Catholics & Protestants

Fundamentals of Christianity

Series Overview

Purpose of this series Scope

Core Beliefs The Bible Biblical Positions Corporate Worship Protestants/Catholics Other Religions

Fundamentals of Christianity –Protestants/Catholics

Ministry Purpose

The purpose of our ministry is to Bring people to Jesus Christ and

membership in the body of Christ, Develop them to Christ-like

maturity, and Equip them for their ministry in

the church and life-mission in the world, in order to

Magnify God's name.


Objectives

Explore the history of Catholicism and Protestantism

Explore the role of the Council of Nicaea on Christianity

Identify Martin Luther and his role in the Reformation

Define the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches

Identify the major Protestant religions in America


Catholics-History

Catholic Church from apostolic times covers a period of nearly 2,000 years

It dates to the confession of Peter, and the establishment of the Church by Jesus.

Catholic’s believe Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church in the year 33 A.D.

Jesus appointed the Apostle Peter as the first vicar or Pope. (Matthew 16:18‐19 )


Catholics-History

Around the year A.D. 45, Peter went to Rome and assumed control of the Church. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero, Peter was imprisoned and scourged.

For the next 300 years, Rome persecuted the church causing members to meet behind closed doors

By the 3rd Century Elders of the Church, Bishops, headed the congregations.

In 306 Constantine became sole emperor of Rome. His mother Helena became a Christian and urged Constantine to ease up on the persecution of Christians.


Catholic Terms

Absolution ‐ the act of releasing someone from their sin by God, through the means of a priest.

Confession ‐ telling sins to a priest and the Lord forgives the person through the priest.

Dulia ‐ The honor given to saints and angels. see hyperdulia

Heresy ‐ denial of the truths found in the Catholic Church.

Holy Orders ‐ one of the seven sacraments by which men, bishop, deacons, and priests, are given the power and authority by a bishop to offer sacrifice and forgive sins.

Hyperdulia ‐ honor and praise given only to the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Catholic Terms

Indulgence ‐ An indulgence is a means by which the Catholic church takes away some or all of the punishment due the Christian in this life and/or purgatory because of his sin even though that sin has been forgiven. This punishment is most often in purgatory but can also be suffered in this life. Therefore, indulgences remove time needed to be spent in purgatory. See also partial indulgence and plenary indulgence.

Limbo ‐ In the afterlife, it is the place of existence for those who deserve neither heaven nor hell.

Penance ‐ a means by which all sins committed after baptism are removed. The means are assigned by a priest and usually consist of special prayers or deeds performed by the sinner.


Catholic Terms

Pope ‐ Christ's representative on earth according to the Roman Catholic Church. He is the visible successor of Peter.

Priest ‐ one who mediates between God and man and administers the sacraments and graces of God. He has received the Holy Orders.

Purgatory ‐ a place of temporary punishment where the Christian is cleansed from sin before he can enter into heaven.

Relic ‐ a part of the body of a saint including clothing, jewelry, etc. The relic is considered holy due to its association with the saint.

Remission of Sins ‐ forgiveness of sins through the sacraments of baptism and penance.


Catholic Terms

Rosary - A string of beads containing five sets with ten small beads. Each set of ten is separated by another bead. It also contains a crucifix. It is used in saying special prayers, usually to Mary where the rosary is used to count the prayers.

Saint ‐ A very holy person. Usually, it is someone who has been dead for many years and has been canonized by the Catholic Church. Saints do not have to pass through purgatory.

Tradition ‐ handing down through the centuries from mouth to mouth of the teachings of Jesus. It began with the apostles and continues unbroken to the present bishopric of the Catholic Church.


Council of Nicaea

The First Council of Nicaea was convened in Nicaea in Bithynia (present‐day Iznik in Turkey) by the Roman Emperor Constantine 1 in 325 AD.

First Ecumenical council of the Christian Church Resulted in the first uniform Christian doctrine,

called the Nicene Creed. The purpose of the council was to resolve

disagreements arising from within the Church of Alexandria over whether Jesus was of the same substance as God the Father or merely of similar substance.

The council decided in favor of celebrating the resurrection on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, independently of the Hebrew Calendar.


Nicene Creed (325 A.D.)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.



Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came

down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.



On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.



He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and

apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the

forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the

dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.Fundamentals of Christianity

Martin Luther & Reformation German theologian, professor, pastor, and

religious reformer, Father of Protestantism and founder of the Lutheran Church.

Began the protestant reformation with the publication of his Ninety‐Five Theses on October 31, 1517.

Theology based on God’s gracious activity in Jesus Christ, rather than in human works.

Saw the presently established Christian Church of his time as corrupt; deviating towards secular matters rather than religious.

Boldly worked as a champion of the truth.


Martin Luther & Reformation Worked from the pulpit in earnest, solemn warning. He set before the people the offensive character of

sin, and taught them that it is impossible for man, by his own works, to lessen its guilt or evade its punishment.

Nothing but repentance towards God and faith in Christ can save a sinner.

The grace of Christ cannot be purchased; it is a free gift.

Counseled the people not to buy indulgences, but to look in faith to a crucified Redeemer.

Related his own experience in vainly seeking by humiliation and penance to secure salvation, and assured his hearers that it was by looking away from himself and believing in Christ that he found peace and joy.


Martin Luther Cont.

Printing press, Luther’s 95 Theses reprinted throughout Germany

In 1520, the Pope excommunicated Martin Luther.

Luther responded by burning the papal decree in front of his students.

In 1521, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V put Luther on trial, and had him declared an outlaw.

Luther went into exile, living at Wartburg Castle, home to Prince Frederick the Wise, of Saxony.

During his time at Wartburg, Luther translated the bible into German.


