Catholic vs Christian | “I am a Catholic. Why should I consider becoming a Christian?”

The Question of Catholic Identity and Christian Faith

Today's question is, I am a Catholic, why should I consider becoming a Christian? In this video I'll answer that question from a biblical perspective, and afterwards I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

First, please understand that we intend no offense in the wording of this question. We genuinely receive questions from Catholics along the lines of, what is the difference between Catholics and Christians?

In face-to-face conversations with Catholics, we have literally heard, I am not a Christian, I am a Catholic. To many Catholics, the terms Christian and Protestant are synonymous. With all of that said, the intent of this video is that Catholics would study what the Bible says about being a Christian, and would perhaps consider that the Catholic faith is not the best representation of what the Bible describes.

Scripture, Church Tradition, and Authority

As a background, please see our video on What is a Christian, it's linked just above. A key distinction between Catholics and Christians is the view of the Bible. Catholics view the Bible as having equal authority with the church and tradition.

Christians view the Bible as the supreme authority for faith and practice. The question is, how does the Bible represent itself? 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17 tells us, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

This text tells us that Scripture is not just the beginning, or just the basics, or just the foundation for a more complete church tradition. On the contrary, Scripture is perfectly and fully sufficient for everything in the Christian life.

Scripture can teach us, rebuke us, correct us, train us, and equip us. Bible Christians do not deny the value of church tradition. Rather, Christians uphold that for a church tradition to be valid, it must be based on the clear teachings of Scripture, and must be in full agreement with Scripture.

Catholic friend, study the Word of God for yourself. In God's Word, you will find God's description of, and intention for, His church. 2 Timothy 2, 15 declares, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Direct Access to God Through Christ

A second key difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is the understanding of how we can approach God. Catholics tend to approach God through intermediaries, such as Mary or the saints. Christians approach God directly, offering prayers to no one other than God Himself.

The Bible proclaims that we ourselves can approach God's throne of grace with boldness. The Bible is perfectly clear that God desires us to pray to Him, to have communication with Him, to ask Him for the things we need.

There is no need for mediators or intermediaries as Christ is our one and only mediator, and both Christ and the Holy Spirit are already interceding on our behalf. Catholic friend, God loves you intimately and has provided an open door to direct communication through Jesus.

Salvation as a Gift, Not a Process

The most crucial difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is on the issue of salvation. Catholics view salvation almost entirely as a process. While Christians view salvation as both a completed status and a process.

Catholics see themselves as being saved, while Christians view themselves as having been.

Saved.

1 Corinthians 1 verse 2 says, "...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy.". The words sanctified and holy come from the same Greek root. This verse is declaring that Christians are both sanctified and called to be sanctified.

The Bible presents salvation as a gift that is received the moment a person places faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. When a person receives Christ as Savior, he or she is justified, or declared righteous Romans 5 verse 9, redeemed, or rescued from slavery to sin 1 Peter 1 verse 18, reconciled, or achieving peace with God Romans 5 verse 1, sanctified, or set apart for God's purposes 1 Corinthians 6 verse 11, and born again as a new creation 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17.

Each of these is fully accomplished the moment of salvation. Christians are then called to live out practically, called to be holy, what is already true positionally, sanctified. The Catholic viewpoint is that salvation is received by faith but then must be maintained by good works and participation in the sacraments.

Bible Christians do not deny the importance of good works or that Christ calls us to observe the ordinances in remembrance of Him and in obedience to Him. The difference is that Christians view these things as a result of salvation, not a requirement for salvation or a means of maintaining salvation.

Salvation is an accomplished work, purchased by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God offers us salvation and assurance of salvation because Jesus' sacrifice was fully, completely, and perfectly sufficient.

If we receive God's precious gift of salvation, we can know that we are saved. 1 John 5 verse 13 declares, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

We can know that we have eternal life and we can have assurance of our salvation because of the greatness of Christ's sacrifice. Christ's sacrifice does not need to be re-offered or re-presented. Hebrews 7 verse 27 says, He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.

Hebrews 10 verse 10 declares, We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 18 exclaims, For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Christ's once-for-all sacrifice was absolutely and perfectly sufficient. Jesus declares on the cross, It is finished. John 19 verse 30 Jesus' atoning sacrifice was the full payment for all our sins.

As a result, all our sins are forgiven and we are promised eternal life in heaven the moment we receive the gift God offers us—salvation through Jesus Christ. Catholic friend, do you desire this great salvation?

If so, all you must do is receive it through faith. God loves us and offers us salvation as a gift. If we receive His grace by faith, we have salvation as our eternal possession. Once saved, nothing can separate us from His love.

Nothing can remove us from His hand. If you desire this salvation, if you desire to have all your sins forgiven, if you desire to have assurance of salvation, and if you desire to have direct access to the God who loves you, receive it, and it is yours.

This is the salvation that Jesus died to provide and that God offers as a gift. If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior by faith because of what you have heard here today, please let us know by clicking on the link, I Have Accepted Christ Today.

That link will also lead you to some valuable next steps. Welcome to the family of God. Welcome, Catholic friend, to the Christian life! Hungry for more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content.

And check out the details section below this video, there is one book I recommend, along with several related articles. If you'd like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you're interested in Bite-sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it's linked right here.

Now remember, Got questions? The Bible has answers, and we'll help you find them!