Salvation Through The Church
Roman Catholicism teaches that salvation is available only through
the Catholic church:
"The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism explains: 'For it
is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal
help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation
can be obtained.'"Pg. 215, #816
Here, the 1994 catechism reaffirms the existing teaching of Vatican
II, that salvation can be obtained only through the Roman Catholic
church. The catechism leaves no doubt that the Catholic church is
necessary for salvation:
.”..all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which
is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council
teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for
salvation...”Pg. 224, #846
Past popes have taught this doctrine, as have previous catechisms and
church fathers. Here is but one example...
On May 7, 2001, Pope John Paul II told 2,000 youth gathered at the
Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Damascus that"you cannot be a Christian
if you reject the Church founded on Jesus Christ.”1
Catholic friend, you personally may not believe this, but your pope
does. And it is an official doctrine of your religion.
If you check God's Word on this subject, you will not find a single
verse requiring one to go through a church to be saved. In fact, the
opposite is taught:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the full price for the sins of
all mankind. According to God's Word, anyone can go directly to Him
for salvation. Jesus Himself announced that:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.”John 3:36
Jesus preached:
"He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life...”John 5:24
"He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”John 6:47
Jesus repeats this message in John 3:16, 3:18, and 6:40. If the
Catholic church really is necessary for salvation, then Jesus Christ
is a liar.
The Apostle Paul gives step by step instructions on how to be saved:
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”Romans 10:9-10
Notice, no church is required. So if Catholicism is right, then the
Apostle Paul is also a liar. And since he wrote under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is a liar as well.
"But as many as received (trusted in) him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”John
1:12
John says you become God's child by believing in Jesus Christ. If
this Catholic doctrine is true, then John's name must be added to the
list of liars.
But John is not a liar. Jesus never requires a church for salvation:
"To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”Acts
10:43
The key is belief in Christ, not a church:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth...”Romans 1:16
According to Paul, Timothy needed faith in Christ to be saved, not a
church:
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus.”2 Timothy 3:15
When the Philippian prison guard asked Paul," What must I do to be
saved?," did Paul answer," You must become a member of the Roman
Catholic church?”No, he responded:
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...”Acts
16:31
Remember when Jesus was hanging on the cross? The thief on the cross
next to Him cried out:
.”..Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”Luke 23:42
When that dying sinner uttered those words of faith, Jesus responded
by saying:
"To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”Luke 23:43
Salvation is in Christ... not in a church.
The catechism claims salvation comes.”..through Christ's Catholic
Church alone...”But God's Word says it is obtained through Jesus
Christ:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”Romans 6:23
.”.. God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through him.”1 John 4:9
Only Christ can offer us salvation because He alone shed His blood
for us:
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.”Romans 5:9
No church can offer salvation. Only Jesus can:
"Neither is there salvation in any other (except Jesus): for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.”Acts 4:10, 12
Conclusion
Since the Bible and Catholicism clearly disagree, here are some
questions you must answer:
● If the Catholic church is necessary to escape hell and reach
heaven, would not God have clearly stated it in His Word... at least
once?
● Why would Jesus repeatedly lie by saying that salvation is
available through faith in Him?
●Are you willing to call Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Apostle
Paul and the Apostle John all liars? For your religion to be right,
you must.
● For centuries, Bible believing Christians have contended that this
unbiblical doctrine was created to keep members in bondage. Was it?
● Lastly, you must again answer the question," Which will I obey and
serve, the traditions of men, or the Word of God?”You cannot
say"both"because each says the other is wrong.
Someday you will stand face to face with Jesus Christ. You will look
Him right in the eyes. You might want to start thinking about how you
are going to tell the Lord that you rejected His teachings and obeyed
the traditions of sinful men because you assumed He was lying.
"For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of
men...”Mark 7:8
Salvation Through The Church
Understanding Roman Catholicism
by Rick Jones
1From article"Pope Meets with Youth of Various Christian
Confessions," Vatican City, 5/7/01 (VIS) reported by the Catholic
Information Network, 5/9/01, N. 86
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