Christians and Catholics?

Question

How are they different?

Answer 1

A key distinction between Catholics and Christians is the view of the Bible. Catholics view the Bible as having equal authority with the Church and tradition. Christians view the Bible as the supreme authority for faith and practice. The question is, how does the Bible present itself? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Scripture, of itself, is sufficient for the Christian to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This text tells us that Scripture is not “just the beginning,” or “just the basics,” or the “foundation for a more complete church tradition.” On the contrary, Scripture is perfectly and fully sufficient for everything in the Christian life. Scripture can teach us, rebuke us, correct us, train us, and equip us. Bible Christians do not deny the value of church tradition. Rather, Christians uphold that for a church tradition to be valid, it must be based on the clear teaching of Scripture, and must be in full agreement with Scripture. Catholic friend, study the Word of God for yourself. In God’s Word you will find God’s description of, and intention for, His Church. 2 Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

A second key difference between Catholics and “Bible Christians” is the understanding of how we can approach God. Catholics tend to approach God through intermediaries, such as Mary or the saints. Christians approach God directly, offering prayers to no one other than God Himself. The Bible proclaims that we ourselves can approach God’s throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The Bible is perfectly clear that God desires us to pray to Him, to have communication with Him, to ask Him for the things we need (Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15). There is no need for mediators or intermediaries, as Christ is our one and only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and both Christ and the Holy Spirit are already interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 7:25). Catholic friend, God loves you intimately and has provided an open door to direct communication through Jesus.

The most crucial difference between Catholics and “Bible Christians” is on the issue of salvation. Catholics view salvation almost entirely as a process, while Christians view salvation as both a completed status and a process. Catholics see themselves as “being saved,” while Christians view themselves as “having been saved.” 1 Corinthians 1:2 tells us, “…to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root. This verse is declaring that Christians are both sanctified and called to be sanctified. The Bible presents salvation as a gift that is received the moment a person places faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16). When a person receives Christ as Savior, he/she is justified (declared righteous – Romans 5:9), redeemed (rescued from slavery to sin – 1 Peter 1:18), reconciled (achieving peace with God – Romans 5:1), sanctified (set apart for God’s purposes – 1 Corinthians 6:11), and born again as a new creation (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Each of these are accomplished facts that are fully received at the moment of salvation. Christians are then called to live, practically (called to be holy), what is already true, positionally (sanctified).

The Catholic viewpoint is that salvation is received by faith, but then must be “maintained” by good works and participation in the Sacraments. Bible Christians do not deny the importance of good works or that Christ calls us to observe the ordinances in remembrance of Him and in obedience to Him. The difference is that Christians view these things as the result of salvation, not a requirement for salvation, or a means of maintaining salvation. Salvation is an accomplished work, purchased by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2). God offers us salvation and assurance of salvation because Jesus’ sacrifice was fully, completely, and perfectly sufficient. If we receive God’s precious gift of salvation, we can know that we are saved. 1 John 5:13 declares, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Answer 2

Catholics are Christians. If you want to make a more proper distinction, it is Catholics and Protestants.

The Catholic Church as been around since Christ founded her 2,000 years ago. She has preserved, taught, and protected His teachings from the beginning.

Most Christians - catholic and protestant - have the same basic beliefs: that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, in His life, death and resurrection, repentance and forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life. After this, it's difficult to explain.

Protestantism is a break from the Catholic Church around the year 1500, and includes all non-Catholic Christian churches.

When one tries to understand what Protestants teach, they soon discover that there are as many different beliefs as there are protestants. The reason is that Protestantism fractures every time there is a difference of opinion about belief. This is why we have over 54,000 different protestant denominations. When faced with this daunting number, someone trying to find the true teachings of Christ would feel this is impossible. Ironically, while each denomination is different from the other, they each claim to have Christ's true teachings and each condemn the other. It's crazy.

For the fullness of Christ's teachings and to be part of the Church He originally set down, we must study and live our Catholic Christian faith.

God bless and take care.

Answer 3

some Christians do not evaluate Roman Catholics to be authentic Christians, and those are regularly protestants. yet in actuality, Roman Catholics are Christian yet not all Christians are Catholic. Roman Catholics are lead by using the Pope in Rome. Protestants do not comprehend the Pope's authority and are prepared into 1000's of diverse denominations. The jap Orthodox(Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox) additionally do not comprehend the Pope, besides the undeniable fact that their teachings and ceremonies are very akin to the Roman Catholics. The Eucharist is meant to be Jesus's physique and Blood, that's a Holy Sacrament, a considered necessary area of Catholic church ceremony. i don't have faith in it. i will style of comprehend the concept yet i'm not Catholic or Christian. by no ability be frightened of asking questions of your priest or fellow parishioners.

Answer 4

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

The difference? There is none. Catholics are Christians. Roman Catholicism is, statistically, the largest single denomination within Christianity. Catholics are Trinitarian Christians. As the saying goes, all Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Catholic.

Answer 6

Catholics are Christians. As are many others.

Answer 7

Catholics are Christians. In 1500 there were those who broke away from the Catholic Church and they were called Protestant. There are over 30,000 Protestant groups in the U. S. All of them as well as Catholics call themselves Christians.

Answer 8

The same difference between dogs and dachshunds. All dachshunds are dogs but not all dogs are dachshunds. All Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics.
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Answer 9

True Christians Obey ALL of God's Commandments; are "born of the Holy Spirit" of God; live in the Word, the Will and the Ways of God as a true and faithful servant; have a personal relationship with their Father in heaven; pray in the true Spirit of God and directly to God; end their prayers in the name of Jesus; prays through Jesus as the ONLY intercessor to the Father in heaven; Shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their true conversion to whomever would listen or ask, given the opportunity......Are "True" Christians and Catholics the same?.....You tell me.

Answer 10

Catholics are a type of Christian.

Answer 11

20 years ago this question would not have to be asked!

Because then the Protestant churches -- those that broke away from the Catholic church -- called themselves Protestant Churches (such as Lutherans, Baptists, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc).

But they changed it, so now it looks like anyone who isn't a protest church is not a Christian. Pretty sharp advertising, but deceitful.