Why isnt it obvious to those in RCC & similar false religions that salvation is by Faith Alone in Christ's Alone, since Scripture reveals it
Q: The Protestant theology of salvation; "trust in Jesus for salvation" seems to make so much sense to me, and it seems to be obvious from Scripture.
But I really struggle to understand if it is this obvious, how did so many people end up in Catholicism? And have the billions of people who lived since Jesus time, who followed the Catholic Church all been damned to hell? I really struggle with this.
A: God opens the eyes of those he will save. Unsaved people are blinded by their sin nature & Satan, Theyre spiritually dead; so they cannot comprehend. Scripture explains this. It is why it is important to read & study the Bible. Most dont desire to read or study it to find truth. Most dont even read it.
To this topic explain further and touching on what you asked:
Firstly, it doesn't matter what supposed version of "Christianity" someone aligns with, all false religions and churches are not of truth. I say that so those reading and asking the same Q but more broadly will understand it more clearly.
Christianity began in Eden 😅, but for this topic let's say 33 AD... & was spread by the Apostles & churches were formed. The Jews among them followed what they knew from Temple teachings all their life, and as Jesus revealed to the ones on road to Eramaus. Showing Jesus in the entire OT. So wuth this understood, the Israeli Christians understood what was taught in Church. Plus what Apostles taught [NT like truths, like Jesus did], as churches were built. And as time went on they moved from verbally sharing and retelling the Gospel to writing it down in the 4 Godpels (each with its own audience in mind and purpose). As time continued on, churches had issues Apostles/Paul neede to address. And they made the rounds to all the churches they could as far away as the Holy Spirit sent them, beyond church letters and to reconnect. The Church was already long established.
The Jews/Israel were in the Roman occupied Empire. And many churches were gathered/built/met for 300 years, before RCC was created. The Roman Empire persecuted Christians for about 300 years, but it was not a constant empire-wide crackdown the whole time.
●Early Christians were mostly a small, local movement.
●Persecutions happened in waves, especially under some emperors.
●The harshest empire-wide persecution was under Diocletian starting in 303.
●Christianity was legalized in 313 with the Edict of Milan.
Constantine seems to have openly favored Christianity around 312, legalized it in 313, and wasn’t baptized until just before his death in 337. He wasnt really about true Christianity. He convened Nicaea in 325, for clarity on doctrine.
Julian the Apostate, who thrn became emperor in 361 tried to reverse Christianity’s rise. He favored paganism and removed Christian privileges, though he didn’t launch the same kind of empire-wide violent persecution as earlier emperors. He still persecuted Christians.
The Roman Empire, [one of many nations in the world]... Christianity spread across the world snd out of Romes reach. As note above after *Christianity* long existed [around 313 AD it was allowed (for a time, freedom of/in Christianity existed) but later (not long after, freedom was removed, later on RCC religion began (475AD ish). There was a bunch of stuff going on with the rulers & power struggles in govt and in RCC [incl invention of Popery in 606 AD; many in history got the position by warring or bribery], when RCC gained control in Roman Empire the people were then "forced into RCC religion"; their false form of Christianity, became the State religion. And from there everyone born in/immigrated to that empire was forced into RCC religion ...and (naturally) after 1, 2 or 3 generations of this false Christianity imposed on all people in the Empire believed the lies, appearing as if truth. Blind people cant imagine religious leaders are liars. The people all by then didnt have a choice, didnt know there was true Christianity (in the past and elswhere then). It was the only "Christianity" they knew and thought it was true, [they even spread same lies about it today - like claiming RCC was the original true Church or that Pope was firstly Peter] because they were decieved - and could never imagine they and their ancestors have been lied to for over 1,550 years. The cant fathom theyre all in Hell, nor that its a Temple of Satan, nor that theyve been duped. Pride and blindness wont let them entertain the thought. It's the same with all false religions. Whether of, similar to or claiming to be...the false religions' inventors twist the truth/Bible to fit their religion, and even add books or new revelations to perpetuate their lies. And likewise as Jesus warned and revealed that those in apostate Faiths [applies whether claiming to be Jewish or Christian, anything deviating from Biblical truth] were simply converting people to it's falsehoods... "even if traveling far to do so, simply just made them twice the sons of Hell that they themselves are". NT warns of false teachings, teachers and preacher wolves etc. It is very clearly warned. That's why we must understand the Essentials of Christianity [tied to the Biblical Gospel] and understand Scripture well, so we dont get duped by a false gospel and false religion.
