Ethan Walker
While Christians and Catholics share many similarities, there are some key differences in their beliefs and practices. For instance, the Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist or Holy Communion, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. These sacraments are considered channels of divine grace and are viewed as requirements for salvation. In contrast, some Christian churches, such as the Quakers, do not observe any sacraments, believing that all of life is sacred. Other Christian denominations, like the Baptists, recognize ordinances such as communion and baptism but do not consider them sacraments, seeing them as symbolic rather than essential for salvation. Furthermore, while the Catholic Church considers the Eucharist as the most important sacrament, Protestant Christians emphasize the authority of the Bible, also known as Sola Skriptura, and view it as the sole source of God's revelations. These differences in beliefs and practices between Catholics and Christians highlight their distinct interpretations of faith and worship.
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What You'll Learn
Beliefs about baptism vary across denominations
The practice of baptism is a divisive issue among Christians, with several denominations holding different beliefs about how and when it should be performed.
The Catholic Church, for instance, considers baptism as the foundational sacrament of Christian initiation, instituted by Christ to cleanse individuals of original sin and incorporate them into the Church. In Catholicism, the most common form of baptism is infant baptism, which is usually performed by sprinkling or pouring holy water on the head of the person being baptised. The Catholic Church also recognises baptisms performed by other Christian denominations as valid.
On the other hand, Baptists, who hold to believer's baptism, view baptism as symbolic rather than sacramental. They argue that baptism is not a means of salvation but rather a symbol of the inner transformation and forgiveness of sin that Christ has brought about. Baptists look to the Bible as their authority and believe that only those who are disciples or have professed their faith should be baptised, as seen in the First London Confession of 1644.
Some denominations, such as the Churches of Christ, practice baptism by full bodily immersion, based on the Koine Greek verb 'baptizo', which means to dip, immerse, submerge or plunge. They argue that historically, immersion was the mode used in the 1st century and that pouring and sprinkling emerged later as secondary modes when immersion was not feasible.
Other denominations, such as the Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine Rite, use immersion or submersion during baptism, reciting the formula: "The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The practice of baptism is modelled in Scripture by Jesus and His disciples in the early church, but the method of administration varies across denominations, reflecting the diversity of beliefs and interpretations within Christianity.
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Catholics believe in transubstantiation
The term "transubstantiation" is believed to have been first used by Hildebert of Tours around 1079. The concept is considered to be much older, with evidence suggesting it dates back to the apostles themselves. The Catholic dogma is at least as old as the Council of Ephesus in 431, and the oldest liturgies of the Mass and the Roman catacombs also support this claim.
The belief in transubstantiation is based on Christ's words that his followers are to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. This belief is essential to the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, which is a sacrament of initiation. During the Mass, the priest consecrates the bread and wine, which are then transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. This consecrated bread, or Host, is often displayed for Adoration, and any unconsumed Hosts are kept in a tabernacle on or near the altar after Communion.
Transubstantiation is also critical to the Sacrifice of the Mass. Catholics believe that the priest offers Christ as a bloodless sacrifice for their sins, and without transubstantiation, this sacrifice would not be perfect and spotless.
While transubstantiation is a core teaching of the Catholic Church, surveys show that not all self-described Catholics hold this belief. A Pew Research Center survey found that while one-third of U.S. Catholics believe in transubstantiation, nearly seven-in-ten consider the bread and wine used in Communion to be symbolic.
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Protestants do not consecrate specific persons
Protestants and Catholics worship the same God, but their faith principles differ. While the Catholic Church has seven sacraments, most Protestant churches only practice two: baptism and the Eucharist (called the Lord's Supper).
In the Catholic Church, the consecration of a bishop is a significant event that marks the plenitude of the priesthood. It is a ceremony that is placed immediately after the ordination of priests in the "Pontificale Romanum." The bishop-elect was traditionally consecrated by the metropolitan of the province or one of his suffragans, with the senior bishop usually being selected. Today, the office of consecrator is reserved for the Roman pontiff.
Protestants reject the idea of obligatory celibacy for priests, which is a requirement in the Catholic Church. Martin Luther, an influential Protestant reformer, demanded the abolition of celibacy for priests as early as 1520, and he himself married a former nun, Katharina von Bora, in 1525. Luther believed that his marriage would please his father and cause the pope consternation.
