The idea that Roman Catholics can simultaneously be born-again believers is new and novel among Protestants. The controversy has always been the issue of justification. The question is, “How is one justified before God?”
Southern Baptists have thus far been convinced that there is no salvation outside of belief of grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone (Sola Fide) in Christ Alone (Solus Christus). Baptists would never, ever have previously held the idea as imaginable, let alone tenable, that someone could belong to a church that teaches believing salvation apart from works (not to mention steeped in idolatry) to be Christians. In recent years, however, a growing number of Southern Baptist teachers have posited the idea that someone can be both a Roman Catholic and a saved believer.
While we believe that God can (and does) save Roman Catholics, we must fundamentally deny the salvation of any soul still a part of false religion. We deny that there are millions of saved Roman Catholics in the same way we deny that there are millions of saved Muslims or Buddhists or Mormons. In other words, it is not until one leaves false religion and demonstrates saving faith by repenting of works-righteousness that we can consider someone to be saved.
Watch this short video, and understand that the Southern Baptist Convention is in a state of unbelievable (and tragic) devolution.
