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Is it true that when you are born into a Catholic church you are automatically saved?
I was evangelizing to an elderly lady who told me she was saved because she was born catholic.
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Asked March 10 2014
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Anonymous
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JD Abshire
Supporter
John 1:11 "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:13 "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Verse 13 clearly states you cannot inherit salvation because of being born into a particular family, not because an individual wills or wishes it so, nor because someone else willed or wanted it for you. It is a result of God willing it so. Salvation is not found in church membership or affiliation, it is totally and completely found in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ, by the redeeming power of his shed blood, death, burial and resurrection.
Emo Tenorio
Supporter
I am in agreement with brother JD Abshine post and my short answer would be NO, this misconception is deceitful in itself, and shall we say cultist at it's core. Many precious souls will be deceived and miss the very narrow path, and suffer great eternal loss for their error of following false teachers and incorrect doctrine. It's our job to warn as many as we can of their eternal error, while there is still some time on the clock, as the hour is close at hand, with great joy let us keep looking up. Ezekiel 33:6 In the Lord's freedom and narrrow path...............warrior on
Steve Lobsey
Supporter
As a former Catholic, some Catholics are "Christians" and some are not. Some, like the lady you spoke to, see it like a club, and when they join the club through baptism, and going to church, they think they are in a group of people going to heaven. The problem with this view is that it places the burden on us to do the right thing, and we could never in our own power make ourselves worthy of heaven. The only way to heaven is to trust in the work Jesus did, and He is the only one capable of paying the price for our sins. If a Catholic believes this, they will go to heaven, but if they believe going to heaven is based on anything other than this (such as being baptised, receiving the Eucharist etc) then sadly they will not.
Tony Flores
Supporter
No. The only way to Know that you are saved according to the Bible is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He is the only way, the only life and the only truth. No religion will save you, it has to come from you and that personal relationship with the creator of the Universe.
vivian lipari
Supporter
if you confess jesus is lord and you know in your heart you are a sinner. You have to read his word (the bible) so you can hear what god wants to say to you. Then you are saved. Proof by your fruits and change of heart in how you act as a follower of jesus.
Cindy Jennings
Supporter
The often-misinterpreted book of Ezekiel, that many use to try and justify "soul sleep," Chapter 18 says it all. It speaks of your salvation being your own. You are not saved because your father (any parent) was saved. Conversely, you are not condemned to death because of your father's sins. Your salvation is predicated upon your acceptance, and yours alone, of Christ as your Savior. To extrapolate that out, it means that belonging to any particular denomination also doesn't save you. As God says, "behold all souls are Mine (v4). We are all accountable for our own eternal destiny.
Marty Grand
Supporter
I know so many who believe they are on the way to heaven simply because their patents had them baptized as infants. Many only attend church a few times per year, if at all. This lie has cast many into the outer darkness and I wish there was a way to get through to such folks that their eternal rest is at a very high risk.
Mark Vestal
Supporter
Paul says that the requirement for salvation during the Ephesians 3:2 'dispensation of God's grace' is to first, hear (or come to the knowledge of) the gospel, and then believe the gospel (Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" Belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and that He was buried and rose again on the 3rd day is the requirement for salvation. You are accepting God's free gift by your belief (Ephesians 2:8-9), and you receive Jesus Christ as your savior in doing so (Ephesians 1:13). You are immediately sealed with the holy Spirit until Christ returns to redeem you (Ephesians 4:30). 2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Kilian Kean
Supporter
I was born into the Catholic Church. I was raised in the Catholic faith and customs. Was I saved at birth? No, because I did not know about Jesus until college. Mark 12:30 tells us that we are to love God with four things we possess: Heart, Soul, Mind, & Strength. Even though I participated in all the rituals of the Catholic Church: infant baptism, first communion, confirmation, and even an altar boy for years, I was not saved until I acknowledged Jesus as Lord as an adult. I am thankful that the Catholic Church taught me there is only One God and that I'm not Him. But the emphasis of the faith is more on tradition, rituals, and things that appease the fleshly senses (statutes, incense, robes, awesome architecture). My heart was not engaged with Jesus until I read the entire Bible at least once and the New Testament twice. On a Sunday evening in November of 1986, I opened the Bible to whatever page came and it fell open to Matthew 6:9-13 which I knew very well from my upbringing. My mind was engaged because I was seeking the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 My soul was engaged because I had left the Catholic faith a decade earlier and sought to find peace in drugs, partying, living for the fleshly appetites. When I asked Jesus to come into my life, peace overwhelmed me as the war with God was over. My soul had submitted to His will. John 1:12 Over the last 36 years I have asked this question many times of myself: when did I actually get saved? I've learned that the only prayer God seeks to hear from unbelievers is that of receiving Jesus as Lord. After salvation, then all prayers are open to His ears. John 14:13-14 But I know that God was active in my life before that November night. One day a few years before my conversion, I was stoned out of my gourd while hiking to the peak of San Jacinto in the Sierras. I was sitting on a rock looking over a large valley that was stupendous to take in. I spoke to God out loud, confessing that I know I'm not right with Him (being stoned), but I wanted to just thank Him for the view and beautiful day. Did He hear me? Did He receive my praise? The question is; did I receive Jesus during my childhood as a Catholic boy? I don't know, but I do know that God has been near me for a very long time, even before my conversion. I wish that the Catholic faith taught the Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book. I wish the Catholic priests had a different attitude to sin and failure. Using shame, guilt, demeaning behavioral tactics drove me away from the church at age 14. I knew my sins were grievous to God, I didn't need the priests or nuns to belittle me. The distractions of colored glass, fancy robes, incense, and formality of the mass kept me from seeing Jesus. Why would anyone prefer a Latin mass over English? Psalm 138:2 tells us that the Bible is magnified above His Name. The rituals, genuflecting, forbidding to eat an hour before mass, Lent and never engaging the mind, our intellect, was hindering me from seeing Jesus. Unfortunately, when I left the church, I dove straight into the world of partying, drugs, and living for the flesh alone. After a decade, ten years of my life lost to the devil, years I will never remember or get back, I realized I needed something more found only in the person of Jesus. I had a heart for God and the things of Him but was not led down the right path. I asked my mom what grace was when I was little. Her response was to ask the priest for it's up to them to know those things. How wrong is that! The Bible is God's Love Letter to us. It is Jesus Himself. John 1:1-5 We must pursue God by our strength, by humbling ourselves James 4:10 & 1 Peter 5:6, praying or just talking with Him as in Matthew 6:5-7, search for Him in all things Psalms 19:1-3 & Psalms 100:1-5 and turn away (repent) from the known wicked things we do. Acts 3:19 Lastly, be quick about confession! 1 John 1:9 Don't wait for Saturday night, do it now and be restored in fellowship with God.
