questions for catholics/christians?

Question

What is/are the difference(s) between the two?
What is/are the difference(s) between the new and the old testament?

How did these changes occur?

Answer 1

One of the first major differences between Catholicism and Protestantism is the issue of the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the sole source of God’s special revelation to mankind, and as such it teaches us all that is necessary for our salvation from sin. Protestants view the Bible as the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured. This belief is commonly referred to as “Sola Scriptura” and is one of the “Five Solas” (sola being Latin for “alone”) that came out of the Protestant Reformation as summaries of some of the important differences between Catholics and Protestants.

While there are many verses in the Bible that establish it’s authority and it’s sufficiency for all matters of faith and practice, one of the clearest is 2 Timothy 3:16 where we see that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Catholics on the other hand reject the doctrine of “Sola Scriptura” and do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They believe that both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition are equally binding upon the Christian. Many Roman Catholics doctrines, such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc. have little or no basis at all in Scripture, but are based solely on Roman Catholic traditions. Essentially the Roman Catholic Church’s denial of “Sola Scriptura” and their insistence that both the Bible and their “Sacred Tradition” are equal in authority undermines the sufficiency, authority and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many of, if not all, the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

The Old Testament lays the foundation for, and was meant to prepare the Israelites for, the coming of the Messiah who would sacrifice Himself for their sins (and for the sins of the world as well). The New Testament shares the life of Jesus Christ and then looks back on what He did and how we are to respond to His gift of eternal life and live our lives in gratitude for all He has done for us (Romans 12).

Answer 2

Catholics ARE Christians.

The differences between Roman Catholic Christians and non-Catholic Christians (of which there are many varieties) are all based on the fact that Catholic Christians accept the Authority of the Bishop of Rome as successor to the Apostle Peter himself, using both the Bible and Sacred Tradition equally.

Among non-Catholic Christians, there are many, many different interpretations of the Christian faith. There are Orthodox Christians (the closest to Roman Catholicism), Lutherans, Methodists, Pentacostals, Baptists, Charismatics, etc., etc., etc.

The difference between the old testament and the new testament is that they cover different eras of the history of God's people. The Old Testament also includes poetic, prophetic, allegorical and proverbial text as well as historic text, but the new testament only has historic text, epistles (letters of encouragement and correction) and one prophetic book (Revelations).

The New Testament does not change the Old Testament at all, but there is a fulfillment of the OT messianic prophesies found in the NT accounts of Christ.

When the protestants dropped out of the Roman Catholic faith in the 16th century, they also dropped seven books out of the Old Testament, but that's the only change that has ever occurred to Scripture, aside from the fact that it's extremely difficult to translate a book so complicated into other languages without "spinning" the meaning of certain phrases.

Answer 3

Catholics base many of their teachings and traditions on the Apocrypha. Most other Christian denominations do not follow the writings in the Apocrypha, because the books in the Apocrypha are not inspired by God.

The New testament is after Christ and the fulfillment of the prophecies of the coming Messiah in that are in the Old Testament. The Old testament is concerning the Law of Moses as handed down from the Lord and the history of the Israelite nation. The Old testament also for tells the coming of Christ and other prophecies.

Answer 4

All Christan's ( including Catholic ) are united through Christ to be brothers and sisters at Baptism. All Christan's who've been baptized can preform Baptism, Marriages, and Last Rights.

Catholics are "Apostolic" meaning they have one unified authority (the Pope). This authority designates who's Bishop's, Priest, & Deacons. This gives these elect few the power to administer the specific sacrements: Holy Orders (Bishop's, Priests, Deacons), Sacrement of Reconcilliation (forgiveness of sins), and Eucharisting Transfiguration (making the waffer Jesus' real body), & confirmation. It is the difference in these sacrements that divide the Christains from Catholics.
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Difference in OT & NT:

Well, the OT is the events & laws that lead up to the NT. See, the OT cover the "Covenants" (contracts) God made with mankind. Examples of God's Covenants are marriage (Adam & Eve) ... Circumcision (Abraham), and King's (David. God's major "Contract" with mankind is salvation (Isaiah) where a messiah (christ) is promised to save God's ppl. Jesus is the promise fulfilled. So, it is Jesus' Paschal Mystery (Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again) that is the pivital point in salvation.

