Difference Between Catholic and Christian Explained

The difference between Catholic and Christian is that Catholicism is the original and complete form of Christianity established by Jesus Christ through His Apostles. While all Catholics are Christians, the term Christian is now a broad category that includes Protestants and Orthodox believers who may not share the full sacramental life and the authority of the Pope. Catholicism specifically maintains the fullness of the Deposit of Faith, the seven sacraments, and the apostolic succession of the Magisterium.

Is a Catholic a Christian?

A Catholic is indeed a Christian, and historically, the Catholic Church was the first group to be recognized by this name in the early centuries of the faith. The term Christian was first used in Antioch to describe the followers of Jesus, as recorded in the Book of Acts. For the first thousand years of Christian history, there was no distinction between being Christian and being Catholic because the Church was one, visible, and undivided under the leadership of the bishops in communion with the Bishop of Rome. To be a Christian meant to belong to the Church that Christ founded upon Peter, the Rock.

Today, many people use the word Christian to refer specifically to Protestants, while using Catholic as a separate category. This is historically and markers of identity are inaccurate. Every person who is validly baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is a Christian. However, a Catholic is a Christian who accepts the entirety of what Christ revealed, including the authority of the Church, the sacrificial nature of the Mass, and the seven sacraments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that those who believe in Christ and have been truly baptized are in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church (CCC 838). While other Christian groups have retained elements of the truth, such as the Bible or certain baptisms, the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of the means of salvation. Acts 11:26

The Historical Origin of the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ around the year 33 AD when He gave the keys of the kingdom to Saint Peter. This historical reality distinguishes the Catholic Church from every Protestant denomination, which can be traced back to a specific human founder during or after the sixteenth century. The Catholic Church is the only religious institution that has existed continuously for nearly two thousand years, maintaining a direct line of succession from the Apostles to the current bishops. This is known as apostolic succession, which ensures that the teachings and authority of Christ are passed down without interruption.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of the Apostle John, was the first to use the term Catholic Church in writing around the year 107 AD. He wrote that where the bishop is, there let the people be, as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. This indicates that even in the earliest days of the faith, the Church was understood to be a visible, hierarchical body rather than an invisible collection of believers. The Council of Trent later reaffirmed that the Church is a visible society, not a mere spiritual concept. Catholics believe that the Church is both a human and divine reality, serving as the mystical body of Christ on earth. Understanding this history is easier when using the Catholic Bible features in the Prayla app to trace the development of the early Church in the New Testament. Matthew 16:18

The Role of Sacred Tradition and Scripture

One major difference between Catholics and many other Christians is the source of divine revelation, as Catholics believe in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Most Protestant groups adhere to the principle of Sola Scriptura, or Scripture Alone, which claims that the Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice. The Catholic Church teaches that God has revealed Himself through two modes that flow from the same divine wellspring. These are the written Word (Scripture) and the oral Word (Tradition) handed down by the Apostles. The Church was already functioning, preaching, and celebrating the sacraments for decades before the New Testament was fully written or the canon was finalized.

Sacred Tradition is not merely human custom but the living transmission of the Gospel through the Church. The Bible itself points to the importance of tradition, as Saint Paul commanded the Thessalonians to hold fast to the traditions they were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter. The Magisterium, which is the teaching office of the Church, has the task of authentically interpreting the Word of God. Without an authoritative Church to interpret the Bible, thousands of different Christian denominations have formed, each with conflicting interpretations of the same verses. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit protects the Church from error in matters of faith and morals, ensuring that the Gospel is preserved in its integrity. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

The Authority of the Pope and the Magisterium

The Catholic Church is unique among Christian bodies because it recognizes the Pope as the Successor of Peter and the visible head of the Church on earth. Catholics believe that Christ established a specific office of leadership to maintain the unity of the Church. The Pope, also known as the Vicar of Christ, exercises supreme and universal power over the Church. This authority is not based on the personal holiness of the man holding the office but on the promise of Christ to Peter. When the Pope speaks ex cathedra, which means from the chair of Peter, on a matter of faith or morals to be held by the whole Church, he is protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching error. This is the dogma of Papal Infallibility.

Protestant Christians generally reject the papacy, believing instead in the priesthood of all believers in a way that excludes a central earthly authority. While Catholics also believe in the common priesthood of the baptized, they distinguish it from the ministerial priesthood. The Magisterium, consisting of the Pope and the bishops in union with him, provides a definitive guide for the faithful. This ensures that Catholics across the globe believe the same doctrines, regardless of their culture or location. This unity is a fulfillment of Christ's prayer that His followers may be one. The First Vatican Council's document Pastor Aeternus defined the primacy and infallibility of the Roman Pontiff as a necessary part of the Church's structure. John 17:21

The Seven Sacraments and Grace

Catholics believe in seven sacraments which are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. These seven are Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Most Protestant denominations recognize only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and often view them as symbols rather than actual means of receiving grace. The Catholic Church teaches that the sacraments work ex opere operato, meaning by the very fact of the action being performed, provided the recipient places no obstacle in the way. Grace is the supernatural life of God in the soul, which is necessary for salvation.

Each sacrament corresponds to a stage of natural life, sanctifying the human experience from birth to death. For example, the Sacrament of Penance allows a Catholic to confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution, restoring the state of grace lost through mortal sin. Many Christians believe that a simple private prayer is sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins, but Catholics follow the pattern established by Christ in the Upper Room when He gave the Apostles the power to forgive or retain sins. John 20:23

The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

The most significant difference in worship between Catholics and most Christians is the doctrine of the Real Presence. Catholics believe in transubstantiation, which is the change of the entire substance of the bread into the substance of the Body of Christ and of the entire substance of the wine into the substance of His Blood. While the outward appearances of bread and wine remain, the reality is truly and substantially the Lord. Most Protestant groups view the bread and wine as symbols or believe that Christ is only present spiritually or metaphorically during the service. Catholics, however, take the words of Jesus literally when He said that His flesh is true food and His blood is true drink.

