Protestant vs. Christian — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 14, 2024
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity focusing on the authority of Scripture and justification by faith, while Christianity encompasses all believers in Jesus Christ, including Catholic and Orthodox branches.
Difference Between Protestant and Christian
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Protestantism emphasizes the Bible as the sole authority for Christian faith and practice, asserting that all essential spiritual truth is found in its scriptures. On the other hand, Christianity broadly includes traditions that also respect church authority and tradition, such as Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
In Protestantism, salvation is understood primarily through faith alone (sola fide), meaning that faith in Jesus is the only requirement for salvation. Whereas, other Christian denominations may also emphasize the role of sacraments and church teachings in achieving salvation.
Protestants typically reject the papal authority and hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church, advocating for a more decentralized church governance. In contrast, other branches of Christianity, like Catholicism, maintain a structured ecclesiastical hierarchy headed by the Pope.
Protestant worship services are often centered on the sermon, reflecting the emphasis on the Bible and individual interpretation. Conversely, other Christian traditions may place more focus on liturgy and sacraments in their worship practices.
The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century marked a significant split from the Roman Catholic Church, led by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin. Christianity, however, encompasses all the traditions that have developed since the time of Christ, including those that predate the Reformation.
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Comparison Chart
Authority
Bible as the sole authority
Bible, Church tradition, and ecclesiastical authority
Salvation
Justification by faith alone
Combination of faith, works, and sacraments
Church Structure
Generally decentralized
Ranges from decentralized to highly hierarchical
Worship Focus
Emphasis on sermons
Emphasis varies: sermons, liturgy, sacraments
Historical Origin
16th-century Reformation
1st century AD, life and teachings of Jesus Christ
Compare with Definitions
Protestant
A member of the Christian churches that separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation.
Protestants often read from a Bible translated into their native language.
Christian
Of or relating to Protestant churches or their members.
The Protestant service was filled with hymns and a sermon.
Protestant
A person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ.
Christians around the world celebrate Christmas to honor the birth of Jesus.
Christian
Universal, pertaining to all followers of Christ.
Christian morality seeks to be applicable to people of all cultures.
Protestant
Adhering to the principles of the Reformation, including the authority of Scripture and justification by faith.
Protestant theology significantly shaped modern Christianity.
Christian
Pertaining to or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings.
Christian ethics are based on the teachings of the New Testament.
Protestant
A member of a Western Christian church whose faith and practice are founded on the principles of the Reformation, especially in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of revelation, in justification by faith alone, and in the universal priesthood of all the believers.
Christian
Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Protestant
A member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theologies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli.
Christian
Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
Protestant
One of the German princes or cities that supported the doctrines of Luther and protested against the decision of the second Diet of Speyer (1529) to enforce the Edict of Worms (1521) and deny toleration to Lutherans.
Christian
Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus, especially in showing concern for others.
Protestant
Protestant (also prə-tĕstənt) One who makes a declaration or avowal.
Christian
Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
Protestant
Of or relating to Protestants or Protestantism.
Christian
One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Protestant
Alternative case form of Protestant
A protestant effort
Protestant work ethic
Christian
One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.
Protestant
Protesting.
Christian
Uncommon spelling of Christian
Protestant
One who protests; a protester.
Christian
Uncommon spelling of Christian
Protestant
Alternative case form of Protestant
Christian
One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him; especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ.
The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Protestant
One who protests; - originally applied to those who adhered to Luther, and protested against, or made a solemn declaration of dissent from, a decree of the Emperor Charles V. and the Diet of Spires, in 1529, against the Reformers, and appealed to a general council; - now used in a popular sense to designate any Christian who does not belong to the Roman Catholic or the Greek Church.
Christian
One born in a Christian country or of Christian parents, and who has not definitely becomes an adherent of an opposing system.
Protestant
Making a protest; protesting.
Christian
One of a Christian denomination which rejects human creeds as bases of fellowship, and sectarian names. They are congregational in church government, and baptize by immersion. They are also called Disciples of Christ, and Campbellites.
Protestant
Of or pertaining to the faith and practice of those Christians who reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church; as, Protestant writers.
Christian
Pertaining to Christ or his religion; as, Christian people.
Protestant
An adherent of Protestantism
Christian
Pertaining to the church; ecclesiastical; as, a Christian court.
Protestant
The Protestant churches and denominations collectively
Christian
Characteristic of Christian people; civilized; kind; kindly; gentle; beneficent.
The graceful tact; the Christian art.
Protestant
Of or relating to Protestants or Protestantism;
Protestant churches
A Protestant denomination
Christian
A religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
Protestant
Making a protest
Christian
Relating to or characteristic of Christianity;
Christian rites
Christian
Following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ
Common Curiosities
Is every Christian a Protestant?
No, not every Christian is a Protestant. Christianity includes various other denominations like Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Can a Protestant participate in Catholic practices?
While Protestants can participate in Catholic practices, they may not fully adhere to or agree with all Catholic doctrines.
How do Protestant beliefs differ from other Christian beliefs?
Protestant beliefs differ primarily in the rejection of papal authority and the emphasis on the Bible as the sole source of authority.
How do Protestants interpret the Bible differently from other Christians?
Protestants generally adhere to a principle of "sola scriptura," meaning they believe the Bible alone is the ultimate authority. Other Christian branches, like Catholics, also consider church tradition and the teachings of church authorities.
What defines a Protestant?
A Protestant is defined by adherence to the principles of the Reformation, such as the authority of Scripture and justification by faith alone.
Why did Protestantism split from the Catholic Church?
Protestantism split from the Catholic Church during the 16th-century Reformation, primarily over issues such as the authority of the Pope, the nature of salvation, and perceived corruptions within the Church.
Are Protestant churches organized differently than Catholic churches?
Yes, Protestant churches are typically organized on a more local or national basis and lack a central authority figure like the Pope, emphasizing individual congregation's autonomy instead.
What are common Protestant denominations?
Common Protestant denominations include Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians.
What role do sacraments play in Protestantism compared to other Christian denominations?
In Protestantism, sacraments like baptism and communion are seen as symbolic acts of faith, whereas in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, they are considered necessary means of grace and essential for salvation.
What is the significance of Martin Luther in Protestantism?
Martin Luther is a central figure in Protestantism because his writings and actions, including the 95 Theses, sparked the Reformation and led to the establishment of Protestant churches separate from the Catholic Church.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
