Roman Catholic
The Roman Catholic Church, guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.
Like all the Christian traditions here, this one shares the common faith of the creeds (see what Christians hold in common). What follows is where it reads the contested passages distinctively.
How Roman Catholic reads the contested passages
The "rock" is Peter himself, given the keys; this establishes the Petrine office and, in Catholic teaching, the papacy and apostolic succession.
Key points: "You are Peter, and on this rock"; the keys of binding and loosing; the primacy of the see of Rome.
Sources: Catechism §§880–882; Vatican I, Pastor Aeternus
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The bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation); Jesus' words "my flesh is true food" are taken literally.
Key points: The substance changes while the appearances remain; the Mass re-presents Christ's one sacrifice; adoration of the Eucharist is fitting.
Representative voices: Thomas Aquinas; Council of Trent
Sources: Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1373–1381; Trent, Session 13
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The Spirit proceeds from the Father AND the Son (the "filioque"). The Son sends the Spirit and the Spirit is "of the Son," so the West confesses a double procession.
Key points: "Whom I will send to you from the Father"; the Spirit called the Spirit of the Son (Gal 4:6).
Sources: Catechism §246; the Western form of the Nicene Creed
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Baptism truly forgives sin and regenerates, and is rightly given to infants, incorporating them into Christ and the Church.
Key points: "For the forgiveness of sins" taken at face value; baptismal regeneration; the practice of infant baptism.
Sources: Catechism §§1213–1284
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God's grace is prevenient and necessary, yet human freedom genuinely cooperates; God predestines to glory while rejecting both Pelagianism and double predestination.
Key points: Grace precedes and enables the will; free cooperation; the matter is held as mystery.
Representative voices: Augustine; Thomas Aquinas
Sources: Catechism §§600, 1037; Council of Trent, Session 6
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Grace truly received can be lost through mortal sin and unrepentant apostasy, though it can also be restored through repentance.
Key points: Real loss of grace is possible; restoration through the sacrament of reconciliation.
Sources: Council of Trent, Session 6
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A person is justified by faith working through love: grace begins justification (in baptism) and it grows through faith and works of love. "Faith alone," if it excludes love, does not justify.
Key points: Faith formed by charity; justification can increase; James and Paul are harmonized rather than opposed.
Sources: Council of Trent, Session 6; Catechism §§1987–2011
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