Catholicism is not Christian. Catholicism teaches a false gospel of works that leads to eternal torment in hell (Galatians 1:6-9).
It's clear from the Book of Acts in the Bible that catholics didn't even exist during the days of Acts. Those in the Book of Acts are the first Christians, and they believed what would be called fundamentalist doctrine today. ANYONE can read the Book of Acts for themselves and see. Had Catholicism existed during the time of Acts, the first Christians would have rejected Catholicism completely.
Also here's Christians that called the "pope" the Antichrist, and who also completely rejected Catholicism, long before Martin Luther was even born:
c. 1310
Dante Alighieri
c. 1331
Michael of Cesena
c. 1345
Johannes DE Rupescissa
c. 1350
Francesco Petrarch
c. 1367
John Milicz
c. 1379
John Wycliffe
c. 1388
Matthias of Janow
c. 1389
R. Wimbledon
c. 1390
John Purvey
c. 1393
Walter Brute
c. 1412
John Huss
c. 1497
Girolamo Savonarola
So not only is it false to say that "catholics were the first Christians", but this list blows away the catholic claim that "no churches existed other than the catholic church, until Martin Luther".
There were ALWAYS saved believers outside the catholic cult, who knew catholicism cannot save anyone.
Catholicism cannot save. Only believing in Jesus alone for salvation, is what saves.
The truth about Jesus is that the only way to be saved and to get into heaven and avoid being sent to eternal hell, is by believing in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross as FULL PAYMENT for all our sins, and then Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe this and you will be in heaven, no matter what! Salvation is a FREE GIFT that happens in a split second when you believe in Jesus alone to save you! It is impossible to lose or "leave" salvation (John 6:39-40, 1 John 5:13).
Please pray now: "Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and You rose from the dead. Thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die.
Catholicism is original, pure and complete Christianity, the only Church founded by Jesus Christ and the only Church approved by Him. Protestantism is an unauthorized man made tradition which has resulted in thousands of unauthorized conflicting denominations that exist in open defiance of Christ's clearly stated will "that they all may be ONE". Christ recognized that truth can exist only in unity. Conflicting teachings necessarily mean false teachings because truth cannot conflict with truth. The teachings of each Protestant denomination conflict with the teachings of the others, which clearly indicates that untruth is rampant in that tradition. Which is what you would expect in a tradition that has rejected the biblical "pillar and foundation of truth", the one Church Christ founded for all mankind.
I have to disagree with David. Catholism is a form of Christianity as is Protestantism and Puritanism. To answer your question, Protestants practice mass and such differently, but we all believe in one true God and Jesus Christ who saved the world. Some differences are Protestants don't pray to Mother Mary or the saints. The church is built plainly with no stained glass windows, statues etc... And Protestants don't believe in confession.
The best way to convert is to find out what you believe. Talk with your friends; have them take you to church.
There different between Catholicism and Protestantism starts with Martin Luther. He concludes that it is faith not works (sacraments) that leads to God's salvation.
Catholics rely on sacraments administered by a priesthood headed by the Pope. Protestants rely on the Bible as the word of God.
Catholicism and Protestantism are both subsets of Christianity, as a whole; Christianity being the core religion, Catholicism and Protestantism being denominations (or in Protestantism's case, a large amalgamation of denominations). Catholicism is the oldest root of Christianity stemming from the earliest days of the religion, and they put the modern Bible together.
Protestantism originated in the 1500's and 1600's during the Protestant Reformation, spurred first by Martin Luther then later by other Reformist thinkers. Most of the existing 38,000 denominations of Protestantism, however, are much younger, to the tune of 200 years old or less.
The core beliefs are the same. Both believe in one God, first and foremost. Both believe in the Trinity. Both believe in Christ as the Savior and as the only means to salvation. Both believe in baptism. Both (for the most part) believe in confession. Both (for the most part) believe in communion. All believe in Christ's Resurrection. The differences are far more petty, despite how some insist on drawing attention to the differences in an attempt to somehow make themselves appear more "right". Catholics follow the hierarchy of the Papacy, from parish priests to bishops to archbishops to cardinals to the Pope. Protestants have... well, whatever leadership hierarchy they've set up in each denomination, which differs and depends mostly on whoever founded that denomination and when. Catholics tend to be a bit more regimented, mystical, and meditative in their services; Protestants vary, but their services tend to be much less regimented and mostly just feature singing and sermons. Some have introduced rock music and Powerpoint presentations. Catholics tend to be more fair towards scientific advancement and progress, such as accepting the theory of Evolution as a logical and reasonable means for the continuity of life and its adaptability to changing environments; some Protestants do, some don't, depending on whether they choose to view science as somehow "threatening" their beliefs.
It still boils down to the differences being more petty and the similarities being more strong, particularly if viewed as an impartial outsider. The biggest difference, however, is that one party tends to embrace its history, culture, and legacy, admits its wrongs, and makes a point to be gracious towards others who don't share their beliefs. They are not so arrogant as to claim that those not in their faith are summarily doomed to hell. The other party--some, not all, but the most vocal members--highlights all the differences between itself and all other groups and hounds on why this makes them the "only true Christians", as well as why everyone else not in their denomination is going to hell.
"But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), "
It definitely seems clear to me, that yes there is too much claim by the Catholic church to the authority as the only 'approved' church (not that there is more than one, but the Catholic denomination is def. not THE one) . It is clear here that Peter (remember, the one who Jesus said he'd build his church upon way back in the gospels?) was worked through to preach to the Jews. And Paul, who was:
" Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), "
Paul was not called of men, but of Jesus Himself...just like Peter. So read Galatians, and see for yourself- but God's church is not created by man, or a pope, or apologetics, or any title even Godly men can have...it is called by Christ.
SO YOU need to consider knowing that if you convert, you are being called of Christ and that the only choice that matters is if you choose to know God- and if you were saved and HE knows you back.
IN short, Catholicism and Protestantism are men's words...and they don't matter. God does matter and he called the 'founders' of both 'churches' to go be leaders in the ONE church of Christ.
THAT is what matters. So, don't convert- (though that may be the word you choose to use) BECOME God's.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading scripture for yourself and praying to God, the Book of Galatians from the Bible is what I pulled these quoted verses from. Some of the Four Gospels in the Bible are alluded to, but you need to hear from God.
Christianity has been split into over 30,000 different denominations, sects and cults setting christian against christian and Christians against everyone else!!
God's work? Hardly!!
It must be the Devil and the Antichrist working together to divide, conquer and destroy Christianity from the inside!!!
whats the difference between catholism and protestantism?
