Catholic vs. Christian: Catholics and Christians have many things in common making it confusing to differentiate between the two. The main Catholic and Christian difference lies in the scope of their beliefs. Catholicism is a branch of Christianity making its scope narrower. Therefore, all Catholics are Christians but all Christians are not Catholics.
Table of Contents
Considering Catholic vs. Christian definitions for deeper understanding
Who is a Catholic?
A Catholic is a Christian who believes in the Holy Bible in addition to the teachings of Jesus and the Roman Catholic Church.
Who is a Christian?
A Christian is the one who believes in the Holy Bible in addition to the teachings of Jesus.
Listing the beliefs of a Catholic and a Christian
Beliefs of Catholics
- They believe in the 73-book Biblical canon.
- They believe in the authority of the Pope.
- They believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ.
- They believe in eternal salvation.
- They believe in purgatory apart from heaven and hell.
- They believe in confessing sins to the priest.
- They believe that we are born again at Baptism.
Beliefs of Christians
- They believe in the 66-book, 73-book, 80-book, or 81-book Biblical canon.
- They might or might not believe in the authority of the Pope.
- They believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ.
- The belief in purgatory might or might not exist.
- They believe in confessing sins to God directly.
- They believe that we are born again when we have faith in Christ.
Looking at the similarities between a Catholic and a Christian
- Both Catholics and Christians have deep faith in Jesus and his teachings.
- They believe in the holy trinity i.e. the father, the son, and the holy spirit.
- Catholics and Christians are of the view that Jesus was the son of God in human flesh.
- They have faith in eternity and believe that we all go to Heaven or Hell.
Is Catholic a form of Christianity?
Yes, a Catholic is a Christian that belongs to the Roman Catholic branch of Christianity. Roman Catholic is one of the three branches of Christianity and all the 2.3 billion Christians, 1.3 billion adheres to it.
Which came first – Catholic or Christian?
Going strictly with the terms, Christians came first. It was then made into 5 branches namely; Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Rome (Catholic).
Is Catholic the first church in the world?
The first church in the world wasn’t Catholic. It was in Jerusalem in 30 or 33 AD under the leadership of apostles Peter and John. This has been stated in the Catholic Encyclopedia.
What is the purpose of making a cross sign in Catholicism?
Handed down by the Apostles of Christ, the sign of the cross bears reference to the redemptive death of Christ on the cross. Since then, it has been passed down to be used with the intent of blessing others. Saying a prayer and making a sign of the cross along with it means that it has been done in absolute faith in the Holy Trinity.
Which Bible do Catholics use?
Catholics use the whole 73-book Biblical canon that includes the deuterocanonical books from the Greek Septuagint collection.
What do Catholics believe in?
Catholics believe in the divinity of Jesus and find a path to Him through their supreme authority, the Roman Catholic Church.
What is the difference between a Catholic and an Orthodox Christian?
The biggest Orthodox Christian vs. Catholic Christian difference lies in their belief in the Pope. The Catholics regard the Pope as the supreme authority while the Orthodox Christians do not believe in a Pope figure.
What is the difference between the Catholic and Christian bible?
Catholic bible vs. Christian bible differs in the number of books they contain. The former contains 73 books whereas the latter might contain 73, 66, 80, or 81 books depending on the faith followed by the person.
What is Corpus Christi?
Many Christians specifically Catholics participate in Corpus Christi Catholic church observance in the honor of the Holy Eucharist. The celebration started in 1193 to honor the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the form of bread and wine. Catholics believe God to be the food of our souls and ask for forgiveness from Jesus on Corpus Christi for what was done to him.
What is the difference between Catholic and Christian?
| Basis | Catholics | Christians |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme authority | They lay their faith in the Roman Catholic Church as their supreme authority. | They believe that God is the supreme authority. |
| Scope | A Catholic is a Christian since Catholicism has a narrower scope. | A Christian might or might not be a Catholic since Christianity has a wider scope. |
| Holy scripture | They follow the whole 73-book Biblical canon. | They can follow the 73-book, 66-book, 80-book, or 81-book Biblical canon. |
| Rebirth | They believe that we are born again at Baptism. | They believe that we are born again when we believe in Christ. |
| Authority of the Pope | They believe in the authority of the Pope. | They might or might not believe in the authority of the Pope. |
| Life after death | They believe in eternity in the form of Heaven or Hell along with purgatory. | They believe in eternity in the form of Heaven or Hell and might or might not have faith in purgatory. |
| Foundation | It started in 325 AD at the First Ecumenical Council. | It started in the first century AD. |
| Priesthood to women | They prohibit women from becoming priests. | They may allow priesthood to women after ordination. |
| Prayer guidelines | They face the Blessed Sacrament while performing prayers at a church. | They might or might not face the Blessed Sacrament while performing prayers at a church. |
| Goal | They believe in eternal salvation. | They believe in eternal salvation and might believe in objective reality as well. |
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Can I be both a Catholic and a Christian?
If you are a Catholic, you are a Christian as well since Christianity is a religion while Catholicism is a faith practiced by many Christians. Both Catholics and Christians believe in one God, Jesus Christ, with Catholics praying to Him through intermediaries and Christians approaching Him directly. In short, Christianity encompasses Catholicism within itself.
