Rachel Evans
Witnessing to Catholics can be a challenging task due to their unique religious background and interpretations. It is important to recognize that many Catholics have been indoctrinated from a young age and have added traditions to the Gospel of grace, such as the authority of the Pope, the sacraments, and ritualistic practices. To effectively witness to a Catholic, one must focus on the simplicity of the Gospel and gently guide them towards Scripture as the supreme authority, encouraging them to read and understand the Bible for themselves. This gradual process aims to help Catholics question their own faith, recognize the sufficiency of Christ, and ultimately, embrace a personal relationship with God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Be patient and kind | Avoid being quarrelsome |
| Pray for their salvation | Repentance and faith |
| Establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth | Proclaim the Lord Jesus as the all-sufficient saviour |
| Proclaim Jesus and His Word as the most trustworthy source for truth | Show that no man or pope is infallible |
| Warn of the danger of following non-apostolic traditions | Explain the need to repent from what they have been doing |
| Stay focused on the Gospel | Avoid going off on unrelated tangents |
| Pray for God to grant them repentance | Help them escape the snare of the devil |
| Evangelize with the true Gospel of grace | Show that any addition to the Gospel is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ |
| Gently point to Scripture and its authority | Show that the Bible teaches the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ |
| Be compassionate, not antagonistic | Let the Holy Spirit guide you |
| Avoid being self-righteous | Explain the differences without offending |
| Demonstrate that a normal Christian lifestyle is not cultic | Show that being zealous for God does not make one anti-social or a fanatic |
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What You'll Learn
Show that the Pope is not infallible
The Pope is believed by Catholics to be infallible when he speaks ex cathedra—that is, when he makes formal pronouncements on a particular issue or
To show that the Pope is not infallible, it is important to establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth. The Bible does not declare that Peter, whom Catholics believe was the first Pope, was in authority over the other apostles or the entire church. In fact, Peter himself admitted he was wrong (Gal. 2:11-14).
The Pope is also not an oracle, as Pope Benedict XVI stated in 2005, and is only infallible in very rare situations. Pope John XXIII also remarked that he was "only infallible if [he] spoke infallibly but [he] shall never do that, so [he is] not infallible."
Furthermore, the Pope is not prevented from sinning or erring in some capacity. The doctrine of infallibility only applies to solemn, official teachings on faith and morals, not to disciplinary decisions or unofficial comments.
When witnessing to Catholics, it is important to be compassionate and gentle, and to focus on the Gospel and the Word of God as the most trustworthy source for truth.
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Warn of the danger of non-apostolic traditions
Catholics are resistant to the idea of being "born again" for several reasons. Firstly, they are indoctrinated from infancy, taught that salvation comes through the church and its sacraments, rituals, and good works. This is often referred to as the "plus religion" because of its additions to the Gospel of grace. Catholics are taught that the Pope is infallible, and that directives from Rome take precedence over the Bible. As a result, many Catholics have little knowledge of the Bible beyond the passages read during Mass.
When witnessing to Catholics, it is important to remember that directly attacking Catholic teachings will likely provoke defensiveness. Instead, focus on gently guiding them towards Scripture and its authority as God's Word. Emphasize the simplicity of the Gospel and the personal relationship with Christ that it offers.
To effectively witness to Catholics, it is crucial to address the dangers of non-apostolic traditions. Catholics are taught that salvation is attained through a combination of faith and works, grace and merit, Scripture and tradition, and the blood of Jesus and purgatory. However, any addition to the Gospel is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ and nullifies God's grace. Catholics need to understand that these non-apostolic traditions, such as the sacraments, the sacrifice of the mass, purgatory, indulgences, and infant baptism, are not part of the true Gospel of grace.
To help Catholics recognize the dangers of non-apostolic traditions, it is important to encourage them to read the Bible for themselves. This can be challenging, as the Catholic Church often portrays Bible-based living as cultic or fanatical, and Catholics may feel a sense of betrayal or reluctance to stand out among their fellow Catholics. However, by gently planting seeds of doubt and encouraging spiritual curiosity, Catholics can be guided to question their own faith and discover the truth of Scripture for themselves.
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Explain the need to repent and turn to Christ
To witness to a Catholic, one must explain the need to repent and turn to Christ. This is because Catholics traditionally believe in the false gospel of works, where they believe they can appease God with good works and penance, rather than trusting Jesus as their substitute. Catholics also believe in purgatory, where they think that the residual sin and punishment that remain can be paid for. This is contrary to the belief that Jesus paid the penalty for sin completely.
