How do I share the gospel with Catholics?

Fall Religions & Cults Catholicism

TL;DR:

Sharing the gospel with Catholics begins by pointing them to the authority of God’s Word above religious tradition and the sufficiency of Christ alone for salvation. Truth shared with compassion can help Catholics see that salvation is a free gift of grace received through faith in Jesus—not something earned or maintained by works.

what does the bible say?

Sharing the gospel with Catholics involves understanding one of the biggest impediments: their view that church tradition is equal in authority to the Bible. But both the Old and New Testaments warn against adding to God's Word (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19). Jesus chastized the Pharisees for putting their traditions above the Law God had given them (Mark 7:9-13), and we, too, must not uphold tradition above God's Word. Paul wrote about the authority of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Once Catholics can accept the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, then it's easier to show them that the only mediator between God and human beings is Jesus, not the pope nor a priestly class (Hebrews 4:14-16). Catholics can also be shown Bible passages that indicate that salvation is through grace alone (Romans 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9), which contrasts with Catholic theology which says that good works are required to maintain salvation.

Yet these conversations must be marked by humility, patience, and compassion because truth delivered without love hardens hearts instead of opening them (1 Peter 3:15). The goal is not to attack Catholics or to win arguments but to faithfully point people to the finished work of Jesus Christ, who alone saves completely and eternally.

from the old testament

A significant barrier to sharing the gospel with Catholics is that they consider church tradition to be as authoritative as Scripture. But God warns against adding to His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; cf. Revelation 22:18-19). Sharing the gospel with Catholics should start with helping them recognize the ultimate authority of God's Word.

from the new testament

Once the authority of Scripture is established (2 Timothy 3:16-17), Christians can use it to share the gospel with Catholics.
Christians must help Catholics understand that neither the pope nor the priestly class is the mediator between human beings and God. Jesus is our "great high priest," the only mediator we need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The gospel is predicated on Jesus' work on the cross being sufficient for salvation. Catholics believe that grace is received during baptism but that works are needed to maintain that salvation. Sharing the gospel with Catholics must include showing them evidence from the Bible that grace is sufficient (Romans 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9).

implications for today

Priests and nuns in vestments. The rosary. Holy water. Hail Marys. Whenever movies portray Christianity, they seem to choose the Catholic church. That's because no other religion is quite as outwardly religious. But sadly, when you go past the traditions and rituals, what remains is antibiblical beliefs that even many regular Catholics aren't aware of. This means that they are a mission field for the gospel.

But people don't enjoy admitting they're wrong. Many who grew up Catholic have been raised to believe that they are the one true church and that tradition has equal authority to Scripture. They believe the sacraments are means of grace. They believe the pope is the successor of the apostle Peter and the spiritual leader of the Church, entrusted with special authority to guide the Church in matters of faith and doctrine. They believe they can ask Mary and the saints to pray for them, interceding before God on behalf of the Church. None of these things are biblical.

At the same time, many Catholics already believe in Jesus, respect Scripture, and desire to follow God, so we should begin sharing the gospel by listening carefully and building trust. Then we can point conversations to the sufficiency of Christ and the hope of salvation by grace through faith. Instead of attacking traditions or assuming someone does not know God, we can ask thoughtful questions, open and study God's Word together, and encourage people to place their full confidence in Jesus alone rather than in religious performance or rituals.

Our tone matters just as much as our theology because harshness often closes doors that compassion could open. The goal is not to win an argument. It's to point Catholics to the finished work of Christ, the authority of God's Word, and the freedom of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone.

understand

Sharing the gospel with Catholics starts with helping them understand that the Bible is ultimate, not Catholic church tradition.
Catholics also believe in works to maintain salvation, so believers should show them biblical evidence that grace is sufficient.
Catholics also need to know that Jesus—not the pope nor priests—is the only mediator between human beings and God.

reflect

Why is it important for you to uphold God's Word as ultimate instead of tradition or another person?
How would you walk someone step by step from “salvation involves works” to “salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone”?
How do you grow a genuine love for Catholics that naturally leads you to share the gospel with humility and compassion?

engage

What are some connection points we can use when sharing the gospel with Catholics?
What Scriptures would be most effective in showing both the authority of the Bible and the sufficiency of Christ in a conversation?
How can someone keep the conversation focused on Jesus rather than turning it into a debate about Catholic practices or traditions when sharing the faith with Catholics?

More Resources

Catholicism

Are Catholics saved?

Salvation is not determined by church affiliation but by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Catholics, like individuals of any denomination, are saved if they trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross for their salvation. At the same time, some Roman Catholic teachings on salvation diverge from the biblical message of grace through faith alone.

Catholicism

Are Catholic practices biblical?

Catholic practices rely on extrabiblical traditions for grace, but the Bible shows that salvation and access to God come through faith in Jesus alone. No ceremony, sacrament, or tradition can save a person or replace a direct relationship with God through Christ.

Catholicism

Are Catholic beliefs biblical?

Catholic beliefs go beyond what the Bible teaches—adding traditions, mediators, and practices that shift focus away from Christ alone. Salvation, authority, and access to God are found fully and finally in Jesus—not in human systems, rituals, or extra-biblical traditions.

Catholicism

Is the Catholic Church part of Christianity or is it a separate religion?

Roman Catholicism, as a religious system, diverges from biblical Christianity in significant ways, including its teachings on salvation, the veneration of Mary, and the role of priests. While many Catholics are sincere in their faith and may be born-again believers, the official doctrines of Catholicism contain unbiblical elements that differentiate it from the teachings of Scripture.