Can not being in the correct denomination cause someone to not be saved?

[Fervent]

Salvation is personal not a group decision. My statement still stands. No denomination, including Catholics, will ever save anyone.

There is a clear corporate element to salvation, not simply a personal one. We are joined to the body of Christ, not as individuals but as members.

Ah, that Catholics are the original, supreme church nonsense, yada yada. Not going there with you.

Just my 2 cents, but we need not identify a denomination as "the" denomination to recognize that there is no salvation outside of the church. We just need to be clear about what we are unified about, such as the statement of faith for CF which nicely unites a broad spectrum of believers under one heading.

 

[Hawkins]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

By concept, denomination refers to a legit variance on the knowledge part of the Bible, while the salvation part is not violated. In contrast, a heresy is with salvation part of the Bible violated, a heresy could lead to death.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

If you know the Lutherans got it right but you stay a Methodist because all your friends are there then you could be in big trouble. Follow the truth. Follow it as best you know it. If you don't, if you know something to be true but you don't follow it, how can you make the claim that God should save you?

I would like to know for sure whether or not this is Catholic doctrine. The two points of particular interest are 1) that acting according to what you believe to be true, even if what you believe to be true is not true in fact, substantiates a claim that God should save you, and 2) that God saves a person based on a judgement that the person acted consistently with his beliefs (no matter how trivial those actions and beliefs were).

 

[chevyontheriver]

I would like to know for sure whether or not this is Catholic doctrine. The two points of particular interest are 1) that acting according to what you believe to be true, even if what you believe to be true is not true in fact, substantiates a claim that God should save you, and 2) that God saves a person based on a judgement that the person acted consistently with his beliefs (no matter how trivial those actions and beliefs were).

First, God does not have to save anybody. You cannot compel God. Everything is only by the benevolent grace of God. Unearned. God shouldn't necessarily save you but God graciously does, not by you compelling Him. We can claim God should save us, as I alluded to in my earlier post, but it's a claim that has zero substance.

Second, acting in bad conscience, knowing something to be true but not following it out of convenience, is damnable. Follow an informed conscience. Follow it even if it is not perfectly formed.

Truth matters. People who err might be saved, at God's pleasure. People who act in bad conscience I think would be far worse off. Being convinced you are in the wrong church but staying there for the sake of the opinion of your parents or your job would be damnable. You know the truth but you just don't have the courage to follow it. That's convenience over truth. That's a Protestant minister who won't become Catholic because she's got a nice pastoral position and she has no path to becoming a Catholic priest. She should do it anyway. That's a Catholic priest who no longer believes what the Church teaches on faith and morals. Staying and pretending is reprehensible. Truth matters but following one's conscience matters more. Inform your conscience, trust God, and follow your conscience. Don't stay out of convenience.

Informing your conscience is key here. That differs from just conveniently accepting something you read once on the internet. Most of us are happy with our status quo and studiously avoid anything that might rock the boat. We should be able to figure out where we are in error but we just don't want to get all unsettled. Informing one's conscience is to take risks and learn things. Sometimes they are true and compelling things. Follow them. THAT is how following truth and following what we believe to be true actually converge.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

First, God does not have to save anybody. You cannot compel God. Everything is only by the benevolent grace of God. Unearned. God shouldn't necessarily save you but God graciously does, not by you compelling Him. We can claim God should save us, as I alluded to in my earlier post, but it's a claim that has zero substance.

Second, acting in bad conscience, knowing something to be true but not following it out of convenience, is damnable. Follow an informed conscience. Follow it even if it is not perfectly formed.

Truth matters. People who err might be saved, at God's pleasure. People who act in bad conscience I think would be far worse off. Being convinced you are in the wrong church but staying there for the sake of the opinion of your parents or your job would be damnable. You know the truth but you just don't have the courage to follow it. That's convenience over truth. That's a Protestant minister who won't become Catholic because she's got a nice pastoral position and she has no path to becoming a Catholic priest. She should do it anyway. That's a Catholic priest who no longer believes what the Church teaches on faith and morals. Staying and pretending is reprehensible. Truth matters but following one's conscience matters more. Inform your conscience, trust God, and follow your conscience. Don't stay out of convenience.

