0 The Gospel for Roman Catholics

This paper is written in two parts.  The first explains and documents the Roman Catholic Church's position on justification.  The second part presents the true gospel in contrast to the Catholic Church's position. 

Because of the great emphasis on Sacred Tradition within the Catholic Church and because so many Roman Catholics appeal to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, the Word of God is often placed after the Catholic Church itself in relation to authority.  Because of this, many Catholics appeal to their works, in combination with the sacrifice of Christ as a means of being justified before God.  The Council of Trent expresses this plainly:

0 Catholic Terminology

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This list of terms used by the Catholic church is brief and succinct. It should help those who are learning about Catholicism and who desire to be conversant with Catholics on their terms.

1. Absolution - the act of releasing someone from their sin by God, through the means of a priest.
2. Actual grace - God's interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification.
3. Actual sin - any sin that a person commits.
4. Annunciation - When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was to be the mother of the Messiah.