Protestant vs Evangelical Christianity
Protestant names the broad family of churches that trace their origins to the 16th-century Reformation. Evangelical names one movement inside that family, and Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity. At Find A Prayer, we write for readers who want to know whether these two words name the same thing in church life. The two traditions overlap on several points.
Both teach that people are saved by grace through faith. Both hold Scripture as the final authority, and both use Bibles of 66 books. Neither has a pope.
The Difference Between Protestant and Evangelical
Protestant is the broad name for a family of churches, and Evangelical is the name of one movement within that family. Protestantism traces its origins to the 16th-century Reformation. The date 1517, when Martin Luther published his Ninety-five Theses, is commonly used as its starting point.
Lutheran, Reformed and Presbyterian, Anglican and Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal churches are all Protestant churches, among others. The Protestant family also varies internally. Its churches are governed by bishops in some cases, by elders in some, and by the local congregation in others.
Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity, and it has no single head or governing body. Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity. Many Protestants are not part of the movement.
Historian David Bebbington identified four marks of Evangelicalism: biblicism, crucicentrism, conversionism, and activism. In German, evangelisch means Protestant in general, which differs from the English use of Evangelical for one movement.
What Protestant Christianity Teaches and Practices
Protestants teach that Scripture is the final authority for faith and life, a principle often called sola scriptura, Latin for Scripture alone. Protestant Bibles contain 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Evangelical Bibles also contain 66 books.
Protestants also teach that people are made right with God by grace through faith, a principle often called sola fide, Latin for faith alone. Evangelicals hold the same teaching on grace through faith, which is one of the points the two traditions share. Protestant churches have no pope, and Protestants do not look to one worldwide head.
Protestantism is one of the main branches of Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Protestant worship ranges from liturgical services with set prayers, as in many Lutheran and Anglican churches, to services with little set liturgy, as in many Baptist and nondenominational churches. The term mainline Protestant is commonly used for denominations such as the United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Episcopal churches.
What the Evangelical Movement Teaches and Practices
The word Evangelical comes from the Greek word euangelion, which means good news or gospel. Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity, and it has no single head or governing body. Historian David Bebbington identified four marks of Evangelicalism.
Biblicism gives high regard to the Bible. Crucicentrism focuses on Christ's death on the cross. Conversionism names the need for personal conversion.
Activism names sharing the Gospel. Evangelicals emphasize being born again, a phrase drawn from John 3:3, and a personal relationship with Jesus. Evangelicals often hold that conversion is a decisive personal turning to Christ, and they share the Gospel as a calling of every believer.
Evangelicals emphasize Scripture as the final authority, and Evangelical Bibles contain 66 books. Evangelical worship often includes extended preaching, congregational singing, and prayer, with the sermon a central part of the service. Evangelicalism is found in Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Reformed, and nondenominational churches, among others.
Evangelicals are also found in mainline denominations, as well as in Evangelical denominations and independent churches. The National Association of Evangelicals was founded in the United States in 1942. The Southern Baptist Convention is one large Evangelical denomination in the United States.
Governance, Baptism and the Lord's Supper Across Both Traditions
Protestant churches are governed in different ways: by bishops in some, by elders in some, and by the local congregation in others. Evangelicalism has no single governing body. Many Evangelical churches are independent and nondenominational, and each congregation governs itself.
Protestants baptize infants in some denominations, such as Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches. They baptize only believers who profess faith in others, such as Baptist churches. Most Evangelical churches practice believer's baptism for people who profess faith, though some Evangelical denominations baptize infants.
Most Protestant churches recognize two rites instituted by Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Some call them sacraments and others call them ordinances. Evangelicals vary on baptism, the Lord's Supper, women in ministry, and the end times, and they often regard those as matters on which Evangelicals can differ.
Protestant clergy may marry. Whether women may serve as pastors varies by denomination. Evangelicals also vary on women in ministry.
A reader comparing practices across the two should expect variation inside each. Protestant denominations differ from one another, and Evangelicals differ on several practices.
Who This Is Not For
A pastor or minister in the tradition a reader is considering can explain the reasons that tradition gives for its positions. A reader who wants to know how one particular church worships, baptizes, or handles women in ministry should ask that church's pastor or minister. Protestant worship ranges widely, and Evangelicals vary on several practices, and one congregation may not match the general pattern.
Both traditions hold Scripture as the final authority and use 66-book Bibles. Baptism, the Lord's Supper, worship style and women in ministry are four practices that vary. Each one is a fair question to bring to a pastor or minister, who can answer for a specific congregation.
What Would Change This Recommendation
The choice between the two words depends on what the reader is looking for. A reader who wants the broad family, with worship that ranges from set liturgy to little set liturgy, should start with Protestant.
A reader who wants the movement marked by personal conversion, extended preaching and sharing the Gospel should start with Evangelical. A reader who wants infant baptism can look at Protestant denominations that baptize infants, such as Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches.
