Understanding Christianity vs. Catholicism: Key Differences

Needless to say, I am always fascinated with religion and history. I love the study, and the points brought to light through it. Although I was born and raised a Baptist, I identify as a follower of Christ without a denominational tag.

Anyone who follows Christ should aspire to this level and not be condemned because they choose not to follow the protocols of their specific church.

I have attended Catholic services many times and rarely see anyone carrying a personal Bible, let alone read from it or follow along with preaching from the Pulpit. This seems to me to be just the opposite of how one should live out their Christian faith.

How can someone truly grow in their faith if they are not consistently engaging with Scripture itself — the foundational source of divine truth, guidance, and spiritual nourishment? Reading, studying, questioning: not just hearing with little understanding. Without direct exposure to the Word of God, faith risks becoming secondhand, shaped more by opinion than revelation. To mature spiritually, one must encounter the living voice of God through His Word, allowing it to challenge, renew, and transform the heart and mind.

Another major difference that I see as very important is their prayers to the Saints and Mary, although the Bible is very clear on this matter:

The Bible clearly identifies Jesus as our sole intercessor and mediator in several verses. The most direct and foundational one is:

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

This verse emphasizes that Jesus alone stands between humanity and God — not saints, angels, or any other figure. He is the bridge, the advocate, and the one who intercedes on our behalf.

Other powerful verses that reinforce this include:

• Romans 8:34 (KJV) “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
• Hebrews 7:25 (KJV) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
• 1 John 2:1 (KJV) “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

These verses together paint a clear picture: Jesus is not only our Savior, but also our ongoing advocate, high priest, and intercessor — always working on our behalf before the Father.

One last point I would like to make is that Jesus is our way, our truth, our light-He is the one with whom we must have a personal relationship to attain the salvation that we so desire. We do not or ever will idolize any man of earth-not a Pastor, a priest, or a Pope. Although, I do take advice and training from my Pastor, I do not idolize or pray to him. Yes I will pray for him and his leadership.

In short: All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. The main contrasts lie in authority, Scripture interpretation, sacraments, and the role of tradition — while the core belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior is shared.

Here’s a big‑picture timeline showing how Christianity and the Catholic Faith compare.

Aspect	Christianity (General)	Catholic Faith
Scope	Umbrella term for all who follow Jesus Christ — includes many traditions such as Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox.	A specific Christian tradition tracing its leadership and teaching authority back to the apostles, especially Peter, through the Pope.
Scripture	All Christians hold the Bible as sacred, but the number of books and interpretation methods vary. Many Protestant groups use a 66‑book canon and emphasize Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).	Uses a 73‑book Bible (includes the Deuterocanonical books) and interprets it alongside Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium (teaching authority of the Church).
Authority Structure	Varies widely — from highly structured (Orthodox) to congregational (many Protestant churches).	Hierarchical: Pope → bishops → priests → deacons. Papal authority is central, seen as the successor to Saint Peter.
Salvation	Most agree salvation comes through Jesus Christ, but views differ: many Protestants teach salvation by faith alone (sola fide).	Teaches salvation by God’s grace through faith and good works, lived out in the sacraments.
Sacraments / Ordinances	Number and meaning vary — e.g., Baptism and Communion are common, but symbolic in many Protestant traditions.	Seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, Holy Orders. Seen as channels of grace.
Worship Style	Ranges from liturgical to informal; music, preaching, and prayer styles differ greatly.	Highly liturgical, centered on the Mass, with set prayers, Scripture readings, and the Eucharist as the “source and summit” of worship.
Role of Mary & Saints	Most non‑Catholic Christians honor biblical figures but do not pray to them. Our only intercessor is the Christ Jesus.	Veneration of Mary and the saints is integral; Catholics may ask for their intercession, not as worship but as requesting prayers from holy people in heaven.
Tradition	Some branches (e.g., Protestant) minimize tradition in favor of Scripture alone.	Sacred Tradition is equal in authority to Scripture, both guided by the Holy Spirit.
View of the Church	Often seen as the community of all believers in Christ.	Seen as the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church founded by Christ, with visible unity under the Pope.

Since I am on a roll with adding a comparative table, let me add one more about the history and founding of many of the Christian Religions.

Century / Date	Key Event	Impact on Branches
1st c.	Ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus; earliest Christian communities form in Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome.	Unified early Church under apostolic leadership.
4th c.	313 AD: Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity in the Roman Empire. 325 AD: First Council of Nicaea defines core doctrine.	Christianity gains imperial support; early creeds unify belief.
5th c.	Councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451) address Christological debates.	Oriental Orthodox Churches separate over theological definitions of Christ’s nature.
1054	The Great Schism between Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Roman Catholic) Churches.	Two distinct communions form: Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
16th c.	1517: Martin Luther’s Ninety‑Five Theses spark the Protestant Reformation.	Protestant traditions (Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, Anglican, etc.) emerge, breaking from Rome.
17th–18th c.	Rise of Baptist, Methodist, and other revival movements.	Expands Protestant diversity, especially in Europe and North America.
20th–21st c.	Ecumenical efforts (e.g., World Council of Churches) seek dialogue among branches.	Greater cooperation, though doctrinal differences remain.

🕊️ How they relate

• Catholicism: Largest single Christian body; emphasizes papal authority, seven sacraments, and Sacred Tradition alongside Scripture.
• Eastern Orthodoxy: Communion of autocephalous (self‑governing) churches; emphasizes continuity with early Church, liturgy, and conciliar leadership.
• Protestantism: Wide variety of denominations; generally emphasizes Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) and Sola Fide (faith alone), with fewer sacraments.
• Other ancient traditions: Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian Church of the East preserve distinct theological and liturgical heritages from early schisms.

I hope this was an enjoyable post for you! I am not, nor will I condemn Catholics, but I do hope they will pick up a Bible and do thorough studies for themselves. Not from Catechism or the Apocrypha (although this has very good historical context) but from the 66 books of His Holy Word.

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