Martin Luther Cont.

When Luther emerged from his exile ten months later, he found many of his theories had been put into practice.

Priests now wore regular clothing, and called themselves ministers.

Religious services were held in German rather than Latin.

And many of the clergy had begun to marry. Martin Luther himself married a former nun in

1524. Instead pushing for reforms, the protesting

Christians had begun their own religion. Styling themselves after their founder, they

called themselves Lutherans.


Protestants - History

Protestantism originated in the 16th century Reformation, and most modern Protestant denominations can trace their heritage to one of the major movements that sprung up in the 16th century.

Presbyterians are indebted to John Calvin and Reformed theology, as well as to John Knox and the Church of Scotland.

Anglicans and Episcopalians trace their heritage to the Church of England that resulted from King Henry VIII's break from the authority of Rome.

Evangelicalism (and to a slightly lesser degree, Methodism) is indebted to Pietism, a 17th century Protestant movement emphasizing a holy life, individual study of the scriptures, and better training of ministers.


Protestants - History

Protestant denominations differ in the degree to which they reject Catholic belief and practice.

Some churches, such as Anglicans and Lutherans, tend to resemble Catholicism in their formal liturgy, while others, like Baptists and Presbyterians, retain very little of the liturgy and tradition associated with the Catholic church.

In common with Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Protestants adhere to the authority of the Bible and the doctrines of he early creeds.

Protestants are distinguished by their emphasis on the doctrines of "justification by grace alone through faith, the priesthood of all believers, and the supremacy of Holy Scripture in matters of faith and order." {2}

Most Protestant churches recognize only two sacraments directly commanded by the Lord ‐ baptism and communion ‐ as opposed to the seven sacraments accepted by the Catholic Church.


Denominational/ Non-denominational Denominations –established religion Non‐denominational‐ rejects man‐

made doctrines and strives to follow what the Bible teaches.


Pentecostal Church

Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.[1]

The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, or the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2.[2]

Pentecostalism is an umbrella term which includes a wide range of different theological and organizational perspectives.

As a result, there is no central organization or church which directs the movement.


Pentecostal Church

Most Pentecostals consider themselves part of broader Christian groups.

For example, Pentecostals often identify as Evangelicals.

Furthermore, many embrace the term Protestant, while others the term Restorationist.

Pentecostalism is also theologically and historically close to the Charismatic Movement as the latter was influenced by the Pentecostal movement and some Pentecostals use the two terms interchangeably.


Charismatic Church

The Charismatic derive their name from the Greek, CHARISMATA, which refer to the gifts of the spirit.

Began Mid 1960's, as laymen and ministers in mainline churches experiencing the manifestation of spiritual gifts.

Charismatic was used to identify a non‐Pentecostal Christian who had such experiences.

Today mainline, non‐Charismatic churches, and local congregations and denominations that classify themselves as Charismatic.

Charismatic church may be indistinguishable from a Pentecostal church in that they too embrace the belief in the modern day operation of spiritual gifts and a distinct Holy Spirit baptism which can enable persons to speak with other tongues.


Charismatic Church

Emphasis upon a freedom of worship focused around praise. Generally a Charismatic church has a more independent, non denominational tone, sometimes with more emphasis on spiritual exploration, and less emphasis on established tradition.

A charismatic church is a born again believing, Bible‐based Christian church.

It preaches that Jesus is Lord in resurrection power, manifesting gifts of the Holy Spirit to minister to the lost and edify the church.

It is called full‐gospel and New Testament emphasizing the completeness of the gospel message and the practice of spiritual gifts for today.


Major Protestant Religions in America American Baptist Churches USA Christian and Missionary Alliance Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Church of God Church of the Nazarene

Episcopal Church Coalition of Spirit‐Filled Churches Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cumberland Presbyterian Church in

America Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The Evangelical Covenant Church


Major Protestant Religions in America Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Evangelical Lutheran Synod International Church of the Foursquare

Gospel Lutheran Church‐Missouri Synod United Church of Christ United Methodist

Church Presbyterian Church (USA) Reformed Episcopal Church Southern Baptist Convention Moravian Church in America National Association of Congregational

Christian Churches Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod


Largest Denominational Families in the U.S., 2001Denomination/

Denominational Family

# of Adults self-identification

2001

% of U.S. pop. self-

identification 2001

% weekly church

attendance this denom.

2001

% of U.S. pop. in attendance at

this denom. during a given

week

Catholic 50,873,000 24.50% 48% 11.74%

Baptist 33,830,000 16.30% 50% 8.13%

Methodist 14,150,000 6.80% 49% 3.33%

Lutheran 9,580,000 4.60% 43% 1.98%Pentecostal/Charismatic/ Foursquare 4,407,000 2.10% 66% 1.40%

Presbyterian 5,596,000 2.70% 49% 1.32%


Largest Denominational Families in the U.S., 2001Denomination/

Denominational Family

# of Adults self-identification

2001

% of U.S. pop. self-

identification 2001

% weekly church attendance this

denom. 2001

% of U.S. pop. in attendance at

this denom. during a given

week

Mormon/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2,697,000 1.30% 71% 0.92%Non-denominational Christians 2,489,000 1.20% 61% 0.73%

Church of Christ 2,593,000 1.20% 58% 0.72%

Episcopal/Anglican 3,451,000 1.70% 30% 0.50%

Assemblies of God 1,106,000 0.50% 69% 0.37%Congregational/United Church of Christ 1,378,000 0.70% * 30% 0.20%


Next Week’s Lesson

Other Religions


Passion of the Christ –Series Introduction Friday March 6th 7:00 pm Mac Pyles

A film detailing the final hours and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.


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Catholics & Protestants