"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7
Today, we’ll be diving into the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians to explore his passionate defense of salvation by grace through faith alone. We’ll also examine how modern doctrines, such as those of the Roman Catholic Church, mirror the very legalism Paul warned against—adding human works to the free gift of salvation through Christ.
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians stands as a profound rejection of the idea that salvation can be earned through human effort or adherence to religious laws. His strong rebuke of the Galatians for turning to a “different gospel” (Galatians 1:6) exposes a legalistic mindset that still persists today, most notably in the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). By examining Paul’s arguments in Galatians alongside the RCC’s teachings on faith and works, it becomes clear that the error of adding human effort to God’s grace continues in modern times.
Paul’s central message in Galatians is that justification—being made right with God—comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Paul writes, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). For the Galatians, legalism manifested in the belief that circumcision and observing Jewish laws were necessary for salvation. Paul vehemently opposes this idea, making it clear that salvation depends solely on faith in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. To add works as a requirement for salvation is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. The Law, Paul argues, was never intended to save but to act as a “schoolmaster” to bring people to Christ and reveal their need for Him (Galatians 3:24-25).
Why is it that, after centuries of claiming apostolic succession as their divine authority, the Roman Catholic Church does not follow the teachings of the apostles? Instead, it reverts to the very practices the apostles opposed—relying on the law, works, traditions, and rituals. This contradiction raises a critical question: if the RCC claims to carry on the legacy of the apostles, why does it promote a system of salvation that aligns more with the legalism Paul condemned than with the simplicity of faith in Christ that the apostles taught?
This legalistic mindset condemned by Paul in Galatians is reflected in many doctrines of the RCC, which blends faith with works as part of the process of salvation. For example, the RCC teaches that salvation requires participation in sacraments such as baptism, penance, and the Eucharist. While faith is acknowledged as important, these sacraments are seen as essential for grace to be applied. Baptism is believed to wash away original sin and initiate salvation, confession and penance are required to absolve sins, and the Eucharist is necessary to maintain salvation. This approach mirrors the error Paul addresses in Galatians. Just as circumcision and other Jewish laws were imposed as prerequisites for salvation, the sacramental system of the RCC adds human works to the free gift of grace. Paul addresses this issue directly in Galatians 3:2 when he asks, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
His rhetorical question highlights the futility of relying on works to achieve what only God’s grace can provide.
The RCC’s historical practice of selling indulgences further illustrates this legalistic mindset. Indulgences, payments made to reduce time in purgatory, are a clear distortion of the Gospel of grace. By teaching that specific actions—such as purchasing indulgences or performing acts of penance—can secure salvation or reduce punishment, the RCC directly contradicts the message of Scripture. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The idea that salvation can be achieved through human merit undermines the truth of God’s grace. Paul’s warning in Galatians 1:8-9 is particularly relevant here: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Adding indulgences and other merit-based actions to the Gospel creates a new gospel—one that Paul condemns.
Another similarity between the legalism of the Galatians and the practices of the RCC lies in their elevation of traditions above Scripture. In Galatians, Paul explains that the Law served as a guide to lead people to Christ, but once faith in Christ was established, the Law was no longer necessary as a means of justification (Galatians 3:24-25). The RCC, however, has elevated its traditions and teachings, such as the veneration of saints, the authority of the Pope, and the doctrine of purgatory, to the level of Scripture. These traditions impose additional requirements on believers, creating a burden that Paul describes as a “yoke of bondage.” He writes in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The freedom Paul speaks of is the liberation from legalistic systems that demand human effort to achieve salvation. The RCC’s insistence on following its traditions and rituals can feel like a return to the very bondage Paul warns against.
The Book of Galatians is a powerful reminder that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. It warns against the dangers of legalism and adding human effort to the Gospel. The similarities between the errors Paul rebuked in Galatians and the doctrines of the RCC are striking. Both add human works and merit to the free gift of salvation, distorting the Gospel and placing unnecessary burdens on believers. Paul’s message to the Galatians is just as relevant today as it was nearly two thousand years ago: faith in Christ, not works or human tradition, is the only path to salvation. To embrace anything else is to reject the sufficiency of God’s grace.
