Expert: Sal - 10/23/2004

Question
I read in your profile that catholicism is the only true faith and the only way to salvation, ist this what you believe and why?

Answer
Dear Brad:

I do believe that the Catholic Church is the one true Church established by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. The Bible tells us that Jesus established a Church in the first century and that this Church was built upon the Apostle Peter. “I for my part declare to you, you are Rock, and on this rock I will build my church…” (Mt. 16:18). This Church will be guided by the Holy Spirit and, consequently, cannot teach error. “When he comes, however, being the Spirit of truth he will guide you to all truth…” (Jn. 16:13; see also I Tim. 3:15—“the pillar and bulwark of truth”). Its earthly leader is infallible. “I will entrust to you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What ever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:19; see also Lk. 22:31-32 & Jn. 21:15-17). This Church will exist for all times. “…the jaws of death shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). “…And know that I am with you, even until the end of the world” (Mt. 28:20). This Church has unparalleled teaching authority. “He who hears you, hears me. He who rejects you, rejects me, And he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me” (Lk. 10:16; see also Mt. 16:19, 18:18).

Only the Catholic and Orthodox Churches can legitimately claim to be the first century Church established by Jesus. All Protestant churches can be historically traced back to some individual founder after the time of Jesus and his Apostles. This eliminates them as possibly being the true Church. The Orthodox Church can be eliminated because they reject the line of Peter upon whom the true Church was founded. “And on this rock I will build my Church,” declared our Lord. Also the Orthodox Church has changed its teachings on vital issue a number of times proving that they do not posses the promised Holy Spirit and the gift of infallibility.

One final note: the Church establish by Christ for the salvation of the world is to be unified in belief (“That they may be one”-Jn. 17:20-23).  This is true of the Catholic Church while it has never been true of Protestantism. There are numerous denominations of Protestantism (some say 20,000) all unable to agree on what the Bible teaches. The divisions in Protestantism, which are a scandal to Christianity, continue to grow on a daily basis. Only in the Catholic Church is our Lord's prayer for unity among believers truly realized. “There shall be one flock then, one shepherd” (Jn 10:16b).

Being the true Church means that the Catholic Church is the only way to salvation. Jesus would not found a Church if there were other ways to salvation. God does make exceptions, however. Therefore, if one is ignorant of the fact that the Catholic Church is the Church established by Christ then this person can still be saved. His salvation will still be through the Catholic Church even though he is unaware of it.

Thanks for the question. If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to ask.

Yours in Christ,
Sal