What are the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church that distinguish it from other Christian churches? Whole books have been written on this subject, but a sampling of the doctrines will be outlined here.

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Roman Catholicism The bishops, with the pope as their head, rule the universal Church. God has entrusted revelation to the bishops. The pope is infallible in his teaching. Scripture and Tradition together are the Word of God. Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participated with Christ in the painful act of redemption. Mary is the co-mediator, to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions. Initial justification is by means of baptism. Adults must prepare for justification through faith and good works. Grace is merited by good works. Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments. No one can know if he will attain to eternal life. The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation. Christ's body and blood exist wholly and entirely in every fragment of consecrated bread and wine in every Roman Catholic church around the world. The sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in the sacrifice of the Mass. Each sacrifice of the Mass appeases God's wrath against sin. The sacrificial work of redemption is continually carried out through the sacrifice of the Mass.

Biblical Teaching Christ, the head of the body, rules the universal church (Colossians 1:18). God has entrusted revelation to the saints (Jude 3). God alone is infallible (Numbers 23:19; Acts 17:11). Scripture alone is the Word of God (John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Mark 7:1-13). Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin (1 Peter 1:18,19). Christ Jesus is the one mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions (1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:13,14; 1 Peter 5:7). Justification is by faith alone (Romans 3:28). God justifies ungodly sinners who believe (Romans 4:5). Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause (Ephesians 2:8-10). Grace is a free gift (Romans 11:6). Salvation is attained by grace through faith apart from works (Ephesians 2:10). The believer can know that he has eternal life by the Word of God and the testimony of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers (1 John 5:13; Romans 8:16). There is salvation in no one but the Lord Jesus Christ, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The bread and wine are symbols of the body and blood of Christ, and He is bodily present in heaven (1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Hebrews 10:12,13). The sacrifice of the cross is finished (John 19:30). The once-for-all sacrifice of the cross fully appeased God's wrath against sin (Hebrews 10:12-18). The sacrificial work of redemption was finished when Christ gave His life for us on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 1:3).

These doctrines don’t date back all the way to Constantine, except for perhaps in seed form, but were slowly adopted over many years as various popes issued decrees. In many cases, the doctrines are not even based on Scripture but on a document of the church. Most Roman Catholics consider themselves to be Christians and are unaware of the differences between their beliefs and the Bible. Sadly, the Roman Catholic Church has fostered that ignorance by discouraging the personal study of the Bible and making the people reliant on the priests for their understanding of the Bible.