Do you have to be Catholic to be saved?

Question

Can someone show me biblical evidence that says that one must be Catholic to be saved? All evidence I have seen comes from words spoken by popes, evil anti-popes at that. Pope Innocent III (Pope: 1198-1216) is responsible for the slaughter of thousands. I accept no authority from such a man. Pope Boniface VIII (Pope:1294-1303). He is now considered an anti-pope, so he also does not hold any authority. Pope Clement V (Pope: 1305-1314), was clearly corrupt. It was under his rule that that King Philip IV had the Knights Templar disbanded and murdered. Why should I accept the authority of any of these clearly corrupt popes? Some later popes were better, but they were quoting the policies of the corrupt popes that came before them. They did not have any biblical support for this belief. They relied on the words of their corrupt predecessors.

Does the blind faith in the infallibility of the church cause this? What biblical proof is there that the church and the pope are infallible?

Michelle_my_belle wrote: In regards to your outrageous accusation that it was BECAUSE of some sort of idict that Pope Clement V ORDERED the torture of the Knights of Templar--here your ignorance of French history is apparent.

And your ignorance of MY question is apparent. I did not say that he ORDERED the knights templar killed. I specifically said that the KING did! Duh.


And papal infallibility (I never claimed that I am accusing you of saying they are perfect) has rules. I SAID THIS!!! Papal infallibility is not implied for everything the pope says or does. I SAID THIS!

Read the question thoroughly before you go on a tirade of accusation please. That's why the world hates Christians so much. "We" judge without complete understanding.

Answer 1

The bible does not say you must be catholic for salvation.... that is what the denomination teaches tho. what it does say is that you must believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and confess your sins to God, accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus offers to each person.... for thru the blood atonement sacrifice on the cross, our sins have been forgiven. no need for men to make rules and guidelines... all you need to know is in the Holy Bible.... you can find salvation thru the Word.... and not thru a manmade religion.

no man or church should be considered infallible... for only Christ alone was perfect... all but Him fall short of the Glory of God....putting faith in men or denominations gives satan a foothold.... seek the truth in the Word of God alone

Answer 2

Hi Smart Alec,

I think you're under more than a few misunderstandings about my church and my faith there, buddy.

No one ever said the church was infallible. The theology of papal infallibility does not mean the pope is never wrong.

It's a biblical teaching from what Jesus said to Peter. As above so below. What you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. What you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Even Catholics don't say you have to be Catholic to get into Heaven. The Cathechism of the Catholic Church has a whole section on how people of other faiths might be saved.
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842 The Church's bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:

All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .331

843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332
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Jesus himself states in the bible that there are those who naturally, without any teaching, follow God's laws.

King Philip did not have the Knights Templar disbanded and murdered. That is a myth spread about by some really lame scholars. King Philip only went after the Templars in France. He wanted their wealth. The rest of the Templars continued until they were no longer needed. Most of them went off into monastic orders, many into the Hospitaller Order. A great many are still on the Island of Malta. One of the most Catholic places on the planet.

But back to your point - yes, there have been corrupt popes. The evil one weasels his way in when ever he can. Which is why I'm not ashamed of the bad priests being cleansed from my church at this time. I am saddened by the innocent ones condemned by mass hysteria. But I'm all up for a little house cleaning care of the Almighty.

Answer 3

The Catholic Church does NOT teach that you must be Catholic to be saved.

To paraphrase, while the RCC has some decided beliefs on Catholics and Christians being saved, they also believe that salvation comes from God alone and it is not outside of God's power to save those who have not been baptized. Think about it - what kind of all-loving, all-merciful God would condemn someone who died before Jesus, who died before baptism, who never had the chance to hear the Gospel, or who just lived a good life the best way they know how?


As for Papal infallibility, that has only been enacted twice, and both times in regards to teachings about Mary. The Pope must proclaim a teaching "ex cathedra" for it to be infallible, and that probably won't happen again any time soon.

Answer 4

If you want to find out what the position of the Catholic Church is then look it up in the Catechism. You will not find anything which suggests that only Catholics can be saved. In fact it will clearly state that you do not have to be a Catholic to be saved.

Regarding the authority of the Church.. What does the Bible say is the pillar and foundation of truth? (1 Tim 3:15) Hint: Its not the Bible... Its the Church! So, who speaks for the Church?

Answer 5

The answers have gotten to the point of ridiculousness.

You don't have to be Catholic to be saved. The Popes do not speak infallibly on all things - only when speaking ex cathedra, and this issue "no salvation outside the Church" is often misunderstood.

