Two Gospels, Two Anathemas: Paul vs. Rome and the Gospel Divide

Rey B
May 17
9 min read

Rome (Catholic Popes) versus the Apostle Paul

Which Gospel Do You Believe?

What would you say if someone asked you,

“What is the gospel?”

For many, the answer sounds like,

“Believe in Jesus and do good works.”

Others say:

“Have faith and follow the Church’s teachings.”

But the Bible actually draws an obvious line—between a gospel that saves and a gospel that damns.

There is a sharp and undeniable divide between the gospel preached by the Apostle Paul and the gospel proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church system. Though many are unaware, these two messages are not simply different—they oppose one another!

In fact, both sides pronounce a curse (anathema) on the other. This isn’t a minor theological disagreement, it’s a matter of eternal consequence. Every person must choose which gospel they will believe. But nevermind what a Roman Pope or Magesterium or Protestant Reformer has to say.

What does the Bible say and teach?

Let’s walk through the Scriptures, history, and prophecy to expose this gospel divide and help you understand why it matters for your soul.

Part I: What Rome Declared at the Council of Trent

In the early 1500s, the Protestant Reformation ignited a spiritual revolution across Europe. Bold reformers like Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and others rose up to challenge the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, declaring that the Bible alone—not church tradition or papal decrees—was the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice. They preached that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not by performing religious rituals, keeping sacraments, or earning merit through good works. This simple, yet powerful return to Scripture shook the foundations of the religious establishment and sparked centuries of conflict over the one true gospel.

In response, the Roman Catholic Church convened the Council of Trent (1545–1563) to defend its doctrines and formally condemn the teachings of the Reformers. The result was a series of authoritative statements called “canons,” many of which not only rejected the biblical gospel of salvation by grace through faith but went so far as to pronounce a curse—anathema—on anyone who believed it.

But what does the Bible say?

John 14:6 (KJV):

“Jesus saith… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Jonah 2:9 (KJV):

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

Psalm 3:8 (KJV):

“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord.”

To reject the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is to deny the truth.

To pronounce a curse on that gospel is to pronounce a curse on Christ Himself, because He is the truth, and salvation belongs to Him.

By anathematizing faith alone and the imputed righteousness of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church has effectively placed itself in opposition to the very person and work of Jesus Christ.

This is not a small matter. It is spiritual treason. It is blasphemy.

This sets the stage for one of the most staggering declarations in Roman Catholic Church history. Rather than submitting to the authority of Scripture and the finished work of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church officially condemned the very foundation of biblical salvation. This condemnation is seen in Canon 9 and 11 of Session 6 of the Council of Trent, which the Roman Catholic Church has not rescinded.

Let us examine these canons.

Canon 9 – Condemning Faith Alone

“If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone… let him be anathema.”

In plain terms: If you believe you are saved by faith alone, without good works or sacraments, you are cursed.

That’s not just a difference of opinion. It’s the Roman Catholic Church’s official position, which it still holds today.

They teach that salvation comes through:

Baptism (often as a baby)
Participation in the seven sacraments
Good works
Confession, penance, and endurance

This system combines faith + works, grace + effort, and Jesus + the Church.

Canon 11 – Denying Imputed Righteousness

“If anyone says that men are justified either by the imputation of the righteousness of Christ alone, or by the remission of sins alone… to the exclusion of grace and charity poured into their hearts… let him be anathema.”

Here, the Catholic Church denies that Christ’s righteousness can be credited (imputed) to the believer by faith alone. Instead, they teach that righteousness must be infused into the soul through grace, love, and works, maintained over a lifetime.

But Scripture clearly teaches the opposite:

Romans 4:5–6 (KJV):

“To him that worketh not, but believeth… his faith is counted for righteousness… God imputeth righteousness without works.”

So what the Bible says justifies, the Roman Catholic system condemns.

But is that what the Bible teaches?

Is faith alone and justification really a “curse-worthy” belief?

To answer that, we must look at the man who gave us God’s blueprint for salvation in this age: the Apostle Paul.

If the Roman Catholic Church curses Paul’s gospel, then what gospel does Paul actually preach? Let’s examine it next.

Part II: Paul’s Gospel – The Gospel of Grace, Not Works

Paul wasn’t just another preacher. The risen Lord Jesus Christ personally chose him to preach a specific gospel message (Ref. Acts 9:16)—a gospel that was different from what was preached to Israel before the cross.

Galatians 1:11–12 (KJV):

“I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man… but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s gospel centers entirely on what Christ already accomplished:

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV):

“…according to the scriptures…Christ died for our sins… was buried… and rose again the third day…according to the scriptures…”

According to who?

The scriptures! Not man-made councils and traditions.

And how do we receive this salvation?

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV):

“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Titus 3:5 (KJV):

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”

Paul made it clear: no human effort can contribute to salvation. It’s a free gift of grace, received simply by believing what Jesus did for you.

But what happens when someone preaches a different gospel?

Paul answered that, too, and his warning is shocking.

Part III: Paul’s Anathema – A Curse on Any Other Gospel

Paul didn’t just teach grace, he defended it fiercely. And he warned that no matter how spiritual they seem, anyone who teaches a gospel that contradicts his is under a curse.

