Catholics are a denomination, or rather Catholicism is. It is one of, if not the oldest denomination. Catholicism is a "high liturgy church" meaning they regularly practice set rituals and ceremonies along a church calendar- they (the rituals and ceremonies) are intended to deepen and make more rich the worship experience. For many people the rituals and ceremonies become items on a checklist, and fail to enrichen the worship and relationship with Christ.YoDude wrote:What's the difference between the Christians and the Catholics? Yo-
The original intent was to draw people closer to Christ our savior.
Other denominations- Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, and some Baptists, are also high liturgy churches. Most of them splintered off of Catholicism, for any number of theological and doctrinal differences.
In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the catholic church door and was excommunicated for it and his subsequent refusal to recant. He disagreed publicly with several extra-biblical practices which had nothing to do with a persons relationship with Christ or salvation, but were developed by greedy priests and bishops intent on keeping the poor masses poor and uninformed. I.e. the purchase of indulgences, the conduction of services in latin,( a language no-one spoke or understood except the priests.) doctrines on baptism for the dead, communion, and others.
The church that's we the followers of Christ are called the church universal - or in latin the "catholic church".
People who believe in Jesus Christ and follow him are called Christians no matter what denomination they worship in. What it takes to be a Christian is recognizing our own sin, (Self ish ness) Accepting that Christ is fully God, Who became a man. Lived a sinless life. Died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and on the third day arose from the dead. I/we are unable to earn or work our way into heaven, All we are able to do is accept the gift we've been given and live lives showing our appreciation in response to the gift.
I know I'll see heaven, and I hope to hear "well done good and faithful servant", in spite of the life I've lived.
Today there a many Christian churches, which fall under the "protestant" label, but are not liturgical at all. The "E free" or Evangelical free churches, and many non-denominational bible churches fit here. Some have great biblical doctrine and theology, others not so much.
