Catholics believe in salvation through the grace of God, via faith AND good works. I am not super well-versed in Protestant salvation beliefs, but based on my understanding, I’ve heard that they believe in salvation through faith alone (sola fide). I’ve also heard that once Protestants (in some denominations) proclaim their faith in Christ, they are saved from that point forward without any need for works.
Thank you so much for sharing! I’ll have to do some reading throughout the Catechism about salvation.
Just taking a look at the table of contents to the Catechism is a lesson in theology right there.
The definition of salvation seems to be the same among all protestants - Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we repent, we are forgiven. However, there are differed ideologies that go along with it. Some believe you can’t lose salvation. Others believe you can. Some believe as the Catholic Church, that it is through faith and works, others believe it is through faith alone. From what I’ve read in the Bible my personal belief is that salvation in and of itself is a one time event, BUT truly living your life for Christ and accepting salvation has 3 different aspects. 1. The act of accepting Christ as Savior (in the Catholic Church, this would be baptism followed by confirmation). 2. Sanctification - Learning more about God’s word, striving to live in His will, and doing good works as to show the fruits of your salvation. 3. Glorification - When we enter upon eternity, the purification of our souls before entering the kingdom of Heaven. (The Catholic Church would call this “purgatory”. My understanding from what I’ve read in the Bible, though, is that it’s a cleansing of the soul - an action rather than a place. I may be wrong as I am no theologian, this is just my understanding.) So, essentially, I do believe that accepting salvation allows the Holy Spirit into your life to change your heart and spirit. But I also believe that because the Holy Spirit does change your heart and spirit, you will then feel led to live your life according to the word of God and His will. That’s not to say you’ll be perfect and never sin, but you will strive to be as pure and God-fearing as a person can be while on earth.Catholics believe in salvation through the grace of God, via faith AND good works. I am not super well-versed in Protestant salvation beliefs, but based on my understanding, I’ve heard that they believe in salvation through faith alone (sola fide). I’ve also heard that once Protestants (in some denominations) proclaim their faith in Christ, they are saved from that point forward without any need for works.
Catholics, on the other hand, view salvation as a process, not a one time thing. By cooperating with the grace of God that was only possible for us to receive through the redemptive death of Christ on the cross, we gradually improve as human beings in our faith and works, making us worthy of the eternal reward of Heaven.
More info: catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=105
God bless!
I’ve been attending the Catholic Church for some time and now I’m trying to understand the beliefs and discern everything. I just want to follow the truth and God’s word but sometimes it’s difficult to work through everything. I know that God will guide me, though. It just might take some time to figure everything out.In regards to #2, are you referring to confessions of sins to Jesus Christ of confessions of sin to the priest? I know that in the Bible we are commanded to confess our sins to our brother - so I believe it’s important. I’m just unsure of which you are referring to. Also, is it true that Christians who have not converted to Catholicism should not go to confession? I’ve heard that before. I’ve never gone because I was unsure, but I would like to go. I just don’t feel ready to convert to the Catholicism yet because I’m still unsure of some things. Thank you for your answer and God bless you!For cooperation with grace of salvation you need:
I’m sure I missed something, but this is a small list as to getting yourself saved by the salvific grace of the Cross.
- Conversion, and baptism, if it isn’t already applied.
- If baptism is present, then Confession for remission of, at least, mortal sins.
- If baptism isn’t present, then get baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Once you gained, or regained, the state of sanctifying grace, you are open to receiving actual graces.
- If one looses sanctifying grace, looses salvation, repeat no.2.
- Daily immersion in grace, through: prayer, sacraments, prayer, good works, prayer, acts of mercy, even more prayer and of course prayer.
- Sacraments guarantee grace, if no.4 is true. If no.4 is not true, repeat no.2.
God extends his hand, you need to grab it, and never let go.
You are more than welcome to sign up for RCIA clases. (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults). This does not obligate you to become Catholic. It’s simplly instructive of what the Catholic Faith is all about. Then after the class, you make the decision.
Well, it’s one and the same. In Confession the priest is there as Christ, from his own authority. The sacraments are for those who embrace fully the truth, so, only Catholics may receive the sacraments.In regards to #2, are you referring to confessions of sins to Jesus Christ of confessions of sin to the priest? I know that in the Bible we are commanded to confess our sins to our brother - so I believe it’s important. I’m just unsure of which you are referring to. Also, is it true that Christians who have not converted to Catholicism should not go to confession? I’ve heard that before. I’ve never gone because I was unsure, but I would like to go. I just don’t feel ready to convert to the Catholicism yet because I’m still unsure of some things. Thank you for your answer and God bless you!
A bit of exegesis.
