Are Catholics Saved?

[BlackSheepBaptist]

Why or why not?

 

[miamited]

Hi BSP,

Anyone who is born again will be saved. In my research of that particular organization, however, I have found that they make it difficult to find that fact and focus more on keeping traditions such as doing penance for their sins, which the Scriptures never mention. Traditions and rote practices such as making the sign of the cross when they sin or see someone else sinning, which I haven't been able find any evidence was practiced among the new covenant believers.

So very, very many of their practices and traditions come from what some of their earlier practitioners, and what some refer to here as the 'ECF's', have made up to meet what they believe that God asks of us. This is, although none would ever admit it, exactly what Israel had done to their people seeking God by the time that Jesus came along. He, of course, rebuked them pretty soundly for it and accused them of making the practices of men equal to God.

That's my two cent on the subject.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[Avid]

Why or why not?

People are not "saved" because they adhere to a certain religion, or say certain things, or submit to certain rituals. People are saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, and His finished work.

If you are not sure of the "Why or why not," is it because you are not aware of what the Roman Catholic Institution teaches, believes, and what their goals are? Is that really what your question is? Do you need to understand the basis of their religion?
.

 

[FreeinChrist]

MOD HAT

As a reminder, folks, the site rules include:

● Stating or implying that another member or group of members who have identified themselves as Christian are not Christian is not allowed.

 

[98cwitr]

If a person is reborn of Spirit then they are saved.

 

[JM]

Why or why not?

People are saved by Jesus Christ alone through faith in Him.

 

[classicalhero]

It's a personal faith that makes someone saved, not whether you are a member of a church or your parents are saved. Whether or not a Catholic is saved is up to them and God, but their faith has to be in Jesus alone, not Jesus plus something.

 

[BlackSheepBaptist]

People are not "saved" because they adhere to a certain religion, or say certain things, or submit to certain rituals. People are saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, and His finished work.

If you are not sure of the "Why or why not," is it because you are not aware of what the Roman Catholic Institution teaches, believes, and what their goals are? Is that really what your question is? Do you need to understand the basis of their religion?
.

No, I'm just asking people's opinions.

"People are saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ" Wow, really? What a revelation! Why haven't I thought of that?!

People have told me this in other forums, as if this is new news. The point of the question is: Does the gospel of Roman Catholicism save people or not? I want other people's opinions.

 

[BlackSheepBaptist]

MOD HAT

As a reminder, folks, the site rules include:

● Stating or implying that another member or group of members who have identified themselves as Christian are not Christian is not allowed.

Then kick me off.

 

[FreedByte]

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Then kick me off.

a lot of posters have been kicked off for breaking the rules, just like the people in different denominations were kicked out if they broke the rules where they were. Yeshua said this would happen, that anyone who stands up for the truth will be kicked out of any group they are in.

the rules here are, from a truth seekers viewpoint, confusing to say the least.

it almost begs the question of whether or not any christians will be in heaven or not.

or as Yeshua put it "when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on earth?"

and "as in the days of Noah, so it will be in the end days"(whenever that is, as many believe soon, but whenever)

and "the truth will be published universally as a lie, and the lie will be broadcast universally as the truth" (like modern and older politics - whatever group politic is in power, they say what is and what is not, regardless of what is and what is not) (like i said, confusing)

 

[Avid]

... "People are saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ" Wow, really? What a revelation! Why haven't I thought of that?!

People have told me this in other forums, as if this is new news.

Not expecting that is news to you or any other. Here is a simple explanation of what is believed by a Roman Catholic. I asked a few simple questions, and got simple answers. I am not making a judgment upon a person or a religion. If you want a detailed answer, write a PM.

Question:
I have a few basic questions for you, if you don't mind answering so we may better understand. A couple of people posting here have contrasting ideas of what is different between Baptists and Catholics.

1. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is actually and physically present in the bread and wine of the sacrament called the Holy Eucharist? (transubstantiation)
2. Do you believe that your sins are forgiven because your priest told you so, when you answered his questions in the confessional, and did as he directed?
3. Do you believe that Catholics who die are in purgatory for a time till indulgences are paid by those who care about them?
4. Is Mary, mother of Jesus our LORD, a virgin still? That is to say there were no children from her marriage AFTER the birth of Jesus? Is she to be worshiped and prayed to?
​

It would be helpful to everyone here to have a simple and basic understanding of these things, since there is such diversity of opinion on the matter among Baptists, even here on these forums. Thanks for your attention to these few questions.
.
Answer:
Thanks for your responses. I would be happy to answer your questions but let it be known that I am not seeking to start a debate in this forum by doing so.

1. Yes. For Jesus said, among other things, my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

2. Yes. For Jesus said to his apostles, whose sins you forgive are forgiven.

3. No. There are multiple items in that statement I do not agree with. Not all who die necessarily go to purgatory. Souls in purgatory do not wait until indulgences are paid, though that could speed up the time in purgatory. Instead, souls in purgatory must wait until they are cleansed. For the bible says nothing unclean shall enter God's presence.

4. Yes, yes, and no. Nobody but God should be worshiped, not even the Virgin Mary. It is certainly proper to ask Saint Mary to pray for us just as we would ask anyone else to pray for us.
​

If that helps, let me know.

The point of the question is: Does the gospel of Roman Catholicism save people or not? I want other people's opinions.

This is the part that needs attention of a more specific nature, and may require a judgment to answer what you are expecting to hear.
.

 

[PrincetonGuy]

Why or why not?