See mankind has been making "laws" to provide justice. Many of the laws in the Torrah were becoming obsolete. Jesus broke down the laws into two simple one's that every one can understand: Love God above all, and love each other they way you wanna be loved. If you take any of the 10 Commandements ... you'll see how each falls into these simple two laws. Well, 2,000 years later, we're back to square one ... too many laws that contradict each other, and serve to create disparity between the classes. Will we ever learn???

Answer 5

All Catholics are christians but not all christians are Catholic. You should read about the Protestant Revolution and Martin Luther to see the changes that first occured. All Christians believe Jesus was the son of God, after that there are differences between all the Christian faiths and too many to post on here.

Answer 6

All Catholics are Christians - not all Christians are Catholics although the original meaning of Catholic was to be universal.
The Old Testament - the Hebrew Bible -was in large measure complete before Jesus was born and is shared by Jews and Christians
The New Testament - teh Greek Bible was written between circa 50CE and circa 110 CE and is only used by Christians

Answer 7

There is no difference. Those that base their faith on the teachings of jesus christ are called christians. Just that catholics have twisted and salted their brand of christianity somewhat more than other branches and has paganism deep rooted in some of their customs of worship.

There is no difference between new or old testament. It is all a bunch of fairy tales.

Answer 8

Q#2: "What is/are the difference(s) between the new and the old testament?"

"...Before the faith arrived, we were being guarded under law... looking to the faith that was destined to be revealed. Consequently the Law has become our tutor leading to Christ... But now that the faith has arrived, we are no longer under a tutor." --Galations 3:23-25

The Law covenant was filled with hundreds of instructions, that no one was able to fulfill. This showed God's people just how far that men miss the mark of perfection, & need redemption. The Jewish Passover itself symbolized Christ's future, perfect, ransom sacrifice. There are also approx *200 prophecies* recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures about the Messiah, that were *fulfilled in full*, by Christ.

The Christian Greek Scriptures are the recorded fulfillments of those prophecies, plus a few more, some of which have happened in full, some are in the process of fulfillment, some are on the verge of fulfilment, & some will be completely fulfilled in 1,000 years. These Scriptures also contain Christ's directions on how to become a part of the future prophecy-fulfillments.

Q#1:
The book: "Mankind's Search for God" gives the factual details to this question, in chs 10,11, 13-15. http://watchtower.org/e/publications/index.htm *>see #9

A number of Biblical lexicographers & commentators state that a verb used at Acts 11:26 implies divine direction or revelation in the bestowing of the name : "Christians".
So, in the New World Translation, that verse reads:

“It was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.”

(Similar renderings are also in:
Robert Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible,
Revised Edition;
The Simple English Bible; and
Hugo McCord’s New Testament)

By about 58 C.E., the name Christian was well-known even to Roman officials. --Acts 26:28.

Of course, Christianity did not begin with the use of that name, but with Jesus teaching his apostles, & their applying , & spreading these teachings, earlier.

However, Christ himself warned about a great apostasy, that was already in the works. His early followers also warned about it. They explained that false Christians would use his name, & claim to be his chosen people, & to focus on what God's word says, instead of the claims of such ones: Mt:23:27-28; Mt: 7:22-23; 2Co 11:13-15; 2Pe 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1; 1 Th 5:21.
(Scripture-finding with ease!): http://watchtower.co.uk/bible/index.htm

Not too long after the death of the last of the apostles, the apostasy got organized, & is still very much in existence...

Comparing the teachings & practices --of any religon-- with actual Bible teachings, will reveal whether it is Scriptural or not...

True Teachings--Where Can You Find Them? http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20050715/article_01.htm
How Can You Find the True Religion?
http://watchtower.co.uk/library/rq/article_13.htm

Answer 9

Jesus does not abolish the Old Law, but he does fulfill it. Commandments are repeated and some altered in the New Testament by Jesus himself, example in regards to adultery, not only does Jesus say don't do the physical act, but don't lust it in your mind either, as you would be equally guilty of this sin. It is said in the New Testament, to affirm the Old Testament, that homosexuality is a sin. Other laws are down away with because they are not given in the New Testament under the New Covenant from Jesus Christ.

Today we are under the law of Christ (I Cor. 7:19; 9:21). His law includes nine of the Ten Commandments (Jesus did not include the Sabbath in His law). Today we abstain from murdering, adultery, stealing and lying because we are under Jesus’ law. Jesus' law does include homosexuality to be a breaking of law and sin, while the other items, garments, dietary, etc. are not.

Answer 10

"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.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.