Informing your conscience is key here. That differs from just conveniently accepting something you read once on the internet. Most of us are happy with our status quo and studiously avoid anything that might rock the boat. We should be able to figure out where we are in error but we just don't want to get all unsettled. Informing one's conscience is to take risks and learn things. Sometimes they are true and compelling things. Follow them. THAT is how following truth and following what we believe to be true actually converge.

So I guess this is spelled out in official Catholic doctrine? I'm surprised I havn't heard this before.

 

[eleos1954]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life," and the only name by which people can be saved (Acts 4:12, John 14:6). No denomination has the power to save on its own.

Individual Relationship: Salvation is a personal experience based on an individual's faith and relationship with Jesus, not on a group identity.

The Catechism notes that those who knowingly and willingly reject the Catholic faith and its truths would not be saved ... so in essence is a "group identity"

Center your relationship on Jesus and walk in his steps ... it's all about Jesus.

 

[HIM]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

Yes what you believe and therefore do can keep you from heaven.

 

[timothyu]

The Father's battle is with adversity, both in elohim and in man. So it simply boils down to which side you are on. By their fruits and all that.

 

[Hentenza]

There is a clear corporate element to salvation, not simply a personal one. We are joined to the body of Christ, not as individuals but as members.

Verse?

Just my 2 cents, but we need not identify a denomination as "the" denomination to recognize that there is no salvation outside of the church. We just need to be clear about what we are unified about, such as the statement of faith for CF which nicely unites a broad spectrum of believers under one heading.

Brother I am going to disagree. Nowhere n scripture does it teach that there is no salvation outside of the church. There is no verse in scripture that teaches that. In fact salvation is only attained by faith in Christ.

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” | New American Standard Bible - NASB (NASB2020) | Download The Bible App Now

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

bible.com

Secondly, the CF statement of faith was initially designed to identify who could post where, not really to identify who was a Christian or not. A few years ago there used to be a lot more forums and many were for non conforming churches like the JWs, Mormons, Christadelphians, etc. Those that did not agree with the Nicene creed could only post in the non conforming church rooms. These days it merely used to determines who can post in Christian rooms vs non Christians rooms. I know this because I was part of the advisory team that developed CF statement of faith.

 

[Strong in Him]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

Denomination has nothing to do with it.

Jesus is the only way to the Father, John 14:6. Salvation is Jesus, NOT Jesus + ........

 

[ARBITER01]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

1Co 12:13 for by one Spirit were we all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The body of Christ is a universal church. As long as by faith you were born again by the blood of Jesus, you belong to Him.

 

[Fervent]

Verse?

I had mainly 1 Corinthians 12 in mind

Brother I am going to disagree. Nowhere n scripture does it teach that there is no salvation outside of the church. There is no verse in scripture that teaches that. In fact salvation is only attained by faith in Christ.

Who can know the gospel without having first heard it from the church?

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” | New American Standard Bible - NASB (NASB2020) | Download The Bible App Now

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

bible.com

Secondly, the CF statement of faith was initially designed to identify who could post where, not really to identify who was a Christian or not. A few years ago there used to be a lot more forums and many were for non conforming churches like the JWs, Mormons, Christadelphians, etc. Those that did not agree with the Nicene creed could only post in the non conforming church rooms. These days it merely used to determines who can post in Christian rooms vs non Christians rooms. I know this because I was part of the advisory team that developed CF statement of faith.

A restriction which was intended to limit posting in the Christians-only sections...to who, exactly?

 

[Hentenza]

I had mainly 1 Corinthians 12 in mind

Yes but that chapter is mainly talking about spiritual gifs and it ends with “I’ll show you a better way.”

Who can know the gospel without having first heard it from the church?

Because the church in the first century was composed of all believers in Christ and now, even with all the denominations and differences of interpretation, the body of Christ, the church, still is composed of all believers in Christ. So church, the church, is composed of all individual believers in Christ.

A restriction which was intended to limit posting in the Christians-only sections...to who, exactly?

Today CF no longer allows non conforming church adherents to post as Christians. No longer does CF allow JWs, Mormons and others like them to post in the site. Today is either folks that believe in the nicene creed that can post in the Christian only sections or those that are not Christians and post in the non Christian sections.

