What is the difference between Christians and Catholics?

Answer 1

This question is like asking "What is the difference between a fish and a salmon?" - as everyone above has stated (except for someone who seems to have their own flawed ideas of what Catholics are)- Catholics are, in fact, Christian.

We believe in Christ, the fulfillment of the scriptures, the validity of the Bible, and the basic tenets of beliefs set forth by Jesus Christ.

Catholics do, however, have some doctrine that lies outside of the Bible- as does any other denomination. We simply refuse to convince ourselves into thinking that we have no doctrine as some denominations do. (Seriously- look up the words "doctrine" or "dogma"-every denomination has them.)

As per the Apostle's Creed, here are the basic tenets of our faith:

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting."

Is this not Christian? And please note, the word "Catholic" in the creed does not mean the Roman Catholic Church, but the Christian church as a whole.

Answer 2

A Catholic may or may not be a Christian, just as a Baptist , Anglican, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc. may or may not be a Christian. Belonging to a denomination is not the same as conversion. A Christian is not only a believer in Jesus and His blood sacrifice but is also His follower-following His teachings and not just what a church leader says to obey.

I know of people who claim to be Catholics because of having been baptized as babies and having taken first communion and Cathecism classes. They, however, went through "the outward motions" and no longer attend church or study the Scriptures. They say they are Catholics, and not Christians, and do not accept Biblical teachings. Actually, they also do not accept Catholic teachings, either. This again points out that salvation is through genuine repentance as well as confessing that Jesus is Lord.

Answer 3

Catholics are Christians. Your question should be what is the difference between Catholics and Prodostants. About 1000 years and a man named Martin Luther.

Answer 4

Umm Catholics ARE Christians.

Answer 5

Catholics are Christians, in fact they were the first Christians

Answer 6

Catholics are Christians, yet not all Christians are Catholics.

Catholicism is a method of interpreting Christianity, Christianity is a way of life.

Answer 7

by definition a "christian" is anyone professing to believe in Christ

"Catholic" is a certain church within the christian religion.

Some Protestant groups think that there is a difference between the two but look it up in the dictionary.

Answer 8

Catholics are Christians!!!!!

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 9

Same as the difference between Hondas and Civics.

Answer 10

Nothing, because any religion based off anything found in the bible is christian/christianity/christian based. This includes jesus, god, mary, the crucifix, and the bible itself. Branches of the same tree.