do you have to be Catholic to get into Heaven??

[nlm]

I’m a catechized, dyed-in-the-wool Catholic who has studied history of the Church and the teachings of the Church…

and this is NOT true…

the catechism does not say that just anyone can get into Heaven…

you have to accept Christ (with all your heart and soul) and do what he says to get into Heaven…

Jesus is God…

Buddha was not… Luther was not…

Mohommad was not…

Jesus is the Word Incarnate… and His Sacrifice is the only thing that can save us (applying it to our lives, that is)

The catechism is relevant to Catholics ONLY . All denominations have a similar document.
The BIBLE on the other hand is relevant to ALL Christians. That my friend is THE source to live by. Protestants DO accept Jesus with all their heart and soul and do what He says and yes we WILL go to heaven because what you have listed here as the way to heaven does not depend on the “label” a denomination nails on the front door of it’s building. One gets to heaven because of what is in his heart NOT what the sign says on their place of worship. Who EVER said Luther was God? That is like saying the Pope is God or the Archbishop of Canterberry is God, of course not. If you believe these things about other denominations I would respectfully suggest you look outside the box and learn more about the other Christians you will be spending eternity with. Yes ,Jesus IS the Word incarnate. Yes ,His sacrifice is the ONLY way to be saved. You are correct in what you say. All these beliefs are taught in your church and in mine. When it comes to the basic fundamental beliefs dealing with salvation we are more alike than different.Were it not for His grace, which we did not deserve, we would all be in trouble.NLM

 

[Robert_in_SD]

If the person is a protestant and dies in a state of grace, he will go to Purgatory and then will learn that the Roman Catholic Church was the One Church… founded by Christ and will then have to, in Purgatory… well, to paraphrase his words… he will have to become Catholic…

I think another way to put it is that in Heaven there is only one Church: The universal Church founded by Jesus Christ. Some may not recognize that Church here on earth. But all will recognize it in Heaven whether they were imperfect Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, or whatever in this life.

And it’s also probably fair to say that even those of us who recognized the Church on earth see it now as through a mirror darkly, and will only see Christ’s Church in its fullness when we are with Him and His Church Triumphant in Heaven.

I disagree with the comment that being a good protestant, hindu, buddhist, etc. will get you to heaven. What is important is that you respond to the grace that God has given you. In other words, if you are raised a Hindu, and you remain a Hindu even though at some point you come to the personal realization that it is not true, then you have an obligation to seek truth and God will hold you to that. If you are not given that grace, and you remain a Hindu that is invicibly ignorant of the truths of Jesus Christ and His Church, God will take that into account as well. But nothing one does as a good Hindu will earn them a place in Heaven. It’s all by the grace of God.

Peace,
Robert

 

[TheQuestioner]

The catechism is relevant to Catholics ONLY . All denominations have a similar document.
The BIBLE on the other hand is relevant to ALL Christians. That my friend is THE source to live by. Protestants DO accept Jesus with all their heart and soul and do what He says and yes we WILL go to heaven because what you have listed here as the way to heaven does not depend on the “label” a denomination nails on the front door of it’s building. One gets to heaven because of what is in his heart NOT what the sign says on their place of worship. Who EVER said Luther was God? That is like saying the Pope is God or the Archbishop of Canterberry is God, of course not. If you believe these things about other denominations I would respectfully suggest you look outside the box and learn more about the other Christians you will be spending eternity with. Yes ,Jesus IS the Word incarnate. Yes ,His sacrifice is the ONLY way to be saved. You are correct in what you say. All these beliefs are taught in your church and in mine. When it comes to the basic fundamental beliefs dealing with salvation we are more alike than different.Were it not for His grace, which we did not deserve, we would all be in trouble.NLM

Its not that Protestants cannot fully give themselves to God, its that once someone does they become Catholic, whether they know it or not. For is not that what the Catholic Church is?

In order for someone to get into heaven they will have to have given themselves over to God and thus will have to be Catholic.

 

[TheQuestioner]

Well…more or less

 

[Follow_Yeshua]

i never said they wouldnt make it…

just that they have to become Catholic (in Purgatory if not here on EArth) in order to get There…

How do you become Catholic in purgatory? Don’t you think the second people set foot in purgatory and realize the Catholic Church is truth they would just say, “wow I was wrong” now lets get out of this h@ll hole!?

 

[nlm]

Its not that Protestants cannot fully give themselves to God, its that once someone does they become Catholic, whether they know it or not. For is not that what the Catholic Church is?

In order for someone to get into heaven they will have to have given themselves over to God and thus will have to be Catholic.

