Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/24/2006

Question
I read your answer that Catholics believe in works for salvation and are not saved  As a Catholic I believe that my faith throught Jesus Christ promotes my works as a Christian. We as Christians are to do works for the Kingdom of God through his son Jesus Christ.  I know that Jesus sacrifice himself for my sins saved and it was through that sacrifice I was saved.  Catholics believe they is only one way to the Father and that is through his son Jesus Christ. To say that Catholics are not saved is not true.

Answer
Hi Jeanne,

Thanks for your comments.  It is important to remember that belief is a personal thing.  I believe that there are some Catholics who do not trust thier works in order to obtain heaven and have trusted in Jesus Christ alone through faith alone.  This sadly is the exception to the rule.  The official stand of the Roman Catholic church is that works such as sacriments are required in order to merit heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

You are right to say that works should be done because we believe, but they cannot be a requirement of salvation.

Hebrews 9:14
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Galatians 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps.

In Christ
Pastor Don