SIX MAJOR DIFFERENCES
There are several fundamental differences between Catholicism and Biblical Christianity. The six major ones are listed below.
CATHOLICISM
1. Scriptures plus Tradition and Magisterium (Teaching Authority) (CCC 95; CCC77)
2. Apostolic Succession (Ministerial Priesthood and Common Priesthood) (CCC869; 1547)
3. Mass (Transubstantiation and Eucharistic Sacrifice) (CCC 1367)
4. Salvation through faith plus ‘Works’ (i.e., meriting salvation through Good deeds, Indulgences, Purgatory, etc.) (CCC 2010)
5. Worship of God plus Veneration of Mary and Saints. (CCC 971; 957)
6. The Church is the visible communion of all Catholics, with the Pope as the visible head of the Church - the ‘One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic' Church. (CCC 811; 882)
VS.
BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY
1. Scriptures alone as the sole, sufficient and supreme authority. (2Timothy 3:16, 17)
2. Priesthood of all Believers. (1 Peter 2:914)
3. Memorial Meal. (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25)
4. Salvation by ‘Faith alone’, apart from works. (Galatians 2:16)
5. Worship of God alone. (Exodus 20:3-5)
6. The Church is the invisible union of all true believers with Jesus Christ as the head of the Church - the true and living Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27; Colossians 1:18)
THE SIX MAJOR DIFFERENCES EXPLAINED
1. Scripture plus Tradition vs. Scripture Alone
The Catholic Church considers ‘Tradition’ as divine revelation and equal to Scriptures. The Magisterium comprising the Pope and bishops is the only authoritative source to interpret the Scriptures. The Scriptures, Tradition and Magisterium are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others. They together form the rule of faith.
Biblical Christianity states that Scripture alone is “inspired by God” or “God breathed”, and is the sole, sufficient and supreme rule of faith. Anything found in Tradition or taught by the Magisterium that contradicts the Scripture is to be rejected.
2. Apostolic Succession vs. Priesthood of all Believers
The Catholic Church uses the term ‘Apostolic Succession’ to express the fact that Christ governs the Church through Peter and the apostles who are succeeded by the Pope and the bishops. There is also a clear distinction between the Clergy and Laity (Ministerial Priesthood and Common Priesthood). Catholics need a priest to mediate and offer the sacrifice of the Mass, and perform other sacraments and sacred duties.
Biblical Christianity states that all believers have direct access to God through Christ, the one and only mediator (1 Timothy 2: 5). As our true high priest, He offered Himself as our sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 7: 27 and 9: 26). Thus, we do not need an earthly priest to mediate for us or offer Jesus as a sacrifice on the altar every time during the Mass. Nor do we need any sacraments to attain graces for us to merit heaven.
3. Mass vs. Memorial Meal
The Catholic Church believes that when the priest consecrates the bread and wine, it turns into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ (CCC 1413). The Mass is exactly the same sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered on the Cross at Calvary, and this sacrifice is truly propitiatory (CCC 1367). Propitiation: a sacrifice that satisfies the wrath of God and averts God’s punishment toward sinners.
According to Biblical Christianity, Jesus instituted the ‘Lord’s Table’ as a memorial meal, in commemoration of His once for all sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 7:27), and not an ‘Altar of Sacrifice for Jesus to be offered as a propitiatory sacrifice at every Mass. Jesus offered Himself once in a bloody manner (Hebrews 10: 12), but the priest offers Jesus repeatedly at every Mass, in an unbloody manner. At the cross, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice, but at the Mass, it is the priest who offers Jesus as a sacrifice.
4. Salvation through faith plus ‘Works’ vs. Salvation by Faith Alone
The Catholic Church states that one can merit the initial grace in order to be saved through baptism, but then one has to continue in a life-long process of meriting graces in order to attain eternal life. Sacraments, Indulgences, Good deeds, Purgatory, etc., all play a part in meriting these graces to attain Eternal life.
Biblical Christianity believes in Salvation by faith alone, apart from human works or merits from the sinner. Salvation is acquired by Christ’s merits alone and we cannot add anything to what Christ has done in order to attain eternal life.
5. Worship of God plus Veneration of Mary and Saints vs. Worship of God Alone
The Catholic Church requires the Catholics to venerate Mary, and the Saints that have been canonized. The Church’s devotion Mary as the ‘Mother of God’ is intrinsic to Catholic worship. Similarly, veneration of the Saints is the act of honoring those who have been identified as pssessing a high degree of sanctity or holiness. The making of images of Mary and the Saints and venerating them, is considered as venerating the person portrayed in it (CCC 2132).
Biblical Christians worship God alone, and believe that we are to avoid all forms of images, and bow before them (Leviticus 26:1). In Exodus 20: 3-5, God forbids us to make and worship idols. Jesus said in Matthew 4:10, "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve." We are to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23). If we worship God in spirit and in truth, we cannot worship anyone or anything else. If we do so, we commit an act of idolatry.
6. Church as a Visible Union vs. Church as an Invisible Union
The Catholic Church considers her members as visible, belonging to an external, visible organization under one head, the Pope. The Catholic Church is the ‘sole’ Church of Jesus Christ and the ‘One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic’ Church. The Pope has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church.
Biblical Christianity holds the view that the Body of Christ is invisible in the sense that it is spiritual in nature and the members of the Church or the true believers are known only to God according to Matthew 7: 21-23. This Church is made up of all true believers in Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head of the Church.