The Only Way to Salvation

Today the catholic church is a bit different in how it presents itself than it was just a few short years ago (and much, much different than it was many years ago). In the year of the Lord in which I was born, 1964, The Roman church (just one month and a day after I was born, not that has any significance, whatsoever, except to show how not so long ago it was) completed and issued the teachings from Vatican Council II. This document is titled: "Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, solemnly promulgated by his Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964". (John Paul I and John Paul II both were serving as Bishops at the time this was completed, they were, of course, to become popes later).

What you hear today, spoken by priests, laymen and even the apologists for the catholic faith, seems to be a bit watered down from what the words of this council, from Pope Paul VI himself, speaking "as Christ" here on earth and proclaiming "infallible", "uncorrectable" words because his 'words' come directly from the Spirit of God (From Vatican Council I 1869-1870 on the infallibility of the pope).

Here is a sample of some of those 'words' that he imparted to the 'faithful' on the subject of "The way to salvation";

Chapter II.14 (I added the bold to highlight some key points)

"This sacred council wishes to turn its attention firstly to the Catholic faithful. Basing itself upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition it teaches that the Church, now sojourning on earth as an exile, is necessary for salvation. Christ, present to us in His Body, which is the Church, is the one Mediator and the unique way of salvation. In explicit terms He Himself affirmed the necessity of the Church, for through baptism as through a door men enter the Church. Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or remain in it, could not be saved.

There it is, black and white, and no official document (dogma spoken ex-cathedra ie: infallible) has ever been issued to refute that statement. As a matter of fact, they go on further to say if anyone should refuse to believe this doctrine, then they are condemned as anathema (separate from God, going to hell, no way out-anathema). What ever any catholic, pope or bishop or priest or laymen say to the contrary is all smoke and mirrors, because once a pope says anything "ex-cathedra" even he himself cannot change that (according to their teaching). It IS TRUTH to them, and that is it. What ever is "said" after that is just meant to give the "appearance" that they are not exclusive, but indeed they are, and they chose to, mostly, hide that from the people these days.

So there it is, if you do not walk into the doors of a catholic church and/or practice their teachings and have their sacraments, you are NOT SAVED AND GOING TO HELL (according to what the catholics teach anyway).

So what does the Word of God, the Bible, say about this subject?

I think that just by reading these verses, you will see which makes the best sense and is really the Word of the Lord. (italics are added by me)

John 10:7 Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." ('verily, verily' means 'listen, listen closely')

John 10:9 Jesus said: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out , and find pasture."

(going in and out tells me that no matter if we are here or there, in a building or a square, Jesus is found because He desires to live IN US. With true faith in Him, there is no place He cannot be found to those who seek Him in TRUTH. However, Jesus cannot be found when we look for him outside of His Word.)

John 14:6 Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but but by me."

And in verse 23, Jesus replies to one of his disciples questions about why He would manifest himself to them (the disciples) and not the rest of the world? (which is exactly what the catholics are saying in their teaching that Jesus can ONLY be found there in the catholic church)

Jesus said: "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

The catholic apologetics will argue, since Christ is the door, and the catholic church is Christ's true church, than therefore the door is affixed to the catholic church and these verse's all say that. But, is that how the disciples and the early church saw it?

First of all the Roman Catholic church never existed, by name, until 300-400 years after Christ died and rose again. So there was no building in which to "hang" that door on!

Secondly, the Bible tells us of MANY people getting saved in many different cities, in many different countries.

Just in the book of Acts alone:

Jerusalem(vs.1-8), Damascus, Judea, Galilee, Samaria, Lydda, Joppa(vs.9),Caesarea(vs.10), Antioch(vs.11 where disciples were first called 'Christians'),Paphos(vs.13) Iconium, Derbe, Syria, Cicilia(vs.14) Lystra(vs.16) and many others.

How did these people get saved if they did not have a Roman catholic church to walk into?

Did Christ decide to hang the door on the Roman church centuries later because they were the best ones for the job? No, according to even the catholic teaching, the church began with Peter. So then I guess Peter had to be involved in the salvation of all those people, in all those cities, in some way or another for them to claim salvation. You would be hard pressed to find out if Peter visited all these places, and certainly, they didn't have his letters to read because Acts was written before Peter wrote his letters. (Furthermore there is no mention of Peter EVER being in or near the Church of Rome in the scriptures, and no historical proof, from records during his generation, either. Paul wrote the book of Romans in the Bible, and he never greeted the Bishop of Rome (whom the catholics claim was Peter) in the opening of his letter? How rude!) How did these people get saved? Was Christ different back then? Did He change His mind? Was God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit more generous back then, and then somehow decided to reside in only one place centuries later?

A logical man, who truly seeks the Lord and His truth could never believe this, it just does not make sense, nor line up with the Word of God, and that my friends is what this blog is all about.

Does it line up with the Word of God or not?

And watch out when the catholics claim that we are mere 'fallible men' and not able to understand the true meanings of the writings of scripture. And somehow we need help from them to interpret the meanings, because they have the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, and we do not (considering their actions of the past, and today, this statement is quite unbelievable!).

I will leave you with this scripture and Word from Christ who was addressing His disciples, and of course us, knowing we too would follow the way: John 15:13-14

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

He spoke this to ALL his disciples, who were with him, not just Peter, and his Word speaks to us today. The Spirit lives in each and everyone of us that will repent, hear, and obey, Christs WORD.

God Bless.