As noted, those born into false religions (incl cults) dont know any better, they think it is truth. They are unsaved and in temples of demons being taught doctrines of demons, falsehoods, even if it is "masqurading as Christian" or a "Church"... theyre blinded.
Scripture is the Authoritative Word of God. It alone is where we are to get all truth for Faith and Life. If what's taught elsewhere doesnt agree with it, (those 66 books of Holy Scripture), if it deviates, twists, takes out of context etc, then its a false religion and false teaching. Especially starting with the Gospel. Thats why we must examine what a "Church" or "church"/Denomination believes. If it fails the Essentials/Gospel test, it is a false religion. If their way to salvation deviates from the Biblically revealed Gospel [faith alone, in Christ's alone], and if their words/terms have different meanings than Scripture - theyre a false religion. Avoid at all cost, even the people in it.
RCC kept he Bible away from not just its people but its priests too. Thus they all remained in ignorance, simply trusting their leaders was their downfall. They couldn't be like Bereans (examining Scripture to see if what was said was true), since they had no access to the Bible! Most priests learned whatever official RC teachings were, then were shipped off to a "church" parish and they just regurgitated that (& whatever else they imagined). And like 99% of the priests/"churches" didnt have a Bible-they were very expensive(!)...and RCC wasnt going to give them a copy 🧐 to examine anyway, as they'd find the truth. RCC thrived in "hiding the truth" and pushing forth their official teachings (which were only demonic lies); lies they still teach today. And RCC controlled/s the masses by fear of Hell, and controls their money generationally. I wouldnt step foot in one of those Temples built on the blood and lives of those the pilfered from.
Not having a Bible and not being taught truth is why the Reformers revealed the truth, & fought, bled and died... to get the Bible in people's hands ->and in their own language. RCC didnt even let, allow nor encourage RC people to have (let alone read) a Bible [as far out as the year 2000! I remember the news about it... and thats when a few curious RCs started going into Christian bookstores to get a printed Bible; most never read them even if they had it, but many who did - fled RCC & got saved]. The spiritually dead have no desire for God's Word (so not having one or having one doesnt mean theyre pursuing the truth it contains. It sits there like a religious amulet or relic as if having it is some sort of outer religious status symbol to make the home appear "Christian"]. They just go do vain & void religious stuff; rituals, going to mass eating wafer, doing hail marys, talking in a box, doing ritual sacraments their religion created or perverted, pushing legalistic life rules & moral behaviors, indulgences, requiring marrying in RCC and baby baptism (to tie them to the religion), and works based things (to try to bribe God in sin), etc].
