Many people find it confusing when they try to work out what differs Christians from Catholics.
Christianity is the core Abrahamic Religion that encapsulates the Catholic Church, Protestantism, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheranism and Methodism, to name a few.
Christian literally means follower of Jesus Christ, so all followers of Jesus are Christians regardless of their particular faith.
We will be covering some of the main differences between Catholics and Christians in this article.
Contents
Are Christians and Catholics The Same
Not all Christians are Catholics, but all Catholics are Christians. There is over 60% of the Christian population that is following the Catholic faith.
Most followers of other Christian faiths would identify as being Christian. While those that follow the Catholic faith would identify as being Catholic and not Christian.
Most non-Catholic Christians that you may have met in your life, would actually be Protestant. For this reason we will be comparing Catholics to Protestants as the core representative for the other Christian faiths.
What Similarities are There Between Catholics and Other Christians
The differences between Catholics and other Christians is down to their interpretations of the scriptures, rules and laws.
The Catholic Church believes that they alone possess the truth of what Jesus revealed. They do not doubt that other Christian faiths are true followers of Christ. They just believe that they have the correct path to follow.
Both Catholics and Protestants share many of the same beliefs and ideals.
- They both believe in the existence of Jesus and his second coming.
- They also agree that Jesus was the son of god in human flesh.
- They believe that there is only one true god – the father, the son and the holy spirit.
- They agree that God is rightfully angry with the people for not respecting him, and for mistreating one another.
- When we die, we are brought back to life to be judged for the way we’ve lived.
- We face eternity in Heaven or Hell, or even purgatory for our actions.
- They believe that Jesus came to us to guide us and died for our sins.
What Makes Catholics Different From Other Christians
The core difference comes down to how they believe we are to be accepted by God and welcomed into Heaven, and how to avoid Hell and Purgatory.
The core Christian faiths believe that Jesus died for our sins, and as such we only need to believe in God to be able to gain access to Heaven and to be accepted by him (Romans 4:6). You must have no doubt about him and must be willing to put your life in his hands, and allow him to guide you.
In other words, a Christian who beleieves in Jesus Christ, but does not live a charitable live, or dables in excess or debauchery for example, could still be granted a place in the kingdom of heavy. This is thanks to Adam and Eve’s actions in the Garden of Eden. We are fundamentally all flawed and full of sin no matter what we do in life (Romans 3:23-26), and as such its only through the believe in Jesus and his sacrafice for us, that we could gain access to heavy.
If you follow Jesus and God and trust in them, you are guaranteed a place in Heaven when you die (Luke 23:43) Even a man who has lived a life of sin, could have his sins forgiven if he accepts Jesus Christ as his lord and savior before he dies.
Catholics on the other hand. Believe what you do in life is just as important as believing in both God and Jesus. They believe that following their fall from the Garden of Eden, mankind has still retained some level of goodness within them.
Your actions in life speak for themselve, define if you are truely worthy of entering Heaven, and not just your belief in God and Jesus. As we exercise our own free will, we choose whether we live in sin or not through our very actions.
It is our actions that show evidence of our belief and faith in the Lord. By putting the teaching of the Bible into practical use, they believe that we are living by our convictions.
In other words, giving to charity once a year is not following the teachings that Jesus Christ gave on to us. To truely be charitable, one must take part in charitable activities on a regular basis. Living a greedy life, taking from those less fortuante than yourself, or thinking only of your own wealth, will mean that you have failed in your duties.
They strongly believe in this main difference thanks to James (2:24)
“You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone”.
Other Core Catholic Beliefs
There are other subtle and not so subtle differences between Catholic beliefs and other Christian faiths.
Catholics believe that the End of Days in the book of revelations is real and not just a metaphorical representation of potential disaster.
Catholics also believe in an appointed spiritual leader. They believe that the Pope is Gods representative here on earth. As the leader of the Catholic Church the Pope has authority over the interpretations of the scripture.
Rules that the Pope instills are law and must be adhered by, as if they were the word of God himself. Even if they contradict the laws of the land. Laws pretaining to birth control, abortion, who has the right to be married. If the Church rules differently to the laws where Catholics live, the Churches ruling takes precedence.
This difference in interpretation has lead to many Catholics being at odds with the rest of the Christian community as well as many Governments and Civil Groups world wide.
Christians view the Pope as being the head of a Church, but do not acknowledge his authority.
They do not believe in his infallibility or supremacy.
They instead believe that the Bible is the word of God as Jesus has said (Mark 7:1-13)
They do not follow the additional teachings of religious leaders, instead believing that pastors or church leaders can give guidance or advice, nothing more.
When the laws of the land contradict the Bible’s teachings, these laws usually hold sway with them (Romans 13)
Other Differences
The following table shows some of the minor differences between the Catholic and Christian faith.
