The Meaning and Importance for Catholics, of the Church being the means to faith and salvation

What does 'the Church as the means to faith' mean?

It is through the Church that people come to believe in Christianity so it is the means to faith
The Apostles were taught by Jesus and this teaching has been passed on to the Church through Apostolic Succession, meaning people can learn the true faith from the Church
Catholics believe that only the Pope and the bishops can teach the true faith through the Magisterium of the Church, so it is only through the Church that the true faith can be found
Catholics learn to have faith in God through the actions of the Church such as preparation for the sacraments

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If the Church is the means to faith, then it teaches the 'one true faith', handed down from the Apostles
The faith of the Church brings salvation and eternal life in heaven
Local parish churches provide a palce where people can learn about the Catholic faith and become believers
People need something to help them believe and become members of the Church

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The sacrament of baptism which washes away original sin and makes a person a member of the Church
The sacrament of reconciliation where, if a person truly repents their sins and determines to live a new life, their sins can be forgiven
The penitential rite at Mass which gives people a chance to confess their sins and recieve absolution, which forgives their sins
The sacrament of confirmation which makes a person a full member of the Church and gives the gifts of the Holy Spirit to help them on their way to salvation

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Without salvation, a person's sins stop them from having close contact with God and send them to hell or purgatory after death
It is the only way that people can have eternal life with God
It gives Catholics a clear route to salvation. If they take part in the sacraments and follow the teachings of the Church, they will be saved

It shows that salvation is a continual process, rather than happening just once at baptism

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Some Protestants believe salvation comes through having a personal relationship with Jesus

If the Church is the only means to salvation, then only Christians can go to heaven which goes against God being a God of love

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