During the 16th century church reformers had significant issues with the Roman Catholic Church. A schism happened and such Christians and Church that differed from the Roman Church became know as Protestant Churches.

Protestants Churches share the same or similar creeds and principles as the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The main differences are that:

The Protestant goes directly to the Word of God for instruction, and straight to God in devotions; whilst the Roman Catholic consults the teaching of his church, and prefers to offer prayers through the medium of the Virgin Mary and the saints.

From this general principle of Evangelical freedom, and direct individual relationship of the believer to Christ, proceed the three fundamental doctrines of Protestantism

The first objective principle proclaims the canonical Scriptures, especially the New Testament to be the only infallible source and rule of faith and practice, and asserts the right of private interpretation of the same, in distinction from the Roman Catholic view, which declares the Bible and tradition to be co-ordinate sources and rule of faith, and makes tradition, especially the decrees of popes and councils, the only legitimate and infallible interpreter of the Bible.

Protestantism, however, by no means despises or rejects church authority, but only subordinates it to, and measures its value by, the Bible, and believes in a progressive interpretation of the Bible through the expanding and deepening consciousness of the Christian Church. This is why besides having its own symbols or standards of public doctrine, it retained all the articles of the ancient creeds and a large amount of disciplinary and ritual tradition, and rejected only those doctrines and ceremonies for which no clear warrant was found in the Bible and which seemed to contradict its letter or spirit.

The Calvinistic branches of Protestantism went further in their antagonism to the received traditions than the Lutheran and the Anglican; but all united in rejecting the authority of the pope.

Protestants also rejected the meritoriousness of good works, indulgences, the worship of the Virgin Mary, prayers to the saints, holy relics (although many Charismatic groups have revived this through prayer cloths and other such practices that believe the anointing can be transferred), the sacraments (other than baptism and the Eucharist), the dogma of transubstantiation and the Sacrifice of the Mass, purgatory, and prayers for the dead, auricular confession, celibacy of the clergy, the monastic system, and the use of the Latin tongue in public worship, for which the vernacular languages were substituted.

The subjective principle of the Reformation is justification by faith alone, or, rather, by free grace through true faith demonstrates itself in good works. It has reference to the personal appropriation of the Christian salvation, and aims to give all glory to Christ, by declaring that the sinner is justified before God (i.e. is acquitted of guilt, and declared righteous) solely on the ground of the all-sufficient merits of Christ as apprehended by a living faith, in opposition to the theory — then prevalent, and substantially sanctioned by the Council of Trent — which makes faith and good works co-ordinate sources of justification, laying the chief stress upon works.

Protestantism does not depreciate good works; but it denies their value as sources or conditions of justification, and insists on them as the necessary fruits of faith, and evidence of justification.

The universal priesthood of believers implies the right and duty of the Christian laity not only to read the Bible in the vernacular, but also to take part in the government and all the public affairs of the Church. It is opposed to the hierarchical system, which puts the essence and authority of the Church in an exclusive priesthood, and makes ordained priests the necessary mediators between God and the people".

After nearly four centuries of existence, Protestantism in Europe is still the religion of millions, but it is no more the original Protestantism. The Protestant Church has fragmented. Although reasons and even excuses may be offered, it is a source of sadness for many contemporary Protestants that this has happened. This perhaps explains the rise of ecumenicalism where Protestant Churches are increasingly working together as they find they have much in common in both values and beliefs and the differences of yesteryear are usually not obstacles to prevent churches working together.