In simple terms, someone who is Catholic and understands the Catholic Church to be the ancient and original Church of Christ on earth, but rejects the Catholic church, is condemned. On the other hand, someone who is raised to hate the Catholic Church (most call it "corrupt" and "unbiblical") will obviously not, even acting on the most godly desires of their own heart, join the Catholic Church. As such, they are God's Mercy, and the Lord judges the heart.

I assure you, any leader who claims Christ but leads his flock away from Him merits punishment. It is no different for Pope or peasant. Do not concern yourselves with them - they have already received their reward.

Instead, concern yourself that through your own ignorance (lack of understanding) of the Catholic Faith that you not lead young Catholics who are immature in their faith away, lest you suffer the same punishment.

Answer 6

The ONLY thing one needs to do to be "Saved" is to make a concious effort to ask God to be the center of your life. This means you try every day to live a life that is Christlike and honorable, obeying His commandments and spreading His Word and His Love.

Religion has NOTHING to do with it. I am not a Catholic. I do not subscribe to ANY religion. I am a Christian. Christ did not care for religion if you remember. And since the Catholic church was not even in existance back during Christ's days, I'm not sure how exactly anyone can think one must be Catholic to get into heaven.

What are you going to do with the millions of Jews who died during the holocaust? Did they all go to hell? Is that what some people REALLY believe?

Answer 7

there are NO SUCH words in the Bible. The words that are there for one to be saved are: Hear the word Romans 10:17, believe the word,Hebrews 11:6 repent of your sins,Mark 1:15 confess Christ,Matthew 10:32,33
be baptized 1 Peter 3:21(immersion) Greek word, baptizo should be translated "immerse." and remain faithful.Revelation 2:10

Answer 8

hello Alex, let me say this:

Youre right. We have to be realistic. Some Popes were sinful.

But "infallibility" doesnt mean to say that they were all sinless. What it means is that the dogmas - the official Catholic teachings introduced by the Popes, are infallable. Why? To maintain the church on the right path. Why maintain the church on the right path? To serve its people!

Catholicism survived for 2000 years on the original teaching. The teaching has survived even the bigest threat of all, the "evil Popes". But exactly these popes show a very important thing: its not the Popes who are in charge - but Christ Himself through His representative on earth, as he fortold to Peter.

Catholics can't say that a particulr individual will go to hell*. We have no authority to decide. When someone excommunicates himself from the Church we offer him to the mercy of God, whom we beleive, by the way, to be infinitely merciful.

*hell being defined as completely torn from God

Answer 9

I believe its a big mis conception that you have to be this or have to that in order to be saved. Denominations aren't our final judge. Neither is what religion we follow for the most part. Look at it this way. There are tribes all over the world who have no idea about Jesus and there are entire nations who believe in something entirely different as a main religious belief and have for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. I do believe Jesus is a very very good way to go about getting to heaven but I also think that is who you are that really gets you to heaven. I just don't see God damning billions of people because they have no knowledge or follow the Christian faith. I think God is much smarter than that. God surely knows that whats good for one group might not be good for another.

Answer 10

I'm Catholic and I never heard any priests or the Pope say that. Probably the old Popes from years ago who had their own twisted version. Every Sunday at Mass, the priest ask all of us to join in harmony with our Christian brothers and sisters which includes Protestants, Mormons, Pentecostals, etc. I've never heard any Sunday school teacher say that, they teach love for one another and to respect other religions. I don't know what Catholics you've met but this is tripe. Those Popes don't represent the views of the Church and the Church has officially stated that you don't have to be Catholic to go to Heaven. Believing in Christ is enough.

Answer 11

Like the apostle Paul Catholics are figuring out their salvation in worry and trembling (Phil. two:12), with hopeful trust within the guarantees of Christ (Rom. five:two, two Tim. two:eleven–thirteen). Jesus required the works of baptism (Mark sixteen:sixteen; John three:five), self-renunciation (e.g., Matt five:three, 10), repentance (Matt three:two; four:17; 18:eight-nine; Mark nine:forty two-forty eight), obedience to God, doing what's proper and simply (e.g., Luke 10:25-28; Matt 19:17; Matt 25), adopting the humility of a baby (Matt 18:three-four; 19:14), consuming the bread of existence (John 6:fifty one, fifty three-fifty four), and staying power to the top (Matt 10:22, 24:thirteen; Mark thirteen:thirteen, Luke 21:sixteen-18). Those looking to please God through religion on my own don't seem to be in obedience to all of the above specifications. Faith on my own is most effective recounted as soon as within the whole Bible, in James two:24: "You see that a man or woman is justified through what he does and NOT through religion on my own." Cheers, Bruce PS: Interesting admission from Chris that he's posting the identical cheating calumny over and over again, simply to get 2 features. I desire the truly evangelical Christians will distance themselves from this phony.