Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church does not endorse a single understanding of salvation, but salvation is rooted in Christ and the Bible, which proclaims that God has saved all His people from destruction. Catholics are taught that salvation is by grace through faith and that their good works will be rewarded. However, this belief is in contradiction with the Bible, which states that salvation is a gift from God and that good works cannot save a person. To lead a Catholic to salvation, one must help them understand the true Gospel of grace and the fact that salvation is wholly of the Lord.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Understanding of salvation | Must be rooted in the fullness of God's revelation in Jesus and the salvific work of his life, death, and resurrection |
| What salvation is not | Works-based, i.e., a result of one's own efforts, good works, or rituals |
| What salvation is | By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who is both fully human and fully divine |
| How to evangelize Catholics | Evangelicals must be kind and gentle, patiently untangling religious indoctrination and correcting with Scripture |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics need to be evangelized with the true Gospel of grace
The key to evangelizing Catholics is to focus on the Gospel and the truth of God's Word. It is important to patiently untangle the religious indoctrination that Catholics have been taught and gently correct them with the Bible's teachings. Catholics need to understand that salvation is not earned through their own efforts or works, but is a gift from God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
When approaching a Catholic with the Gospel, it is important to avoid expressions such as "Accept Jesus into your heart" or "Give your life to Jesus." These messages can be confusing and are not biblical. Instead, the focus should be on what Christ has done and the commandment to trust and believe in Him. Catholics need to understand that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Additionally, Catholics need to repent of their dead works and believe the Gospel. They need to turn away from the sacraments, purgatory, indulgences, and good works as a means of salvation, and place their faith solely in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. By doing so, they will receive the gift of salvation and eternal life.
In conclusion, Catholics need to be evangelized with the true Gospel of grace. By patiently sharing the Word of God and correcting false teachings, Catholics can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and experience the gift of salvation that is found in Him alone.
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Catholics must repent and believe the Gospel to be saved
To lead a Catholic to salvation, it is important to understand the Catholic concept of salvation and how it differs from the Gospel. Catholic salvation is based on a combination of Jesus, faith, works, grace, Scripture, tradition, and purgatory. However, this addition to the Gospel of grace through faith nullifies the saving grace of God, which is the only means by which God saves sinners.
Catholics, who are victims of this deception, need to be evangelized with the true Gospel of grace. As Paul instructs in Colossians, we must "not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, and correcting opponents with gentleness" as we untangle the web of religious indoctrination that holds them captive. We must pray for God to "grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth" and escape from the snare of the devil.
The key message to Catholics is that salvation is not achieved through their own efforts, good works, or rituals, but solely through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. This is the heart of the Gospel: recognizing our sinfulness and need for a Saviour, and trusting in Christ alone for salvation. Catholics must understand that salvation is a free gift from God, received by grace through faith in Christ, not by human effort or merit.
Therefore, Catholics must repent of their dead works and believe the Gospel. Repentance means turning away from sin and anything that leads us away from God and turning to God in faith. It is a change of mind about sin and a return to God, believing the good news of the Gospel. This repentance is not a transaction with God but a recognition of our hopeless condition and trusting in Christ as our righteous substitute.
Additionally, Catholics need to understand that no man or pope is infallible. They must be warned against following non-apostolic traditions and the sacraments, sacrifices, and rituals that nullify God's grace and deny the finished work of Christ. Instead, they should focus on the Gospel and sow the imperishable seed of God's Word, praying for their salvation.
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Catholics must not believe in salvation through works
The Bible proclaims that God has saved all His people from destruction. It is only through Christ that one can attain salvation, and the only way to come to Christ is through repentance and faith.
Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through works. This is a false gospel. The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace alone and through Christ alone. Catholics must not believe in salvation through works because it is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, and this faith is a gift from God.
Catholics are taught to trust and rely on the church, its priests, the sacraments, and their own good works for salvation. They believe in a combination of faith and works, grace and merit, and Scripture and tradition. However, this is contrary to the Gospel, which proclaims that salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Catholics must understand that their works cannot save them and that salvation is a gift from God that they can freely accept or reject.
The Bible teaches that salvation is not earned through works of righteousness but is a gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ. Catholics need to repent from their reliance on works and turn to Christ alone for salvation. They must understand that their good works are not what saves them but are a response to their salvation and a way to glorify God.
