Is Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church the only way to salvation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jimmy_B
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jimmy_B

Guest
Is Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church the only way to salvation?
John 14:6-7
Click to expand...
6** Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one** comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. (John (NAB) 14)
John 6:52
Click to expand...
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; (John (RSV) 6)
Catechism of the Catholic Church

**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.
Click to expand...
Your thoughs?
 
I’m no theologian but I believe that God is the only way to salvation. I don’t see how any other way could possibly be the way to Him. This in turn raises the whole question of whether Jesus is God Incarnate (another topic of debate) - but if for arguments sake one does accept that Jesus is God incarnate than that, to my understanding, would make Him the way because He is god - not because of some scripture versus
That’s my opinion 🙂
 
Islam teaches that throughout human history, there were many Prophets (peace be upon them all) sent to many nations and all of them brought the Message of God with them.

During the time of Prophet Noah (pbuh), he was the only way to salvation.

During the time of Prophet Abraham (pbuh), he was the only way to salvation.

During the time of Prophet Moses (pbuh), he was the only way to salvation.

During the time of Prophet Jesus (pbuh), he was the only way to salvation.

And did Prophet Jesus (pbuh) say that someone would come after him bringing again the Message of the Lord showing the only way to salvation from then on?

youtube.com/watch?v=Ui71HaLm-2M
 
It has always been God’s plan for male and female to come together and produce life. And this applies to everlasting life (sanctifying grace) too.

Jesus is the new Adam. His Bride, The Church, is the new Eve. They are the male and female we need for everlasting life.

But I didn’t agree with the poll question, because there are exceptions that the church recognises in that some people do not have access to the new Adam and the new Eve.
 
**
Ephesians 4:1-8
Click to expand...
1 I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love,
3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace
:4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore, it says: “He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” (Ephesians (NAB) 4)
**
 
Yes you must have jesus to have salvation, but you do not have to be catholic to get it. Thats what we catholics believe.
 
cradlecathlic26 said:
Yes you must have jesus to have salvation, but you do not have to be catholic to get it. Thats what we catholics believe.
Click to expand...
If you know Jesus, then you will become a Catholic before you are saved - either here in this life, or else in Purgatory. 🙂
 
Here is the teaching of the Church from the CCC:
“Outside the Church there is no salvation”
846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 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.336
847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337
848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."338
Click to expand...
For JimmyB, it is the Church that determines what the NT writers had in mind when they wrote their Gospels and Epistles. There is also plenty of biblical evidence for the Church’s position apart from the verses you cited. 😉

It is very dangerous for anyone (apart from the Magisterium, to whom Christ gave the promise of infallibility in matters of faith and morals,) to interpret Sacred texts on his/her own. Doing so has led to several hundred sects of Protestantism as well as uber-traditionalist “Catholics” who also believe they know better than the Church they say they are defending.

Be careful about thinking you know what the Scriptures say in matters of doctrine. You could be seriously wrong and so endanger not only your faith but the faith of others. :o

For doctrine we read the Catechism, for inspiration we read the Bible.
 
Can someone here please explain to me the (Catholic) definitions of “Heresy” and “Apostasy”?

I know many, including some Catholics, like to avoid these to words or this discussion al-to-gather, but is this really helping anyone? Is it possible the one might actually lose Salvation because they avoid these tough issues? If what some Catholics here believe is true, why does the Roman Catholic Church have a “closed” Communion?

Where is it allowed, the existence of literally tens of thousands of non-Catholic religions?

How does one reconcile a sort of complete inclusion by anyone and everyone into God’s One True Faith (the Roman Catholic Church), or into Heaven, with God, the Catholic faith or the Bible?

Can someone explain the Early (Catholic) Church as described in Acts 5:1-11?

Acts 5:11
11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things. (Acts (RSV) 5)

And

Acts 9:31
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. (Acts (RSV) 9)

I know God is all merciful and anything is possible through God, but isn’t the key part here, “through God (Jesus)”.

There are some, for instance who claim to be “Christian” and claim to be “saved” and they support abortion and/or gay marriages and multiple marriages. Are these people being helped by not sharing the truth with them?

Where do we draw the line or better yet, where does God draw the line.

Should we leave out the “fear” (God) element in our faith?

