Rachel Evans
Reaching Catholics with the Gospel has proven to be a difficult task for many evangelical Christians. While there are some theological agreements between the two groups, there are also significant differences, such as the belief in salvation by grace alone, that can make evangelicals feel combative or avoid the discussion altogether. However, it is important to remember that Catholics, like all people, must be engaged with the Gospel. By building relationships and focusing on shared beliefs, evangelicals can create bridges to share the Gospel with Catholics. This can be done by emphasizing the importance of Scripture and discussing biblical passages about Jesus Christ, rather than getting into arguments about Mary, the Pope, and purgatory. Ultimately, the goal is to show Catholics the true Gospel of grace and help them understand that their salvation comes from Christ alone, not from their works or the sacraments of the Catholic Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Evangelism approach | Discuss what Christ has done and the simple commandment to trust and believe. Avoid expressions such as "accept Jesus into your heart" and "give your life to Christ". |
| Biblical concept of salvation | By grace, the believer is accepted in Christ. Getting saved is not a "trade-in" by which a person gives something to Jesus to be saved. |
| Repentance | Repentance is necessary for saving faith. |
| Scripture as the supreme authority for truth | Establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth and proclaim the Lord Jesus as the all-sufficient saviour. |
| Proclaim Jesus and His Word | Discuss how sin has condemned every man under God's righteous judgment. |
| Show the Scriptures are sufficient for knowing and understanding | Show that the Scriptures are sufficient for knowing and understanding how to be saved. |
| Compassion | Be compassionate, not antagonistic, and let the Holy Spirit guide you. |
| Common ground | Find common ground and shared beliefs to build a relationship and create bridges for sharing the gospel. |
| Understanding differences | Recognize that Catholics may share vocabulary but interpret it differently. |
| Emphasize Scripture | Emphasize the importance and power of Scripture, and share personal examples of how Christ has worked in your life. |
| Prepare for potential persecution | Prepare Catholics for potential persecution when leaving Catholicism and emphasize the biblical message of salvation by grace alone. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Gospel is centred on Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, and our acceptance in him
- Catholics need to be evangelised with the true Gospel of grace
- The importance of Scripture and establishing it as the supreme authority for truth
- The need to repent and turn away from non-apostolic traditions
- The power of God's Word and how it can be intertwined in conversation
The Gospel is centred on Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, and our acceptance in him
The Gospel is centred on Jesus Christ, his death, and resurrection, and our acceptance in him.
The Gospel is not about accepting Christ into our hearts but is centred on Jesus Christ, his faithfulness, his death, and resurrection, and our being found acceptable in him by his grace. This is the biblical concept of salvation.
Jesus' death and resurrection are central to the Gospel message. Jesus' death was a propitiatory sacrifice, so that God might be "just and the justifier" of believers. His resurrection is his own justification and demonstrates his righteousness. Through his death and resurrection, we are united with Christ, sharing in his justification and receiving his resurrection-approved righteousness.
When approaching Catholics, it is important to focus on what Christ has done and the commandment to trust and believe. Catholics have often been taught that salvation comes through their church and that they merit saving grace through sacraments, rituals, and good works. However, this is a works-based gospel, which cannot save. Salvation is by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Catholics need to understand that any addition to the Gospel is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ and nullifies the saving grace of God.
To effectively witness to Catholics, it is crucial to establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth and proclaim Jesus and His Word as the most trustworthy source for truth. We must show that the Scriptures are sufficient for knowing and understanding salvation. Additionally, we should discuss how sin has condemned humanity under God's righteous judgment and that the only way to heaven is through Christ, requiring repentance and faith.
By focusing on the Gospel centred on Jesus Christ, his death, and resurrection, we can help Catholics understand their acceptance in him by God's grace alone.
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Catholics need to be evangelised with the true Gospel of grace
Roman Catholicism is often called the "plus religion" because of what it adds to the Gospel of grace. Catholics are taught that salvation comes through their church as they merit saving grace through the sacraments, religious rituals, and good works. This is in contrast to the biblical teaching of salvation by grace alone. Catholics need to be evangelized with the true Gospel of grace, which is centred on Jesus Christ the Lord, His faithfulness, His death and resurrection, and our being found acceptable in Him by His grace.
When approaching a Catholic, it is important to focus on what Christ has done and the commandment to trust and believe. Expressions such as "accept Jesus into your heart" or "give your life to Christ" should be avoided, as they are similar to what Catholics hear within their own religion. Instead, it is necessary to discuss the wrong ways of evangelizing that are detrimental to the true Gospel. The biblical concept of salvation is that the believer is accepted in Christ by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
To effectively evangelize Catholics, it is crucial to establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth. This may involve showing that the Scriptures are sufficient for knowing and understanding salvation. It is also important to proclaim Jesus and His Word as the most trustworthy source for truth. By reading and studying the Bible together, interesting conversations can arise, allowing for a natural discussion of how the Catholic's understanding of certain words differs from the biblical meaning. For example, Catholics view salvation as an open-ended process where good works are necessary, whereas the Bible teaches that salvation is by grace alone.
Additionally, it is important to emphasize the centrality of a personal relationship with Jesus as the Lord of one's whole life. Catholics tend to view religion as a set of practices to be repeated and often emphasize belonging to the church over believing. By engaging in Bible reading and demonstrating how the gospel creates communities of followers of Jesus, Catholics can be shown that believing and belonging go together. It is also crucial to prepare Catholics for potential persecution if they choose to leave Catholicism, as this demonstrates the authenticity of the biblical message.
