In this episode, Winston tackles the big question: Is the Catholic Church infallible? Building on the previous episode (“When Did the Catholic Church Begin?”), he breaks down what “infallible” really means—both in general and in the context of Church teaching. Winston explains how the Church’s claim to infallibility applies only to official teachings on faith and morals, not to every word spoken by popes or bishops.

He dives into the biblical foundations for this belief, exploring Jesus’ words to Peter (“whatever you bind on earth…”) and the promise of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church “into all truth.” Winston also unpacks the relationship between Scripture and the Church—how the Church, through divine guidance, discerned which writings belong in the Bible—and addresses the common objection that the Catholic claim to infallibility is “circular reasoning.”

Ultimately, he shows that both Protestants and Catholics rely on faith in God’s guidance, but that the Catholic understanding best fits the historical and biblical evidence of Christ establishing a Church protected from error.

In this episode, Winston explores the question: When did the Catholic Church begin? Tracing history backward from today’s thousands of denominations to the earliest centuries of Christianity, he explains the Catholic claim that the Church founded by Jesus on Peter in 33 AD is the same Church that exists today. Drawing from Scripture, the structure of the early Church, the role of bishops and apostolic succession, and the unanimous beliefs of the first Christians, Winston shows how the Catholic Church has remained unbroken through history.

Many wonder why Catholics go to a priest to confess their sins and what the biblical and theological reasons are behind this practice. In this episode, the third in a series on salvation and forgiveness, we explore how Catholics seek assurance that their sins are truly forgiven.

We begin by revisiting key ideas about free will in salvation and the unforgivable sin. Then, we discuss how to be absolutely certain that we have genuinely accepted God’s forgiveness—not just through prayer or feeling sorry, but in a way that brings real peace. What role does confessing out loud to another person play? What spiritual and emotional benefits does it offer? And how does the sacrament of reconciliation provide Catholics with the certainty that their sins are forgiven?

We examine Jesus’ giving of authority to the apostles to forgive sins, the biblical foundation for confession to a priest, and why this authority continues today. Whether you are Catholic or simply curious, this episode offers clear insight into a practice that is often misunderstood.

If you have questions or want to suggest a future topic, visit winstonpodcast.com.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.