Those since Reformation who gravitate to become RC are either 1. unsaved folk duped by its "missionaries" in 3rd world nations in the past, or small places where Christianity didnt exist, or had no church or monistary, 2. or were duped into it by its religuosity draw, or 2. RCs lure folk with lies about it being The Church, or lure folk to its building or liturgy. It's not about truth at all, and thats the issue. That's not the draw- it's all self deception in idolatry. What man desires in his heart and by his eyes. False religion allows folk to keep living in sin as they want to, appeasing their conscience by religious stuff, (again that which is void & useless). Folk gravitate to sins and things they desire; (appearing religious, pride, self righteousness, are earthly dazzled by buildings [built with the blood & hard earned money of ignorant and religious, abused RCs in that religion over time by its "leaders"]). They are not desiring righteousness, only the Redeemed do✅️. The spiritually dead [even any who left protestant pews elsewhere to join RCC] are oblivious that its not another denomination of Christianity, that it's a Temple of Satan. [He himself presents as an angel of light. The great deciever]. Those blind to sin and Satan, in their sin nature, are children of Satan. These gravitate towards falsehoods while only outwardly appearing religious (by garb, appearances and "works") to look good to others. A Sham show. Same with Islam and other religions. Theyre all of the Satanic system (false religions). And the unsaved, regardless where they came from, if its in a religiously free nation, they put themselves under its religious burden and abuses - just to appear religious, and to try to get to Heaven by their wicked works and religion. They dont know what theyre doing. Blind guides simply leading the blind to their doom. But those who hear the Gospel and reject it (by not obeying it), are aware theyre choosing self and falsehoods, to live in sin. Even if they dont openly admit it. All these people live in fear of death daily, and have no hope of Heaven. Their religion makes it sin to think you can be saved, but makes you work to think theres a chance, but created more lies like purgatory thinking theres hope after death, but that teaching damns, as Jesus and Scripture are clear; after death is only judgment.sakvation is offered to the living in this side of etetnity. One recent RCC Pope admitted [reported in the newspaper] 'purgatory seems like a good idea but has no founding.' Theyre just making stuff up, and its damning its congregants. Just like the false things they teach in catechism which the congregants agrees to as truth at a young age. The official RCC doctrines and catechisms. All which oppose Scripture. Anything against Scripture is against YHWH, and is a false religion.
Continuing & touching on the other part of your Q. All who are not saved/not born again, who die in their sins do go to Hell for eternity. All humans born from Adam are hellbound. But, God in his grace has sent Christ, provided atonement, proclaimed the Gospel, and had before the foundation of the world decided "to save some". Both the Redeemed and the damned have a purpose. Both glorify God, but in diff ways. The damned glorify God by revealing to all (angels included), His holy perfect attributes. He is glorified by showing the He is the standard, and rightly punishing those lawless ones who committed sin (crimes against Him), and do not uphold that righteous standard- perfectly. Similar to showing the good attributes to believers that cause us to know him better and glorify him more, by revealing things about himself we never would've known about Him - if the Fall didnt happen. And we are to study the Attributes of God from Scripture and as we read we come to know him more deeply, and grow closer and in awe of Him. He also blesses us spiritually tremendously, endlessly, in love. He shows His perfect justice righteousness, judgment, and ... it is loving - by rightly punishing the Kinsman Redeemer, the perfect Lamb, who offered himself in our place, paying the debt of believers. In damning, He shows His perfect justice righteousness, judgment, and ... it is loving - rightly punish lawbreakers, those who deviate from the righteous nature He created us to have (in our original design as image bearers of Himself, pre Fall). Those damned would never recieve/embrace the Gospel anyway. They are children of Satan. But God does draw and save across time and nations (various humans), and those will go into eternity with Christ in the sin free paradise.
So the call & command of God is to obey the Gospel. Trust Christ who paid your sin debt *in full* on the cross. The moment you do, God will cause you to be born again; one time event- thats permanent. Scripture clearly teaches this, Jesus did too. And once saved... you'll begin a live powered by God that pursues righteousness, holy living, and your original design, one lived in right relationship with God.😊
For the Gospel, Jesus said "Repent and believe the Gospel" in Mark 1:15. That belief, that *trust in Him* [who he is, what he did (in life, death and his resurrection)] is all thats required✅️. It was true in OT and still true in NT. Same Messiah, same Christ, same salvation call. It is just very clear in the NT. And it's an urgent call - as tomorrow isnt guaranteed, the wages of sin is death, and judgment will fall on those who die in their sins. That's why God says today is the day of salvation. And thats why we believers are to "call people to righteousness by the Gospel, and to flee the coming Judgment". God has allowed us and chosen to use us (whom He saved and transformed) to be living testimonies who proclaim this life changing Gospel [that saves & sets us right with God], so others can be saved.
Hope that helps
Resources
* The above link has free resources on actual Church History, guidance on learning Essentials of Christianity, and loads of great resources for every believer (regardless of age, gender and season in life). Bookmark it, & go through it, so you can be blessed by it. 😊✝️
God bless
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