Salvation Through The Church

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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 justi-fied 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