Do Catholics Believe in Works-Based Salvation? (Grace, Faith, and the Pelagian Heresy Explained)

Is Catholicism a “works-based religion”? Many Protestants claim that the Catholic Church teaches works-based salvation, but the Church explicitly condemns this idea — both historically and theologically.

In this video, we break down the meaning of works-based salvation, why it’s considered a heresy (Pelagianism), and how the Catholic Church understands grace, faith, and good works in the process of salvation.

You’ll learn:

What “works-based salvation” actually means

Why Catholics reject it

The difference between initial justification and ongoing sanctification

What the Bible says about faith and works (Romans, Ephesians, James)

How the Church condemns Pelagianism

Why the Catholic view aligns with Scripture and early Christian tradition

Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, not something we can earn — yet true faith must always bear fruit in love and obedience.

📚 Sources & References:

Sacred Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–10; Romans 3:28; Romans 6:23; James 2:24; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 2:16

Council of Trent, Decree on Justification (1547)

Council of Carthage (418 A.D.) – Condemnation of Pelagianism

Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1996–2001, 2010–2011

Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1999, Vatican–Lutheran World Federation)

St. Augustine, On the Grace of Christ and on Original Sin

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I–II, q. 109–114