I Became Catholic When I Learned to Read the Bible

I used to believe the Catholic Church was “man-made.” Until I learned who made it, when He made it, and where my current Protestant church started (Matthew 16:18).

I used to believe “once saved, always saved.” Until I read that Jesus Himself said we can lose our faith: “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13), and that branches can be cut off from the vine (John 15:6). Paul reminds us to “Work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

I used to believe “sin is sin.” Until I learned that Jesus spoke of different kinds of sin: “There is sin that leads to death” and sin that does not (1 John 5:16–17). Mortal and venial.

I used to believe Catholics worked their way to heaven, because eternal life can only be received as a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Until I learned that faith and love demand obedience and action. “Faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

I used to believe in justification by faith alone because: “A man is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28), “To the one who does not work but believes… his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5), “By grace… through faith… not of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Until I learned the difference between the works of the Mosaic Law and the works of the Holy Spirit.

And then I learned that Martin Luther added the word alone to Romans. Yes… that was a biggie. “Man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). These are the “works” of the Holy Spirit—NOT the works/laws of men that are often used to slander this holy teaching.

I used to believe Mary was just a normal woman. Until I learned that unless she was immaculately conceived, preserved from sin, assumed into heaven, and truly the Mother of God, then Jesus Himself would be reduced to something merely human. Scripture did not shrink Mary—it magnified Christ (Luke 1:28, 43).

I used to believe that when Catholics petitioned Mary and the saints for prayer, they were worshipping false gods because: “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5), “There is no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), and that we have direct access to the Father through Christ alone (Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:12). Until I learned the difference between mediation and intercession—that asking another Christian to pray for me does not replace Christ, but participates in His one mediation (James 5:16; Revelation 5:8).

I used to believe confession to a priest was a sham. Until I learned that Jesus called us to it: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:22–23). And that confession is not humiliation, but healing (James 5:14–16).

I used to believe Baptism was purely symbolic, and optional. Until I learned Christ commanded it to wash away sins: “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38), “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

I used to believe Catholics added books to the Bible. Until I learned it was Martin Luther who removed seven books after the Catholic Church canonized the Bible.

I used to believe purgatory was something Catholics made up, because: “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), “By one offering He has perfected for all time” (Hebrews 10:14), and Christ’s blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7). All of this is true indeed. But somewhere between how I am now and standing in the blazing holiness of God, I might at least need a shower (1 Corinthians 3:13–15).

And those who twisted Paul’s words—“absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord”—missed that he was longing for heaven, not denying purification (2 Corinthians 5:8).

I used to believe Communion was symbolic—just bread and wine—because Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24–26). Until I learned that this is exactly what the disciples who left Him could not accept: “My flesh is true food… my blood is true drink” (John 6:55).

I used to believe Communion at Mass was a re-sacrifice. Until I learned the meaning of re-presentation—the one eternal sacrifice made present in time (Hebrews 12:24).

I used to believe the crucifix was grotesque, a God who never rose from the cross. Until I realized, staring at Him, “Oh God… You did that for me” (Galatians 2:20).

I used to believe that corrupt popes and creepy priests invalidated the Catholic Church, but then I realized this is exactly how God has always worked—through broken men. Abraham lied to protect himself, Moses was a murderer with a temper, David committed adultery and arranged a man’s death, and Peter denied Jesus three times—yet God still used each of them to accomplish His will. God has never depended on perfect instruments, only repentant ones, and the survival of His Church has always rested not on human virtue but on divine guidance: “…He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

I used to believe the Catholic Church had no real authority. Until I learned what it means to “bind and loose” (Matthew 16:19; 18:18), and that the Church had the promise of Jesus to be guided by the Holy Spirit—Despite the devil’s attacks. Despite sinful leaders.

I used to believe Peter was just another apostle. Until I learned the difference between a pebble and a rock (Matthew 16:18), and that Jesus never gave someone a new name without also giving them a new purpose.

And Galatians 1:8–9 once terrified me: “If anyone preaches a gospel contrary to the one we preached… let him be accursed.” Until I learned that the Church did not change the Gospel—
I did. I thought I rejected tradition to follow Scripture. But Scripture led me back to the Church that wrote it, guarded it, and lived it.

I used to believe… until I learned. And when I learned, I became Catholic.