Catholic vs. Non-denominational
A side-by-side comparison of Catholic and Non-denominational teaching on 16 questions, from Scripture and salvation to baptism, communion and church government.
Catholic
The Catholic Church is the largest Christian body, led by the pope as bishop of Rome and organized around the seven sacraments. It traces its line of bishops to the apostles and teaches that Scripture and Sacred Tradition together carry God’s revelation.
Non-denominational
Non-denominational churches are independent congregations with no formal denominational parent. Most are evangelical, centered on the Bible and personal faith in Christ, but each sets its own doctrine and style, so practice varies more here than in any other group.
At a glance
Where they differ: Authority: Scripture and tradition; Books of the Bible; How a person is saved; Baptism; Communion (the Lord’s Supper); Sacraments or ordinances; Church government; Mary and the saints; Death, purgatory and hell; Style of worship.
Varies within one or both: Can a saved person fall away?; Predestination and free will; Clergy and women in ministry; The Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts.
Where they agree: The Trinity; Day of worship.
Side by side
| Question | Catholic | Non-denominational |
|---|---|---|
| Authority: Scripture and traditionDiffer | Scripture and Sacred Tradition together form one deposit of faith. The Magisterium, the teaching office of the pope and bishops, interprets both authoritatively. | The Bible is the final authority, and each congregation interprets it for itself. Most hold to biblical inerrancy in some form. |
| Books of the BibleDiffer | 73 books: the 66 Protestant books plus seven deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees) and additions to Esther and Daniel. | 66 books. |
| The TrinityAgree | One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Spirit is said to proceed from the Father and the Son (the filioque clause added to the Nicene Creed in the West). | Almost always Trinitarian, though statements of faith are set by each church. |
| How a person is savedDiffer | Salvation is God’s gift, received through faith and baptism. The believer cooperates with grace through works of love, and the sacraments are the ordinary channels of that grace. Justification is understood as a real inner renewal, not only a declaration. | Usually teaches salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, received by a personal decision to trust him. Details are set by each church. |
| Can a saved person fall away?Varies | Yes. A person can lose the grace of God through mortal sin, and it is restored through repentance and the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). | Varies by church. Many teach eternal security, and others teach that salvation can be lost. |
| Predestination and free willVaries | God knows and wills the salvation of the elect, and human free will genuinely cooperates with grace. The church condemns the view that God predestines anyone to damnation. | Varies by church. Some are Calvinist and many are Arminian or take no stand. |
| BaptismDiffer | A sacrament that cleanses original sin and begins new life in Christ. Infants are baptized, usually by pouring water, and adults are baptized after instruction. | Usually believer’s baptism by immersion, as a public witness. A few churches baptize infants or allow other modes. |
| Communion (the Lord’s Supper)Differ | The Eucharist. Bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation), and the whole Christ is truly present under their appearance. | Usually a memorial ordinance, observed as often as each church chooses. |
| Sacraments or ordinancesDiffer | Seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders and marriage. | Two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. |
| Church governmentDiffer | Governed by bishops in communion with the pope, who is the successor of Peter and holds universal authority. Priests serve under bishops. | Each church governs itself, generally under a pastor or a board of elders. |
| Clergy and women in ministryVaries | Priests and bishops must be men, and priests in the Latin Church are celibate. Women serve as religious sisters, teachers and lay leaders, but not as ordained clergy. | Varies by church. Many limit pastors to men and others welcome women in leadership. |
| Mary and the saintsDiffer | Mary is honored as Mother of God, and Catholics pray to her and the saints to intercede. Catholic teaching includes the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption and Mary’s perpetual virginity. | Mary is honored as the mother of Jesus. Non-denominational churches do not pray to saints. |
| Death, purgatory and hellDiffer | Those who die in grace but are not fully purified go through purgatory before heaven. The living pray for the dead. Hell is eternal separation from God. | Believers go to be with Christ at death and unbelievers face judgment. There is no purgatory. |
| Style of worshipDiffer | Highly liturgical. The Mass follows a set order, with readings, a homily and the Eucharist at the center. Worship uses vestments, incense and candles on many occasions. | Free-form and often contemporary, with a band, a sermon and modern arrangements. Each church sets its own style. |
| The Holy Spirit and spiritual giftsVaries | The Spirit works through the sacraments, and the church recognizes gifts (charisms) of healing and prophecy. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, begun in 1967, welcomes tongues, but it is not the norm. | Varies. Some non-denominational churches are charismatic and others hold that miraculous gifts have ceased. |
| Day of worshipAgree | Sunday, the day of the resurrection. Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days. | Sunday, with some churches also offering Saturday evening services. |
| Best known for | Papal authority, the seven sacraments, the Mass, Marian devotion and a worldwide network of schools, hospitals and charities. | Independence, contemporary worship, a focus on personal faith and the Bible, and rapid growth as a share of American churchgoers. |
“Agree” means the two traditions take the same broad position, although the wording above may still note finer differences. “Varies” means at least one of the two is itself divided on the question, so no single position can be given. These summaries describe typical teaching, and individual churches may vary. For an authoritative statement, consult each denomination’s own confessions.
Learn more on this site
- The Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture
- The Reliability of Scripture
- The Canon
- Textual Variants and "Lost Books" (Gnostic Gospels, Apocrypha)
- What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
- Grace
- Justification
- Baptism
- Catholic Church
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- What Does the Bible Say About Heaven?
- What Does the Bible Say About Hell?
- What Does the Bible Say About Judgment Day?
- What Does the Bible Say About Worship?
- The Trinity
- The Deity of Christ
- Sabbath
More comparisons
Catholic
Non-denominational
- Eastern Orthodox vs. Non-denominational
- Lutheran vs. Non-denominational
- Presbyterian / Reformed vs. Non-denominational
- Anglican / Episcopal vs. Non-denominational
- Methodist vs. Non-denominational
- Baptist vs. Non-denominational
- Anabaptist / Mennonite vs. Non-denominational
- Pentecostal vs. Non-denominational
- Seventh-day Adventist vs. Non-denominational
- Church of Christ vs. Non-denominational