I've read posts in the past where Catholics claim Protestants are "hell-bound for being separated brethren". Your statement above seems to contradict that, by saying that "Jesus Christ...may save...also the Protestants". Which Catholic am I supposed to believe?
And in unison they respond Yes, NO, Yes, No, Yes, No…….
Just another Roman Catholic intepretation of Roman Catholic doctrine. Every Papist is his own Pope.
I am more disturbed that this Papist is including Muslims in any way with salvation, thus placing the power of salvation outside of the Church, which includes all those who confess and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ only.
It is a palpable contradiction of Christ's own words, that there is salvation through Him only, and the Apostle Paul in many places, who specifically describes infidels as being "without hope" and "without God" in the world, so long as they remain outside of the body of Christ.
Unless one is born again from above, they cannot, and will never, see the Kingdom of Heaven, and these Papists who teach otherwise place themselves as the absolute enemies of God and evangelism.
I've read posts in the past where Catholics claim Protestants are "hell-bound for being separated brethren". Your statement above seems to contradict that, by saying that "Jesus Christ...may save...also the Protestants". Which Catholic am I supposed to believe?
Do not expect uniformity or clarity when treading in this area. As TRCs charge, modern Rome is adept at nuanced language that supports more than one interpretation, and while some RCs see faithful Trinitarian baptized Prots as saved, even though they know of Rome's claims but do not know them to be true, others see them as souls who must repent from such things as sola fide, that faith appropriates justification, but must effect works to be salvific.
Looking for interpretation of historical and even infallible RC statements that all those not in the bosom of God and subject to the post are lost, even the Greeks, later, having lost her unholy sword, we see V2 calling evangelical-types (many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal) born again, and JP2 calling some Prots Saints, while also providing the "invincible ignorance" clause.
As few Prots are ignorant of Rome's claims then the affirmation of Prots being born again infers ignorance as really knowing her claims are truth but refusing to enter Rome, versus knowing what she says and finding her unique elitist claims unwarranted and unconvincing. By God's grace I "know" and have shown the latter to be the case,refuting RCAs.
For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical [Protestant] communities...
They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood...
men who believe in Christ and have been truly baptized are in communion with the Catholic Church even though this communion is imperfect. ...it remains true that all who have been justified by faith in Baptism are members of Christ's body, and have a right to be called Christian, and so are correctly accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church.
"It follows that the separated Churches and Communities as such, though we believe them to be deficient in some respects, have been by no means deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Church."
In contrast to the language of LUMEN GENTIUM and UNITATIS REDINTEGRATIO the more traditional types virtually exclude any Prots from salvation. Annalex is one of these as i recalled from past exchanges.
CB: your freind, according to the RCC, will not be saved unless he becomes a member of the Catholic Church. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2966953/posts?page=3362#3362
annalex : Not entirely correct. He may not have an opportunity to accomplish a formal conversion, but Christ will give him an opportunity to convert in his heart as he dies. That is the meaning of impossibility of salvation outside the Church. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2966953/posts?page=3373#3373
Me: “And thus those Prots, who do not convert to the Catholic church at the end, while having the Holy Spirit and being part of the body of Christ, are lost. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2966953/posts?page=3382#3382
annalex They don't [the Holy Spirit], aren't, and yes they are lost if they reject Christ and His Church all the way to their death. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2966953/posts?page=3462#3462
Me: Then all those statements about Prots now being born again and part of the body of Christ, are misleading
annalex: Yes they are. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2966953/posts?page=4083#4083
No, as a direct quote, that is incorrect. Where are you quoting from? The Catechism, that Cynical Bear just brought to our attention explains the Catholic belief (I paraphrase): if a Protestant (for example) desires to obey in his works the Gospel of Jesus Christ even though his knowledge of Jesus Christ is distorted by Protestantism (or atheism, or Islam, etc. -- and I am not equating the three), then he may be saved through his good works. What would prevent a Protestant from reaching salvation is then an active defiance of the Catholic Church.
Often what people mean to say is that one educated about Catholic faith yet clinging to Protestant heresies is in grave danger of perdition. But only God knows your soul, and only God can save you. We don't.