Is Catholicism a false religion?

The apostle Paul instructed the Christians at Ephesus to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Our answer to this question aims to obey that instruction. We don’t ignore what the Bible teaches to manufacture superficial unity between Protestants and Catholics. Instead, we aim to explain Scripture in a clear and loving manner. Our hope is to persuade our Catholic friends, with whom we share an important history and often a common morality, to become gospel-centered followers of Jesus.


In our view, the proper starting point isn’t to explain what Protestants believe about Catholics, but what the Bible teaches about salvation. One of Scripture’s clearest teachings is that Jesus Christ saves sinners. Jesus himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Leaders in the early church, like the apostle Peter, affirmed this when they preached: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). In light of this, any teaching that refutes or adds to this doctrine is false and unbiblical.

This teaching has two important implications for all people. First, it means that no other religion or secular moral standard can save someone. This includes religions such as Islam, as well as non-religious ethical pursuits like trying to be “a good person,” however one defines that term. Paul taught that Jesus alone is the only mediator between God and people: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). No church, priest, or sacrament can fill that role.

The second implication is that nothing besides Jesus—no religious practice, charitable act, or church affiliation—is necessary for salvation. This includes even sacred acts like baptism and acts of service, such as helping the poor. Titus 3:5 affirms this when it says Jesus “saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Although believers may perform righteous deeds, those acts do not contribute to their salvation. Instead, they are important expressions of obedience in the Christian life. Jesus himself said this when the disciples asked him about doing God’s work: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29).

The Roman Catholic Church does not reflect Scripture when it teaches that salvation requires more than trusting in Jesus alone. This concern is often expressed in the phrase “Jesus and [something else] saves,” implying that something is added to Jesus to save someone. For example, it is unbiblical to say that Jesus and baptism, or Jesus and tithing, or Jesus and being a good person save a sinner. This error also appears in some Protestant traditions, such as in certain Pentecostal theologies that argue that speaking in tongues is necessary for salvation.

This concern applies to the Catholic Church, which requires more than faith in Jesus for salvation. These include baptism, receiving the sacraments, and obedience to church authority. In this way, the Catholic Church adds requirements to salvation that are not in the Bible. Any claim that religious rituals or good works must be added to faith in Jesus for salvation implies that his crucifixion and resurrection were not sufficient to save sinners.

While salvation is the most important issue, there are other areas where the Catholic Church's teachings differ from the Bible. These include doctrines such as papal authority, prayer to saints, and the doctrines of Mary. Although the Catholic Church cites Scripture to support aspects of these teachings, many lack a sound biblical basis. Instead, they rely on church tradition.

Can someone respond to the gospel, be truly saved, and follow Jesus in a Catholic Church? We believe it’s possible. However, this is not because it is a Catholic Church, but because, after being exposed to Scripture there, a person puts their trust in Jesus alone for salvation. We praise God for such stories, yet we also consider it wise to participate in a church that proclaims that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone, for God’s glory alone.