Should we leave out the “obey” (God) eliminate in our faith?

Should all the references to “Fear God” and “Obey God” be taken out of the Bible?

How does one know what to fear and how to obey God if they are in the wrong religion?

We are to; know God; to love God; allow God to love us; fear God and obey God.

God is merciful and “Just” and like in any ‘Justice” some will be found guilty.

**Please correct me if I am wrong. **

God Bless You.
 
Do you really believe that any and all sincere, devout Jews since the time of Christ will be denied entrance to Heaven?
 
Della said:
Here is the teaching of the Church from the CCC:

For JimmyB, it is the Church that determines what the NT writers had in mind when they wrote their Gospels and Epistles. There is also plenty of biblical evidence for the Church’s position apart from the verses you cited. 😉

It is very dangerous for anyone (apart from the Magisterium, to whom Christ gave the promise of infallibility in matters of faith and morals,) to interpret Sacred texts on his/her own. Doing so has led to several hundred sects of Protestantism as well as uber-traditionalist “Catholics” who also believe they know better than the Church they say they are defending.

Be careful about thinking you know what the Scriptures say in matters of doctrine. You could be seriously wrong and so endanger not only your faith but the faith of others. :o

.
Click to expand...
Hello Della,

I hope this comment of yours isn’t being applied to me (It sure sounded like it). If they do, then please, save your “warnings” for someone else who is in disagreement with you. I am very familiar with what you have posted here and I agree with you.

**Nowhere in this thread, have I interpreted a single bible verse, I merely posted bible verses here and asked for others to comment on them. **

I do not interpret the bible. I do not have any opinion(s) when it comes to my faith.

**I completely surrender myself to God’s will and His Church(the Roman Catholic Church), that is where my opinion(s) can be found. **

I am a Roman Catholic.

Note: If you follow any of my posts here, you will see that I ask questions. I do not provide many opinions but when I do, they are consistant with the Roman Catholic Church.

BTW are you Catholic?

**Thank you. **
 
Jimmy_B said:
Hello Della,
I hope this comment of yours isn’t being applied to me (It sure sounded like it). If they do, then please, save your “warnings” for someone else who is in disagreement with you. I am very familiar with what you have posted here and I agree with you.

**Nowhere in this thread, have I interpreted a single bible verse, I merely posted bible verses here and asked for others to comment on them. **

I do not interpret the bible. I do not have any opinion(s) when it comes to my faith.

**I completely surrender myself to God’s will and His Church that is where my opinion(s) can be found. **

I am a Roman Catholic.
**Thank you. **
Click to expand...
With Christian love (and the privilege that comes with a bit of age) I say that you are interpreting Scripture by underlining parts of verses as if they alone are to be considered with regard to salvation “outside the Church”. If that was not your intention, please correct me. 🙂

I do not question you being a Catholic, but I do question your aggressive way of presenting a teaching of the Church as if it is up for grabs, so to speak. At least, that was my impression of your first post and your follow up ones. 🤷

To answer your question about heresy, only those who knowingly reject some or all of the teachings of the Church are formal heretics, culpable before God. Those who have always believed in their own Christian denomination are material heretics, which means they are not as culpable before God for not being formal members of the Church. They are Christians because of their valid trinitarian baptism.

Apostasy is the knowing rejection of one’s Catholic/Christian faith.

Even if some Catholics equate the teaching of the Church I cited from the CCC as “anyone no matter what can be saved”, they are wrong. The Church is merely saying that the decision as to who will be saved belongs to God, not us. It is a statement about God’s mercy not a “get out of hell free” card for non-Catholics.
 
Here is a general observation:

I find it amazing how some so-called Catholics here, will *hammer *another Catholic regarding a comment but these same people will use kid gloves, when dealing with Protestants, some of whom have posted downright heretical remarks here at CAF. Some times tough questions need to be asked.

I noticed when it comes to the opinions of the religious or apologists that these same persons who are so critical of another Catholic, are not concerned with those persons, “personal opinions” nor do they comment on what they say or write.

If no one was allowed to comment on Catholicism or the Bible, we would not have these forums and there would be no apologists, there would be no need for either one.

Every Catholic is an individual with a common religion and belief, taken from all walks of life at different points in their journey and knowledge of the Bible and of the Catholic faith.

