Myth: Catholics add requirements for salvation including good works and the sacraments.

The need to perform good works has long been a point of contention between the Catholic Church and Protestant churches. The Lutheran church was founded by Martin Luther in part on this disagreement. In fact, Catholic and Lutheran church leaders recently came up with a groundbreaking document expressing a common understanding concerning "Justification," the process by which individuals achieve salvation. In short, the churches concurred that "by grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works."

Protestants often interpret the Catholic Church’s emphasis upon moral correctness and the need for charity as stating that good works are needed for salvation. However, by this statement, it is clear that we are saved by grace alone, but that good works spring from this grace. It is impossible to be "saved," to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior without acting in a morally correct way. To accept Jesus is to accept his word and his commands. It is from His words and commands that our moral code springs. It is from his statement: "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother, you do to me," that we are called to charity.

Sacraments are physical ways in which we express our faith.