Roman Catholics and Protestants

**Justification by faith** – Christ’s sacrifice atoned for all sins, and it is only necessary to believe in it to be saved

**Lutheran**

**Both faith and good works** (acts of devotion, charity, sacraments, etc.) are requisite for salvation

**Catholic**

The **priesthood of all believers** have equal access to God and no other earthly intermediates are needed.

Lutheran

**Priesthood** is vital as only the priest can perform the sacraments required for spiritual health and correctly interpret the meaning of the Scripture

**Catholic**

The **scriptures** are the only source of the true doctrine; studying and understanding the scriptures are therefore important to all the believers.

Lutherain

The **scripture** is only one way in revealing the doctrine, the decisions  of the Church councils, encyclicals from the pope, tradition etc. are all part of it

Catholic

**The Lord’s Supper is symbolic** and the body and blood of Christ are not physically present

**Lutheran**

The Eucharist is a mystery in which the sacrifice of Christ is reenacted; the bread and wine become spiritual

Catholic

**No heavenly intermediaries** are needed to intercede with God

**Lutheran**

Although **the saints and angels** should not be worshipped, their intercession is valuable and crucial to help Christians achieve salvation.

Catholic

**The Bible documents only two sacraments:** baptism and the Lord’s Supper (so-called to distinguish the Protestant practice from the Catholic Eucharist).

**Lutheran**

There are seven sacraments.

Catholic