AskAnything.sg

Answer:

“I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary

Under Pontius Pilate He was crucified, died, and was buried. 

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, 

the holy catholic Church, 

the communion of saints, 

the forgiveness of sins, 

the resurrection of the body, 

and the life everlasting. 

Amen.” 

The above are, of course, the words of the Apostles’ Creed. Though it is by no means the only creed used by Christian churches today – the Nicene Creed is another commonly used one – the Apostles’ Creed is an ancient and authoritative formulation which summarizes the essential elements of the Christian faith as well as any other creed. It is universally accepted by the different denominations within Protestantism despite the doctrinal differences between them. You may say that if they cannot agree with one another about anything else, they will at least agree about the Apostles’ Creed. They all hold that any person who responds to God in sincere and true faith according to the beliefs of the Apostles’ Creed will be saved. 

Now, it so happens that the Catholic Church also embraces the Apostles’ Creed as its profession of faith (see “The Creeds” under Section Two of Part One of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” found on the official Vatican website). While we may not speak authoritatively on the doctrine and practice of the Catholic Church, we are able to say confidently that anyone, Catholic or protestant, who trusts and puts his faith in the power of the death of Jesus Christ alone for salvation is saved and will go to heaven and spend eternity in the presence of God. 

When people rely on other means, powers, deeds or customs to “enhance” or “secure” salvation, it is a good indication that they have not understood that saving faith comes through Jesus Christ alone.