Frequently Asked Questions

The central difference concerns authority, salvation, and the nature of the Church.

Roman Catholicism teaches that divine authority rests in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teaching office of the Church (the Magisterium).

Historic Protestantism affirms Sola Scriptura — that Holy Scripture alone is the final and infallible authority for faith and practice.

Scripture teaches:

• “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable… that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
• “…not to go beyond what is written...” (1 Corinthians 4:6)
• “thus making void the word of God by your tradition...” (Mark 7:13)

Church councils and teachers serve the Church, but they remain subject to the Word of God. The Protestant Reformation was not an attempt to create something new, but to return to the supreme authority of God’s Word.

This was the heart of the Reformation.

Roman Catholic teaching holds that justification involves both faith and the person’s participation in the sacraments of the Church, with grace progressively infused into the believer.

Historic Protestantism confesses Sola Fide — that sinners are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Justification is a once-for-all declaration by God, grounded entirely in the finished work of Christ, not in human merit or sacramental participation.

Scripture teaches:

• “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
• “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
• “…to the one who does not work but believes… his faith is counted as righteousness...” (Romans 4:5)
• “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God...” (Romans 5:1)

Justification is a once-for-all declaration grounded entirely in the finished work of Christ (John 19:30; Hebrews 10:14).

Good works follow salvation (Ephesians 2:10), but they do not contribute to our justification before God.

The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments.

Historic Protestant churches recognize two – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – because these alone were instituted by Christ and commanded for the whole Church.

• Baptism: Matthew 28:19
• The Lord’s Supper: Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

The sacraments are signs and seals of God’s promises. They strengthen faith but do not convey salvation, which is by faith alone.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of the Apostle Peter and the visible head of the universal Church.

Historic Protestantism affirms that Christ alone is the head of the Church. No single bishop or earthly office holds universal authority over all believers.

Scripture teaches:

• “…Christ is the head of the church...” (Ephesians 5:23)
• “And He is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1:18)
• “…there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

Roman Catholicism teaches that the fullness of Christ’s Church subsists in the Roman Catholic institution.

Protestantism teaches that the true Church consists of all who are united to Christ by faith, across nations and denominations.

Scripture teaches:

• “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

The Church is recognized wherever the Word of God is faithfully preached and the sacraments rightly administered.

Protestants acknowledge Mary as the mother of our Lord and affirm her blessedness among women and see her as fellow believer in Christ.
Protestants reject absolutely praying to Mary or the saints, nor do we attribute to them mediating or intercessory roles that belong uniquely to Christ.
Scripture teaches that there is one mediator between God and man – the Lord Jesus Christ. Our confidence rests entirely in Him.

Scripture teaches:

• “…there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
• “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace...” (Hebrews 4:16)

• “For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

If a Roman Catholic is trusting in:

• Their baptism,
• Their participation in the Mass,
• Their confession,
• Their cooperation with grace,

as part of the basis of their right standing before God, then they declare the sacrifice given on the cross as insufficient for their salvation. Then they do not trust in Christ’s atoning work on the cross for their salvation and they are not saved.

However: It is possible for someone within Roman Catholicism to personally trust in Christ alone for their salvation, even if their church’s official doctrine is inconsistent with this truth.