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  Understanding Roman Catholicism

Mary Saves

Does Mary, the mother of Jesus, play a role in the salvation of mankind?:

"Taken up to heaven she (Mary) did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation..." Pg. 252, #969

"Being obedient she (Mary) became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race." Pg. 125, #494

Is this doctrine scriptural? According to God's Word, Mary has never had anything to do with the salvation process. Scripture reveals that Jesus is the ONLY One who can provide salvation:

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Jesus Himself declared that He is the ONLY way to heaven:

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved... " John 10:9

Still the Catechism insists:

"She (Mary) is inseparably linked with the saving work of her Son." Pg. 303, #1172

Once again, it comes down to who you will believe, the Bible or church tradition. The Bible is unmistakably clear:

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." Isaiah 43:11

"Yet I am the LORD thy God... there is no saviour beside me." Hosea 13:4

"The God of my rock he is... my saviour..." 2 Samuel 22:3

Before Jesus was born, an angel announced that He would be the Savior:

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

After Jesus' birth, the angel repeated himself:

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Over and over, we read that Jesus is the Savior:

"... we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." John 4:42

"Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour..." Acts 5:31

"Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:" Acts 13:23

"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ..." 2 Timothy 1:10

"Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour." Titus 1:4

"Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" Titus 3:6

"... the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." 1 John 4:14

Look at the words of Peter, recognized as Catholicism's first pope:

"... through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" 2 Peter 1:1

"... into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:11

"... through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." 2 Peter 2:20

Certainly, Peter knew that Jesus, not Mary, was the Savior. Peter glorified Jesus as the Savior, not Mary:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

This same Peter declares that:

"... ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" 1 Peter 1:18-19

Without question, Jesus is the Savior, not Mary.

Conclusion

The facts of this chapter leave several questions needing answers:

  • Why does the Catholic church want people looking to Mary instead of Jesus for salvation?
  • Why is glory stolen from Jesus and given to Mary?
  • If Mary plays a role in salvation, why didn' t God tell us so in His Word?
  • Most importantly, who will you trust to save you? The Mary of church tradition, or the Jesus of God' s Word?
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" Philippians 3:20

Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
Reproduced by permission