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Catholic Belief |
Christian Belief |
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The Virgin Mary, Mother of the Son of God |
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Attending Mass |
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Statues, Pictures and Representations |
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Difference Between Catholic Bible Vs Christian Bible
please have a read of our article on Catholic Bible vs The Christian Bible. Some of our differences stem from the differences between a Catholic Bible, and other Christian Bibles.
Conclusion
As there are many more Protestant faiths in comparison to Catholic faiths, there are even more minor differences that we could not cover. Yet regardless of our individual faiths, we are all people of faith.
We all believe in and worship the Lord and our savior Jesus Christ. Even though we may have differences of opinion, at the end of the day we are all human.
We are all brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and should work together and help support each other where and when we can.
God Bless us all.
If I have missed something, please let me know by leaving a comment below.
View Comments (89)
Hello Scripture Catholic. I’ve noticed there was some contradictive Scriptures in the Bible. I can provide a list to you if you can help me better explain them. Thanks and God bless.
-David Dasalla
@David, yeah sure.
Other Christians if they are not Catholic don't attend Mass they attend church services.
Hello, I am a catholic christian and I just wanted to ask a question Scripture Catholic. I was raised in a catholic household, as a child I always went to Sunday mass, and I love god entirely. I'm just wondering, how can I better my faith to god. I believe that not only is it your trust and your faith, but also your actions is what leads you to eternal life. I just want to implement him into my everyday life and as well other peoples everyday life. I feel the worst mistake is not telling others how wonderful, amazing, and beautiful god is, and as well the power and harmony he brings to us. We have so much to be thankful for, and on Judgement Day, I don't want people asking me why I didn't tell them the truth. The truth that Jesus is the son of god, and god is my and the only god. -Sorry if I rambled, I just had a couple questions. Thank You So Much!
There is nothing a Christian can do to earn their way into heaven. Yes, God we are to work (obey) in faith . The only thing God requires is that you believe with your heart that He is God Almighty and accept Jesus as your Savior and you will be save. (you can say these words now were ever you are and you are saved) We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s word. If you confess your sins to God and turn from them, God is just to forgive you and never looks back. The next thing is to find a Church where there is also Bible study. God tells us to study to show ourselves approved. ( meaning know your word before people try to challenge you or need encouraging words. We were born into sin therefore God knows we will stumble alone the way. God Bless
God requires us to believe in his Son Jesus Christ and also to believe in him. Thatś when also baptism comes in so we can repent from our sins like death, burial, resurrection It's not just believing in him that will save us but also that including your actions that represent us. By following the rules in the bible which is the New testament that includes us all for forgiveness and a new life when you have repented. You have to indulge in the word of God and prepare yourself with the teachings of the bible so you wouldn't be fooled by others who give you false teachings.
Hi Dylan
You want to be closer to God and let others know the joy of being a child of Christ is?
In my experience that would be building a deeper relationship with God, and the includes giving Him reverence where ever you are and with what ever your doing, God is never separate from us and we can converse with Him when ever we need.
Don’t let other define your faith and relationship with God... it’s a personal thing and it isn’t just bound to a building.
Learn to know what God’s word says to you and it’s truth in this world.
I pray you do realize how ever present God is and how much He is waiting for to go deeper with Him.
God isn't real.
Yeah humans just appeared out of nowhere.
Brother, not even a chair can be created without a creator then how did this whole universe with stars and moons adn planets can appear out of nowhere.
Amen to that brother
Of course there is an incredibly powerful God who somehow created everything from nothing. Our wondrous planet is but a tiny cell within the body of God and we humans are the DNA within that cell. God is everything, the whole universe. The universe is the body of God and each star and planet is an essential function of God. God is not a Him or Her, God is a supernatural entity. and it is my belief that just as we mortals lack the intelligence to prove what God is, so do we also lack the intelligence to know what happens to us after death. These are questions which we shall never know the answer to. But God is all around us and we are just as essential to 'it' as God is to us. Amen
My question is why do you have your name as Satan when he comes from the bible too and related with God. Tell me, does a building just come out of nowhere? No. Does a certain design on a machine become itself like that? No. everything has a creator.
Also, Christians pray to God and Catholics pay to Saints. We attend Church, not Mass.
You left out many things ..
Hi Karen,
If you would like us to add some points into this article about the differences between Catholics and Christians please let us know and we will be happy to do so.
Christians pray to God- Catholics pray to God and saints. Also, Christians attend church services and gatherings- Catholics attend mass and church services and gatherings.
Catholics pray to God and Saints - we ask Saints to help intercede on our behalf with God, and pray for us. Also we believe you have to do good, not just believe in God to be saved, because if you believe in God and say you know God, then you have to live by his Commandments and know His expectations or you 'don't really know Him'.
