[NYer]

A topic that often surfaces here in the FR Religion Forum.

[annalex]

We discussed it briefly yesterday.

[wagglebee]

Well, this thread will either get “lost” or have 2000+ posts by tomorrow.

[FReepaholic]

...What does the Catholic Church mean by the phrase, "Outside the Church there is no salvation"...

You have to go inside the building.

[andysandmikesmom]

Thanks so much for the ping...

[big'ol_freeper]

This issue is at least as misunderstood (or is it misunderestimated??) by non-Catholics (perhaps on purpose to justify certain feelings toward the Church) as Pope Benedict XVI’s statement on the defective nature of the various churches, denomination, and movements that are outside of Christ’s Church.

[NoLibZone]

Same attempt is used by ALL Religions: it means we are the only path to salvation.

[rabidralph]

Outside the Church Christ, there is no salvation.

Fixed it.

[verga]

Many people translate the Latin phrase extra ecclesiam nulla salus as "Outside the Church there is no salvation." This translation does not seem is 100% entirely faithful to the Latin meaning, ultra conservatives and liberals contribute to the misunderstanding of the phrase.

The Latin word "extra" is both an adverb and preposition. Depending on its use in a sentence, the word has different meanings. When used to describe spatial relations between objects, the word is translated as "beyond" or "outside of"(e.g., beyond the creek is a tree; or, James is outside of the room). When used to describe abstract relations between concepts or intangible things, the word is commonly translated "without" (e.g., Without a method, it is difficult to teach). Within the phrase in question, extra is a preposition describing the abstract relationship of the Church to salvation. Considering the Latin nuances of the word, a proper translation would be, "Without Outside the Church there is no salvation." This translation more accurately reflects the doctrinal meaning of the phrase.

There fixed it

[daniel1212]

This is one the many teachings that is debated within Rome as to whether they were infallible. Another question is, how evident was it that those closest to the statements understood it to require formal submission to Rome?

All told, the sad fact, which is testified to both doctrinally and empirically, is that there is seldom found salvation within Rome, which effectually promotes faith in one’s merits (”by those very works ..to have truly merited eternal life” - Trent )and the power of the church for salvation, rather than contrite repentant faith in Christ and His sinless shed blood, which while multitudes are manifestly born again by believing.

And it the church that works to convict souls of their utter inability to either escape Hell or gain Heaven by any dependence upon the works or church, but upon the Biblical Christ, that is indicative of a true church. And whose authenticity does not rest upon formal ecclesiastical linkage, any more than that of a true Jew rests upon physical genealogy to Abraham. Rather in both cases it rests upon Abrahamic type faith in the apostolic gospel of the grace of God.

And since it is upon faith in Christ that one is baptized into the church (1 Cor. 12:13), there is no one saved outside of it.

[narses]

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[Kolokotronis]

“extra ecclesiam nulla salus”

Now when I was in the first grade in Catholic school, the nun told me that meant that the Greek Orthodox were going to hell because they didn’t “submit” to the Pope of Rome. How much do you want to bet I’ll never forget that or that down deep I still believe that’s what Roman and Latins believe?

[Iscool]

The Fathers do affirm the inherent danger in deliberately rejecting the Church. For example, St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote at the turn of the second century, "Be not deceived, my brethren; if anyone follows a maker of schism, he does not inherit the kingdom of God" (Letter to the Philadelphians 3:3). In the third century, St. Cyprian of Carthage wrote, "whoever is separated from the Church and is joined to an adulteress [a schismatic church] is separated from the promises of the Church, nor will he that forsakes the Church of Christ attain to the rewards of Christ. He is an alien, a worldling, and an enemy" (The Unity of the Catholic Church 6, 1). In the fourth century, St. Jerome wrote, "Heretics bring sentence upon themselves since they by their own choice withdraw from the Church, a withdrawal which, since they are aware of it, constitutes damnation" (Commentary on Titus 3:10-11).

