Expert: LEBoyd - 8/29/2009

Question
I have been told by born-again Christians that Catholics do not go to heaven because they are not "saved". So according to that logic, all of my deceased relatives will burn in hell, even though they were devout Catholics and believed that Jesus died on the cross to save them from their sins.

My question is, what scriptures specifically state that Catholics are excluded from heaven?

I am not trying to start an argument, I honestly would like to know.
Thanks

Answer
Anne,

I believe that probably are referring to whether "baptism" includes sprinkling of infants.  When the Bible was translated into English, the Church of England as well as the Catholic church sprinkled infants and others for baptism.  Therefore, instead of translating the word, which means immersion, they transliterated it from the Greek word "baptismo" to "baptism".

It is difficult to think of our relatives (whether they are atheist or another religion that doesn't teach the whole truth) as being lost.  We read of many people in the New Testament who left their families to become Christians.  This is never easy, but we must first be concerned with our own salvation.

I have studied with those who had been sprinkled as infants who saw what the Bible teaches.  My recommendation is to begin your study on your own with the book of Acts.  When you read this book, besides understanding that "baptism" means immersion, pay close attention to who actually is baptized.  There are several steps that must occur prior to baptism, such as having faith, confessing that Jesus is the only Son of God and repenting of one's sin.

I'm personally not a fan of religions that use anything other than the Bible as the only guide for us.  I'm also not a fan of religions that try to explain why the Bible doesn't mean what it seems like it means.  I have a reasonably good study Bible, however the man who wrote the study material doesn't believe baptism is necessary for salvation.  He spends almost 2 pages explaining why I Pet 3:20 doesn't mean you have to be baptized.

I prefer to just read the Bible and try to do what it says.

Hope this helps.