I notice there are four types of people when dealing with the subject of Christian denominations.

1. One group would call themselves a specific denomination and tends to be distant and even act hostile towards those in a different denomination.

2. One group would say they belong in a specific Christian denomination. Yet they have no knowledge of how are they distinct compared to the other denominations, but claim to be part of it because they are “raised that way.”

3. Another group would say that they are “Christian, and just plainly Christian or Christ follower” For the sake of unity, they drop the idea of denominations, or call themselves non-denominational Christians.

4.Finally, my position, which is the idea of being interdenominational.




My position is that I can have a denominational affiliation but can still fellowship with other affiliations peacefully, united as Christians. We agree on the essential indisputable doctrines in Christianity, like the cross, the trinity, salvation by grace through faith, etc, and these are nonnegotiable truths and the core beliefs of Christianity. However, we can disagree and discuss about secondary doctrine differences, like how to do church or beliefs in Eschatology, etc. 




Nevertheless, denominations SHOULD NOT be used as a dividing point, but as diversity. I personally believe that denominations are important in terms of their theology. I think understanding the distinctive beliefs of different denominations can force a person to think about one’s theological position; on which ideology is closest to one’s stance. One should not claim that they are affiliated to a denomination because they were raised that way and yet know nothing about their beliefs. I also disagree with the idea of non-denominationalism, which can be rather lax in making a stance of position in secondary doctrines (It varies among non-denominations, but there are churches who use the term like this) . This prevents the discussion of theology and the history and the traditions that made the church how it is today, just for the sake of unity of the church. If one does come to a non-denominational church, and realized that one’s position is different to the church’s dominant position with no discussion about the differences, it frustrates the churchgoer. Finally, no discussion of theology can be risky in 2 ways: 1) Accusing those that believe differently on secondary issues to be heresy, and 2) Allow those that are false in doctrine to be seen as sound doctrine.




I decided to do an extensive but unprofessional research project on the beliefs of different denominations. When studying about denominations, I have to admit, it was rather confusing to organize the groups out, since there are denominations that have sub-denominations, and within subdivisions, there are minor splits. To make things easier, I split them into these groups: Anglicans/Episcopalians, Lutherans, Anabaptist, Baptist, Brethren (Pietism), Reformed Churches, Methodists, the Holiness Movement, Pentecostals, and the Restoration Movement. Some of these groups will be clarified with some of their sub-denominations. 




There are a few "denominations" that I left out intentionally (Remember, this project is unprofessional):




1. Adventism: Avoided due to strange theology and prophesy, plus can’t distinguish the difference between Seventh-day Adventism and original Adventism, since (7th days) are the most prominent Adventists today. Seventh day Adventists are considered to be cults.




2. Puritans: Basically seen as English Presbyterians with influence of pietism (explained later on)




3. Nondenominational…denominations: It varies a lot on what they believe, plus it is oxymoronic to talk about denominations that are nondenominational. I even simplified the “Restoration Movement” section because of the same reason.




4. Pre-reformation “denominations”: They are more known as movements rather than denominations, but influenced the reformation.




5. Cults or unorthodox Christians: We need to distinguish the differences between cults and Christian denominations. Cults are those who dispute the essential doctrines of Christianity. Basically, they are not Christians. These include Seventh-Day Adventist, Christian Science, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarian Universalist, and some within denomination, like Oneness Pentecostals, ICOC, etc




6. Catholics and Eastern Orthodox: These are special cases because they should be considered Christian, but before the Reformation, there has been specific teachings that are considered unbiblical, like Transubstantiation, Purgatory, veneration of Mary and the Saints, etc. (This can be another lengthy discussion.)




After talking about all these denominations, I will talk about my position in these different groups of Christianity. I will also make some final points.
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Anglican/Episcopalian Church (Church of England)




Middle position between Catholicism and Protestantism
Separated from: Catholic Church (Rome)
Founders: King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, etc.
Distinctive beliefs:

• Reformed and Catholic traditions historically (still debating)
• *High Church (traditions and theology leaning Catholic)
• *Low Church (traditions and theology leaning Protestant)
• •Important foundations of the faith, other than the Bible: 
• The Homilies (reformed doctrine)
• the Book of Common Prayer (reformed doctrine)
• the 39 Articles
• Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral
• scripture holds all things necessary for salvation
• The creeds are sufficient statements of Christian faith
• Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism
• Historical episcopate is adapted (Episcopal governance)*Anglican Divines: Writers and Theologians, whose works are considered the standard of the faith.
• *R. Hooker’s concept of scripture as the primary foundation, reason and tradition are secondary authorities.
• Lex orandi, lex credendi (“the law of prayer is the law of belief").
• *Theology greatly varies within this denomination (depends on high church, low church beliefs)
• Worship tends to be more high church, or Catholic, in style and traditions (liturgy)
• Church Governance: Episcopal (governed by Bishops, deacons and priests)
• Sacrament Theology
• *Infant baptism is supported, but deny “rebaptism” (if baptized from a different church, no need for rebaptism)
• *Eucharist Theology varies in high church, low church, etc (consubstantiation, transubstantiation, memorialism). Deemed it a spiritual mystery.
• *Baptism and Holy Communion as key sacrament, while the other 5 of the 7 Catholic sacraments are secondary, including confirmation, penance order, matrimony, and the anointing of the sick.

Prominent Anglicans: J. I. Packer, N. T. Wright, C.S. Lewis, John Newton, etc
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Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Hussites)
Founder: Menno Simons, Jacob Amman, Radical Reformation
Excluded from: Catholicism and Luther’s Reformation
Similar to: Brethern
Distinctive Beliefs:

• •Beliefs based on eighteen articles from confession of faith signed at Dordrecht, Holland
• Faith in God as Creator
• Humanity’s fall and restoration at the coming of Christ
• Christ as the Son of God
• Obedience to Christ’s law in the gospel
• The necessity of repentance and conversion for salvation
• Baptism as a public testimony of faith
• Lord’s Supper as an expression of common union and fellowship
• Matrimony only among the spiritually kindred
• Obedience and respect for civil government, except in armed force
• Exclusion from the church and social ostracism of those who sin willfully
• Future reward for the faithful, punishment for the wicked
• •Known for being Pacifists
• •Priesthood of all believers
• •Lord Supper is served twice a year and Baptism is through pouring
• Salute each other with a kiss of peace and foot washing as an ordinance during the Lord’s Supper
• Rejects infant baptism, and are known to re-baptize those who had infant baptism (Anabaptism means re-baptism)
• •Rejection of state religion
• •Strictly follow the teachings of the New Testament
• Refuse to take oaths, oppose secret societies, etc

Prominent Anabaptists: Not Available
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Brethren (Schwarzenau Brethren) and Pietist Churches

Founder: Jakob Philip Spener, Alexander Mack, Philip Otterbein
Add on from: Lutheranism (specifically the reformation, not the denomination)
Influenced by: Pre-reformation churches (Morvian), Anabaptist
Prominent churches: Church of the Brethren
Similar to: Anabaptists
Distinctive beliefs:
•Wanted to reform morally and spiritually, when Luther reformed it doctrinally and liturgically.
•Wanted to be seen as a community of people who love God and one another.
•Piety is cultivated in prayer; study of scripture and through association with fellow believers.
•Do not emphasize rigid doctrinal standards, but on moral purity.
•Do not hold to creeds, but summarized beliefs in the Brethren Card.
•Early Pietists were separatists without a judgmental attitude. 
•Takes the New testament literally even to the extent of daily living
Refusing to take oaths or go to war, greet each other with a holy kiss, etc
•Anointing of oil to the sick
•Believes in non-resistance
•Love Feast (holy communion) instead of liturgical Eucharist 
Prominent Pietists/Brethren: Not available
NOTE: Schwarzenau Brethren and Anabaptist are very similar. There are other denominations that call themselves Brethren, but are NOT related to Schwarzenau Brethren.
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Lutherans

Broke from: Catholicism (although Luther wanted only reform, not split)
Prominent US Churches: Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod
Founders: Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon
Emphasized beliefs and practices:

• •Book of Concords: Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Augsburg Confession and other Confessions and Catechisms.
• •5 Solas (Other Protestants hold these, but Lutherans emphasize)
• ~Sola scriptura (by scripture alone)—scripture is infallible.
• ~Sola fida (by faith alone)—justification is by faith alone
• ~Sola gratia (by grace alone)—Salvation is by God’s grace alone
• ~Solo Christo (through Christ alone)—Christ is the only mediator between God and Man
• ~Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)
• •Emphasis on justification by faith alone, not through indulgences
• •Purpose of the Law
• ~To restrain external evil
• ~To show our sin
• ~To show God’s character and will as a rule and guide to holy living, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
• •Predestination
• ~Divine Monergism (Salvation is predestined by God for the elect, and not by human free will)
• ~Reject predestination to wrath, and that damnation is result of sin and rejection of Christ
• •Eschatology: Rejects any type of millennialism, any belief of Jesus’ thousand year reign on earth. 
• •Liturgical approach to worship (hymns, sacraments), some do have contemporary worship
• •Emphasized that Sacraments as the center of worship
• ~Baptism
• Both Infant and adult baptism
• As a means of grace~Holy Communion
• Real Presence-Sacramental Union
• “present in, with and under the forms” when partaking communion
• REJECTION of transubstantiation (bread and wine changes to Jesus’ Body) and consubstantiation (Specifically saying where Christ was metaphysically during communion).
• ~Other sacraments include Confirmation.
• •Church Governance: Presbyterian (governed by Presbyters or elders) or Episcopal (governed by Bishops)

Prominent Lutherans: H. George Anderson, Ralph A. Bohlmann, Johann Sebastian Bach, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, etc
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Baptists

Founders: Former Puritans John Smyth (General Baptists—Armenian Theology) and Henry Jacob (Particular Baptist—Calvinistic Theology)
Influenced by: Anabaptism
Prominent USA church: Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches 
Distinctive Beliefs:
•Acronym “B-A-P-T-I-S-T-S”
~Biblical authority
Bible as the final authority of beliefs and practice, not human opinion (even creeds are not final authority).
All people should be free to read, possess, and interpret scripture on their own.~Autonomy of the local churchSelf-governed church without outside human influences, like government, on practices and beliefs.
Autonomy does not mean “isolation”
Congregationalism type governing body~Priesthood of all believers
There is no human mediator between Man and God. Jesus is the mediator.
Every believer is a priest, and is responsible of understanding the Bible and its application.
All can have access to the Bible to possess, read, and interpret themselves, and can go to God directly in prayer and fellowship, without outside help or authority (Pope, hierarchy of priests)~Two ordinances (Believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper)
Not sacraments (actions necessary for salvation), but ordinances (symbols of obedience)
Believer’s baptism
*Full immersion of water after a person professes Jesus Christ to be Savior
*Do not practice Infant Baptism, because infants are not old enough to understand
*Baptism is a requirement for membership in Baptist church (Baptism from Baptist church)
*Baptism symbolizes the individual with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection
Lord’s Supper
*Holy Communion in remembrance of God’s sacrifice on the cross. 
*Against transubstantiation (bread and wine will literally turn to Jesus’ body)~Individual soul liberty
Each individual has the freedom to choose what belief is right (denomination or religion)
Choice of belief does not make it true, nor does it rid of the consequences.~Saved church membership (or Saved, Baptized church membership)
Members of the Baptist church must be saved (and baptized)
Those that are not saved (nor baptized) can still participate in church events~Two offices of the church (pastor and deacon)
Pastor, elder are the same in the view of the Baptist church.
Pastor typically serves as a spiritual leader, deacon serves as a church administrator
Qualifications may vary (usually based on the qualifications of an elder from 1 Timothy)
Pastors and Deacons are not seen with authority, but set apart as a servant of God.~Separation of Church and State
The church and the state are separate institutions, each with a different purpose given by God.
One cannot control the other(state religion, government-controlled church), but both hold each other accountable (Example: Enforce laws as the state position, lead in the direction of righteousness as the church position)
Dispute arises on how much action of accountability one has on the other.
•Four Freedoms (relating to above)
Soul freedom, church freedom, Bible freedom, religious freedom
•Holy Communion: Memorialism
•Varying beliefs within various Baptist churches
~Eschatology (End-Times Theology): Dispensationalism, premillennialism, postmillennialism, amillennialism
~Soteriology(Salvation theology): Calvinism (Predestination) vs. Arminianism (Free Will)
~Ordination of Women
~Etc…
Prominent Baptists: Charles Stanley, Adrian Rogers, Charles H. Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers, Billy Graham and Franklin Graham, Al Mohler, David Jeremiah, Alistair Begg, Jerry Farwell, etc
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Reformed Churches