Individuals who have been saved from sin through faith in Christ and His blood-atoning death on the cross are saved. Church affiliations do not save us—being set free from sin through faith (on an individual basis) saves us.

John 8:31. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32. and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
33. They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”
34. Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
35. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
36. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
3. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can}\ you unless you abide in Me.
5. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
6. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.”

1 John 3:6. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
7. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
8. the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
9. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. (NASB,1995)

 

[PrincetonGuy]

The point of the question is: Does the gospel of Roman Catholicism save people or not? I want other people's opinions.

Here, from an official Roman Catholic source, is the gospel of Roman Catholicism:

The Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible (1971) has the following note on Rom. 3:21-31,

The justice of God is his mercy whereby he declares guilty man innocent and makes him so. He does this, not as a result of the law, but apart from it (v 21), not because of any merit of man, but through forgiveness of his sins (v 24) in virtue of the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus for all who believe (22-24f), No man can boast of his own holiness, since it is God’s free gift (27), both to the Jew who practices circumcision out of faith, and to the Gentile who accepts faith without the Old Testament religious culture symbolized by circumcision (29f).​

The Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible with the second edition of the New Testament (1986) has the following note on Rom. 3:21-31,

These verses provide a clear statement of Paul’s “gospel,” i.e., the principle of justification by faith in Christ. God has found a means of rescuing humanity from its desperate plight: Paul’s general term for this divine initiative is the righteousness of God (21). Divine mercy declares the guilty innocent and makes them so. God does this not as a result of the law but apart from it (21), and not because of any merit in human beings but through forgiveness of their sins (24), in virtue of the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus for all who believe (22, 24-25). God has manifested his righteousness in the coming of Jesus Christ, whose saving activity inaugurates a new era in human history.​

The Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible with the second edition of the New Testament (1986) has the following note on Rom. 4:3,

Jas 2, 24 appears to conflict with Paul’s statement. However, James combats the error of extremists who used the doctrine of justification through faith as a screen for moral self-determination. Paul discusses the subject of holiness in greater detail than does James and beginning with ch 6 shows how justification through faith introduces one to the gift of a new life in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.​

Yes, this is a Roman Catholic Bible with Roman Catholic notes published by the Catholic Book Publishing Company in New York with both the Imprimatur and the Nihil Obstat.

 

[Forever trying]

I swear, what is it with SOME Baptists and their obsession with Catholics!? That's an even better question. Forget people who don't believe in Christ at all, atheist, or the threat of Islamic extremist persecuting Christians in the ME, etc... But sort out whether or not those Catholics are saved.

 

[Winman]

Why or why not?

Sure, some are, and some are not, just like Baptists.

Many scholars have believed that Revelation 17 is describing the RCC.

Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

It is true the RCC has used the symbol of a woman with a golden cup in her hand. She also has seven beams or horns on her head. Do a Google image search for "mystery Babylon coin".

Now, if this scripture is indeed describing the RCC, then there are many saved people in the RCC, as God calls them out in chapter 18;

Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

So, scripture is clear that there are many true believers in this false church.

 

[AFPJ]

While I am young and clearly have much to learn on this issue, my studies of Catholicism have caused me to say that Catholicism is not a saving gospel. There are a few heretical teachings associated with Catholicism but the most prominent, in my opinion, and dangerous is the belief that works is equally as important to one's salvation as faith in Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 as an example is very clear on that "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast." ESV

I believe that when a person or church contradicts Scripture especially on the subject of salvation, it is teaching a different "gospel" and therefore cannot save.

 

[Alithis]

No, I'm just asking people's opinions.

"People are saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ" Wow, really? What a revelation! Why haven't I thought of that?!

People have told me this in other forums, as if this is new news. The point of the question is: Does the gospel of Roman Catholicism save people or not? I want other people's opinions.

why their opinions?
wouldn't you rather settle for scripture?

Does the gospel of Roman Catholicism save people or not? when that question is treated literally the Simple answer from scripture is .... No,the Gospel of the Lord Jesus does and is the power to save.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

 

[Winman]

While I am young and clearly have much to learn on this issue, my studies of Catholicism have caused me to say that Catholicism is not a saving gospel. There are a few heretical teachings associated with Catholicism but the most prominent, in my opinion, and dangerous is the belief that works is equally as important to one's salvation as faith in Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 as an example is very clear on that "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast." ESV

I believe that when a person or church contradicts Scripture especially on the subject of salvation, it is teaching a different "gospel" and therefore cannot save.

Just because the RCC does not teach the true gospel does not mean that some Catholics do not hear and believe the true gospel. I have a good friend who is Catholic, and he knows and believes the true gospel. He also knows he should come out of the RCC, but this has been difficult for him (family).

No denomination is perfect, you will discover that the Baptist church is off on some doctrine. That does not prevent folks from hearing the true gospel and believing it.

 

[AFPJ]

Just because the RCC does not teach the true gospel does not mean that some Catholics do not hear and believe the true gospel. I have a good friend who is Catholic, and he knows and believes the true gospel. He also knows he should come out of the RCC, but this has been difficult for him (family).

No denomination is perfect, you will discover that the Baptist church is off on some doctrine. That does not prevent folks from hearing the true gospel and believing it.

I absolutely agree, I did not mean to suggest that there are no true christians in the Catholic church, or that any denomination is perfect. What I meant is that if you take the whole of Catholic doctrine, adding and removing nothing, it does not line up with (and in some cases contradicts) Scripture on certain key issues like salvation.