I think, as Christians we are obligated to confess that which has offended our conscience, which has been formed through the Spirit and the Bride, to whom it is relavent. As Catholics, we believe the Lord has joined Himself to His bride in Sacrament, so a New Covenant priest, or Presbyter, is Christ with us, in order to fullfill the full contrition and thus parden to those who have offended the grace which brought them into the life of God.In regards to #2, are you referring to confessions of sins to Jesus Christ of confessions of sin to the priest? I know that in the Bible we are commanded to confess our sins to our brother - so I believe it’s important. I’m just unsure of which you are referring to. Also, is it true that Christians who have not converted to Catholicism should not go to confession? I’ve heard that before. I’ve never gone because I was unsure, but I would like to go. I just don’t feel ready to convert to the Catholicism yet because I’m still unsure of some things. Thank you for your answer and God bless you!
I don’t find anything in contradiction to Catholic Faith here.You should know now, the genuine focus on Christ’s saving work of reconciliation in the Mass celebration. In this celebration, we can open our hearts to His Word and Sacrifice. We can examine ourselves before the measure of complete obedience to God. Jesus alone bore the burden of Godliness, and then shared the burden to those who love Him. So, we are called together in Mass, and then we are sent into the world from the Mass, each having strengthened himself in the person of Jesus.
What do you mean by Spirit of Jesus? What does a child understand by Spirit of Jesus? Never heard of the Spirit of Jesus, maybe the Spirit that proceeds from the Father and from the Son, ie the Holy Spirit. We must love God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but never heard of the Spirit of Jesus; it sounds protestant.
Classic Catholic principle?!
What are you even saying here? The Gospel that brought baptism? The word probably isn’t very Catholic either. Are you probably referring to Acts 2,38!? Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.I doubt that the doctrine of Faith and Works is that simple. if it were so, there wouldn’t be millions of people in error running about the Earth.
I think that Protestants really do accept the fact that God offers salvation for all mankind, and not all men follow Him in salvation. That’s why they’re running about the Earth, trying to save every Catholic from their religion.
Actually, He associated himself with man, not the other way around. But this is semantics.
I thought we were the ones supposed to do the Works?! Hmm?
Really!?
You sound more and more protestant. You just described Sola Fide. There are plenty of works to be done, for our own salvation and for the salvation of others.Didn’t you just say that there is no set of works to be done? So, which one is it? Do we need the Works or not?
I suppose you are referring to the Holy Spirit and the Church here. We do not need to confess that which has offended our conscience, but which offended God Almighty, not our puny conscience. If we were to confess only that which bothers the conscience most of us would remain with mortal sins on the soul.
Yes. It’s the same confession. During Confession, the priest acts in persona Christi like he does when consecrating the Host every Mass. It’s still God forgiving the sins or consecrating the Host. It’s just that he acts through the priest to do so. To relate it to the events of the Bible, it’s a similar concept to the miracles the apostles worked in Acts. Paul didn’t have the power to raise Tabitha from the dead. Instead, God worked through Paul to do so.
Actually, the Church states, in the Catechism, very clear on this subject:
So, if one dies in a state of mortal sin goes directly to Hell.
Why do you act mellow dramatic about this and then recognize that I am referring to the Holy Spirit? Does Jesus posses any other spirit
Consider infant Baptism. One who is Baptized as an infant, according to the Catechism, is in need of the Gospel Taught them so they can fullfil the Commandment of Christ, "Whoever believes and is Baptized, will be saved.Classic Catholic principle?!
Those millions of people are complicated, NOT the doctrine of Faith and Works
Yes, my point was that “follow” Him means participating in their salvation. If we are heirs of God, provided we suffer with Him. Follow Him does not mean “faith alone” without works. Neither does it mean these works done out of Faith do not Justify One in Christ.I think that Protestants really do accept the fact that God offers salvation for all mankind, and not all men follow Him in salvation. That’s why they’re running about the Earth, trying to save every Catholic from their religion.
Yes, that is what I meant.Actually, He associated himself with man, not the other way around. But this is semantics.
We are to do good works, but they are the Will of God, which He freely offers us to participate in. By the grace of God, we have faith and the strength to do His good works.
I certainly do not mind sounding protestant, when protestantism conforms to the Faith of the Church! Protestantism has many things right, you know? Its not all in opposition to Christ.Really!?
The works that the Lord desires is to love one another as He loves us and to belief on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This will produce all sorts of good works!
If your conscience is not offended by sin, it is not formed by the Holy Spirit. Our conscience is not from ourselves, but God
The Church Teaches us to examine our conscience, then confess our sins.I only meant that even if we teach that, we still don’t proclaim so-and-so is in Hell, like some of our Protestant brethren do.