By placing their faith in a system of works, traditions, and rituals rather than in Christ alone, Catholics who follow a different gospel are tragically walking the broad road to destruction. Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
The narrow way is Christ alone, through faith in His finished work on the cross, not through reliance on sacraments, penances, or priestly mediation.
Despite what their fallible priests may proclaim, the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church promote a gospel of human effort rather than the grace of God. Paul’s words in Galatians 1:8-9 serve as a stark warning: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
The Catholic Church’s addition of doctrines like purgatory, indulgences, and the veneration of Mary as a co-redeemer deviates from the truth of Scripture and leads people away from the simplicity of the Gospel.
God’s Word is clear in its authority and sufficiency, and it must be believed over the traditions of any political or religious institution, no matter how wealthy or powerful. Matthew 15:9 rebukes such man-made doctrines: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” The billions of dollars amassed by the Catholic Church cannot purchase salvation for its adherents, for 1 Peter 1:18-19 reminds us: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
To further understand the dangers of trusting in a religious system over Christ, consider the words of Paul in Romans 10:3-4: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
By failing to submit to God’s righteousness through Christ, Catholics who trust in works and traditions instead of grace are attempting to establish their own righteousness—a futile effort that leads only to condemnation.
The Bible offers no room for intermediaries other than Christ Himself. 1 Timothy 2:5.
Salvation cannot be found through priests, popes, or sacraments, but only through the one true Mediator, Jesus Christ. Those who cling to a gospel of works must heed the words of Jesus in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The truth is simple yet profound: salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. Any gospel that adds works, rituals, or human tradition is a false gospel, leading not to life, but to destruction. As followers of Christ, we must stand firm on the Word of God, rejecting the teachings of man-made institutions and embracing the free gift of salvation offered through Christ’s finished work on the cross. For it is better to trust in God’s eternal truth than to be misled by a system built on shifting sand. Psalm 118:8 reminds us: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
No convinced? Let's look at other verses.
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
This verse emphasizes that justification comes by faith alone, not by works or legalistic deeds, echoing Paul’s teaching in Galatians.
Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Here Paul explicitly states that salvation is entirely based on God’s mercy, not on our righteous actions or works.
Hebrews 11:6:“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
This verse underscores the necessity of faith to approach and please God, without any mention of works.
The Law Cannot Save
Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
This verse directly parallels Galatians 3, showing that Christ fulfills the purpose of the Law, rendering it unnecessary as a means of attaining righteousness.
Colossians 2:14: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
This verse demonstrates that Christ’s work on the cross removed the legal requirements and ordinances of the Law that burdened believers.
Freedom in Christ
John 8:36:“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
This verse beautifully connects to Galatians 5:1, emphasizing the freedom that comes through Christ, as opposed to the bondage of legalistic systems.
Romans 8:1-2:“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
This passage reinforces the idea that Christ liberates believers from the condemnation and bondage of the Law.
Condemnation of Adding to the Gospel
2 Corinthians 11:3:“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Paul warns about complicating the simple Gospel of grace, which aligns with his condemnation of the Galatians for turning to a different gospel.
Matthew 23:4: “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for burdening others with legalistic demands, which parallels how the RCC has imposed traditions and rituals on believers.
Revelation 22:18-19:“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life.”
This verse serves as a warning against adding human traditions and doctrines to God’s Word, which directly applies to the RCC’s extra-biblical teachings.
Faith Produces Works, Not the Other Way Around
James 2:26:“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
While this verse is often misinterpreted as supporting works-based salvation, it actually teaches that true faith naturally produces good works as evidence—not as a requirement for salvation.
Ephesians 2:10:“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
This complements Ephesians 2:8-9, clarifying that good works are the result of salvation, not the means to achieve it.
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