Protestant vs Evangelical: at a glance
| Factor | Protestant | Evangelical |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Traces origins to the 16th-century Reformation | A movement within Protestant Christianity |
| Final authority | Scripture is the final authority for faith and life | Scripture is the final authority |
| Books in the Bible | 66 books: 39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament | 66 books |
| Salvation | Made right with God by grace through faith (sola fide) | Grace through faith, with emphasis on being born again |
| Governance | No pope; bishops in some churches, elders in some, the local congregation in others | No single head or governing body; many churches are independent |
| Baptism | Infants in some denominations; believers only in others, such as Baptist churches | Mostly believer's baptism; some Evangelical denominations baptize infants |
| Women as pastors | Varies by denomination | Evangelicals vary on women in ministry |
| Worship | Ranges from liturgical services with set prayers to little set liturgy | Often includes extended preaching, congregational singing, and prayer, with the sermon central |
Verdict: Protestant vs Evangelical
Choose Protestant if you want the broad family of churches that trace their origins to the 16th-century Reformation, with worship that ranges from set liturgy to little set liturgy. Choose Evangelical if you want the movement marked by personal conversion, extended preaching and sharing the Gospel. This answer rests on each tradition's own published teaching, as compiled by our editorial team, and it is not based on a product test.
If infant baptism matters to you, look to Protestant denominations such as Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist or Anglican churches. Our Catholic vs Protestant guide is the next page to read.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Protestant and Evangelical?
Protestant names the broad family of churches that trace their origins to the 16th-century Reformation, while Evangelical names a movement inside that family. Historian David Bebbington identified four marks of the movement: biblicism, crucicentrism, conversionism, and activism. Those marks cover a high regard for the Bible, a focus on Christ's death on the cross, the need for personal conversion, and sharing the Gospel. Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity, and many Protestants are not part of it.
Are all Protestants Evangelical?
No. Protestantism is a family of churches that includes Lutheran, Reformed and Presbyterian, Anglican and Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal churches, among others, and Evangelicalism is one movement within that family. Protestants teach that Scripture is the final authority, a principle often called sola scriptura, and that people are made right with God by grace through faith, often called sola fide. Evangelicals also hold Scripture as the final authority. Protestant worship ranges from liturgical services with set prayers to services with little set liturgy. A pastor or minister can explain where a particular congregation stands.
Are all Evangelicals Protestant?
Yes. Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity. The movement has no single head or governing body. It is found in Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Reformed, and nondenominational churches, among others, and Evangelicals are also found in mainline denominations such as the United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Episcopal churches. Evangelical Bibles contain 66 books, the same count as Protestant Bibles. Many Evangelical churches are independent, and each congregation governs itself. In German, evangelisch means Protestant in general, which is a broader term than the English Evangelical.
Is Evangelical a denomination?
No. Evangelical is not one denomination. It is a movement within Protestant Christianity that spans several denominations and many independent churches. The Southern Baptist Convention is one large Evangelical denomination in the United States. The National Association of Evangelicals was founded in the United States in 1942. Evangelicalism has no single head or governing body, and many Evangelical churches are independent and nondenominational, with each congregation governing itself.
Are Methodists, Lutherans and Presbyterians Evangelical?
Evangelicals are found in mainline denominations such as the United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Episcopal churches. Evangelicalism is found in Methodist churches, and Evangelicals are also found in mainline denominations such as the United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Episcopal churches. The mainline Protestant term is commonly used for those denominations. Evangelicals are found there as well as in Evangelical denominations and independent churches. A pastor or minister is the right person to ask about one church.
What does born again mean for Evangelicals?
For Evangelicals, born again is a phrase drawn from John 3:3. Evangelicals emphasize being born again and having a personal relationship with Jesus. They often hold that conversion is a decisive personal turning to Christ. Among the four marks Bebbington identified, conversionism names the need for personal conversion. Activism, another of the four marks, names sharing the Gospel, which Evangelicals hold as a calling of every believer. Evangelical churches vary on baptism, the Lord's Supper, women in ministry, and the end times, but the emphasis on being born again is part of the movement's teaching.
Do Protestants and Evangelicals use the same Bible?
Yes. Protestant Bibles and Evangelical Bibles both contain 66 books. Protestant Bibles contain 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Protestants teach that Scripture is the final authority for faith and life, a principle often called sola scriptura, Latin for Scripture alone. Evangelicals also emphasize Scripture as the final authority. The shared count is one of the points where the two words overlap. A reader who wants to know how a specific church uses its Bible in worship or teaching should ask that church's pastor or minister.
Is Baptist Protestant or Evangelical?
Baptist churches are Protestant, and Evangelicalism is also found in Baptist churches. Baptist churches are named among the Protestant churches, and the Southern Baptist Convention is one large Evangelical denomination in the United States. Baptists baptize only believers who profess faith, while some Protestant denominations, such as Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches, baptize infants. Many Baptist churches use services with little set liturgy.