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CHAPTER V
WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?!
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be condemned.” Mark 16:16!
In his opening remarks on “THE ONE TRUE CHURCH”, (see attachment at end of Chapter VI), Father Damen comments on the above quote thusly:
“From these words of our Divine Savior, it has already been proved to you, that faith is necessary for salvation, and without faith there is no salvation; without faith there is eternal damnation.”.
What is the difference between Redemption and Salvation?
Many of our non-Catholic friends confuse Redemption with Salvation.
All of Mankind was Redeemed by our Divine Savior when He atoned for our sins by His terrible death on the Cross. At this point the gates of Heaven, which were closed after the sin of Adam, were re-opened.
Just because it is now possible to go to Heaven (Redemption), there is no guarantee that we will actually go there (Salvation)! Christ Redeemed us without our help. Christ will however, not save us without our cooperation! The only alternative to Salvation (literally) hurts like Hell! The fact of Hell is also an act of Mercy by God. It provides the motivation to seek out Truth, to find and to enter The One True Church established by God, to make use of The Sacramental System.
Throughout this Chapter, The Catholic Church is referred to as The Church which Christ established - a point while True, hasn’t been proven yet. Please be patient. This will be covered in the next Chapter.
Our Salvation is the serious business of existence. We must take an interest in it.
More about Salvation:
1. All must be converted.
There is no neutral ground. Those who are not with Him are against Him. Those who do not gather, scatter! Conversion and penance (i.e. sorrow for our sins and a good Confession) are both necessary to have your sins forgiven.[1] No one can enter Heaven with a mortal sin on his soul, neither Catholic nor non-Catholic. We must be obedient to superiors (The One True Church) (in all that is not sinful).[2] See footnotes.
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2. There is no salvation outside the One True Church.[3]
Since there are “Superiors” which have a right to our obedience, we know that Christ established a Church to guide us, to teach us, to administer the Sacraments. Unbelievers will be condemned.
There are many reasons for this. One of the most important reason is that only the Catholic Church has the seven Sacraments ”instituted by Christ to give Grace”. The tragedy of those outside the Catholic Church (and some within The Church) is that they have rejected this Sacramental System! Many reject this offer of Mercy from our Divine Savior, not out of ignorance but pride, tepidity, human respect, etc. Many resist the Truth and obstinately adhere to their private beliefs. They may otherwise, in the eyes of men, be very “good” and likable people. As an act of Charity and love for these poor souls, each of us must do our best to grow in Sanctity and pray for their conversion.
Note this TRUTH well:
When His offer of Mercy is rejected, all that is left is His Justice, without Mercy! It will be a fearful thing to stand before the Judgment of God at the moment of death, knowing that we have rejected so many offers of Mercy and hear those terrifying words of GOD: “Depart from Me you cursed into everlasting fire”! Their whole life a failure!
A. “I hear your doctrine of the Sacrament of Confession and I reject It.” How can they have their sins forgiven?! Perfect Contrition I suspect is a very rare Grace, unlikely given to the obstinate.
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B. “I hear your doctrine on The Holy Eucharist and I reject It.” Christ Himself warned us that unless you eat His Body and drink His Blood, you will not have eternal life![4]
C. “I hear you doctrine on Holy Orders and I reject It.” The so-called non-Catholic “Ministers” do not have the Power of the Priesthood, to administer The Sacraments and to Offer The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
What about Invincible Ignorance?[5]
No wonder “outside the Catholic Church there is no Salvation!” This however does not mean that all those who die without being Baptized into The Catholic Church will always go to Hell. For many souls, this real entrance into the Church is impossible simply because they are not aware of the existence of a Church, much less that Baptism is necessary. Through no fault of their own they have Invincible Ignorance.
We cannot put a limit on the Mercy of God. To those of good heart, He often sends a missionary (a Priest or a good Catholic layperson) to lead them to The Church. It is possible that God, particularly at the request of the Saints in The Catholic Church, will give a soul a desire to do His Will. Such a soul would join the Church if she realized the necessity, may get the Grace of Baptism of Desire and at the moment of death, the Grace of a Perfect Contrition (sorrow for sin because it offends God whom we love). Such a soul could be a Catholic without realizing it. It is possible.