I will continue to ask tough questions and when I am mistaken, I will always refer back to my Roman Catholic Faith for the correct answers and post it.
 
Jimmy_B said:
Here is a general observation:

**I find it amazing how some so-called Catholics here, will *hammer ***another Catholic regarding a comment but these same people will use kid gloves, when dealing with Protestants, some of whom have posted downright heretical remarks here at CAF. Some times tough questions need to be asked.

I noticed when it comes to the opinions of the religious or apologists they same persons who are so critical of other Catholics are not concerned with those persons, “personal opinions”.

If no one was allowed to comment on Catholicism or the Bible, we would not have these forums and there would be no apologists, there would be no need for either one.

Every Catholic is an individual with a common religion and belief, taken from all walks of life at different point in their journey and knowledge of the Bible and of the Catholic faith.

I will continue to ask tough questions and when I am mistaken, I will always refer back to my Roman Catholic Faith for the correct answers and post it.
Click to expand...
I agree wholeheartedly with the bolded statement. Many a time, my own fellow Catholics will not charitably tell me that I’m incorrect about something, but will blast me in front of others on a thread. We all need to be defending one another and building each other up. In several threads I’ve opened up, their either ignored and not a Catholic will come to help me, or one will come and tell me I’m wrong and take the side of Protestants, which emboldens them no doubt.

There are many posters that get a superiority complex on here at times. We’re all guilty of it, myself included. So let’s get ourselves together and continue building up the reign of Christ. 👍

Pace e Bene
Andrew
 
  1. RCC, Jesus is God
  2. Protestant, Jesus is God
  3. Other (like me), Jesus is Messiah and rules as God, but not born God.
  4. Jesus is not Messiah or God.
Couple of questions for opinion:

a. At what point is a person in danger of Hell?

b. If #4 was like a saint in all other ways – charity, never sinning, etc. – and #1 sinned all the time, adultery, stingy, etc. – who has a better chance of Heaven?
 
FaithofAbraham said:
  1. RCC, Jesus is God
  2. Protestant, Jesus is God
  3. Other (like me), Jesus is Messiah and rules as God, but not born God.
  4. Jesus is not Messiah or God.
Couple of questions for opinion:

a. At what point is a person in danger of Hell?
Click to expand...
🤷
I think it’s more important to focus on heaven, than it is to focus away from hell. :twocents:

My favourite biblical verse is “God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in union with God and God lives in union with him.” (1 John 4:16)

So, if you don’t live in love, you’re “in danger of hell”. :twocents:

Now, I suppose we can start a whole new debate on “what is love?”
FaithofAbraham said:
b. If #4 was like a saint in all other ways – charity, never sinning, etc. – and #1 sinned all the time, adultery, stingy, etc. – who has a better chance of Heaven?
Click to expand...
I think the Catholic Church would say #4. :twocents:
 
I voted yes on the poll since all salvation comes through Jesus and His Church. That said, it is possible/probable that non-Catholics/non-Christians are saved, but this salvation comes to them because of Jesus and the Church.
 
The answer MUST be no. JESUS is the only means of Salvation EVER, but HOW God decides to bring people to salvation is his business. That there is NO SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CHURCH is true, however, the Roman Catholic Church is only PART of the CHurch…there are many rites within the Catholic umbrella, plus the fact that all God’s faithful are a part of the One Church, though some are seperated to various degrees.
 
Another choice should’ve been “I’m not sure”. I find it hard to believe that a Jew, non-radical Muslim, a Hindu,etc. who has lived a good and peaceful life, and has faithfully worshiped God as he sees him is bound for hell.
 
mikew262 said:
Another choice should’ve been “I’m not sure”. I find it hard to believe that a Jew, non-radical Muslim, a Hindu,etc. who has lived a good and peaceful life, and has faithfully worshiped God as he sees him is bound for hell.
Click to expand...
I’m curious… How are you so sure that a “radical Muslim” will be bound for Hell?

I mean, if Islam is indeed the Truth, then I would think that a “radical Muslim” who has faithfully worshipped God would have a much better chance of escaping the Hell-fire as compared to a “moderate Muslim” who, although living a “good” and peaceful life, has not really followed the teachings of Islam as faithfully as he or she should have done.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top