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Honest answers
What is the difference between Catholic and Christian?
Answer
Catholics are Christians. Christian means a follower of Jesus Christ, and Catholicism is one large tradition within Christianity, alongside Protestant and Orthodox traditions. So it is not one versus the other. Being Catholic is one way of being Christian, sharing the same center in Jesus.
“John 17:21” the Bible points here. Read more Scripture.
At a glance
| Topic | What is the difference between Catholic and Christian? |
|---|---|
| Scripture anchor | John 17:21 |
| Scripture text used | King James Version, Public domain |
| Language of this page | English |
| Authorship of this page | Written in English by The Living Bread |
The Scripture this answer points to
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:21
Quoted from the King James Version, read from the stored text and never typed from memory.
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. Readers most often set these passages beside John 17:21.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
- Colossians 3:11: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
- John 17:11: And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
- 1 Corinthians 12:25-27: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
- Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
- John 13:35: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Questions people ask
Where does this answer come from?
It is a short, honest answer in plain words, grounded in John 17:21. It is not the last word. The last word belongs to Scripture and to Christ.
Can I talk with someone about this question?
Yes. On The Living Bread you can ask the family of God to pray with you, free and without an account, and a real person will pray for you by name.
Where should I read more?
Begin with John 17:21 in your own Bible, then read the related questions below. Test everything against Scripture.
Take one step this week
- Read John 17:21 slowly in your own Bible, twice.
- Tell one trusted person what you are asking, and listen to what they say.
- Pray one honest sentence about it today, in your own words.
How this page is made
This answer was written by The Living Bread in plain words and grounded in Scripture. Scripture is read from the King James Version (Public domain), never typed from memory. Cross references come from OpenBible.info (CC BY). If something here is wrong, write to support@living-bread.org and we will correct it.
Take the next step
You do not have to sort this out alone. On The Living Bread you can ask the family to pray with you, ask Simon anything about faith, read the Word, and find a church near you.