Galatians 1:8–9 (KJV):

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel… let him be accursed.”

Did you catch that? Paul even includes angels from heaven in this warning. Why?

Because truth is not about who says it, but what is said.

So while the Roman Catholic Church curses anyone who believes in faith alone, Paul does the opposite: he curses anyone who adds to the gospel, whether it be works, rituals, or religious systems.

This creates a direct standoff:

But what about Revelation? Didn’t Paul say even an angel preaching a different gospel should be cursed?

So why does an angel preach a different gospel in Revelation 14?

Let’s explore that next and discover how dispensational truth helps us understand the difference.

Part IV: The Everlasting Gospel – A Different Gospel, for a Different Time

In Revelation 14:6–7, we read something striking:

“And I saw another angel fly… having the everlasting gospel to preach… saying… Fear God, and give glory to him… and worship him that made heaven, and earth…”

This message:

Comes from an angel
Occurs during the Tribulation
Has nothing to do with Jesus’ death, burial, or resurrection
It is about fearing God, giving Him glory, and worshiping the Creator

This is not Paul’s gospel.

Paul’s gospel is about who Jesus is and what Jesus did for you.

This gospel is about what you must do for God.

So what gives?

It’s simple: God changes how He deals with people at different times in history. That’s called dispensationalism, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Just as God gave Noah a message about building an ark, and Moses a message about keeping the law, He gave Paul the gospel of grace, and will provide the world in the Tribulation a new message suited for a time of judgment.

On that coming day, the world will be forced to choose between worshiping the Beast (a government system) or worshiping God. The “everlasting gospel” will be a warning: worship the Creator or face eternal wrath.

Now here’s the shocking twist—

The Roman Catholic Church’s gospel looks more like this Tribulation gospel than Paul’s gospel of grace. So where does that leave them?

Part V: The Roman Catholic Gospel – A Misplaced Gospel for the Wrong Time

Let’s recap:

Paul’s gospel is for now, the Church Age.
The angel’s gospel is for the Tribulation—a time of judgment and wrath.
The Catholic gospel is a mixture of both, but they preach it at the wrong time.

Catholicism teaches:

Faith + sacraments
Obedience to the Church
Confession, penance, and perseverance
Fear of judgment
Purgatory (hell) after death

That’s not grace. That’s a false gospel dressed in religious robes.

In trying to maintain spiritual control, the Roman Catholic system has rejected Paul’s gospel and built a man-made system that better fits the Tribulation gospel than the gospel of grace.

But here’s the problem: we’re not in the Tribulation. We’re in the age of grace.

To preach the wrong gospel in the wrong time is to pervert the truth and damn the soul.

Romans 11:6 (KJV):

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works…”

You cannot mix grace and works. If you do, grace is no longer grace, and salvation becomes impossible.

Conclusion: Will You Trust the Gospel that Saves?

Friend, the gospel is not about religious systems, rituals, or sacraments. It’s not about enduring to the end or earning God’s favor. It’s about what Jesus Christ already did for you, and whether or not you’ll receive it by faith alone!

The Roman Catholic Church teaches a gospel of works and lifelong uncertainty.

The Bible teaches the gospel of grace and assurance of salvation.

Right now, you are living in the Church Age—the time when God offers eternal life freely to anyone who will believe. You don’t need a priest, a Church, or a sacrament. You need the Savior.

God’s grace has an expiration date, just as it did in the days of Noah. For 120 years, Noah preached righteousness while building the ark, warning of the coming judgment. But when the time came, God Himself shut the door (Genesis 7:16). At that moment, the opportunity for salvation ended. All who remained outside the ark perished in the flood.

Today, we are living in the age grace but it won’t last forever. The door is still open, but God will shut it again, this time, not with water, but with God’s judgment. We don’t know the day or the hour, but the signs are clear: the end is drawing near.

Don’t wait until the door is closed. Believe the gospel, enter into Christ by faith, and be saved before it’s too late.

If you’re not saved, here is how you can be, according to the Bible, not tradition. It’s as simple as A-B-C:

A – Admit You’re a Sinner

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

You were born in sin. You can’t earn heaven. You can’t save yourself. You fall short of God’s perfect standard.

B – Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 6:23 (KJV)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 5:8 (KJV)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus paid your debt on the cross. He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again. He offers you eternal life as a gift, not something you earn, but something you receive by faith.

C – Confess and Call Upon Him by Faith

Romans 10:9–10 (KJV)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Romans 10:13 (KJV)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

You don’t need to wait. You don’t need a Church ceremony. You can be saved right now.

Can You Really Know You’re Saved?

Yes! Contrary to what the Roman Catholic Church teaches, the Bible says you can know you have eternal life, not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done.

1 John 5:13 (KJV):

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”

If you have believed in Jesus Christ, you are saved, and you can know it with certainty—not maybe, not someday, but now.

Pray in Faith

Salvation isn’t about saying the perfect words, it’s about believing in your heart. But if you’re ready, you can call on Him like this:

“Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I believe You died for me, were buried, and rose again. I trust You alone to save me. Come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life. I receive Your gift by faith. Amen.”