Protestant vs. Roman Catholic

Attribute	Protestant	Roman Catholic
Founder	Various reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, etc.	Jesus Christ and the apostles, with the Pope as the leader of the Church
Beliefs about Salvation	Salvation by faith alone	Salvation by faith and good works
Authority	Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)	Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium
Sacraments	Varies among denominations, typically fewer sacraments	Seven sacraments recognized
Worship Practices	Varies among denominations, emphasis on preaching and music	Mass, sacraments, liturgical worship

Beliefs

Protestants and Roman Catholics share many core beliefs, such as the belief in the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the importance of the Bible. However, there are also significant differences in their beliefs. Protestants believe in the doctrine of sola scriptura, which means that they believe the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. Roman Catholics, on the other hand, believe in the authority of both the Bible and sacred tradition. They also believe in the doctrine of papal infallibility, which means that the Pope is considered to be infallible when speaking on matters of faith and morals.

Worship

Protestant worship services are often characterized by simplicity and informality. They typically include singing hymns, reading from the Bible, and a sermon. Roman Catholic worship, on the other hand, is more formal and ritualistic. It includes elements such as the Eucharist, prayers to saints, and the veneration of relics. Protestants do not believe in the veneration of saints or relics, and their worship services tend to focus more on the preaching of the Word.

Sacraments

Both Protestants and Roman Catholics practice baptism and communion, but they have different beliefs about these sacraments. Protestants generally believe that baptism and communion are symbolic acts that serve as a public declaration of faith. Roman Catholics, on the other hand, believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation, which means that they believe the bread and wine in communion actually become the body and blood of Christ. They also believe that baptism removes original sin and initiates a person into the Church.

Church Structure

Protestant churches are typically organized in a congregational or denominational structure. Each congregation is autonomous and governs itself, while denominations may have a hierarchy of leadership. Roman Catholicism, on the other hand, has a hierarchical structure with the Pope at the top, followed by bishops, priests, and deacons. The Pope is considered the spiritual leader of all Catholics and has the authority to make decisions on matters of doctrine and discipline.

Scripture

Protestants and Roman Catholics both use the Bible as a source of authority, but they have different views on the canon of Scripture. Protestants accept the 66 books of the Protestant Bible, while Roman Catholics include additional books known as the deuterocanonical books. These books are considered inspired by Roman Catholics but are not included in the Protestant Bible. This difference in the canon of Scripture can lead to differences in interpretation and understanding of certain theological concepts.

Mary and the Saints

One of the key differences between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism is the veneration of Mary and the saints. Roman Catholics believe in the intercession of Mary and the saints, meaning that they can pray to them to ask for their help and protection. Protestants, on the other hand, do not believe in the intercession of Mary and the saints and instead believe in direct prayer to God. This difference in belief can lead to differences in worship practices and devotional life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Protestants and Roman Catholics share many core beliefs, there are also significant differences in their beliefs, worship practices, sacraments, church structure, views on Scripture, and beliefs about Mary and the saints. These differences have led to the development of distinct theological traditions within Christianity. Despite these differences, both Protestants and Roman Catholics are united in their belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world.