No doubt this Apostasy worked well before the word of God was put into a book that people could read in their own language...Men wearing long robes and performing rituals made them look 'pious'...

Thank God the lies and deception are now out in the open...And yet, some people still chose religion over the words of Jesus Christ...

We have been taught that Christ is the first-begotten of God, and we have declared Him to be the Logos of which all mankind partakes (Jn. 1:9). Those, therefore, who lived according to reason [logos] were really Christians, even though they were thought to be atheists, such as, among the Greeks, Socrates, Heraclitus, and others like them . . . those who lived before Christ but did not live according to reason were wicked men, and enemies of Christ, and murderers of those who did live according to reason, whereas those who lived then or who live now according to reason are Christians. Such as these can be confident and unafraid (First Apology 46).

What a damnable heresy...You are a Christian ONLY if you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour...No amount of 'reason' will get you into the Body of Christ...

Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Eternal salvation cannot be obtained by those who oppose the authority and statements of the same Church and are stubbornly separated from the unity of the Church and also from the successor of Peter, the Roman Pontiff, to whom the custody of the vineyard has been committed by the Savior (no. 7).

Heresy upon heresy...This could only be spoken by a unsaved person who does not know Jesus Christ...Completely unbiblical...

Baptism and unity with the Catholic Church provide the only assurance of salvation,

Sorry, there are millions of Christians who consider your religion to be another cult who have 'real' assurance of Salvation...Assurance from the word of God and the Holy Spirit...

He gave us the Sacrament of Baptism and unity with the Church as the ordinary means of salvation.

Not according to God's words...Repentance and accepting Jesus as your Saviour are the ordinary and ONLY means of Salvation...Any other way will get you into Hell...Eternal damnation...

One would be smart to 'dump' those church fathers and pick up a dime store bible and find the TRUTH...

[nmh]

The church, as in the building, means NOTHING. You can have a “church” anywhere. It can be outside or in a building.

It is all about belief. People that worship Christ are the “body”. The body that worships Christ is the “church”. The “church” is the “body” of believers. The “church”, as int he building or the “body” of believers, doesn't determine anyones “salvation”. It is ONLY Christ, not the “church”, that determines who is “saved” and who is not “saved”. No mortal in a position of authority determines anyones salvation. It is ONLY Christ that determines this. He sees into your heart. It's not the rituals, traditions or ceremonies you participate in that determines your alvation stauts either.

[Condor51]

Issue: What does the Catholic Church mean by the phrase, "Outside the Church there is no salvation" (extra ecclesiam nulla salus)?

Well ... according to a Nun I had one year for catechism when I was about eight (1956) - and she was like 104 (kidding) - it meant only Catholics can/will go to Heaven. Everyone else will burn in Hell. That scared the heck out of me and I looked at my playmates & schoolmates differently after that. Especially one kid who was a Baptist - I really felt sorry for him.

She also told us not to watch 'Father Knows Best' as it was written by Communists. [At least she was one for two :-)]

[xhrist]

Thank you for posting this.. Always appreciative and glad to receive your ping list pings!!

[xhrist]

Thank you for posting this.. Always appreciative and glad to receive your ping list pings!!

[Salvation]

Regrettably, I missed this thread -- here are some additional links and information.

What does the Catholic Church mean by the phrase, "Outside the Church there is no salvation"

Christian, I Presume? (Salvation) [Ecumenical]

Rock Solid: The Salvation History of the Catholic Church [Ecumenical]

Who Can Be Saved?

Grace, Faith, and Works

Getting in Touch With Reality (good character and behavior as a ticket to Heaven)

My Personal Savior

The Early Church Fathers on Salvation Outside the Church [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

Extra ecclesiam - Outside the Church there is no salvation.

Is Faith Necessary for Salvation? (Part 2)

Good Will Equals Salvation? (Did the pope say non christians could be saved - part 1)

The Experience of the Salvation of Christ Today

Nonbelievers Too Can Be Saved, Says Pope

Worthy Is the Lamb?

Limbo and the Hope of Salvation