Pointing out 20 Key Differences Between Christianity and Catholicism.
In John 3, Jesus stressed the need to be “born again” through water and the Spirit, often interpreted as necessitating water baptism, personal repentance, and confession of faith.
This interpretation differs from the Catholic Church in several aspects, with its rich traditions and rituals. This list of 20 points showcases the contrasting practices and beliefs of mainstream Protestant Christianity and Catholicism.
1. Baptism:
- Protestant Christianity practices believer’s baptism by total immersion after a personal profession of faith.
- The Catholic religion incorporates infant baptism, typically by sprinkling or pouring water, by introducing the child to the Catholic faith.
2. Salvation:
- Protestant Christianity’s central tenet is that salvation is possible only through faith (sola fide) and that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain it.
- Faith, good works, and sacramental participation are all necessary for salvation in Catholicism.
3. Authority:
- Protestant Christianity: Sola Scriptura, meaning Scripture alone, is the ultimate authority.
- Catholicism: Holds that Scripture and Sacred Tradition, as interpreted by the Church’s Magisterium, are authoritative.
4. Intercession:
- Protestant Christianity: Believes in direct prayer to God through Jesus Christ, the sole mediator.
- Catholicism: Practices intercessory prayers to saints and Mary, asking them to intercede with God on their behalf.
5. The Eucharist:
- Protestant Christianity: Often views communion as a symbolic act of remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
- Catholicism: Believes in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.
6. Confession of Sins:
- Protestant Christianity: Encourages direct confession to God.
- Catholicism: Requires confession to a priest for absolution as part of the sacrament of reconciliation.
7. Clergy:
- Protestant Christianity: Generally allows clergy to marry and does not require celibacy.
- Catholicism: Mandates celibacy for priests within the Latin Rite.
8. Mary’s Role:
- Protestant Christianity: Honors Mary as the mother of Jesus but does not venerate her.
- Catholicism: Venerates Mary, considering her the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, and teaches doctrines such as the Immaculate Conception and Assumption.
9. Saints:
- Protestant Christianity Regards all believers as saints.
- Catholicism: Canonizes specific individuals as saints, who are then venerated and invoked in prayer.
10. The Pope:
- Protestant Christianity: Rejects the authority of the Pope, emphasizing Christ as the head of the Church.
- Catholicism: Recognizes the Pope as the supreme earthly authority of the Church and the successor of Saint Peter.
11. Sacraments:
- Protestant Christianity: Generally recognizes two sacraments: baptism and communion.
- Catholicism: Recognizes seven sacraments, including baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, reconciliation, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony.
12. Purgatory:
- Protestant Christianity: Rejects the concept of purgatory.
- Catholicism: Teaches that purgatory is a place of purification for souls before they enter Heaven.
13. Icons and Relics:
- Protestant Christianity: Typically avoids using icons and relics in worship, viewing them as potential idolatry.
- Catholicism: Uses icons, statues, and relics as aids in prayer and veneration.
14. Worship Practices:
- Protestant Christianity: Emphasizes preaching and personal Bible study.
- Catholicism: Places a strong emphasis on the liturgy and sacraments within the Mass.
15. The Nature of the Church:
- Protestant Christianity: Views the Church as the body of all believers, emphasizing a personal relationship with Christ.
- Catholicism: Sees the Catholic Church as the one true Church established by Christ, with a hierarchical structure.
16. Liturgy:
- Protestant Christianity: Worship services vary widely but often feature contemporary music and a sermon.
- Catholicism: Follows a structured liturgical format with set prayers, readings, and rituals.
17. Religious Titles:
- Protestant Christianity: Uses titles such as pastor, minister, or reverend.
- Catholicism: Uses titles like Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, and Priest.
18. Canon of Scripture:
- Protestant Christianity: Uses a 66-book canon of the Bible.
- Catholicism: Includes additional books in the Old Testament, known as the Deuterocanonical books.
19. Holy Days:
- Protestant Christianity: Observes major Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, but often with fewer additional holy days.
- Catholicism: It observes a detailed liturgical calendar with numerous feast days, solemnities, and seasons, such as Advent and Lent.
20. The Role of Tradition:
- Protestant Christianity: Minimizes the role of tradition, focusing on the authority of the Bible.
- Catholicism: Holds that Sacred Tradition, alongside Sacred Scripture, is essential to the faith.
These points illustrate the significant differences between Protestant Christianity and Catholicism in their understanding and practice of faith.
It is easy for anyone to note that the Catholic religion differs fundamentally from Christianity and mainly from Protestantism, hence the label of false religion.
The Catholic religion is false because it rejects the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Catholics cannot enter Heaven because they are not born again, and these twenty points support that argument.
The Catholic faith does not include the practice of water baptism through total immersion, which is an essential requirement for going to Heaven through a relationship with Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins.
If you are a catholic reading this message, repent, come to Christ immediately, and escape from Satanic rituals that have led many to hell for lack of knowledge and understanding.
