What is the difference between Christians and Catholics?
I'm a Christian, but I would just like to know what the difference is, or if there is a difference?
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Asked September 20 2013
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Rebekah Harbottle
Supporter
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Cole McCleary
As a Christian, works don't matter for salvation - they will show up as a result of being saved but they are not needed to go to heaven. God is our authority in our life, and as such we must obey the people he set in place for us. But WE CAN TALK DIRECTLY TO GOD. We don't need an Earthly priest or anything like that because we have a one on one personal relationship with him.
Caleb wohlers
As a young Catholic, I want to respond to some of these attacks against my faith in this comments section.
First, we do not pray to saints, we honor them and ask for their intercession. Much like you would ask a friend or pastor to pray for you. It is the same with Mary.
Second, there would be no Christianity today without Catholicism. If you just google "Oldest Christian church" it is the Catholic church. It wasn't until 1500 AD that there was more than one Christian church.
Third, Purgatory was referenced in this article and I would like to clarify. If you read Revelation 21:27 it says that nothing unclean can enter the kingdom of heaven. Since we are born with original sin, we are unclean. Think of purgatory as a "clenser of original sin."
God bless
Mark Vestal
Christianity is the "simplicity" that Christ died for our sins, was buried, but rose again for our justification (1 Cor 15:1-4). Our faith in Him and His completed payment for us is how anyone can receive God's un-earnable gift of salvation. ANY doctrine of man that is contrary to this foundation (1 Cor 3:10-11) should be "marked and avoided", as it is preaching "another Jesus":
Rom 16:17-18
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
2 Cor 11:4
"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
cont...
2 Cor 11:13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
How are sins forgiven? They WERE, in Christ's blood.
2 Cor 11:3
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."