Catholic vs Christian
Do you believe that Catholics are Christians?
In this article, we’ll see what the Bible has to say about it. To skip ahead, the short answer is no. And there are more than just a few differences between the two. But a Catholic could become a Christian. More about that later in this article.
Unfortunately, there are several articles that try to defend that Catholics are in fact Christians. The majority state that they were the first followers of Jesus. I say unfortunately because it is unfortunate that they believe a lie like that. Catholics do not believe in the works of Jesus Christ or what the majority of the Epistles have to say about Christianity.
Allow me to explain what I’m referring to. The following are just a sample. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
Catholics Were The First Christians, Right?
Recently, I heard a professed Catholic state that Christianity began with Catholicism. Honestly, I can understand the misconception in that. After all, the Catholics see Peter as their first Pope. And Jesus did say, “On this rock [when talking to Peter], I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18).
But does that mean that Peter and the Apostles were Catholics? Absolutely not.
First of all, Jesus would not have told Peter that he would be the foundation on which the church would be based.
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” – Ephesians 2:19-20
If you know anything about construction, then you know that any building must first start with the cornerstone. The rest of the building is constructed based on that stone. If it is off, then the rest of the building will be off too. Therefore, Jesus would not have told Peter, “you will be the foundation that I will build on.”
Rather, the word for Peter is Petros, and it means little rock. Jesus was using play-on-words with the word for foundation. The word for foundation or foundation boulder is petra. So, no, Jesus did not appoint Peter to be the foundation for the entire church to be built upon. Jesus himself was that.
Peter acknowledges that himself. “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for great honor.” – 1 Peter 2:4
The Apostles believed in Jesus and His life, death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin. They prayed and worshiped God alone. They didn’t pray or worship Jesus, Mary, or the Old Testament prophets (referring to the saints). Jesus even told them not to call Him good (Mark 10:18).
Catholics worship and pray to Mary and the saints. That doesn’t align with what the Bible teaches. More on that below.
“Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’” – Luke 4:8
Additionally, Catholics believe that they must go to a priest to confess their sins (a.k.a. confession). If that’s the case, then the price Jesus paid on the cross was worth nothing. It was through His work on the cross that we now have direct communion with God. We no longer have to go through a mediator, as they had to in the Old Testament.
Related article: Who Established The First Christian Church Catholics Or Christians?
Praying to Saints
Do Christians pray to the saints, like Catholics? No.
The Bible tells us that all believers in Jesus Christ are saints. The Greek word for saints is Hagios, which means “holy ones.” It refers to anyone who has been set apart and made holy through their faith in Jesus Christ.
In multiple locations, Paul addresses the members of the various churches as saints. Such as Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Romans 1:7, and others.
“Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So, then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:11-22
As a fellow believer, you wouldn’t pray to me. Just as I wouldn’t pray to you. Instead, we pray to God in Jesus’ name, because He’s the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” – Revelation 22:8-9
Do Christians pray to Mary, Jesus’ mother (i.e., say the Hail Mary’s)?
Just like Christians don’t pray to saints, they don’t pray to Mary either.
Mary found favor in God’s sight (Luke 1:26-33) and she was blessed among all women (Luke 1:42-45). But she wasn’t God. And as a believer, she was a saint. Therefore, as Christians, we would not worship or pray to Mary. Jesus gave us the model of how to pray, starting at Matthew 6:9. The example prayer Jesus gave us begins with “Our Father in Heaven” and not “Hail Mary, full of grace.” (Why Pray to Mary?)
The prayer of the rosary is another one only done by Catholics.
Related article: Why Don’t Christians Go To Confessional?
Is the Catholic Bible equal to the Protestant Christian Bible?
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. – Revelation 22:16-19
No, the Catholic Bible is not equal to the Protestant Bible. The Catholics have their own way of praying, worshipping, and their own Bible. The Catholic Bible has 73 books in it. Whereas the Protestant Bible only has 66. The additional 7 books are all in the Old Testament.
Wouldn’t that be adding to the Bible then? Yes. Revelation 22 says that no one should add to or remove from the Bible.
Then again, there are several differences between the Catholic church and Christianity. Not just what I’ve previously discussed. (See Roman Catholicism and Biblical Christianity.)
Consider Reading: How to Witness to Others
Martin Luther – “Father Of The Protestant Reformation”
Modern-day Christians are also known as Protestants. This is a term introduced after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Church at Wittenberg. He was protesting the teachings of the Roman Catholic church. And rightfully so. The Catholic church was taking advantage of its parishioners who couldn’t read Latin. They were, and continue to do to this day, make things up that weren’t in the original text of the Bible. Worse than the Pharisees of the New Testament. For more information on them, read Who Were the Pharisees in the Bible?
With his 95 theses, Martin Luther was the first person to publicly protest the teachings of the Roman Catholic church. And that’s where the name Protestant comes from.
Those who followed him in his protest were part of the Protestant Reformation of 1517. Which also gave rise to trailblazers of the faith like John Calvin.
Even though there are many denominations (i.e., Baptist, Methodist, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Non-Denominational, Presbyterian, etc.), all Jesus Christ-believing Christians are considered to be Protestants. I’ll get into what I mean by that a little later in this article.
The new religion Lutheranism, was formed after the Protestant Reformation and named after Martin Luther. Though, in many ways, modern-day Lutherans are more like Catholics than Protestants.
Consider reading: Are Lutherans Catholic?
As a side note, I find it best to always have a copy of the Bible, whenever I’m listening to a sermon. And now you understand at least one of the many reasons I find that to be necessary. If you don’t have your own copy, how do you know what they’re teaching is correct?
Could a Catholic become a Christian?
Absolutely. As long as they gave up Catholicism. Jesus said a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25).
Catholicism and Christianity have differing beliefs about Jesus Christ, our individual relationships with God, prayer, and so much more. Not to mention that the Catholics believe any Pope is the successor of Peter (Five Things Catholics Believe About The Pope).
Jesus also said one cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). In this passage, Jesus is talking about money. Something that the Catholic church is very much about. The Protestant Church is concerned about money, but not in the same way.
For instance, a Catholic cannot get remarried in the church unless they get an annulment first. How much does an annulment cost? Up to $1,000 (Getting Married in the Catholic Church After Divorce). That fee does not go toward the parishioner’s tithe nor is it considered an offering.
The article Your Complete Guide to Paying Priests for Things merely scrapes the surface. Interestingly, the scripture the article references seems to be in contradiction with what the article lays out.
What about tithing? The tithe is based on the Old Testament 10% of everything a person makes. It began as a thank you to Melchizedek from Abram (before God changed his name to Abraham) for helping him defeat his enemy (Genesis 14:17-20).
More importantly, God loves a cheerful giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul is referring to the giving of an offering – which is above the tithe. At the same time, God doesn’t want someone to feel they are mandated to give to Him. Because He doesn’t need our money. After all, He gave us the ability to get it in the first place (Deuteronomy 8:18).
How to become a Christian?
If and when a practicing Catholic realizes the errors of their way, they can easily accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Open their eyes and realize that the Catholic church does not teach true Christianity and leave it. Then seek out a Bible-believing church.
Staying in the Catholic church, while professing to be a born-again Christian, would be confusing at best. The Bibles are different, who they pray to is different, and much more. In other words, the beliefs between Catholicism and Christianity are different.
For more information on making the choice to turn from your sinful ways and to the savior of the world (Jesus Christ), consider reading: Are you on the Highway to Hell or the Stairway to Heaven?
When you’re ready, it will help walk you through the prayer of salvation.
The passages of scripture in this article come from biblegateway.com
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