Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/18/2006

Question
Hi Pastor Don!

I am a Catholic married to a Baptist, or so we were raised.  I read the question posted by another individual about the difference between the two religious beliefs and you advised the young man (Baptist believer) to stop dating his girlfriend (Catholic believer) if she continued to believe that her confirmation was her "being saved," and that she needed to simply believe that Jesus was the Son of God who died on the cross for everyone's sins without "adding works" to the belief.  

I had read that you think the major difference between the two religions is that Catholics believe in faith plus works versus just faith alone, as Baptists believe.  

So, my question to you is this:  "Since Catholics already  believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for their sins, what is wrong with getting confirmed?"   Being confirmed means that you do belief that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and that you are joining the church as an adult- much like when a person is saved in the Baptist religion.  

To believe that Jesus is the Son of God is to be celebrated with other church members, and becoming confirmed means that you want to stand infront of the church and show others that you do believe.  What makes this so wrong?  I have been to many Baptist services, and I have yet to go to one church that does not ask if anyone would like to come down front to proclaim their faith in God!  And if you believe in God, you should want to share it with others and lead a moral life.  

To call it "saved" or "confirmed" does not really matter.  It's terminology that simply categorizes the act as "Baptist" or "Catholic." It is the same thing!

Maybe I'm misunderstading something- please help!

Bless you,


Answer
Hi Carey,

Hanks for this great question.  I will try to expalin this the best that I can.  It would be much easier to talk to you in person... but I will try to explain things here.  

Being Born Again is not a rite like confirmation is.  It is a decision to place one's faith fully in Christ as the source of your salvation.  Here is a question for you to consider:

If you were to die and stand before God, and He were to ask you " Why should I let you into my heaven?" what would you say?  WHat do you thing are the requirements to get to heaven?  Answer these questions before reading any more of this post.

If you are like thousands of Catholics that I have met you probably said something about keeping the commandments, taking communion, doing good, trying to serve Jesus.  All these things are works.  Even though you believe facts About Jesus - He is God, died for our sins, etc. - you have not trusted IN Jesus alone.

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.

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.

What you need to do is realize that Jesus already paid the price for your sins and that you do not need to do anything to merit His favor, just accept His free gift of salvation that He paid for on the cross.

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.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

You can call on Him right now and ask Him to save you.

Romans 10:9-10,13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

You could pray a prayer something like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, I know that I deserve to go to Hell, but I know that You died on the cross for my sins.  I ask you to save me from my sins and take me to heaven when I die.  Help me to live for you now.  Thank you Lord Jesus.  AMEN.


I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don