(Includes: Presbyterians and Congregationalists)

Broke from: Catholicism
Founder/influences: John Calvin, John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli, Theodore Beza
Distinctive Beliefs:
•Calvinistic view of salvation (TULIP)
~Total Depravity
~Unconditional Election
~Limited Atonement
~Irresistible Grace
~Perseverance of the Saints
•Divine Monergism: Salvation is the work of God through predestination, not free will
•Double Predestination—eternal salvation and damnation were predetermined by God
•Emphasis on sovereignty of God
•Covenant theology—in the history between God and Man, the framework has been the covenant of redemption, of works, and of grace.
•Doctrines based from (Other than the Bible and the creeds):
~Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of the Synod of Dort
•Reformed Theology places more on understanding, learning, and doctrinal unity
•Worship:
~Regulative principle: Anything that is not in the Bible should be prohibited from worship.
~Worship focuses more on biblical exposition and preaching than music and sacraments
~Concerning musical instruments, the principle has been changed
•Rejected episcopacy (bishops), or the “divine right” for monarchs
•Baptism: infant baptism, sprinkling, pouring, immersion
•Holy Communion: Believe in Real Presence as pneumatic presence

Prominent Calvinists: John Macarthur, Steve Lawson, John Piper, C. J. Mahaney, R. C. Sproul, Mark Driscoll, Martin Lloyd Jones, John Piper, etc


Presbyterians

Part of: Reformed Churches
Prominent churches: Presbyterian Church (USA), Presbyterian Church of America
Distinctive beliefs:
•Same as Reformed
•In addition to other documents: Westminster Confession of Faith, Westminster Larger and small catechism, included in the book of confessions.
•Confessional tradition—doctrine as a community matter, not an individual matter
•Church governance: Presbyterianism (Councils of elder, minister, deacon)

Prominent Presbyterians: John Knox, Ligon Duncan, Wayne Grudem, Dr. D. James Kennedy, Tim Keller, Billy Sunday, etc





Congregationalists

Part of: Reformed Churches
Prominent church: United Church of Christ
Distinctive beliefs:

• Same as Reformed
• Early churches were known to be independents, or separatists
• Adult conversion is necessary for one to become a member
• Church governance: Congregationalism

Prominent Congregationalists: Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, T. A. Torrey, Dwight L. Moody, etc
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Methodists

Branched from: Anglican Church (originally a movement against apathy in the church)
Founder: John Wesley, Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, and others from the “Holy Club” of Oxford University
Influences: Pietism
Prominent church in the USA: United Methodist Church
Distinctive Beliefs and Practices:
•Most Methodists have Armenian (free will) view of salvation under Wesleyan theology
~Prevenient Grace and conditional perseverance of the saints included
~There are a number of Calvinistic Methodists, who follow the teachings of George Whitefield. (Mostly in Wales)
•3 works of Divine Grace:
~Prevenient Grace, Justifying Grace (conversion), Sanctifying Grace (sanctification)
•Authoritative document for Methodists (other than the Bible)
~Articles of Religion-basically Anglican’s 39 Articles, but excluding the Calvinistic parts
•Coming to Theological conclusions:
~Prima scriptura-The Bible is the “first” authority of the church, but can use other sources to be used as “lens” for interpretation of scripture and to come to theological conclusions. Other sources are not infallible compared to scripture.
~Methodist use the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as a framework for Prima scriptura:
scripture-Bible only (Highest authority)
Tradition-History, past church leaders, beliefs, customs, church fathers, etc
Reason-rational thinking and reasonable interpretation
Experience-personal journey in Christ
•Imparted righteousness
~After new birth, righteousness was imparted by God to enable Christians through the process of sanctification.
~J. Wesley believes both imputed and imparted righteousness work together.
~Imputed righteousness-God deemed Christians as righteous, after receiving the gift of salvation.
~NOT same with Infused righteousness (Catholic theology)
•Governmental view of atonement
~Christ suffered for humankind so that God could forgive humans apart from punishment while still maintaining divine justice.
•Christian perfection, or entire sanctification (see holiness movement below)
•Sacrament theology: Similar to Anglican
•Many of John Wesley’s doctrines were incorporated in Charles Wesley’s hymns
•Church governance: Varies (Episcopal, Presbyterian)

