Catholics and Protestants: What's the Difference?

Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God’s revelation, and it teaches all that is necessary for our salvation, and the Bible is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured. This belief is called “sola scriptura” and is one of the “five solas” that came out of the Protestant Reformation.  2 Timothy 3: 16-17 KJV STATES:  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  The five solas are as follows: 1) Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone") 2) Sola fide (by faith alone) 3) Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")  4) Sola Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”) 5) Soli Deo Gloria (“glory to God alone”).

According to the Catholic Faith, the Pope is the “Vicar of Christ” (or substitute), and the Pope has the ability to speak with authority on matters of faith and practice, and he is infallible.  Catholics rely on apostolic succession as a way of establishing the Pope’s authority.  While Catholicism teaches that only the Catholic Church can properly interpret the Bible.   Protestants, however, believe that the Bible teaches: God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all born-again believers, enabling all believers to understand the message of the Bible.  The authority of the pope is said to come from the following scripture:  Matthew 18:18 KJV:  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.