Is being Catholic the safest bet for Heaven - Read question fully.?

Question

Catholics believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins. So that is enough under evangelical belief to be Saved or Born Again.

The differences are aroud everything else.

So if evangelicals are right then Communion, Confirmation, confession etc are not true sacraments.

But the Catholic believes that Jesus died for their Sins and seeks to earnestly follow and give their life to him. so they go to heaven if the evangelicals are right and the catholics are mislead.

However the other way around, if the Catholics are right then the evangelicals are pretty much out of luck as they havent had the sacraments to administer Gods grace into their lives.

under either scenario the catholic comes out ok, only under the evangelical viewpoint does the evangelical come out ok.

Believing things evangelicals think are wrong do not seperate you from christ by their own teachning. so if you go to confession for them it just means noting positive or negative.

Answer 1

The botton line here is, you are wondering which is the True Church. . ?

Look to the one that bears the Four Marks of the True Church, and you will find the one that can provide you with the best possible guidance for getting to Heaven.

FOUR MARKS OF THE TRUE CHURCH



If we wish to locate the Church founded by Jesus, we need to locate the one that has the four chief marks or qualities of his Church. The Church we seek must be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

The Church Is One (Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:13, CCC 813–822)
Jesus established only one Church, not a collection of differing churches (Lutheran, Baptist, Anglican, and so on). The Bible says the Church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23–32). Jesus can have but one spouse, and his spouse is the Catholic Church.

His Church also teaches just one set of doctrines, which must be the same as those taught by the apostles (Jude 3). This is the unity of belief to which Scripture calls us (Phil. 1:27, 2:2).

Although some Catholics dissent from officially-taught doctrines, the Church’s official teachers—the pope and the bishops united with him—have never changed any doctrine. Over the centuries, as doctrines are examined more fully, the Church comes to understand them more deeply (John 16:12–13), but it never understands them to mean the opposite of what they once meant.

The Church Is Holy (Eph. 5:25–27, Rev. 19:7–8, CCC 823–829)
By his grace Jesus makes the Church holy, just as he is holy. This doesn’t mean that each member is always holy. Jesus said there would be both good and bad members in the Church (John 6:70), and not all the members would go to heaven (Matt. 7:21–23).

But the Church itself is holy because it is the source of holiness and is the guardian of the special means of grace Jesus established, the sacraments (cf. Eph. 5:26).

The Church Is Catholic (Matt. 28:19–20, Rev. 5:9–10, CCC 830–856)
Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19–20).

For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal family (Gal. 3:28).

Nowadays the Catholic Church is found in every country of the world and is still sending out missionaries to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).

The Church Jesus established was known by its most common title, "the Catholic Church," at least as early as the year 107, when Ignatius of Antioch used that title to describe the one Church Jesus founded. The title apparently was old in Ignatius’s time, which means it probably went all the way back to the time of the apostles.

The Church Is Apostolic (Eph. 2:19–20, CCC 857–865)
The Church Jesus founded is apostolic because he appointed the apostles to be the first leaders of the Church, and their successors were to be its future leaders. The apostles were the first bishops, and, since the first century, there has been an unbroken line of Catholic bishops faithfully handing on what the apostles taught the first Christians in Scripture and oral Tradition (2 Tim. 2:2).

These beliefs include the bodily Resurrection of Jesus, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the forgiveness of sins through a priest, baptismal regeneration, the existence of purgatory, Mary’s special role, and much more —even the doctrine of apostolic succession itself.

Early Christian writings prove the first Christians were thoroughly Catholic in belief and practice and looked to the successors of the apostles as their leaders. What these first Christians believed is still believed by the Catholic Church. No other Church can make that claim.

Answer 2

Hello Leslewis65. I was born and raised Roman Catholic in the 1950s and the product of an Old Country Italian Family. As such, my Catholic training was of a very strict nature. As firm as it was, I was taught by both my family and the Sacramental Catechism classes that God doesn't care what faith a person is as long as he/she lives right by that faith and lives a good life in relation to God, Others and their selves. The doctrines of the Roman Catholic Faith are for Catholics and as such are not considered binding to others by The Church. I, of course don't know which documents you've read but if you wish to lean about The Roman Catholic Faith, I suggest you use only Catholic sources. Many of the non-Catholic information sites are very prejudicial towards Catholics (and other faiths) and post either slanted, antiquated or incorrect information. In some cases I've also found outright mis-information posted. The Church doesn't want congregation members who are not comfortable with The Catholic Faith. Priests and other clergy members will try to work through any conflicts of faith a Catholic may have but if a member cannot find comfort as a Catholic, they will discuss other options including conversion to other Christian Faiths. Last, I will point out how in most cases those who convert to Roman Catholicism from other Christian Faiths are not required to be re-baptised Catholic. The Church fully recognises the validity of Protestant Baptism and the authority of Protestant Clergy to perform them. Catholic Doctrine does not support multiple baptisms as do many of the Protestant Faiths. All faiths as all countries and all people go through changes throughout their existence. The Catholic Church is no different. For currant doctrine I'd suggest researching post Vatican II Catholicism. In answer to you question, Catholics believe God has the ability to choose who His future neighbors will be. Regards, Lenny.

