Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/13/2005

Question
dear pastor,

my girlfriend and i are going through some troubling times right now because she is catholic and i am baptist. i go to church three times a week and i am very involved with my church. (i used to do buses and teen goup, now i play the drums every service)
my question is...what is so different between the two religions that makes me feel that she isn't saved? She says her "confimation" was her getting saved. If she believes in God and has every intention of going to church during her life, then why is it so hard for her to accept a baptist view of things? Don't we strive for the salvation and improvement of others? why can't a catholic see that God IS love...in a Baptist church also

Answer
Hi Joe,

THanks for this great question.  THe biggest difference between a Catholic and a Bible Believing Baptist is that Catholics trust in some kind of work, rite, or ritual in order to be saved.  Baptists trust in what Jesus did by faith alone without works to be saved.  If she believes that she is saved because she went through confirmation, then she is trusting in works, not in Jesus ALONE.... this is why you both are so very different.

John 3:16-20
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 3:19-26
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;   26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 4:1-8


What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

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

If she does not repent and trust Jesus alone, you should not date her...this relationship can only break your heart.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,  I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.  

In Christ
Pastor Don