Based on what you say,the " label " is the issue.What it is called is the issue. You are correct that one MUST give one’s self ENTIRELY to God. Even protestants can and do make that commitment. Call me what you want,I know the relationship I have with MY God
is real and personal and what is required for salvation.NLM

 

[TristanCross]

The Christian Church is the Body of Christ. The Christian Church consists of all other church denominations. A body has many parts. It is like this with the Body of Christ. There are arms, legs, feet, toes, fingers, forearms, a stomach, etc. There are Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Calvinists, Arminians, and other Christians. Christians go to heaven. Not just Catholics. Catholics aren’t the only Christians. I’m sorry, but the whole, “no salvation outside of MY church”, thing is just proud, boastful, and a lie to make people convert. I will enter the Kingdom of Heaven because I have saving grace. If I am not a Christian, why am I convicted when I sin? Why do I read the Bible? Why do I pray?

I’m saved. I am Christian. Get over it.

 

[distracted]

The catechism is relevant to Catholics ONLY .

truth is for everyone

 

[distracted]

The Christian Church is the Body of Christ. The Christian Church consists of all other church denominations. A body has many parts. It is like this with the Body of Christ. There are arms, legs, feet, toes, fingers, forearms, a stomach, etc. There are Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Calvinists, Arminians, and other Christians. Christians go to heaven. Not just Catholics. Catholics aren’t the only Christians. I’m sorry, but the whole, “no salvation outside of MY church”, thing is just proud, boastful, and a lie to make people convert. I will enter the Kingdom of Heaven because I have saving grace. If I am not a Christian, why am I convicted when I sin? Why do I read the Bible? Why do I pray?

I’m saved. I am Christian. Get over it.

and you will be Catholic before you get to Heaven… you will become Catholic here on EArth and/or in Purgatory but you will become Catholic… No one who is outside Christ’s Church can be saved if s/he rejects that Church (invinsible ignorance of that fact is the only exception)

 

[distracted]

How do you become Catholic in purgatory? Don’t you think the second people set foot in purgatory and realize the Catholic Church is truth they would just say, “wow I was wrong” now lets get out of this h@ll hole!?

if a person admits he was wrong to beat someone up, does that mean he just say Oops, i was wrong… and just walk away…?

no, he has to make reparation to the injured & his family…

Purgatory is reparation for all the awful damage our sins have caused to ourselves & others in this world. Its a good thing Jesus died for us or we would never be able to perfectly repair…

Rev 21: No impure thing will enter Heaven. , even the very desire for sin must be purged from our souls… If it were not so, if you somehow got into heaven with the desire for sin still there… it would no longer be heaven… Your attachment to sin would make it Hell … because sin spreads…

 

[2nd_Adam]

I heard something on Catholic Answers Radio years ago concerning this…

I can’t remember who said it but he was a guest on the show and he said that all Christians will be Catholic before they get into Heaven. If the person is a protestant and dies in a state of grace, he will go to Purgatory and then will learn that the Roman Catholic Church was the One Church… founded by Christ and will then have to, in Purgatory… well, to paraphrase his words… he will have to become Catholic…

i totally belive this.

so why are we not working harder to make everyone Catholic??

true, we can’t make anyone Catholic any more than we can make everyone Republican (Too bad, huh??)

but there are many things we can do…

and it seems we aren’t doing them… seems we Catholics don’t want to make too many more Catholics… (genearlly speakign)

This is very interesting. I thought all true Christians are catholic (universal church) and are united to Christ which is really only known by God. The universal church consists of sinners who have been saved, or are being saved by the person and work of Jesus Christ, in-spite of their particular institutional or denomination affiliation here on earth. I believe the Catechism states that there are true believers from the Orthodox and Protestant branches of Christendom, correct? Heck, Protestants are called your separated brethren.

If being Roman Catholic is necessary to get to Heaven, what is the purpose of ecumenical Roman Catholics who support ideas like “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” (ECT 1 and ECT 2). I always thought these ecumenical agendas benefitted the Roman Catholic Church since many Evangelicals try to convert Roman Catholics. Should the three branches of Christendom proselytize each other’s members? Is the gospel of God about the person and work of Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners, or is the good news of God about the Roman Catholic Church?

 

[2nd_Adam]

Not only will you find Protestants in heaven, you’ll also find atheists, pagans, buddhists, Taoists, Animists, Wiccans, Pantheists, Muslims, Druids, etc.

According to the catechism of the catholic church - that is the correct answer.