You would know you cannot kill unless to defend yourself or others, you would know what He expects of you - look to the Commandments (or you don't really know Him, or believe in Him).
Catholics can pray in other places besides Churches, Cathedrals - a long time ago I had gone to a couple of Polka Masses in a park (that had a little bit livelier music than we normally have), and I also went to a church services in a college campus.
About the saints:In the Bible it states that only God can hear your prayers,saints are dead peaople from the past and cannot communicate with humans on earth. Just to point out..
Very well done from a non Catholic Christian working man point of view. Thanks for bringing all Christian beliefs together regardless of title.
Cathlics belive we eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. Christians believe the bread and wine are representative of Christ's body and blood.
Hey I’m a catholic and your statement I agree with 100% in each mass when the priest prays in front of the body of Christ and wine which turns to wine Jesus comes down all the angels and saints are always present in each mass and that’s why we believe that. ♥️??
So you believe the prayer turns the bread into the actual body of Christ?
Hi, I'm Catholic and feel I should point out number of significant errors in your representation of the Catholic faith.
1)"The Catholic Church believes that they alone possess the truth of what Jesus revealed. They do not doubt that other Christian faiths are true followers of Christ. They just believe that they have the correct path to follow.
A: I think this is better expressed as belief that the Catholic faith expresses the fullness of Truth, as revealed by both sacred scripture and apostolic tradition. We believe other Christians have a more limited understanding of this Truth. The reason we believe this is that the bishops in communion with the pope have the teaching authority given them by Jesus, and passed on down the centuries through apostolic succession.
2)"Your actions in life define if you are worthy of entering Heaven and not just your belief in God and Jesus."
A: This is not quite right. We are saved by God's grace alone. However, we must respond to God and receive His grace through acts of will and faith. Justification comes through faith working in love. Faith without works is dead. If I have faith to move a mountain, that is nothing if I have not love. Definition of love is giving of oneself for the benefit of others. What Jesus did for us, and what we are to do as we daily take up our cross and follow him. This is the path of salvation. This is what Scripture (and Tradition) says.
3)"Catholics believe that the End of Days in the book of revelations is real and not just a metaphorical representation of potential disaster."
A: False. Here's a link with a good discussion about that includes a citation to the official catechism: https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-rapture
4)"Catholics also believe in an appointed spiritual leader.
They believe that the Pope is Gods representative here on earth.
As the leader of the Catholic Church the Pope has authority over the interpretations of the scripture.
Rules that the Pope instills are law and must be adhered by, as if they were the word of God himself.
Even if they contradict the laws of the land."
A: This is a total misrepresentation of the role of the Pope. He is the first bishop among bishops, in the direct line of succession to St. Peter, who Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom to (teaching authority). He is known as the "Vicar of Christ" The other bishops are successors of the other Apostles - an unbroken line of transmission back to the originals. The teaching authority of the Church is represented by the Pope in communion with the bishops. Meaning, that all the bishops together with the Pope promulgate doctrine and interpretation of Scripture. Meaning that they all actually have to come to agreement, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Pope may teach the faithful, as do the bishops, but his teaching himself is not considered infallible (except under very limited and narrow circumstances, and also in communion with the bishops), nor as the teaching of the Church itself.
5)"Their places of worship are confined to a church, chapel, cathedral, as well as basilica."
A: Also false. Worship is considered the sacrifice of the mass, and a priest can celebrate mass anywhere - in prison, on a mountain top, in someone's home. Church's, chapels, cathedrals, etc are considered official places of worship, but worship is not confined to those.
Otherwise, it's not bad. Thanks for putting up this page and edifying us about our differences!
peace of Christ,
Mitch
I agree with you on the Pope. He is important, and usually isn't controversial, but he does not set the laws which have to be adhered to. The bishops have a lot to say about things.
I'm a Christian and i speak on everyone i know that is on behalf of the statement you said about "Christians believe that Mary was full of sin and when she died they just buried her body" that is false we believe that she was without sin ....thats why God choose her to bare the Son Of God JESUS....and we also believe she went to heaven but we do not worship her like the Catholics do because she is not God for 1 and 2 she did not get crucified on the cross for our sins....hope this helps....but thank you for the literature it was helpful in alot of ways.
Hey :) As a Catholic ..... we give respect to the Virgin Mary; we don’t worship her. We have the rosary which has Our Father and also has the Hail Mary.. and if anyone knows that prayer we are actually asking her to pray for us and our souls. When Jesus died on the cross be stated to the apostles this is now your mother - If she was good enough to be Jesus mother and give birth to him and God choose her and this is just logic doesn’t have to be writen anywhere.... I’m sure if we ask her to pray for us Jesus will hear her prayers faster then he would ours; we are all sinner and would be ever so lucky to end up in heaven... Just a clarification. ?♥️?
