I don't pray to saints. They pray for us. I know they "made it" because they were either martyred for Christ or verified miracles have occurred through their intercession.
The teachings of Moses is not any different than the teachings of Jesus.
They are less developed. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus develops the teachings on the Ten Commandments.
The early fathers knew that only through our Lord Jesus was there salvation.
"The following quotations from the Church Fathers give the straight story. They show that the early Church held the same position on this as the contemporary Church doesthat is, while it is normatively necessary to be a Catholic to be saved (see CCC 846; Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 14), there are exceptions, and it is possible in some circumstances for people to be saved who have not been fully initiated into the Catholic Church (CCC 847). Notice that the same Fathers who declare the normative necessity of being Catholic also declare the possibility of salvation for some who are not Catholics. These can be saved by what later came to be known as "baptism of blood" or " baptism of desire" (for more on this subject, see the Fathers Know Best tract, The Necessity of Baptism). The Fathers likewise affirm the possibility of salvation for those who lived before Christ and who were not part of Israel, the Old Testament People of God. However, for those who knowingly and deliberately (that is, not out of innocent ignorance) commit the sins of heresy (rejecting divinely revealed doctrine) or schism (separating from the Catholic Church and/or joining a schismatic church), no salvation would be possible until they repented and returned to live in Catholic unity...."
Well, that is a remarkable statement for a Catholic. No asking Mary for help? No praying the rosary?
I know they "made it" because they were either martyred for Christ or verified miracles have occurred through their intercession.
So then we do know who made it??? They talk to us from the other side through miracles??? This really gets spookier by the moment. I hope you're thinking about what you are saying.
They show that the early Church held the same position on this as the contemporary Church doesthat is, while it is normatively necessary to be a Catholic to be saved (see CCC 846; Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 14), there are exceptions
While I appreciate the current Catholic Church's efforts in making Catholics believe this through their "tracks", this is not what the scriptures teaches nor is it what the early fathers believed. Please note a few of their quotes:
Ignatius: "His cross, and his death, and his resurrection, and the faith which is through him, are my unpolluted muniments; and in these, through your prayers, I am willing to be justified (Epistle to Philadelphians). Note: "muniments" are title deeds, documents giving evidence of legal ownership of something.
Polycarp: "I know that through grace you are saved, not of works, but by the will of God, through Jesus Christ (Epistle of Philippians).
Justin Martyr: "No longer by the blood of goats and of sheep, or by the ashes of a heifer...are sins purged, but by faith, through the blood of Christ and his death, who died on this very account (Dialogue with Trypho). "God gave his own Son the ransom for us...for what, save his righteousness, could cover our sins. In whom was it possible that we, transgressors and ungodly as we were, could be justified, save in the Son of God alone? ...O unexpected benefit, that the transgression of many should be hidden in one righteous Person and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors" (Letter to Diognetus).
Ireneus: "Through the obedience of one man who first was born from the Virgin, many should be justified and receive salvation."
Cyprian: "If Abraham believed in God and it was imputed to him for righteousness, then each one, who believes in God and lives by faith, is found to be a righteous person."
Athanasius: "Not by these (i.e. human efforts) but by faith, a man is justified as was Abraham."
Basil: "This is the true and perfect glorying in God, when a man is not lifted up on account of his own righteousness, but has known himself to be wanting in true righteousness and to be justified by faith alone in Christ."
Ambrose: "Without the works of the law, to an ungodly man, that is to say, a Gentile, believing in Christ, his "faith is imputed for righteousness" as also it was to Abraham."
The great doctrine thus laid down in the beginning was further unfolded and brought out into clearer light by the work of the Fathers and theologians. And it may be noted that in this instance the development is chiefly due to Catholic speculation on the mystery, and not, as in the case of other doctrines, to controversy with heretics. ...
But it was not till St. Anselm and Abelard had met it with unanswerable arguments that its power was finally broken. It makes a belated appearance in the pages of Peter Lombard . ...
His example, and drew all things to Himself; it was by this [sic: His example] that He wrought our Atonement and Reconciliation with God, "making peace through the blood of His Cross".
To sum up, for 1,200 years the Church accepted the atonement. This is documented not only in the writings of the early fathers but also in the Nicene Creed and many other writings of the Church. But then, all of a sudden it became clear as to what was REALLY being talked about. Hey, Christ didn't have to die for our sins but He just redeemed mankind from their sins. The rest is up to them.
This is nothing more than Socinianism and a denial of Christ's atonement for our sin. This was laid down by the fathers, embedded in Creeds, and changed twelve centuries later as admitted by the Church. And, it should be noted, the Catholics are rather nervous because they try to defend themselves against this charge in their write up. But you can't change a leopard's spots.
This is a damnable (literally) lie.