To repent means to change your mind and therefore change direction towards God. It is derived from the Greek word "metanoia", which comprises the words meta (meaning change) and nous (meaning mind). Repentance is the first step to being saved. It is recognizing that we are lost without God and are doomed to an eternal death apart from Him because we lack His grace, which makes us alive in Him.
To explain the need to turn to Christ, one must present Jesus as the all-sufficient Savior. There are three promises Jesus offers to repentant sinners that are foreign to most Catholics:
- The complete forgiveness of sins
- The imputation of His perfect righteousness
- The assurance of eternal life
By offering Catholics what Jesus offers, one is proclaiming the Good News, which has never been proclaimed from their church. Only then will Jesus save them completely and forever, and only then can they stand before a Holy God in the perfect righteousness of His Son.
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Focus on the Gospel and salvation
When witnessing to a Catholic, it is important to focus on the Gospel and salvation. This means sharing the Good News of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and how this makes salvation possible. It is about extending an invitation to accept Christ as their saviour and come to him as sinners, placing their faith in him for forgiveness and salvation.
The Bible says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). The power of the Gospel is what saves, not our own wisdom or arguments. This message of salvation is for everyone, including Catholics.
To effectively witness to Catholics, it is important to understand their perspective. Catholics often view salvation as an ongoing process, dependent on their works and merit. They may also see the cross as the Eucharist celebrated by the priest, rather than the sacrifice of Jesus. It is crucial to address these differences in understanding and explain the biblical view of salvation.
When sharing the Gospel with Catholics, focus on who Jesus is and what he has done for their salvation. This can be done through simple Bible studies, reading groups, or one-on-one conversations. Emphasize the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, as the Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 11:3. Share how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, using stories like that of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.
Additionally, it is important to address the role of the Catholic Church and its traditions. Catholics often view the Church as the ultimate authority, even above Scripture. Gently point out that the Bible is the supreme authority for truth and that the Catholic plan of salvation differs from the Gospel of grace revealed in the Bible. Explain the need to repent and trust solely in Christ for salvation, rather than relying on sacraments, good works, or other mediators.
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Pray for their salvation
Praying for the salvation of a Catholic is an important aspect of witnessing. It is crucial to recognize that Catholics may have a different understanding of specific religious terms, such as "baptism," due to their indoctrination from an early age. This careful use of language is important to keep in mind when praying for their salvation.
When praying for a Catholic's salvation, it is essential to focus on the biblical principles. Establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth, proclaiming the Lord Jesus as the all-sufficient Savior. Recognize that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, apart from any religious rituals or good works. Pray for their eyes to be opened to the sufficiency of Christ and the Gospel of grace. Ask God to help them understand that any addition to the Gospel nullifies His saving grace.
In your prayers, you might say something like, "Lord, you know the heart of [name of the Catholic person] and their motives. Please give them a spiritual thirst to seek You and Your truth. Help them to understand that salvation comes through faith in You alone, and not through any rituals or works. May they see the sufficiency of Your grace and the all-encompassing nature of Your sacrifice."
Remember to be patient and kind, as advised by Paul in his letters. Pray for God to grant them repentance and a knowledge of the truth, that they may escape any religious snares that hold them captive. Pray for their salvation with gentleness and compassion, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions.
Additionally, pray for their protection from the wrong belief system. Pray that they may understand that the Pope and the clergy are not infallible and that their teachings should not take precedence over the Bible. Help them recognize that the Bible is not too complicated or dangerous for them to understand and that a personal relationship with God through Christ is available to all.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to be compassionate and non-confrontational. Avoid attacking Catholic teachings, which can make Catholics defensive and resistant. Instead, focus on gently encouraging them to read the Bible for themselves, emphasising its authority as God's word.
Catholics may be resistant to the idea of being "born again" and may view those who base their faith solely on the Bible as cults. They may also have been taught that the Pope and clergy should interpret the Bible, and that it is too complicated and dangerous for an ordinary person to understand.
Pray for their salvation and be guided by the Holy Spirit. Emphasise the simplicity of the Gospel and that salvation is a free gift from God. Witnessing to Catholics may be a gradual process, so be patient and kind as you answer their questions from the Bible.