The Catholic Church has never taught that salvation can be earned through works alone. Their teachings are rooted in apostolic Tradition and Scripture, emphasizing that salvation is a free gift from God. While good works are important, they are not the basis for salvation. Catholics must recognize that their works do not merit salvation but are a result of their salvation and a way to bring glory to God.
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Catholics must not believe in salvation through rituals
The Bible teaches that before salvation, our human will is dead (Eph. 2:1). According to John 1:13, we are not born again by our human will. If the human heart is deceitful and wicked (Jer. 17:9), how does the Roman Catholic Church teach that we must cooperate with God to receive justification?
The Bible proclaims that God has, in concrete historical fact, saved all His people from destruction. The Gospel is the finished and complete work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Catholic teaching on salvation is very different from what the Bible teaches. If a person holds to the official Roman Catholic understanding of salvation, they are not saved.
The first key to salvation is a love for the truth. A sinner must come to know and understand certain teachings (doctrines) from the Bible. The message must be from the Word of God, not from the teachings and traditions of men. Salvation is wholly of the Lord.
The Scriptures are clear regarding the doctrine of salvation. Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the remission of sins. Salvation is a gift of God. It is bestowed upon guilty sinners out of sheer mercy and love – not based on any performance or work that we offer up to God. Everything we do in our worship and service to God is by means of a changed heart that God wrought in us and willed to do before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-7).
The Roman Catholic Church's doctrine of soteriology is a works-based system where a person must work their way to God. Catholics seek their own righteousness through good works and sacraments. They believe in purgatory and indulgences to pay for the residual sin and punishment that still remain. However, Jesus Christ Himself was the only sacrifice for sin acceptable to God, and that sin offering was accomplished completely at the cross.
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Catholics must believe in salvation through Christ alone
The Bible teaches that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is a stark contrast to the Catholic belief in salvation through a combination of Jesus, Mary, faith, works, grace, merit, Scripture, tradition, and purgatory. To lead a Catholic to salvation through Christ alone, it is important to help them understand the biblical truth and turn away from the teachings of the Catholic Church. Here are some key points to consider:
- Emphasize the Sufficiency of Christ: Catholics, unfortunately, fall into the trap of adding to the Gospel, which nullifies the saving grace of God. Help them understand that salvation is not earned through their own efforts, good works, or rituals, but is a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ's sacrifice on the cross was enough to pay for their sins in full (Hebrews 10:14).
- Repentance and Faith: For a Catholic to be truly saved, they must repent of their dead works and false gospel of works (Mark 1:15, 2:2). They need to recognize that salvation is by grace through faith alone, not through water baptism, indulgences, or purgatory. Help them understand that faith is placing their trust solely in Christ's finished work on the cross for their salvation, not in their own abilities or rituals (Romans 10:9-10).
- The Authority of the Bible: Catholics often rely on the teachings of the Church, its priests, and traditions. Help them see that the Bible is the supreme authority on matters of faith and salvation (2 Timothy 3:16). Show them that the Bible alone contains the truth they need for salvation and eternal life. Encourage them to study the Scriptures for themselves, as Mike Gendron did, to discover the true Gospel of grace (John 5:39).
- Understanding Salvation: Help Catholics understand the biblical model of salvation by explaining who Christ is and what He accomplished during His life, death, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Explain that Christ's sacrifice was not just for the forgiveness of sins but also for our justification and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1, . Show them that salvation is not about earning God's favor but about responding to His
- Love for the Truth: As stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, salvation is connected to a love for the truth. Help Catholics develop a hunger for God's Word and a desire to know and understand biblical teachings. Encourage them to ask questions and provide answers directly from the Bible. By doing so, you can gradually help them see the inconsistencies between Catholic doctrine and Scripture.
- Evangelism and Prayer: When witnessing to Catholics, remember to be patient, kind, and gentle (Colossians 4:5-6). Pray for their salvation and that God would grant them repentance and a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). Share the Gospel clearly and consistently, focusing on Christ and His finished work. Remember that it is God who opens hearts and brings understanding (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Remember, leading a Catholic to salvation through Christ alone requires sensitivity, love, and a firm grounding in biblical truth. Be prepared to answer questions and address doubts as they arise. By God's grace and through faith in Christ, Catholics can find salvation and a personal relationship with Him.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to help them develop a love for the truth.
The second step is to help them understand certain teachings from the Bible.
The third step is to help them understand that salvation comes from God and not from their own works or efforts.
