V12) Six of Paul's letters to churches are addressed to saints (Romans 1-2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.

Saints in the NT, are never deceased individuals who have been canonized by the church and given sainthood. They are living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God as revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Even the children of such parents are called "sanctified" (1 Cor. 7:14-15). That is they are considered undefiled by paganism if at least one of their parents is a Christian.

All saved are sanctified, but not all sanctified are saved.

On occasion, when discussing the atonement, Paul carefully differentiates between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, calling the former saints and the latter believers.

It was the saints, the holy people of God in the OT, who brought the Messiah and redemption into the world, eventually extending the blessings to the Gentiles.

This usage may be seen in 1 Cor. 1:2, which is addressed to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy [saints Jewish Christians], together with all those [Gentile] everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Lord and ours."

The same distinction is made in Ephesians.

As for Romans 1:7. "Called to be saints:" This tells how they got to be saints, namely, by way of God's call (Romans 8:30).

Grace is the typical Greek greeting, whereas peace is the traditional Hebrew greeting.

The calling here is temporal and refers to the effectual communication of the gospel resulting in salvation.

What It Means to Be a Christian. Jesus extended the invitation to be his follower, saying: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and continually follow me.” (Mt 16:24) Those who are true Christians have full faith that Jesus Christ is God’s specially Anointed One and only-begotten Son, the Promised Seed who sacrificed his human life as a ransom, was resurrected and exalted to the right hand of Jehovah, and received authority to subdue his enemies and vindicate Jehovah’s sovereignty. (Mt 20:28; Lu 24:46; Joh 3:16; Ga 3:16; Php 2:9-11; Heb 10:12, 13) Christians view the Bible as the inspired Word of God, absolute truth, beneficial for teaching and disciplining mankind.—Joh 17:17; 2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:21.

http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000967?q=...

Saints

Definition: According to Roman Catholic teaching, saints are those who died and are now with Christ in heaven and who have been given recognition by the Church for outstanding holiness and virtue. The Tridentine profession of faith states that the saints are to be invoked as intercessors with God and that both the relics of saints and images of the saints are to be venerated. Other religions, too, invoke the help of saints. Certain religions teach that all of their members are saints and are free from sin. The Bible makes many references to saints, or holy ones. It refers to Christ’s 144,000 spirit-anointed followers as being such.

http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989265?q=...

Every Christian is a saint.

there the same.