Differences between Catholicism and Christianity
There are uninformed people that believe that Christians are the same as Catholics. They state that Christianity is just as violent as Islam and point to the inquisition as their proof.
The Inquisition was a Roman Catholic tribunal for discovery and punishment of heresy, which was marked by the severity of questioning and punishment and lack of rights afforded to the accused. The inquisition was instituted by Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) in Rome. A later pope, Pope Gregory IX established the Inquisition, in 1233, to combat the heresy of the Abilgenses, a religious sect in France.
People feel that just because both Catholics and Christians believe in Jesus Christ, that both are the same, but they are wrong. Knowledge of the differences between the two is important, especially in today’s “anti-Christian” environment.
I will cover just a few major areas, being Salvation, Works, Saints, Baptism and Confession.
1) Salvation
Ephesians 2:8-9
(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith alone (John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10,13) No deed or good work can ever save a person (Galatians 2:16, Titus 3:5), it is solely by grave through faith that IS our Salvation.
(John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(Acts 16:31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 10:9-10
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Romans 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Galatians 2:16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
(Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Contrary to Biblical belief the Catholic church holds that a person must believe in Christ, be baptized, receive the eucharist, obey the decrees of the Church, not die with a mortal sins (even though the bible states all sins are equal).
This is clearly against the teachings laid out in the Lords holy word, this enough shows us that Catholicism is a false religion that leads millions of people astray. Believing that that rituals and good works will save you is claiming that the death and resurrection of Christ was not enough for our Salvation which is untrue.
2) Works
As Christians, our works are the fruits of salvation, coming after, not before said salvation.
(James 2:26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Catholic Church teaches that to be saved one must do good works which starts with baptismand to continue ones salvation one must maintain good works such as the taking of the sacraments and confession to a priest. This is contrary to everything the bible says, it states that to be saved it is by grace through faith and has nothing to do with works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:10-11; Romans 3:19-24).
Galatians 3:10-11
(10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
(11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:19-24
(19) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
(20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
(21) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
(22) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
(23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3) Prayers to Saints
(1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
When the veil was torn from the top down we as Christians gained the right to pray directly to God without the need of an intermediary. Nowhere in the bible does it say we are to pray to an intermediary. The bible does however tell us how we are supposed to pray.
Matthew 6:9-13
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The bible tells us that Jesus is the only mediator between ourselves and the Lord. This Bible verse alone tells us that Mary, or any other Saint cannot be a mediator and praying to them is Idolatry.
(Hebrews 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Jesus is there to intercede for us, we do not need any other intercessors. But a common argument is that there is no difference between asking someone on earth (such as your mother or father) to pray for you than asking the saints to pray for you. It is common in the Bible to see believers praying for each other but it is never mentioned that to ask someone in Heaven to pray for a believer. There is also no scripture stating that the Saints can hear our prayers, the Lord is the only thing omniscient.
The only times praying or speaking to the dead is mentioned is when it is in context with witchcraft, sorcery etc (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). It can be seen that there is Biblical reason to ask those on earth to pray for you but NO biblical basis for praying to those in Heaven.
(Leviticus 20:27) A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13
(10) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
(11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
(12) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
(13) Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
Baptism:
(Romans 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Baptism is immersion, not sprinkling. The word comes from the greek baptismos meaning “ritual washing.” There is a big difference between washing and sprinkling.
For the Christian baptism is an outward profession of faith. Timing is the issue. The Bible says that baptism is to be performed after one is Saved (1 Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17), we see above salvation comes by grace through faith. The Catholic church teaches Baptism of infants which is not ever mentioned in the Bible.
1 Corinthians 1:14-18
(14) I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
(15) Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
(16) And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
(17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
(18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Romans 10:13-17
(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
(15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Confession:
(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 teaches that all confessions are to be made to God. In James 5:16 it is said to confess our sins to one another, as believers in Christ. We do not need a priest to forgive our sins, but to merely confess to the Lord.
(James 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
I think the most vital thing we must look at between the Biblical Christianity and Catholicism is that of Salvation, the first point mentioned. Salvation is the most integral part of the bible in a certain religion is not upholding the Biblical version of Salvation it is not truly of Christ. As we saw above the Catholic church does not teach salvation comes from Christ alone but also from Good Works which is unbiblical. For this reason alone the Catholic church is a false religion.
Christianity vs. Catholicism - Page 1 of 4