The Christian Church: Catholic and Protestant

The Christian Church

Christianity began with the life and teaching of Jesus, and Christians believe the Church itself was born at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to the first disciples. In its early years the faith spread widely, helped by figures such as St Paul, whose letters became part of the New Testament, and it reached Ireland through St Patrick. All Christians share central beliefs, above all in one God who is three persons, the Trinity, and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Over the centuries the Western Church divided: the Reformation of the sixteenth century led to the growth of the Protestant Churches alongside the Roman Catholic Church. Today the two traditions share the core of the faith but differ in how the Church is led and organised. This module covers how the Church began and grew, and how the Catholic and Protestant traditions compare, treating both fairly.

Church words

Learn what each of these means before you use it.

Catholic and Protestant

Two Christian traditions that share the core of the faith but are led differently. Read both fairly.

How to compare two traditions fairly

When you study two Christian traditions, describe them fairly rather than judging one against the other. Both Catholics and Protestants are Christians who share the central beliefs: one God in three persons, the life and teaching of Jesus, and the Bible as scripture. The differences are mostly about authority and practice, such as who leads the Church and how worship is organised. In an answer, set out what each tradition believes or does, give the reason behind it, and note where they agree as well as where they differ. Treating both with accuracy and respect is what a strong and fair answer looks like.

Match the term to its meaning

The birth of the Church

Christians often call one event the birth of the Church, when they believe the Holy Spirit came to the first disciples. What is this event called?

• Pentecost
• the Reformation
• ordination
• the creed

Shared beliefs

Select the TWO beliefs that Catholics and Protestants share.

• Belief in one God in three persons, the Trinity
• Belief in the life and teaching of Jesus
• That the Pope leads every Christian Church in the world
• That there is no God at all

The persons of the Trinity

Christians believe in one God in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This belief is called the Trinity. How many persons are there in the Trinity?

Order the story of the Church

Put these events in the story of the Christian Church in order, earliest first.

• Jesus teaches and gathers his first followers
• At Pentecost the Holy Spirit comes and the Church begins
• St Paul travels widely and helps spread Christianity
• Centuries later the Reformation divides the Western Church

Complete the church facts

Christians believe the Church began at _____, when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples. The worldwide Catholic Church is led by the _____. The movement of the sixteenth century from which the Protestant Churches grew was the _____. The ceremony that makes someone a priest or a minister is called _____.

Match the role to the church

Spot the true church facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true.

• Catholics and Protestants are both Christians
• The Reformation led to the growth of the Protestant Churches
• The Pope leads every Protestant congregation
• Pentecost is the name of a Christian creed

Answer fairly

Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.

• You must describe what Catholics and Protestants have in common. Which is a fair and accurate statement?
• A question asks who leads the worldwide Catholic Church. What is the answer?
• You are asked to explain how the Reformation changed the Church. What is accurate?

Explain the Christian Church

A friend is studying Religious Studies and asks about the Christian Church and how the Catholic and Protestant traditions relate. Explain the Christian Church, Catholic and Protestant.

• Explain how Christians believe the Church began, mentioning Pentecost
• Explain what the Reformation was and what it led to
• Describe one leadership role in the Catholic Church and one in a Protestant Church
• Explain two beliefs that Catholics and Protestants share
• Finish by explaining why it is important to describe both traditions fairly and respectfully