I am a Catholic. Why should I consider becoming a Christian?

First, please understand that we intend no offense to our Catholic friends in the wording of this question. We often receive questions from Catholics phrased as, “What is the difference between Catholics and Christians?” Also, in personal conversations, they often say, “I am not a Christian, I am Catholic.” This is because Catholics often use terms like “Christian” and “Protestant” synonymously. That said, our desire for this article is for our Catholic friends to study what the Bible says about being a Christian. We invite them to consider whether Catholicism fully reflects what Scripture describes. We understand this may be difficult for some, but we believe it is important and offer it in love. As a background, please read our article on “What is a Christian?”


A key distinction between Catholics and Christians is their views of the Bible. Catholics view the Bible as having equal authority with the Church and tradition. Christians view the Bible as the final authority for faith and practice. The question is, how does the Bible present itself? Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This text tells us that Scripture is not “just the beginning,” or “just the basics,” or the “foundation for a more complete church tradition.”

On the contrary, Scripture is perfectly and fully sufficient for everything in the Christian life. Scripture can teach us, rebuke us, correct us, train us, and equip us. Christians who believe the Bible is the final authority do not deny the value of church tradition. Rather, Christians hold that for a church tradition to be valid, it must be based on the clear teaching of Scripture and in full agreement with it.

To our Catholic friends: Study the Word of God for yourself. In it, you will find God’s description of, and intention for, His Church. With respect and sincerity, we offer this encouragement: Second Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

A second key difference between Catholics and Christians who believe the Bible is the final authority is how we approach God. Catholics tend to approach God through intermediaries, such as Mary or the saints. Christians approach God directly, offering prayers to no one other than God Himself. The Bible proclaims that we ourselves can approach God’s throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The Bible is perfectly clear that God desires us to pray to Him, to have communication with Him, to ask Him for the things we need (Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7–8; 1 John 5:14–15). There is no need for additional mediators or intermediaries, as Christ is our one and only mediator and He is sufficient (1 Timothy 2:5). In fact, Christ and the Holy Spirit are already interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:26–27; Hebrews 7:25).

To our Catholic friends: God loves you intimately and has provided an open door to direct communication through Jesus. It’s our hope that you will learn to approach God directly through Christ and experience the blessing of such a close relationship with Him.

The most crucial difference between Catholics and Christians who believe the Bible is the final authority is on the issue of salvation. Catholics view salvation entirely as a process, while Christians view it as both a completed status and a process. Catholics see themselves as “being saved,” while Christians view themselves as “having been saved.” First Corinthians 1:2 says, “To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy.” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root. This verse is declaring that Christians are both sanctified and called to be sanctified. The Bible presents salvation as a gift that is received the moment a person places faith in Christ as Savior (John 3:16). When a person receives Christ as Savior, he/she is justified (declared righteous; Romans 5:9), redeemed (rescued from slavery to sin; 1 Peter 1:18), reconciled (achieving peace with God; Romans 5:1), sanctified (set apart for God’s purposes; 1 Corinthians 6:11), and born again as a new creation (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Christians are then called to become in daily life what they already are in Christ. They pursue holiness because God has already made them holy.

The Catholic viewpoint is that salvation is received by faith but must then be “maintained” through good works and participation in the Sacraments. Christians who believe the Bible is the supreme authority do not deny the importance of good works or that Christ calls us to observe the ordinances in remembrance of Him and in obedience to Him. The difference is that Christians view these things as the result of salvation, not a requirement for it or a means of maintaining it.

Salvation is an accomplished work, purchased by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2). God offers us salvation and assurance of salvation because Jesus’ sacrifice was fully, completely, and perfectly sufficient. If we receive God’s precious gift of salvation, we can know that we are saved. First John 5:13 declares, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

We can know that we have eternal life, and we can have assurance of our salvation because of the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice. Christ’s sacrifice does not need to be re-offered or re-presented like the Catholic church teaches. Hebrews 7:27 says, “He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.” In addition, Hebrews 10:10 declares, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Furthermore, 1 Peter 3:18 exclaims, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice was absolutely and perfectly sufficient. Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was the full payment for all of our sins (1 John 2:2). As a result, all our sins are forgiven, and we are promised eternal life in heaven the moment we receive the gift God offers us—salvation in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

To our Catholic friends: Do you desire this “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3)? If so, all you must do is receive it (John 1:12) through faith (Romans 5:1). God loves us and offers us salvation as a gift (John 3:16). If we receive His grace, by faith, we have salvation as our eternal possession (Ephesians 2:8–9). Once saved, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38–39). Nothing can remove us from His hand (John 10:28-29). If you desire this salvation, if you desire to have all your sins forgiven, if you desire to have assurance of salvation, if you desire direct access to the God who loves you—receive it, and it is yours. This is the salvation that Jesus died to provide and that God offers as a gift.

If you have received Jesus Christ as Savior, by faith, because of what you have read here today, please let us know by clicking on the “I trusted in Christ as Savior today” button below. Welcome to the family of God! Welcome, Catholic friend, to the Christian life!

If you have any questions, please use the question form on our Bible Questions Answered page.