What is a Protestant?

Answer

A Protestant is a Christian who belongs to one of the many branches of Christianity that have developed from the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517. Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses “protested” against teachings and traditions in the Roman Catholic Church that were considered unbiblical, leading many Europeans to support his protest. New churches were established outside the control of the Catholic Church. The primary movements within the Protestant Reformation include the Lutheran Church and the Presbyterian Church (largely associated with John Knox). Some consider the Anabaptist or Free Church movement to be part of Protestantism, while others classify the Anabaptists as an independent group altogether.

Among present-day Protestant groups, a wide variety of denominations have emerged in both the U.S. and abroad. Some of the larger Protestant groups in the U.S. include the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Churches (multiple denominations), and many others.

The early Protestant churches shared common beliefs known as the five solas. The five solas emphasize faith alone, Christ alone, grace alone, Scripture alone, and God’s glory alone. These five solas highlight the following points:

First, Protestants uphold the Holy Bible as the ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice. While the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the authority of the pope and sacred tradition, and the Orthodox Church accepts sacred tradition while rejecting the authority of the pope, Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”), emphasizing God’s inspired words in the Bible as the perfect authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17;2 Peter 1:20-21).

Second, Protestants adhere to faith alone apart from works. ThThe Roman Catholic Church teaches seven sacraments and often mentions works as part of an individual’s salvation. However, Ephesians 2:8–9 clearly states that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Third, Protestants uphold living for God’s glory alone. While Roman Catholicism agrees with this concept, it is frequently linked with obedient loyalty to the Church and its leaders. In contrast, Protestants believe in the priesthood of every believer, as declared in 1 Peter 2:9: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Protestants reject the Catholic priesthood system and instead pledge allegiance to God alone, acknowledging the giftedness of every follower of Jesus Christ (Romans 12;1 Corinthians 12:1-8).

While there is considerable diversity among present-day Protestants, the original Protestant movement highlighted a liberated church that worshipped Christ and concentrated on the fundamental teachings of the Bible concerning Jesus, Scripture, salvation, and God’s glory.