The rejection of priestly celibacy in the Protestant Church is based on the belief that every person may and should pray directly to God, without the need for intermediaries like saints or the Virgin Mary, who are venerated in the Catholic Church.
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Catholics are bound by the traditions of the Church
The first three sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, are known as the Sacraments of Initiation. Baptism is seen as the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace and marking a person's entry into the Catholic Church. It is typically performed by sprinkling or pouring holy water over the head of the person being baptised, who is often an infant. Confirmation is the second sacrament, which "confirms" the baptised person in their faith. The Eucharist (Holy Communion), is the third sacrament and is considered the most important. It involves the consecration of bread and wine by a priest, which Catholics believe becomes the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is based on the doctrine of transubstantiation, which is unique to the Catholic Church.
The two Sacraments of Vocation are Matrimony and Holy Orders. Matrimony, or marriage, is considered a holy sacrament that can only be validly administered by a baptised man and woman expressing their free consent. Holy Orders is the sacrament that consecrates bishops, priests, and deacons, giving them sacramental authority over Catholic laypeople.
The two Healing Sacraments are Anointing of the Sick and Penance. The Anointing of the Sick involves a priest praying over and anointing the sick person with holy oil, and it can be administered multiple times as needed. Penance, also known as Reconciliation or Confession, is the sacrament of spiritual healing, where a person confesses their sins to a priest after baptism.
These seven sacraments are deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and are considered essential for the spiritual life of Catholics. They differ from some other Christian denominations, such as Protestant churches, which generally only practice two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist.
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Protestants believe in the Bible as Sola Skriptura
Protestants believe in the Bible as Sola Scriptura, or 'by scripture alone'. This is a theological doctrine held by most Protestant Christian denominations, especially those of the Lutheran and Reformed traditions. Sola Scriptura asserts that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice.
The doctrine of Sola Scriptura emerged during the Protestant Reformation, led by figures such as the 16th-century friar, Martin Luther. The Reformation sought to correct what it saw as errors in Catholic doctrine, which was based on sacred tradition as well as scripture. Protestants directed their arguments against the Roman Catholic Church's view that Scripture and Sacred Tradition were part of the same source of authority. In contrast, Sola Scriptura holds that all non-scriptural authority is either derived from or independent of the scriptures and is therefore subject to reform when compared to the teachings of the Bible.
According to Sola Scriptura, the Bible is wholly true and wholly trustworthy. It is believed that God has provided all the knowledge necessary for a relationship with Him and for correct worship within the Scriptures. Protestants believe that the Bible is clear enough for the ordinary believer to understand and apply to their lives. While individual interpretation is allowed, Protestants also believe that misinterpretation is possible and therefore, the authority of the church or any other secondary authority is subject to correction by the Scriptures.
The Catholic Church considers Sola Scriptura to be heresy, and Orthodox churches generally view it as contrary to the phronema of the Church. Critics of Sola Scriptura, such as the Catholic author Patrick Madrid, argue that it is self-referentially incoherent because the Bible itself does not teach Sola Scriptura. Despite these criticisms, Protestants hold fast to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, seeing it as a defence of the Bible's authority and a treasure to be studied and cherished.
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Frequently asked questions
While most Christian denominations recognise sacraments, the number and nature of these sacraments vary. The Catholic Church recognises seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (or Holy Communion), Penance (or Reconciliation) ,Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick (or Extreme Unction). In contrast, many Protestant churches only practice two: Baptism and the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper). Catholics view these sacraments as a means of receiving God's grace, while some Protestants see them as symbolic rituals.
The Catholic Church sees Baptism as the foundational sacrament of Christian initiation. It is usually performed by sprinkling or pouring holy water on the head of the person being baptised, along with the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This sacrament symbolises the death of the old self and the birth of a new self in Christ.
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is considered the central rite of Catholic worship. During Mass, the priest consecrates bread and wine, which Catholics believe become the true body and blood of Christ through transubstantiation. This sacrament commemorates Christ's sacrifice and his Last Supper with his disciples.
Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation in the Catholic Church. It serves to "confirm" a baptised person in their faith, strengthening their commitment to uphold and practice the Church's teachings.
