The following comments were made by Dr. Jerry Rankin, President of the International Mission Board.
Why do we send missionaries to Catholic countries? Some researchers identify these as “Christian” and already evangelized, a nomenclature we reject in our vision to fulfill the Great Commission...The people may be identified as cultural Christians since that is their socio-religious profile, but most of them do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They may attend church and fulfill all the prescribed ritual and sacraments of their faith, but it is unlikely that most of them have ever been confronted with the truth of the gospel. We would not discount that there could be significant numbers who personally have genuinely had a born again experience of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but I find it an enigma of how one can remain within a community of faith whose teachings are so contrary to that of Scripture and inconsistent with evangelical belief. If there are those who are saved, it is not because of Catholic doctrine and teaching but in spite of it.
Belief in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross and saving grace that is received by grace alone is the only means of salvation. When you add to the cross, you, in reality, take away from it, because you are saying, in effect, that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was not sufficient. Their insistence on the immaculate conception of Mary and her assumption of the role of mediator, the infallibility of the Pope, the church as an additional source of ultimate truth, sacramental regenerational baptism, the repeated sacrifice of Christ in the mass and ultimate salvation by works all represent an aberrant gospel which God’s Word terms “anathema.” Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast.”
Roman Catholicism has been increasingly universalistic, reaching out to embrace all the world’s religions as “brethren” who ultimately worship the same God. It brought into its system the pagan superstitions of the Roman Empire and continues to lead millions away from the truth of the gospel by its deceptive doctrine. One can find little difference in Catholic churches and Hindu temples in India. In Latin America Catholicism has become the context for a syncretism of spiritism and voodoo. One only has to observe for a few minutes the masses flocking to cathedrals in Europe and Latin America, praying to saints and fondling their relics, to recognize they are not even near to the kingdom of God. A brief conversation will reveal the emptiness and hopelessness of their works-based theology and their need for Jesus.
I realize this is not politically correct, but our Lord has sent us into all the world to disciple the nations. He has commissioned us to proclaim the gospel to every creature. Those in Catholic countries are as lost and bound for hell as much as those who have never heard the name of Jesus. They, too, deserve an opportunity to hear, understand and respond to the life-changing message of the gospel. They cannot be ignored in our commitment that all peoples would know our Lord Jesus Christ.”