This belief has been held since the earliest days of the Church. Saint Justin Martyr, writing in the second century, explained that the food which has been eucharistized is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. Because of the Real Presence, Catholics practice Eucharistic Adoration, where they pray before the Blessed Sacrament. The Mass is not just a fellowship meal or a prayer service; it is the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Calvary. When a Catholic attends Mass, they are mystically present at the foot of the Cross. This deep devotion to the Eucharist is central to the Catholic life and can be explored further through the daily Mass readings available in the Prayla app. John 6:55

The Intercession of Saints and the Virgin Mary

Catholics honor the saints and the Virgin Mary, asking for their intercession, whereas many Christians believe that praying to anyone other than God is idolatry or a distraction. The Catholic Church makes a clear distinction between latria, which is the worship due to God alone, and dulia, which is the honor given to the saints. The highest form of honor, hyperdulia, is given to the Virgin Mary because of her unique role as the Mother of God. Catholics do not worship Mary; they venerate her as the greatest of all creatures and the first disciple of Christ. They believe that the saints in heaven are alive in Christ and can hear our prayers, acting as intercessors on our behalf.

This concept is rooted in the Communion of Saints, which is the spiritual solidarity of all members of the Church, whether on earth, in Purgatory, or in Heaven. Just as a Christian might ask a friend on earth to pray for them, a Catholic asks the saints in heaven for their prayers. The Virgin Mary holds a special place because she was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception (the Immaculate Conception) and was taken body and soul into heaven (the Assumption). These dogmas are part of the Catholic faith because of the role Mary played in the Incarnation. To reject Mary's role is to misunderstand the fullness of how God chose to enter human history. Revelation 5:8

Purgatory and the Four Last Things

Catholics believe in the existence of Purgatory, a state of final purification for those who die in God's grace but still have the temporal punishment of sin or venial attachments on their souls. This doctrine is often rejected by other Christians who believe in an immediate transition to either Heaven or Hell upon death. The Church teaches that nothing unclean can enter Heaven, and Purgatory is the process by which the soul is cleansed by the fire of God's love. This is not a second chance for salvation but a preparation for those already destined for Heaven. The practice of praying for the dead, which is found in the Old Testament and the early Church, assumes the existence of such a state.

It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. 2-maccabees 12:46

The Four Last Things in Catholic theology are Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Every person faces a particular judgment at the moment of death, where their eternal destiny is decided based on their faith and works. While God is infinitely merciful, the Church also teaches the reality of Hell as a place of eternal separation from God for those who die in a state of unrepentant mortal sin. Catholics emphasize the need for constant conversion and the use of sacramentals and prayers to stay in a state of grace. This serious view of the spiritual life encourages the faithful to seek holiness with fear and trembling. 1 Corinthians 3:15

Catholic vs Christian Views on Justification

The doctrine of justification, or how a person is made right with God, was the central point of contention during the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther taught Sola Fide, or Faith Alone, arguing that a person is justified solely by believing in Christ and that good works play no role in obtaining salvation. The Catholic Church, specifically at the Council of Trent, condemned this view. The Church teaches that justification is a process that begins with the grace of God moving the heart toward faith, but it must be completed by cooperation with that grace through charity and obedience to the commandments.

The Council of Trent on Justification

The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was the definitive response to the Protestant reformers. It clarified that while we cannot earn the initial grace of justification through our own efforts, our works done in a state of grace truly merit an increase in justification and eternal life. The Council stated that if anyone says that the impious is justified by faith alone, let him be anathema. This means that faith must be animated by love. Saint James wrote clearly that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone, which is the scriptural foundation for the Catholic position. Catholics believe that salvation is a lifelong journey of remaining in Christ's love. James 2:24

Justification is not merely a legal declaration where God covers our sins; it is an interior transformation where we are actually made holy. This transformation requires the reception of the sacraments, especially Baptism and Penance. If a Catholic commits a mortal sin, they lose the grace of justification and must be restored through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This differs from the Protestant view of once saved, always saved, which the Catholic Church rejects as a dangerous error. Salvation can be lost through a deliberate turn away from God's law. Galatians 5:19-21

The Unity and Universality of the Church

The word Catholic means universal, and this universality is one of the four marks of the true Church, alongside being One, Holy, and Apostolic. The Catholic Church is intended for all people of all times and places. While there are many different Christian denominations with varying beliefs, the Catholic Church maintains a single, unified body of doctrine. Whether a Catholic is in Rome, New York, or a small village in Africa, they believe the same truths and participate in the same sacrifice of the Mass. This unity is a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel in a fragmented world.

Other Christian groups often emphasize individual interpretation and local autonomy, which leads to the constant splintering of churches. The Catholic Church, however, is held together by the visible bond of the papacy and the shared sacramental life. The Church is also holy, not because every member is a saint, but because her founder is holy and she possesses the means to make her members holy. The lives of the saints throughout history, from Saint Augustine to Saint Therese of Lisieux, demonstrate the power of the Catholic faith to produce extraordinary virtue. By remaining in the Barque of Peter, Catholics believe they are in the surest vessel to reach the shores of eternal life. Ephesians 4:4-6

Prayer

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Further Reading

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 811-870 (The Marks of the Church)
• Council of Trent, Decree on Justification
• Pope Pius XII, Encyclical Mystici Corporis Christi (On the Mystical Body of Christ)
• Pope John Paul II, Encyclical Ut Unum Sint (On Commitment to Ecumenism)
• Vatican Council I, Dogmatic Constitution Pastor Aeternus