 

[Fervent]

Yes but that chapter is mainly talking about spiritual gifs and it ends with “I’ll show you a better way.”

Doesn't mean we can't infer from it relational principles, especially on the corporate nature of the faith since Paul's whole issue was they were using their gifts selfishly and not in a way that served the corporate interest.

Because the church in the first century was composed of all believers in Christ and now, even with all the denominations and differences of interpretation, the body of Christ, the church, still is composed of all believers in Christ. So church, the church, is composed of all individual believers in Christ.

Are we or are we not the body of Christ and the bride of Christ?

Today CF no longer allows non conforming church adherents to post as Christians. No longer does CF allow JWs, Mormons and others like them to post in the site. Today is either folks that believe in the nicene creed that can post in the Christian only sections or those that are not Christians and post in the non Christian sections.

So they use the Nicene creed to define what about a person?

 

[caffeinated hermit]

Some denominations get more right than others. But it's better to be Christ-like and get some things accidentally wrong than to belong to an Apostolic Church and be a jerk or a wolf. Even better? Do your best to follow Christ within one of the OGs.

Still... I am fairly well convinced that everyone, Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox will both have to give an account, and have an opportunity for incredible, mind-blowing mercy to be shown to them.

Do your best, seek out the Truth, keep Christ's commandments, and see where this leads you. There are some lovely souls and awesome minds within Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, and some sharp, thoughtful Protestants, too. I'm on the outside of everything, so what do I know. But do your best, man, ask questions, and stay close to Christ.

Buying some wee icons and a San Damiano crucifix for my home altar was one of the best things I ever did. I'd suggest at least a wee icon of Christ.

 

[Hentenza]

Doesn't mean we can't infer from it relational principles, especially on the corporate nature of the faith since Paul's whole issue was they were using their gifts selfishly and not in a way that served the corporate interest.

You can infer. I don’t.

Are we or are we not the body of Christ and the bride of Christ?

All of us believers compose the body of Christ regardless of denomination.

So they use the Nicene creed to define what about a person?

Please clarify. I’m not sure am understanding what you are asking.

 

[Fervent]

You can infer. I don’t.

Everybody does.

All of us believers compose the body of Christ regardless of denomination.

Yeah, but that doesn't negate the corporate element of the faith. We are not islands unto ourselves, and the whole "personal relationship" stuff is more Englightenment individualism run amok than truly Christian in character.

Please clarify. I’m not sure am understanding what you are asking.

If the section is "Christians-only" and they use the Nicene creed to identify who can post, what is it about the posters they are identifying with the Nicene creed?

 

[Lukaris]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

I don’t believe so. Differences among Christians do not inherently prevent salvation by grace ( see Romans 10:9-13, Colossians 1:1-29, Romans 13:1-14, Ephesians 2:8-10 etc.). At a minimum, I would use the theology of the Apostles Creed as a safe foundation for understanding God ( Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) and God ( The Son) Who became man in Jesus Christ ( John 1:1-18).

The Apostles’ Creed

www.rca.org

I believe an individual can have an absolute certainty of the truth of the salvation of Jesus Christ ( John 14:1-7) in different confessions. I don’t know all the particulars but I believe a Christian should be able to carefully read a chapter like 1 John 4:1-21 to discern where we may not see eye to eye but also understand what could lead to perdition. This chapter was mostly directed at false beliefs which would lead one astray from the Gospel within the Church. It was less directed at non Christians since many are not automatically anti Christian. A good example to consider is the account of King Agrippa & Paul in Acts 26:1-32 who regrettably fell short in not becoming a Christian ( Acts 26:28)but was not an anti Christian.

I have read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis a few times & I believe he writes about how shared truth among Christians should be understood for our salvation even if we do not completely understand each other.

Mere Christianity - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[concretecamper]

this has worried me, do I need to be a Catholic to be saved, or a Protestant? Or does the denomination have nothing to do with it?

The bare minimum for adults for Salvation according to Scripture and Tradition.

Water Baptism

John 3:5 Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The Eucharist

John 6:54 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say unto you: except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

 

[chevyontheriver]

So I guess this is spelled out in official Catholic doctrine? I'm surprised I havn't heard this before.

There is quite a good explanation of the necessity to follow conscience in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1776 to 1785.

Start here: Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText