We answered a similar question in January of 2016 and I believe it answers your question as well. The question was, “What’s the difference between the Roman Catholic and Born Again Christian’s beliefs and teachings.” Here is the answer that we gave: https://answersfromthebook.net/whats-the-difference-between-the-roman-catholic-and-born-again-christians-beliefs-and-teachings/

I would like to repeat some of the major differences in doctrine relating to salvation by listing THEIR TEACHINGS followed by passages (from the NKJV) to show WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES.

*BAPTISM is necessary for a sinner to be JUSTIFIED and SAVED. Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:31, “BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Clearly, a sinner is justified and saved by FAITH ALONE.

*The SACRIFICE OF THE MASS appeases God’s wrath and results in the forgiveness of sins each time a person receives it. John 19:31, “It is finished!” Hebrews 10:12 & 14, “But this Man, after He had offered ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER, sat down at the right hand of God…For by ONE OFFERING He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Christ’s ONE SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS has satisfied God’s holiness and the believer in Christ has a perfect standing before God based on that one sacrifice.

*Salvation is through GOOD WORKS. Ephesians 2:8-9, “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.” It is NOT OUR WORKS that results in salvation, but by believing in CHRIST’S WORK on the cross.

*MARY is the MEDIATOR between God and men in the salvation process. 1st Timothy 2:5, “For there is ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” Christ alone is the MEDIATOR!

*One is saved through THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Roman Catholic Church doesn’t save; Jesus saves! See also John 1:12.

*PURGATORY is a place after death where God CLEANSES your sins. Hebrews 1:3, “When He had BY HIMSELF PURGED OUR SINS, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” 1st John 1:7, “The BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST His Son CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN.” The cross is THE PLACE WHERE OUR SINS HAVE BEEN CLEANSED (not in purgatory), and it is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

You can see that there are vast differences between what the Roman Catholic Church teaches on salvation and what the Bible teaches. Their teachings deny the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and that the sinner is justified and saved by faith alone in that finished work. By doing this, it would be wrong to consider those who believe their false teachings as Christians. They may take “the name of Christian,” but in reality they are NOT Christians. The Apostle John wrote of those who do this in Revelation 3:3, “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” They claim to be BORN AGAIN but they are SPIRITUALLY DEAD. (307.5) (DO)