Questions for Christians who think that Catholics are not saved?

Yes, Catholicism teaches we are saved by Christ. We were saved by Christ (grace) and bought with a price and incorporated into the family of God, with no works through faith and baptism (Eph 2:8, Mk 16:16, Jn 3:5, 1 Pt 3:21). We are being saved by Christ as he transforms us into his image (2 Cor 3:18), and as we cooperate with his grace in doing the works of charity he prepares in advance for us - faith working in love (Eph 2:10, Gal 5:6, Phil 2:12 ). And we will be saved by Christ when he brings us safely into his heavenly kingdom if we persevere with Christ to the end (Mt 25:13, Rom 13:11).

@by faith

"A. Roman Catholicism teaches that salvation is available only through the Catholic Church."

If the Church is the Body of Christ as St. Paul teaches then his Church is connected to him as his own body. Can we be saved apart from Christ's Body? Christ's Church on earth is his hands and feet on earth. Were you saved by yourself? Or did someone write a bible, preach to you a lesson, pray over you, or baptize you? You weren't saved in a vacuum. You had help by other Christians, the church.

Jesus gave the Church final authority in settling matters. He said, "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." (Mt 18:17)

Jesus also told his apostles, ""He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."(Luke 10:16)

So, if you reject Christ's Church, the Church that he established through his apostles and if you don't listen to the church as Jesus stated then according to Jesus you are rejecting Him and are to be treated like a pagan or a tax collector.

The Church does not teach that a person can not be saved outside of the visible Church. A person can not be accountable for what they don't know. However, if some knowingly rejects the truth they will be accountable for that.

"B. To be saved, Catholic doctrine requires the continual performance of good works."

We will be judged by our faith and works. Or have you not read Mt 25:31-46 or Rom 2:5-8 or James 2:24 or Mk 16:16

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16)

The good news is that both faith and works are a gift of God's grace. Because we can do nothing apart from Christ.

""I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned...If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (1 Jn 15)

D. The Church Forgives Sins

Actually, the Church teaches that God forgives sins and he has given this ministry to his Son (God made man) as is shown in the scriptures (Mt 9:8). And, then Jesus continued this ministry here on earth through his apostles as can be read in Jn 20:19-23.

"When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men." (Mt 9:8)

"If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (Jn 20:23)

God Bless

Us Catholics do believe that faith is necessary for salvation (Mt 16:16, Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:12, Heb 11:6). But without good works is dead (Jas 2:14, Jas 17:20) and alone does not justify (Jas 2:24). Faith does not imply an absolute assurance of our being in grace; much less of our eternal salvation (Rom 11:20-22, 1 Cor 9:27, 1 Cor 10:12, Phil 2:12, Rv 3:11). Only through the Sacrament of Baptism that was commanded by Jesus Christ (Mt 28:19, Mk 16:16, Jn 3:5) takes away all sin (Mk 1:4, Mk 16:16, Jn 3:5, Jn 1:33, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12f, Acts 16:33, Rom 6:3-6, Gal 3:27, 1 Cor 6:11, Eph 5:26, Col 2:12-14, Lk 3:3, Heb 10:22), but because Baptism can only be preformed once (Eph 4:5, Heb 6:4-6, Heb 10:26) that is why there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Mt 18:18, Mt 16:19, Jn 20:22f, 2 Cor 5:20) and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for the elderly and termly ill (Jas 5:14f, Mk 6:12f). God Bless

As you can tell from the answers you've gotten that they refuse to accept your question and statements. One denies the Church was granted to forgive sins through her bishops and Priest but yet Christ in John20:21-23 says they can. They just will not accept the truth. I know where there coming from as i once was one of them. But by the Grace of God was shown the truth. Most Protestant Churches in America are not considered to be good Christians by most of the world by there anger towards those whom they disagree with. In so many words they do not see them behaving Christ like. Personally i never knew how ignorant i really was of Catholic teaching until i became Catholic an now fully understand the meaning of the words fullness of the truth.

My view of the Catholic church is, basically, that despite the many things I consider as non-biblical and extra-biblical within Catholic liturgy and traditions, the belief that Jesus Christ came to earth, born of a virgin, to die for the sin of mankind is a central truth both the Catholic Church and my Christian view hold in common.

That being expressed, I differ greatly with any belief or system of belief that puts forth a view that Christ plus anything is necessary for the salvation of a person’s soul.

You ask “Doesn't it make you happy to know that Catholics believe in salvation through Christ alone?” That in not what I read in your Catechism. I guess the Catechism is somewhat contradictory when salvation is the subject.

A. Roman Catholicism teaches that salvation is available only through the Catholic Church:

The 1994 catechism reaffirms the existing teaching of Vatican II, that salvation can be obtained only through the Roman Catholic Church. The catechism leaves no doubt that the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation:

"...all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation..." Pg. 224, #846

B. To be saved, Catholic doctrine requires the continual performance of good works.

"Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved." Pg. 222, #837

These works include baptism (pg. 320, #1257), various sacraments (pg. 292, #1129) plus many additional works.

D. The Church Forgives Sins

Catholicism teaches that it has the power and authority to forgive people's sins. Here are a few quotes from the Catechism. (Please note that whenever the Catechism mentions the "Church," it is referring to the "Roman Catholic church"):

"There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive." Pg. 256, #982

"By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized..." Pg. 257, #986

"The Church, who through the bishop and his priests forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ..." Pg. 363-364, #1448

Catholics can be saved Christians, sure. I don't think anyone has a problem with that.

But salvation is a GIFT.

It must be RECEIVED on an individual level.

Just because they baptised you as a baby doesn't make you saved. All the ceremonial bead-counting won't save you, nor will the idols and pretty stained glass windows. Faith in Jesus alone saves.

There is one mediator between God the father and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who is also God the Son. There is no pope or bishop or priest or catechism class or communion or baptism required and without PERSONALLY receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, NONE of those things mean jack!

Both sides of this argument are ridiculous.

Catholics belong to the Christian culture and follow the New Testament. It's reasonable to expect most Catholics to be born again.

What else matters?

(Catholics fall of the stupid truck when they arrogantly replace Jesus' teachings with ________ . Fill in the blank. I just don't see that as evident as anti-Catholics see it.)

generally i do prefer Catholics on born again Christians

they are less concerned on wedging a war on science and enlightenment and more concerned with the spiritual aspects of Christianity and with their social and practical implication on this world.

in short catholics have a different point of view of my own (i'm an atheists) i can accept it

born again evangelical creationist Christians are crazy deluded and dangerous to society

if their was indeed i god then i could see how catholics are doing gods work... but born-again's would have been blindly following the devil.

Infant baptism is against the examples of adult conversions in Acts and the epistles. No baby can die to themselves and be buried in a watery grave to be resurrected on their own. There are so many things, like infant baptism, that the Catholics do that are against the commands of the New Testament. Popes, priests, nuns, clergy celibacy, rosaries, Purgatory, infant baptism, holy water, candles, icons, etc... None of that is according to the authority of the Scriptures.

Just saying that salvation is through Christ alone is not enough. One is baptized for the removal of sins and it is that intent that saves one from the wrath of God. There is no wrath on a child. Ezekiel 18:20 and Galatians 6:7 show that.

Denominations are wack. Literal interpretations of scripture is wacker. The Spirit searches all things. That means buddhas shamans even agnostics.

So what does that do for you? I know what he does for believers, but not what does it do for the catholic church. You are saved grace thru faith...not by the catholic church or the catechism.

Merry Christmas

God loves you....