What Makes Me a Christian (and Not a Roman Catholic) #

My Faith Is in Christ, Not in a Church System #

I am a Christian because my faith is in Jesus Christ, not in a religious system, institution, or human authority. Christ alone is the foundation of my salvation, identity, and hope.

1 Corinthians 3:11
“For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(Amplified Bible)

The Greek word used here for “foundation” is themelios (θεμέλιος); it refers to a substructure or something laid down first. The Church is built upon Christ, and not the other way around.

This distinction is essential. Roman Catholicism tends to reverse the order, placing the Church—especially its institution and hierarchy—as the source or gatekeeper of grace and salvation. Yet, Scripture reveals that the Church flows from the finished work of Christ; it does not produce or complete it.

Scripture Is the Final Authority, Not Church Tradition #

I believe the Scriptures are inspired by God, and they are fully sufficient for doctrine, correction, and instruction. I cannot accept any teaching that adds to, contradicts, or overrides the clear message of the Bible through later councils, papal decrees, or oral traditions.

2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is God-breathed, given by divine inspiration, and is profitable for instruction, for conviction of sin, for correction, for restoration to obedience, for training in righteousness (that is, learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honourably with personal integrity and moral courage); so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(Amplified Bible)

The Greek word for “God-breathed” is theopneustos (θεόπνευστος), meaning breathed out by God Himself. This does not leave room for any human authority, council, or church office to stand above the Word or claim to complete it. While the Catholic Church teaches that Sacred Tradition is equal to Scripture, the Bible itself never gives that place to tradition. Whenever tradition is mentioned, it is always weighed against the truth of Christ.

Mark 7:13
“So you nullify the authority of the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
(Amplified Bible)

Christ confronted the Pharisees not simply because they had traditions, but because their traditions made God’s Word void. Likewise, any system—whether Jewish, Catholic, or Protestant—that allows tradition to override the Word must be lovingly corrected with Scripture.

Salvation Is by Grace through Faith, Not by Works or Sacraments #

We are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith in Christ, not by any human effort, ceremony, or religious merit. I do not believe water baptism, confirmation, or participation in the Eucharist can add to or complete salvation. These may be expressions of obedience and remembrance, but they do not carry saving power in themselves.

Ephesians 2:8–9
“For it is by grace—God’s remarkable compassion and favour drawing you to Christ—that you have been saved, actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life, through faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves—not through your effort—but it is the undeserved, gracious gift of God; not as a result of your works nor your attempts to keep the Law, so that no one will be able to boast or take credit in any way for his salvation.”
(Amplified Bible)

The Greek word for “faith” here is pistis (πίστις), meaning trust, reliance, and confident conviction. It is not a ritual or performance; it is a heart that yields to the Person of Christ. No priest, no Mass, and no sacrament can replace this inward response to God’s grace.

Paul is even more direct when he says:

Galatians 2:16
“Yet we know that a man is not justified and placed in right standing with God by works of the Law, but only through faith in God’s beloved Son, Christ Jesus. And even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law; for by observing the Law, no one will ever be justified—declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God.”
(Amplified Bible)

The Roman Catholic system requires participation in sacraments as a condition for grace. However, the Scriptures show that grace is freely given, not earned or mediated through rituals. When we add anything to grace, we no longer have grace. What remains is religion, not relationship.