Does the Catechism really teach people from non-Christians religions will be in Heaven apart from faith in Jesus Christ? How does the Roman Catholic Church reconcile this view and be obedient to the command of Jesus Christ to make disciples from every tongue, tribe, and nations? Does the Roman Catholic Church no longer support missions work, since faith in Jesus Christ is no longer a requirment to enter Heaven?

 

[buffalo]

If you find yourself in heaven it will have been through the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church Jesus Christ founded for that very reason. Everyone in heaven is Catholic.

 

[2nd_Adam]

if any non-Christian is saved, it is through Jesus Christ only and not the power of any other [non-existent] deities.

How do you reconcile your view and Romans chapter 10? How can sinners be saved apart from hearing about God’s provision to be reconciled to Him?

Romans 10

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The Message of Salvation to All

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”

But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”

Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”

But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

 

[2nd_Adam]

If you find yourself in heaven it will have been through the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church Jesus Christ founded for that very reason. Everyone in heaven is Catholic.

Sure, there is only One True Jesus Christ. The Apostle’s Creed is embraced by many Protestants too. I would suspect the Orthodox Churches embrace the Apostle’s Creed too. I agree that there is only one body of Christ which is defintely catholic. Many of these historical creeds were written before the major splits in Christedom.

In your view, are you saying that the Roman Catholic Church saves the sinner, or do you believe it is because of the person and work of Jesus Christ which a sinner is saved and become part of the catholic church?

 

[2nd_Adam]

and you will be Catholic before you get to Heaven… you will become Catholic here on EArth and/or in Purgatory but you will become Catholic… No one who is outside Christ’s Church can be saved if s/he rejects that Church (invinsible ignorance of that fact is the only exception)

Do you understand that there is a difference between the Roman Catholic Church and the catholic (universal church) as understood by Christians were are not part of the Roman Catholic Church? The real question is:

Can a sinner become part of the universal catholic church apart from being a member of the Roman Catholic Church?

 

[Voice_Of_Truth_1]

lol. I hope I’m not coming off too strong, but it’s kind of a good thing that you’re not working on getting everyone to convert to Catholicism. No offense, but I’m a Christian, I know I’m going to Heaven, I will never be Catholic. I don’t have to be Catholic in order to go to Heaven.

From my point of view, Catholics are confused with several things. But that’s just my opinion as a Christian, just as you probably dont agree with the fact that I dont, and never ever will pray to Mary or confess my sins to a priest, it’s totally not necessary.

ANYWAYS, you don’t have to be Catholic to get into Heaven, not once did God mention praying to Mary or confessing sin to a priest in the Bible, so why people do astonishes me. Once again, not trying to be rude, just my opinion.

God Bless.

 

[2nd_Adam]

lol. I hope I’m not coming off too strong, but it’s kind of a good thing that you’re not working on getting everyone to convert to Catholicism. No offense, but I’m a Christian, I know I’m going to Heaven, I will never be Catholic. I don’t have to be Catholic in order to go to Heaven.

From my point of view, Catholics are confused with several things. But that’s just my opinion as a Christian, just as you probably dont agree with the fact that I dont, and never ever will pray to Mary or confess my sins to a priest, it’s totally not necessary.

ANYWAYS, you don’t have to be Catholic to get into Heaven, not once did God mention praying to Mary or confessing sin to a priest in the Bible, so why people do astonishes me. Once again, not trying to be rude, just my opinion.

God Bless.

Do you believe you can be a staunch Roman Catholic Christian and get to Heaven. A staunch Roman Catholic is one who adhere’s to official Roman Catholic dogmas. If you answer yes, was the Protestant Reformation and error and a waste of time?

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I always go by Christ’s own description of the Last Judgment:

31 And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 32 And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

Notice God does not give people a pop quiz on theology: He pretty much asks them if they helped their fellow man…

 

[buffalo]

Sure, there is only One True Jesus Christ. The Apostle’s Creed is embraced by many Protestants too. I would suspect the Orthodox Churches embrace the Apostle’s Creed too. I agree that there is only one body of Christ which is defintely catholic. Many of these historical creeds were written before the major splits in Christedom.

In your view, are you saying that the Roman Catholic Church saves the sinner, or do you believe it is because of the person and work of Jesus Christ which a sinner is saved and become part of the catholic church?

[169](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/169.htm’) Salvation comes from God alone; but because we receive the life of faith through the Church, she is our mother: "We believe the Church as the mother of our new birth, and not in the Church as if she were the author of our salvation."55 Because she is our mother, she is also our teacher in the faith.

**837 **“Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’”

**846 **How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that 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: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.