In conclusion, Catholics need to be evangelized with the true Gospel of grace. This involves focusing on Christ and Scripture, as well as addressing wrong ways of thinking and potential obstacles such as persecution. By building relationships, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing personal testimonies, evangelists can effectively share the Gospel with Catholics.
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The importance of Scripture and establishing it as the supreme authority for truth
Scripture, or the Bible, is the ultimate source of truth and the supreme authority for all matters of faith and practice. It is God's Holy Word and the only means by which God conveys to us his will and the duties he requires of us.
The Bible is the written representation of God, his character, nature, and ways. It tells us what he has done, what he is doing, and what he will do. It is inerrant and free of error in everything it teaches. God is perfect, and he cannot make a mistake or misspeak. Therefore, his Word, as he gave it to his chosen authors in the original language, is infallible.
The Bible is the only source of truth that is not dependent on mankind's understanding or cooperation. Its authority rests solely on the power and supremacy of its Author, God. As Scripture is God-breathed, it has the final say in all matters, whether we choose to submit to it or not.
Establishing Scripture as the supreme authority is crucial when reaching out to Catholics with the Gospel. Many Catholics have been taught from infancy to rely on the church, its priests, the sacraments, and their own good works for salvation. They have been taught that salvation comes through their church and that they merit saving grace through rituals and good works. However, this is not biblically based. The Gospel of grace, as revealed in the Bible, is in opposition to the Roman Catholic plan of salvation.
When witnessing to Catholics, it is essential to discuss the sufficiency of Christ and how any addition to the Gospel nullifies God's grace. Catholics need to be shown that Scripture is the final authority in matters of faith and that salvation is by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
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The need to repent and turn away from non-apostolic traditions
Reaching Catholics with the Gospel can be challenging, and one of the key obstacles is the Roman Catholic plan of salvation, which is at odds with the Gospel of grace. Catholics are taught that salvation is an open-ended process, requiring good works and rituals to be justified and re-justified. This is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ and nullifies God's grace, which is the only means by which sinners are saved.
Catholics need to understand that salvation is by God's grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. This is a central biblical concept of salvation, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9, and it is essential to emphasise this truth when sharing the Gospel with Catholics. Repentance is also vital, as it is necessary for saving faith. Catholics need to repent and turn away from non-apostolic traditions, such as sacraments, the sacrifice of the mass, purgatory, indulgences, infant baptism, and reliance on sub-mediators like Mary and the saints. These traditions nullify God's grace and deny the finished work of Christ.
The Bible is the supreme authority for truth, and it is essential to establish this when sharing the Gospel with Catholics. While they may respect the Bible, they do not always see it as the ultimate authority, often prioritising the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It is crucial to show that Scripture is sufficient for understanding salvation and that any tradition or teaching that contradicts Scripture must be rejected. This includes the Catholic doctrine of salvation, which adds works and rituals to grace, thereby distorting the Gospel.
When witnessing to Catholics, it is important to be compassionate and gentle, answering their questions from the Bible. It is also beneficial to build relationships and use shared beliefs as bridges to share the Gospel. By focusing on Jesus Christ and His Word, and discussing biblical passages about Him, Catholics can come to understand the true Gospel of grace and the need to repent and turn away from non-apostolic traditions.
In summary, reaching Catholics with the Gospel requires emphasising the sufficiency of Christ and God's grace, the authority of Scripture, and the need for repentance and faith. By doing so, Catholics can be led to a saving faith in Christ alone, turning away from non-apostolic traditions and finding their salvation in Him.
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The power of God's Word and how it can be intertwined in conversation
The Gospel is centred on Jesus Christ, his death, and resurrection, and our being found acceptable in Him by His grace. The Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is through this that we learn of God's love, infinite mercy, and plan of salvation.
The power of God's Word is that it reveals God's truth and makes it known to all people. It is a tool to teach, guide, and train us in righteousness, and it is useful in all circumstances. God's Word is also a source of comfort, reminding us of God's promises and who we are in Christ. It is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path, leading us and giving us direction.
In conversation, God's Word can be shared and spoken over our lives and situations. It is a powerful weapon, and when we speak God's Word, we release its power. It is a seed that can be planted in the hearts of those who hear it, and it has the power to grow and cause growth. We can speak to our illnesses, troubles, and any other difficulties, commanding them to go, according to God's will.
When witnessing to Catholics, it is important to focus on what Christ has done and to discuss the wrong ways of evangelizing that can be detrimental to the true Gospel. Catholics need to be shown that salvation is not through the church, its priests, sacraments, or good works, but by God's grace alone through faith in Christ. We must be compassionate and gentle, praying for God to grant them repentance and knowledge of the truth.
The Scriptures are the supreme authority for truth, and we must proclaim Jesus and His Word as the most trustworthy source for truth. We can discuss how sin has condemned mankind and how only through Christ can we find salvation.
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Frequently asked questions
Silence. By remaining silent, we fail to spread the word and allow misconceptions to persist.
Using expressions such as "Accept Jesus into your heart" and "Give your life to Christ" are common in Catholicism and should be avoided.
Show that no man or pope is infallible. Establish Scripture as the supreme authority for truth and proclaim the Lord Jesus as the all-sufficient saviour.
Understand their spiritual condition and use shared beliefs as bridges. Emphasize the importance of Scripture and share the Gospel clearly but not confrontationally.
