The Old Catholic Church affirms the traditional Catholic interpretation of James 2:24: faith and works are both necessary for justification and salvation. This represents the continuity of pre-Reformation Catholic theology maintained by Old Catholics.

Old Catholic theology holds that justification is not sola fide but involves the cooperation of God's grace with human faith and works. The sacraments are means of grace and sanctification. Moral obedience and charity are essential expressions of living faith.