Answer 3

I am Protestant. I can not find anywhere in the Bible where we are told to pray to the saints or Mary. We are told not to pray before idols or statues. We are told nothing about purgatory, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient. We are told to confess before God, not men. We are told to take the bread and wine often in remembrance of Christ, so that is not just a Catholic sacrament. We were not told to organize a church with an infallible Pope. There are so many differences, so many doctrines of Catholicism that do not seem biblical or even implied, that I fear that God might hold this against the Catholic church.

We are even told in the Bible about a great harlot from which false religions would spring, so this is a serious matter. Just believing in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is enough for salvation. I have a personal relationship with God were he is my Father, my Lord, my Savior, my Comforter and my friend - so I do not even have to worry about my salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, not some organization.

Answer 4

Doesn't anyone remember when John Paul II held a major ecumenical conference to bring different religions together. I do. I have never seen a recent piece of doctrine that says you must be Catholic to get to heaven. People need to get their facts straight on this one (practiced Catholicism for 27 years and am now a Buddhist Yogini)

Answer 5

"If I do not want what you want, please try not to tell me that my want is wrong.

Or if I believe other than you, at least pause before you correct my view.

Or if my emotion is less than yours, or more, given the same circumstances, try not to ask me to feel more strongly or weakly.

Or yet if I act, or fail to act, in the manner of your design for action, let me be.

I do not, for the moment at least, ask you to understand me. That will come only when you are willing to give up changing me into a copy of you.

I may be your spouse, your parent, your offspring, your friend, or your colleague. If you will allow me any of my own wants, or emotions, or beliefs, or actions, then you open yourself, so that some day these ways of mine might not seem so wrong, and might finally appear to you as right -- for me. To put up with me is the first step to understanding me. Not that you embrace my ways as right for you, but that you are no longer irritated or disappointed with me for my seeming waywardness. And in understanding me you might come to prize my differences from you, and, far from seeking to change me, preserve and even nurture those differences." Source(s) If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.

Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. —Henry David Thoreau

Answer 6

this is completely based on faith. only faith will bring you to heaven. because with what you say, their are several other religions. now to add onto what your asking, Catholics, tend to switch back and forth from, anyone who is not a catholic goes to hell, or, if you believe in christ you will go to heaven. so basicly the only thing i could say to you is let your faith determine what you believe.

Answer 7

I think anybody who is more focussed on getting to heaven than what Jesus taught us to be is missing the point entirely.

There are no loopholes to getting into heaven.

There is no formula to get into heaven.

You can't trick God into letting you into heaven.

You can't hedge your bets, play both sides against the middle and guarantee yourself a spot in heaven.

We are saved by grace, friends.

Answer 8

I remain Catholic because I believe that the Church has the fullness of truth. I wouldn't exchange it to something less. if evangelists or Bible-fundies go to heaven, it's not for me for judge. all I know is that this is the path I chose to take. the Catholic path.

Answer 9

ok first of all too long! Second yeah sure confessing your sins to child molesters is going to get you into heaven! All you need to do is believe in God! Organized religion is just another cult. All they want is your money and they will make your sins go away!!!! Just make responsible decisions and stay out of trouble, what is the big deal! Why make it so complicated?

Answer 10

I believe that all those who accept Christ as their Savior are on a road to Heaven, but there are many other things that are scriptural that are still necessary for salvation.

Many Christians will say that accepting Christ as their savior is enough, but I disagree...

Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Many Christians will sat that the Eucharist is just a symbol, but I disagree...

Joh 6:51 "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."
Joh 6:52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?"
Joh 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.
Joh 6:54 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Joh 6:55 "For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.
Joh 6:56 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.
Joh 6:58 "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever."
(Seven times Christ emphasizes the Body and Blood as true food and true drink.)

Many Christians say that prayers for the saints are not scriptural, but I disagree...

Mar 12:26 "But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob'?
Mar 12:27 "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken."

Eph 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Many Christians will say that Confessing our sins to a Priest is not scriptural, but I disagree...

Jas 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Some Christians say that when you die you will go straight to heaven, I disagree...

Mat 5:25 "Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Mat 5:26 "Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

Many Christians say that your works are not necessary for salvation, but I disagree...

Mat 12:36 "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Mat 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

Many will sat that Purgatory is not Scriptural, I disagree...

1Co 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

Catholics are closer to the truth than any other Christian faith, so I'm going to stay Catholic...

Just my thoughts...