Hi, I am a Christian, and I don't believe Jesus listens to her prayers faster, neither I believe that she prays for us. I believe Mary was a great woman whom God chose to carry His son but like us, she wasn't perfect (Luke 1:42-49). Remember that when Jesus died the veil was torn from top to bottom breaking the separation between humans and God (Luke 23:45, Matthew 27:51, 1 Timothy 2:5). I think it's crucial for us to read our bible. Read Luke 11:27-28. God bless :)
I agree with you Val. When Jesus died, the veil at Holy of Holies was torn signifying that
anybody can go directly to God to pray and not through intercession of Saints or Mary.
I have never met a Christian that believed Mary was sinless until now. All humans are born with a sinful nature. Only Jesus was sinless, which is why He alone could die for our sins and fulfill the law.
Catholics do not worship Mary, that is very misunderstood. My father thought we did too (he was Methodist). She is a Saint, the Mother of God, and was the only person besides Jesus that was born without original sin. God picked her out to be the Mother of Jesus before she was born.
When we pray - we pray to Mary to ask her to intercede with God for us. She is very important, and our Mother too, but we ask God for forgiveness us and to have mercy on us. We would not ask Mary to have mercy on us or forgive us our sins.
Mary was human.humans sin,but she was a true follower that’s why she was chosen and yes I am a Christian as well
Mary did have sin. She was chosen to bear Jesus due to her great faith in God. The moment Adam and Eve ate from the tree they became sinners. So that will make all of there descendants sinners. The reason why Jesus is not a sinner is because the he wasn't born from a seed of sin( a mans sperm). But through God who willed it and chose a body that has not been touched by a mans. Just cause Mary was a virgin doesn't mean she was free of sin. Once again all humans are sinners.
Hello, I'm a Christian-born true believer. I pray every time I sin and try my best to not continue bad habits. I was wondering what the differences between Christianity and Catholicism were and I found this. Now I am confused whether I should consider my self Catholic or Christian. Thanks.
That is an understandable sentiment.
The main takeaway to remember, is that all Catholics are still Christians, and just like with Baptist, Mormons, Evangelist, and even the Amish, we all believe in the same God and follow the teachings of Jesus in our own way.
The main difference is in our interpretations of the good book, the meanings behind Jesus' teachings, and who we consider to be our leaders and representatives.
We would never try to stipulate what is right or wrong ourselves, as that is up to your own personal beliefs. So if you continue to feel confused, it wouldn't hurt to seek advice from either your local Christian or Catholic Priest, or even both, and to determine for yourself which feels right.
God Bless
Why does the Catholic Church have so much child sexual abuse and paedophilia as opposed to “just” Christian churches? Why does the Catholic Church have so many idols and encourage idol worship when it’s against Exodus 20:4? The list can go on. John 14:6 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to Father except through Me. Amen. Mary is no a mediator, nor is the Pope a MAN a representative of God aka second to God. Man can’t forgive Sin only Jesus can. I pray Admin our One True God removes the cob webs that are on your eyes and see and know the Truth. The Catholic Church ain’t followers of Jesus, they’re followers of a Man made religion using Jesus as a false scapegoat for their blasphemy and sins. If you really read the bible, you’d know the Catholic Church was prophesied as the scarlet blasphemy that was to come in Revelations.
Hi!I am a born Christian filled with water and spirit. The bible says,unless one is born on f water ans spirit..u cannot enter d kingdom of God! Jesus came to this earth as a man to die in d cross, to pay for d penalty of our sins. He gave up his life for us so that we r not separate from God.
The bible is word of God and it's alive. John 1:1 says,in d beginning there was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. Jesus is God. We don't worship Angels like Catholics did..we obey the word of God as its in d bible, d bible is the truth!
I believe that the priests that were pedophiles, were actually pedophiles that became priests, knowing the Catholic Church didn't prosecute them within the Church. Now the Catholic Church is very careful and if you go to a church's website you will see they say specifically if you were abused you call the police first.
We do not worship angels, we only worship God. Angels are important as they can help us get to Heaven - everyone has a Guardian Angel to help guide us. Whether we choose to listen is another thing as we all have free will. But there are different types of angels. We do not worship idols or statues either. You get a sense of what the person looked like when they were alive by looking at a statue of them instead of just looking at a picture. I have statues and pictures. Think of a statue as a 3-D picture.
God gave priests the power to help forgive sins on his behalf. The pope is not God, he is in the line of succession that Jesus started with his disciples to carry on his word. Peter was the first pope. I hope this helps.