Background and Overview
Roman Catholicism is a widely practiced religion around the world with over 1.2 billion members. It’s major difference from Christianity lies in its indulgence on the part of the individual to gain access to salvation. In Christianity, faith in Jesus Christ and God’s grace are at the core of the gospel. Salvation is achieved by no other means outside of faith in Christ. Converting from a Roman Catholic lifestyle to a Christian one is not a decision that should be taken lightly – and only done when one is wholeheartedly committed to a greater understanding of Christianity.
Importance of Studying The Bible
Perhaps the greatest difference between Roman Catholic and Christianity lies in the importance placed on studying the bible to gain understanding about the religion. As a Roman Catholic, the individual realized the church was deeply sacrosanct to its teachings and practices. However, now believers should begin to experience a more personal relationship with God by understanding scriptural truths through reading and study of The Bible.
On Baptism and The Holy Spirit
One of the main differences between Roman Catholicism and Christianity lies in the mechanisms behind personal sanctification. In the path of Christianity, staying in relationship with the Holy Spirit equips and enables believers to live lives worthy of salvation. Additionally, baptism is seen as necessary for salvation and when it comes to conversion from Roman Catholic to Christianity, some churches will require baptism for entry into the fold.
Breaking Away From Works Based On Salvation
Roman Catholics believe that salvation is a process of gradual justification through a series of good works. The Church’s teaching, however, doesn’t necessarily explain the complete gospel of Jesus Christ. In Christianity, good works are encouraged and even required, but they are never seen as a means to salvation instead of faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Salvation is received with faith and should be actively felt, not worked for.
Exploration of Scriptures
Roman Catholics can benefit from reading “Sola Scriptura” or Scripture Alone. This is a Biblical defense for a Christian understanding of the gospel and outlines the importance of growing into a faith based on personal understanding of God’s Word in the Bible. As such, one should take the time to read and explore the Bible as conversion from Roman Catholic to Christianity requires a “born-again” experience and a deep dive into scripture helps to manifest this change.
Fellowship and Mentorship
A new Christian’s understanding of their faith needs to be nurtured and developed by a knowledgeable mentor of the scriptures and a Christian community. This could be found in many places, such as a church community, Bible study groups, Christian study centers and other healing ministries. A mentor provides guidance on how to approach Scripture and helps individuals in their journey of understanding the basic doctrines and beliefs of Christianity.
Prayer and Intercession
Individuals making the transition from Roman Catholic to Christianity must seek out time devoted to God through prayer, meditation and even fasting. Through prayer, they will grow in the knowledge of God and in seeking His will and direction. Additionally, the individual should look to the ministry of intercession and join in the profound work of collectively praying for each other, their families, their communities, nations and the world.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacrament of the Roman Catholic church which focuses on repentance of sins and the mercy of God. It involves the individual confessing their sins to the priest. Whilst the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not practiced in the evangelical sense in Christianity, believers should nevertheless practice repentance on a daily basis as it is seen as an integral part of their faith journey.
The Importance of Accountability
Establishing accountability in the context of faith is quite important as it helps individuals stay on the right path in their transition from Roman Catholicism to Christianity. The individual should look to engage a trusted accountability partner to share their faith journey and struggles openly and honestly.
Seeking Direction From The Holy Spirit
If the individual is struggling with making decisions or discerning God’s will in the journey of conversion, they should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, and in our time of need He will help to lead and guide us as we transition away from our former religion.
The Fruit of The Spirit
One of the key differences between Roman Catholicism and Christianity is the importance placed on abiding by the fruit of the spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, The Bible suggests practices for Christians such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – practices which are encouraged and expected. As the individual transitions from Roman Catholicism to Christianity these moral practices should be seen as an integral part of the faith journey.
Avoiding Temptation and Obedience
The journey of conversion from Roman Catholicism to Christianity will require that the individual avoids temptation and practices obedience to God. There are several ways in which believers can avoid temptation, such as avoiding sin, seeking godly counsel, spending time in prayer and choosing not to associate with sources of temptation. Additionally, believers are required to live a life of obedience to God and his Word which involves serving and loving others just as Christ has commanded us to do.
Adopting A Biblical Worldview
Having a Biblical worldview is important in order to properly make the transition from Roman Catholicism to Christianity. This involves looking to the Bible for guidance when making decisions and living life, being open to the intervention of the Holy Spirit and focusing on enhancing the kingdom of God by being an active member of the Church. In short, having a Biblical worldview requires believers to be both obedient to scripture and reliant on the truths found within.
Habitual Application
Finally, the transformation from Roman Catholicism to Christianity should be a habitual application of all aspects of the previous points. A personal relationship with God should be cultivated; scripture should be studied and memorized; prayer should be prioritized; and, the individual should be purposeful in their application of Biblical truths to their life.
The journey of conversion from Roman Catholicism to Christianity should not be taken lightly, but nor should it be viewed as an impossibility. By following the steps outlined in this article, the individual can come to a point of full understanding about their religion, pursuing a faith that is full of faith, joy and a peace found nowhere else.
