Roman Catholicism is true Christianity

Roman Catholicism vs. Christianity According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Christianity is a “major religion, stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or the Anointed One of God) in the 1st century AD.”(1) Because the life, teachings, and death of Jesus are recorded in the New Testament, the Bible is the ultimate authority on Christianity, and any denomination that claims to be Christian must acknowledge this fact. Roman Catholicism does not. Paragraph 82 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “. . . the Church ‘does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.’”(2) Claiming that Scripture and tradition must be “honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence” brings God’s infallible word down to the fallible traditions of fallible men. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”(2 Timothy 3:16-17). Purgatory One Catholic teaching is that of Purgatory, the so-called “final purification” of God’s elect. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”(3) Complete holiness is necessary to enter heaven, but this holiness must be achieved during life, not after death. So, if a person wishes to enter heaven, they must live a perfect life, never breaking a single commandment. Because this is impossible for a human being to do, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life and die for our sins, so that we could enter heaven. Once a person has accepted Christ, they are cleansed by his blood and are justified by God. They are then sanctified in their lifetime, becoming more Christlike, though they still are fallible human beings, and, after death, are glorified by God, becoming sinless not by their own works, but by the grace of God. Also, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so-called “good works” are commended: “The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.”(4) These are seen by the Catholic Church as “good works” even though it is impossible to merit salvation for oneself or another. Romans 3:12 clearly states that there “is none who does good, no, not one.” And, since the Bible is the infallible Word of God, this verse is correct and the Catholic Church is wrong. “Almsgiving, indulgences, and penance” are not seen as “good” by God, rather they are seen as attempts to “bribe” the Judge of the universe into granting them or someone else eternal life. Acts 8:20, “But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!’” Buying indulgences cannot merit someone eternal life, for eternal life is a free gift of God, received by accepting his Son, Jesus. “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him -- for the redemption of the soul is costly . . .”(Psalm 49:7, 8). Salvation cannot be obtained through works that any man can boast (Ephesians 2:9), but by the grace of God through faith (Ephesians 2:8). “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23) If all have committed crimes against God, how can someone be saved? Only by the works of Jesus Christ, and not by anything we can do. You must put your faith in Jesus Christ, trusting that he died upon the cross for your sins, then you can be redeemed. An example of this is found in Luke 23, when the thief on the cross next to Jesus says to him, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”(Luke 23:42). In this verse, the thief acknowledges that Jesus is Lord, and therefore Jesus is capable of saving him. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”(Luke 23:43). The thief, though having no time to confess his sins to a priest, become baptized, or do anything “good”, was, nonetheless, promised salvation, not because of his works, but because of his faith. If he had been judged by the Ten Commandments (found in Exodus 20), the thief would have been found guilty for his sins. But, because he put his faith in Jesus Christ, believing Jesus could and would save him, the thief was saved by the grace of God. (1)“Christianity,” Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., accessed December 8, 2013, http://www.britannica.com...(2)“Catechism of the Catholic Church,” Vatican, accessed December 8, 2013, http://www.vatican.va...(3)Ibid.,http://www.vatican.va...(4)Ibid.