Rome's Idea of Salvation

The Cornerstone Challenge, September, 2004

 These days one often hears Roman Catholic leaders speaking of salvation by faith and by grace. But they do not mean what the Bible teaches—that salvation is by faith and grace (a gift) alone. In Salvifici Doloris, no. 19 Pope John Paul II said,

"Every man has his own share in Redemption… In bringing about the Redemption through suffering, Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ." TBC 5/2004.

 Another Paul, through the Holy Spirit, penned these words of Holy Scripture: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Gal. 1:8.

The Bible is very clear, man can do nothing to save himself but believe the Gospel; that Christ died for His sins and rose again the third day. Look at Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." Salvation is by grace—through faith—it is the gift of God—not of works! When Jesus cried on the cross, "It is finished," it was finished! If you add anything to that, you have destroyed the Gospel and bring upon yourself the curse of Gal. 1:8,9. When the Roman Church speaks of salvation by grace, they are speaking about grace that is received through the sacraments—one's own effort. The Council of Trent and many other Catholic pronouncements make their position clear: man cannot be saved by faith alone. That Council pronounces a curse on anyone who preaches a gospel of salvation by faith alone