The main difference between Catholics and Protestants can be contemplated through the lens of Ephesians 2:8-9, which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” This passage highlights the core Protestant principle of sola fide, meaning faith alone, which asserts that faith in Jesus Christ alone is enough for salvation.

Catholics, on the other hand, while acknowledging the necessity of grace and faith for salvation, also emphasize the importance of the sacraments and good works in living out one’s faith and achieving salvation, as reflected in James 2:24, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Another significant difference is the authority structure within the church. Catholics recognize the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, whom they believe was appointed by Jesus Christ as the head of His church on earth, according to Matthew 16:18-19, where Jesus says to Peter, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Protestants, however, do not recognize the papal authority, adhering instead to the principle of sola Scriptura, meaning Scripture alone, which holds that the Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of doctrine and practice.

These distinctions are rooted in a historical context that dates back to the Reformation in the 16th century, a movement that sought to reform certain practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church. The diversity within Christianity reflects the multifaceted nature of faith, and despite these differences, both Catholics and Protestants share a fundamental belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as declared in the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith widely accepted across Christian denominations.