I suspect however that this is rare and that most die like they live. There is a real danger that those who are aware of the concept of “Invincible Ignorance” will rely on it to neglect, or reduce the sense of urgency for entering The Church. Such should be aware that their knowledge of Invincible Ignorance likely destroys this as an excuse for them. Culpable Ignorance is not an excuse. All men get the Grace to seek out The One True Church. If they elect not to, then they elect to stay “ignorant” and this is their own fault. This is culpable ignorance for which there is no excuse.
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We must not hold back explaining the Catholic Faith to our non-Catholic friends, out of fear of destroying their invincible ignorance because:
A. Their ignorance may not be “invincible”.
B. Perhaps our Divine Savior has decided to work through us to bring this soul into The Church.
C. It is easier to save our souls using the helps of The Church that are available only within The Church (i.e. The Sacramental System).
The Truth that “Outside The Catholic Church There Is No Salvation” does not mean that all Catholics will go to Heaven. All men must be in the State of Grace (no mortal sin), to enter Heaven.
3. Every Soul receives all the Graces necessary.
Our Divine Savior wants all souls to be saved. Therefore, every soul receives all the Graces necessary for Salvation. This usually manifests Itself as an inclination (Actual Grace) to do GOD’s will, straighten out our lives, and get back into the state of Grace (Sanctifying Grace). No one is allowed to be tempted beyond their ability to resist.[6].
4. He does not take away our freewill.
While our Divine Savior wants all to be Saved and gives us all the Graces we need, He does not force us. He does not take away our freewill. We must respond to these initial Gifts of (Actual) Grace. The scary part is that we must ask to receive, seek to find, knock for the door to be opened. For example, receive The Sacraments, particularly the Sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Eucharist. Almighty God will not give us His free Gift of Sanctifying Grace if we refuse their main Source - The Sacraments! Without Sanctifying Grace we cannot enter Heaven (Salvation).[7]
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5. What kind of “FAITH” is the “SAVING FAITH”?
We are “saved by Faith”, true but what kind of Faith? Many of our non-Catholic friends think that the just the belief that Christ is Our Lord and Savior and accepting this will save them! This is a deceit of the Devil! It keeps people from using The Mass and Sacraments. The Saving Faith is much more than this.
A. We are saved by a True Faith, not a false faith.[8]
B. We are saved by a Complete Faith, not a partial faith. We can’t pick and choose
what we will believe, but must accept all that The Church teaches.[9]
C. We are saved by a Fervent and Active Faith, not a tepid or dead faith. Faith without
good works is dead.[10]
6. Our Faith must also be acknowledged before men.[11]
We cannot be “closet Catholics”. We must let our Faith and good works “shine before men”. Christ is ashamed of those who are ashamed to acknowledge their Faith. We must try to bring forth good fruit. First we must concern ourselves with our own Sanctification before we can be of any good to others.
7. Few souls are saved!!![12] Please read and note and think about all of footnote 57.
Despite the fact that our Divine Savior gives all the necessary Graces to save our souls, Holy Scripture tells us that few are saved. Many are blinded to the truth because they have: hard hearts, are lustful, proud, worldly, wicked, sensual, lukewarm, etc.. See the footnote No. 6 in the INTRODUCTION. Since only a remnant shall be saved and even the “Just” will scarcely be saved, Holy Scripture warns us to “work out our Salvation with fear and trembling”.
8. We need to take an interest in our own Salvation.
Peace of mind, this is what The Catholic Church offers us. She helps to form us into Saints in many ways: teaching, administering The Sacraments, providing prayers and Sacramentals, examples of the lives of the Saints, etc. “I’m no Saint” we are often inclined to say. Well we’d better strive to live like Saints because only Saints go to Heaven!
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The Church Teaches
Ex Cathedra: “There is but one universal Church of the Faithful, outside of which no one at can be saved.” Pope Innocent III, Fourth Lateran Council, 1215.
Ex Cathedra: “We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” Pope Boniface VIII, the Bull Unam Sanctam, 1302.