Albert DeBenedictis
Supporter
The Roman Catholic Church does not teach that one obtains eternal life because one is born into a Roman Catholic family. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that, according to Bible, passages such as Mark 1:5; 16:16; etc., that when one is baptized with water by a Roman Catholic priest, one receives the Holy Spirit, and hence becomes a child of God. Water baptism, according to the Roman Catholic Church, allows one to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Galatians 3:26 states: 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Mark 16:16 states: 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 NKJV) Biblically, comparing all the passages of Scripture that mention water baptism, one is not saved simply by being baptized with water, nor does anyone receive the Holy Spirit simply by being baptized with water. One becomes saved when one repents of their sins (Acts 2:38) and believes that Jesus died for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 5:8, etc.). Biblically, baptism is an outward sign that one has repented of their sins. Biblically, this is how one becomes saved: 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV) Regarding water baptism, the Bible gives the following account: 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every word one of you be baptized in the of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38 NKJV) Notice that one is to repent of their sins before one is baptized with water. The water itself does not save anyone. One is saved when they repent of their sins and accept Jesus’ payment (atonement) for their sins. Acts 8:26-38 records the account of Philip witnessing to a man from Ethiopia. From this passage (Acts 8:26-38), it is clear that the purpose of being baptized with water is an outward display that one has repented and believes that Jesus died for their sins. In Act 16:25-33 gives the account of Paul and Silas with their jailor. When the jailor wanted to be saved, Paul and Silas told him to believe in Jesus [that He died for his sins] and he would be saved. Then, the jailor’s entire family became saved as they too believed and were baptized. Romans 5:8 states: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (Romans 5:8 NKJV) Many Roman Catholics make various claims because the Roman Catholic Church does not teach the parishioners very much about what the Roman Catholic Church believes and what the Bible teaches. The Bible gives these promises: 15 that whoever believes in Him should [c]not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:15-18 NKJV) 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24 NKJV) 47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. (John 6:47 NKJV)
Brother Paul
Supporter
The answer is in the scriptures, there is nowhere else to look and no one else to ask but God, in Jesus' Name. There are 7 ESSENTIAL STAGES TO SALVATION 1 - HEAR the Word So FAITH comes from HEARING, and HEARING by the Word of Christ. Romans 10:17 2 - BELIEVE He who BELIEVES in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not BELIEVE the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. JOHN 3:36 3 – CALL/CONFESS If you CONFESS with your MOUTH the Lord Jesus and BELIEVE in your HEART that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the HEART one BELIEVES unto righteousness, and with the mouth CONFESSION is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (Infants cannot do this!) How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17 4 - REPENT I tell you; but unless you REPENT, you will all likewise perish. Luke 3:3-5 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to REPENTANCE. Luke 5:32 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT and BELIEVE in the gospel. Matthew 1:15 5 - BAPTISM Repent and be BAPTISED, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your SINS. And you will receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 Whoever BELIEVES and is BAPTISED will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 6 - FOLLOW JESUS If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and FOLLOW me. Matthew 16:24 Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever FOLLOWS me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 10:27 7 - REMAIN (ABIDE) IN HIM and HE WILL REMAIN (ABIDE) IN YOU I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch IN ME that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You (who are truly saved disciples) are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. ABIDE IN ME, and I IN YOU. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you ABIDE IN ME. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who ABIDES IN ME, and I IN HIM, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not ABIDE IN ME, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you ABIDE IN ME, and My words ABIDE IN YOU, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 NO ONE IS AUTOMATICALLY SAVED, we are NOT SAVED because we are part of, or a member of, any denomination, family or country. During the 7 stages we will be: Spiritually Regenerated, Titus 3:5 We will become, Born Again, John 3:3&5 We will be grafted into the vine, John 15 God is in full control, He is also the one who will, when our heart is ready, graft us into the vine, into Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. We cannot save ourselves. One final scripture; please read all of it; John 3:1-21, people love to hear the middle part, they don’t like to hear the last part, but it is one message, all three parts must be understood and accepted. If we do not read it in full we will miss the context. In His Love Paul T ><>
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