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Witnessing to Catholics About Salvation through Jesus Christ

Witnessing to Catholics About Salvation through Jesus Christ

Scripture declares that salvation comes "through faith which is in Christ Jesus" [4]. This foundational truth unites all Christian traditions, though the articulation of how faith, grace, and works relate has been a point of theological distinction since the Reformation. When engaging Catholic friends or family about salvation, the goal is not to attack their tradition but to bear witness to the sufficiency of Christ's work and the necessity of personal faith in him.

The Biblical Foundation of Salvation

Paul's letter to the Romans establishes that "faith cometh by hearing" the word of God [13]. The apostle emphasizes that confession and belief are both necessary: "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" [2]. This confession must be "connected with faith" and serves as "an evidence of union with God" [2]. The resurrection of Christ stands as "one of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel," without which "our faith is vain" [7]. Peter argued for the necessity of Christ's resurrection on Pentecost, grounding it in Old Testament prophecy [7].

The universal need for salvation rests on the reality that "all human beings are born sinners" [9]. Paul teaches that both Gentiles and Jews "are equally under sin's power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" [11]. This is not merely about isolated sinful acts but about the corruption of human nature itself—what one commentary describes as "the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us" even after conversion [12]. The first sin was "not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters" [10].

The Role of Witness and Testimony

Effective witness begins with the Holy Spirit's work. The Spirit "testifies of Christ" and was given to confirm "the first preaching of the gospel" with accompanying signs [5, 8]. Paul describes his own ministry as serving God "in my spirit in the gospel of His Son" [1], and he appeals to his conscience as bearing witness "in the Holy Spirit" [6]. The faithful preaching of the apostles was "accompanied by" the Spirit's witness [5], demonstrating that human testimony and divine confirmation work together.

When witnessing, believers must not be ashamed of "the testimony of Christ," which is "the Gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood" [14]. Though the world may see reason for shame in a crucified Savior, this Gospel becomes "the power of God to the salvation of every one that believed" [14]. The testimony concerns "God's word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ" [3], and must be delivered with clarity rather than rhetorical flourish. Paul deliberately avoided "excellency of speech" and "arts of rhetoric," recognizing that "the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed" [15].

Practical Considerations

Confession of Christ serves as "a test of being saints" and must be made openly despite potential persecution [2]. The fear of man can prevent such confession, as seen when some believed in Jesus but would not confess him publicly [2]. Yet this confession "ensures his confessing us" before the Father [2], while failure to confess carries serious consequences [2].

When speaking with Catholics, recognize shared ground: belief in Christ's deity, his atoning death, and his bodily resurrection. The distinction often centers on whether salvation is received through faith alone or through faith plus sacramental participation and meritorious works. Point to passages like 2 Timothy 3:15, which states that the Scriptures "are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" [4]—emphasizing that the knowledge leading to salvation comes through Scripture and is appropriated through faith.

The witness must be given "in the Holy Spirit" [6], with the understanding that only the Spirit can produce genuine conviction and faith. Human eloquence cannot substitute for the Spirit's testimony, which alone can open hearts to receive the Gospel's truth.

Sources

  1. Romans “Romans 1:9 (LITV) — For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, how without ceasing I make mention of you”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
  3. Revelation “who testified to God’s word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw. -- Revelation 1:2”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] 2 Timothy 3:15 — And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Witness of the Holy Spirit — Is truth -- 1Jo 5:6. To be implicitly received -- 1Jo 5:6,9. Borne to Christ As Messiah. -- Lu 3:22; Joh 1:32,33. As coming to redeem and sanctify. -- 1Jo 5:6. As exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance, &c. -- Ac 5:31,32. As perfecting saints. -- Heb 10:14,15. As foretold by himself. -- Joh 15:26. In heaven. -- 1Jo 5:7,11. On earth. -- 1Jo 5:8. The first preaching of the gospel confirmed by -- Ac 14:3; Heb 2:4. The faithful preaching of the Apostles accompanied by -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Given to saints On believing. -- Ac 15:”
  6. Romans “Romans 9:1 (LEB) — I am telling the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears witness to me in the Holy Spirit—”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holy Spirit, the Comforter, The — Proceeds from the Father -- Joh 15:26. Given By the Father. -- Joh 14:16. By Christ. -- Isa 61:3. Through Christ's intercession. -- Joh 14:16. Sent in the name of Christ -- Joh 14:26. Sent by Christ from the Father -- Joh 15:26; 16:7. As such he Communicates joy to saints. -- Ro 14:17; Ga 5:22; 1Th 1:6. Edifies the Church. -- Ac 9:31. Testifies of Christ. -- Joh 15:26. Imparts the love of God. -- Ro 5:3-5. Imparts hope. -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Teaches saints. -- Joh 14:26. Dwells with, and in saints. -- Joh 14:17. Abides for ever with s”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  10. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  11. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  12. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  13. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing - Preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of salvation; faith in Christ is the result of hearing the word, the doctrine of God preached. Preaching, God sends; if heard attentively, faith will be produced; and if they believe the report, the arm of the Lord will be revealed in their salvation.”
  14. 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:8: Be not - ashamed of the testimony - The testimony of Christ is the Gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood. In the sight of the world, there appeared to be reason why a man should be ashamed of this; ashamed of him who was crucified as a malefactor; but, when this Gospel became the power of God to the salvation of every one that believed, it was a subject to exult in. Hence the apostle, Rom 1:16 (note), said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Nor of me his prisoner - When our friends are in power and credit, we”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
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