Ex Cathedra: “(the Holy Roman Church) firmly believes, professes and teaches that none of those who are not within the Catholic Church, not only Pagans, but Jews, heretics and schismatics, can ever be partakers of eternal life, but are to go into the eternal fire ‘prepared for the devil, and his angels’ (Mt. XXV,41), unless before the close of their lives they shall have entered into that Church; also that the unity of the Ecclesiastical body is such that the Church’s Sacraments avail only those abiding in that Church, and that fasts, almsdeeds, and other works of piety which play their part in the Christian combat are in her alone productive of eternal rewards; moreover, that no one, no matter what alms he may have given, not even if he were to shed his blood for Christ’s sake can be saved unless he abide in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.” (Mansi, Concilia, xxxi, 1739.) (Pope Eugene IV, the Bull Cantate Domino, 1441.)
“We all know that those who are invincibly ignorant of our religion and who nevertheless lead an honest and upright life, can, under the influence of Divine Light and Divine Grace, attain to eternal life; for God who knows and sees the mind, the heart, the thoughts, and the dispositions of every man, cannot in His infinite bounty and clemency permit any one to suffer eternal punishment who is not guilty through his own fault.” Pius IX encyclical of Aug. 10, 1863. See also John 10:16 and Romans 3:23.
46 “He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Matt. 12:30; Luke 11:23.
“And said: Amen I say to you unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3; “Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.
47“Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation. For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power: do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.” Rom. 13:1-4
48.”And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.” Matt.18:17.
“He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned.” Mark 16:16.
“Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, who God hath raised from the dead, even by him this man standeth here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.
“And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? Thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” Matt. 11:20-24.
49.”Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.” John 6:54 - 55.
50. See “Is There Salvation Outside The Catholic Church?” by Fr. J. Bainvel, S.J., 1917, TAN Books.
51. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who; will have all men to be saved, and to come he knowledge of the truth.” 1Tim.2:3-4.
In the Last Gospel during Mass, John describes Christ as the “Light” thusly: “That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.” John 1:9.
“For the grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men;” Titus 2:11.
“ And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able:” 1 Cor. 10:13
52.”You shall seek me, and shall find me: when you shall seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13.
“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Matt.7:7-8.
“There shall not enter into it (Heaven) any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.” Apoc. 21:27.
53. “But he answering, said to them;: Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men.” Mark 7:6-7.
54. “And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.” James 2:10
55. “But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.” Apoc. 3:16.
“What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him?....But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:14-26.
56. “So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16.
“Everyone therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is is in heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32-33.
“You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go , and should bring forth fruit;” John 15:16.
“Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:1-5.
57. “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day; Lord, Lord have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me , you that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:21-23.
“Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!” Matt.7:13-14 and Luke 13:23-30.
“Many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt. 20:16 and 22:14.
“Even so then at this present time also, there is a remnant saved according to the election of grace.” Rom. 9:27 and 11:5.
“And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save your selves from this perverse generation.” Acts 2:40.
“And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:18.
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling workout your salvation.” Philippians 2:12.
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QUESTIONS
Apologetics: Chapter V - WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?!
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
1. Write your name so I can read it. (10 points)
2. Circle “T” or “F” when the following statements are True or False: (18 points)
T F All men are Redeemed, even Judas!
T F All men who accept (acknowledge) Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and
Savior are Saved.
T F We are saved by FAITH alone.
T F Outside the Catholic Church there is no Salvation.
T F It is possible for a soul with a good heart and love of God, who is invincibly
ignorant, to be in the Catholic Church without realizing it.
T F Most of mankind will be lost and end up in Hell!
3. Fill in the blanks: (9 points)
All of Mankind was ________________ by our Divine Savior.
Christ _______________ us without our help. Christ will not _____________ us
without our cooperation.
4.” We should not try to explain the Catholic Faith to our non-Catholic friends for fear of
destroying their invincible ignorance.” Is this statement true or false? Give reasons
for your answer. (15 points)
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5. Explain the difference between “Invincible Ignorance” and “Culpable Ignorance”. (12 points)
6. “We are saved by Faith.” What kind of Faith is the “Saving Faith”? (12 points)
7. Find a copy of The Bible and write down the text of John 10:16. (12 points)
8. Find a copy of The Bible and write down the text of Romans 3:23. (12 points)
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