Why Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism Preach a False Gospel

Many people assume that ancient church traditions like Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Oriental Orthodoxy all preach the same gospel as Scripture. But beneath their historic beauty and ceremony lies a dangerous distortion — a gospel of works, rituals, and human tradition that denies the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross. The true gospel is not what man does for God, but what God has done for man in Christ.

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The Bible declares the gospel with beautiful simplicity: salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

— Ephesians 2:8–9

Salvation is a free gift, not a process earned through rituals or moral achievement. When Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” He declared that His work of redemption was complete.

“By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

— Hebrews 10:14

Christ’s death and resurrection are enough. Nothing can be added to His perfect sacrifice.

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Where the Historical Churches Go Wrong

While Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Oriental Orthodoxy differ in history and structure, they share the same core problem — they all add human works, sacraments, and church authority to the gospel of grace.

Catholic doctrine teaches that salvation begins with baptism, continues through the sacraments, and is completed through penance, good works, and purification in purgatory. It teaches that the Eucharist re-presents Christ’s sacrifice daily on altars around the world.

But Scripture is clear:

“This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”

— Hebrews 10:12

Christ’s work is not ongoing — it is finished. To claim otherwise denies the finality of His cross.

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Eastern Orthodoxy teaches theosis, or “becoming godlike,” through participation in the sacraments and the mystical life of the church. While sanctification — growing in holiness — is biblical, Orthodoxy confuses it with justification, which Scripture defines as a one-time declaration of righteousness through faith.

“To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

— Romans 4:5

Salvation is not a lifelong climb toward divinity; it is a gift received the moment one trusts in Christ.

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The Oriental Orthodox churches (Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, and others) hold a nearly identical view — salvation as a cooperative process between God and man, dispensed through the church’s sacraments. Though their traditions differ, the foundation is the same: grace plus works.

But the gospel does not say “grace plus.” It says grace alone.

To make human cooperation a condition for justification is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness.

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Each of these systems also elevates tradition and church councils to the level of divine revelation. But the Bible is clear that Scripture alone is the final authority for faith and practice:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine… that the man of God may be complete.”

— 2 Timothy 3:16–17

When man’s traditions stand alongside God’s Word, Scripture is inevitably silenced, and the gospel becomes buried under centuries of ritual and hierarchy.

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History bears witness to what happens when false religion gains power. The same institutions that altered the gospel also turned their swords against those who stood for the truth of Scripture.

During the Reformation and the centuries that followed, countless Protestants were martyred by the Roman Catholic Church — burned at the stake, drowned, or tortured for simply preaching salvation by grace through faith. Men like William Tyndale, who translated the Bible into English, were executed for giving the Word of God to the people. The Inquisitions and Counter-Reformation persecutions sought to crush the gospel of grace and silence those who proclaimed it.

In the East, Orthodox authorities likewise persecuted evangelical believers who rejected the authority of the priesthood or the veneration of icons. In nations where Orthodoxy held civil power, those who preached salvation by faith alone faced imprisonment, exile, or death. These were not acts of the gospel — they were acts of religion defending its own traditions against the light of truth.

“They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”

— John 16:2

From the stake in Europe to the prisons of the East, the blood of martyrs testifies to one unshakable truth — the gospel of grace cannot be destroyed.

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The true gospel proclaims that Jesus Christ is sufficient. His perfect obedience fulfills the Law, His blood fully atones for sin, and His resurrection guarantees eternal life for all who believe.

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

— Acts 4:12

Salvation does not come through a church system, priesthood, or sacrament — it comes through a Savior.

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If you’ve placed your hope in religion, ritual, or church membership, turn instead to Christ alone. Lay down your works, your pride, and your dependence on men. Believe in the One who said, “It is finished.”

Salvation is not achieved — it is received.

It is not earned — it is given.

The true gospel is this: Jesus paid it all.

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Key Takeaway

The gospel of grace stands apart from every man-made system. Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Oriental Orthodoxy may preserve ancient traditions, but they have all traded the simplicity of Christ for the complexity of ritual. Their history proves it — not only did they corrupt the message of grace, but they persecuted those who dared to preach it.