Prominent Methodists: Francis Asbury, George W. Bush, etc
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Holiness Movement
(DO NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE HIGHER LIFE MOVEMENT)

Branched off from: Methodism (Wesleyan teachings)
Founding teachings: John Wesley
Some denominations that are in this movement: Church of the Nazarene, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Wesleyan church, etc
Distinctive teachings:
•Regeneration by grace through faith
•Entire Sanctification as the second definite work of Grace (Christian perfection)
~“perfection” describes the process of sanctification and is grace-led to grow and reach the state of purity in intentions and fully devoted to put one’s mind towards Christ, freedom from willfully rebelling against God
~This is AFTER regeneration during the process of sanctification, not a cause for salvation
~This DOES NOT mean that one would be sinless, or that they no longer violate the will of God. We are still subject to temptation and involuntary sins, and we still pray for forgiveness.
•The assurance of salvation by the witness of the Holy Spirit
~An innate knowledge that the person is saved, as evidenced by the Holy Spirit
~Some may define this as evidence of spiritual gifts
•Living a holy life
~Motive is to strive and live a Christ-like life
~Still a supernatural work of God
•Tends to oppose Antinomianism, which states that God’s laws is done and away

Church of the Nazarene

Belong to: The Holiness movement
Founders: C. W. Ruth, Phineas F. Bresee, Joseph Pomeroy Widney
Distinctive teachings:
•Holiness movement teachings
•16 articles of faith as key document summarizing the faith
One eternal self-existent God manifest in a three-fold nature;
The divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit;
The authority of the Bible;
Original and Personal Sin;
The work of atonement;
Prevenient grace;
The need for repentance;
Justification, regeneration, and adoption;
Entire sanctification;
the church;
Baptism by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring;
The Lord's Supper for all believers;
Divine healing;
The return of Jesus Christ;
The resurrection of the dead.
•Combines Episcopal and congregational church governance to create a representative body.
•“Making disciples through evangelism, education, showing compassion, working for justice, and bearing witness to the kingdom of God."
•Like Methodists, have an Armenian view of Salvation.

Prominent Nazarenes: Dr. James Dobson, Bill Gaither [now in Church of God (Anderson)]


Christian and Missionary Alliance

Founder: Albert Benjamin Simpson (Presbyterian Reverend)
Influenced by: Holiness Movement
Distinctive Beliefs:
•Greater emphasis on Missions and Missionaries.
•Fourfold Gospel
Jesus as a Savior--saved us from our sins
Jesus as Sanctifier--Sanctification as a “deeper Christian life”, influenced by the Holiness movement
Jesus as Healer--He physically heals, healings still occurs today, and only comes from Jesus alone
Jesus as Coming King--Who was, and is, and is to come.
•Main beliefs shown on logo
Savior--The cross
Sanctifier--The laver
Healer--The pitcher
Coming King--The crown
Missions--The world behind the 4 items at front.
•Originally an organization, but became a denomination when rejecting Pentecostal ideas (speaking in tongues as a requirement when being filled with the Holy Spirit)
•Governance: Mixed (Presbyterian, Congregational, Episcopalian) 

Prominent Members: A.W. Tozer, Ravi Zacharias, Paris Reidhead, Phil Vischer, etc 
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Pentecostalism

Founders: Charles Fox Parham, William J. Seymour, Agnes Ozman, Topeka (Kansas) Revival
Influences: The Holiness Movement
Prominent denomination: Assemblies of God
Distinctive beliefs:
•(There are 3 distinct groups of Pentecostals: Wesleyan-Holiness, Higher Life, and Oneness)
THE FOLLOWING BELIEFS ARE FROM THE WESLEYAN HOLINESS AND HIGHER LIFE, BUT NOT ONENESS, BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SEPARATE FROM CLASSIC PENTECOSTALISM
•Armenian view of salvation (free will), relating to the views of Methodists
•Spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to appear in Modern times as it was during the first Pentecost.
•Baptism of the Holy Spirit: speaking in tongue as evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit
•More contemporary in worship
•Refers rites like Baptism as “ordinances” instead of “sacraments”
Instituted by Jesus to practice these ordinances
Not infant Baptism, due to the belief that the person must be saved already and must be old enough to have the knowledge of what it means to be saved
Baptism not a necessity of salvation
Communion commanded by Jesus in remembrance of Him
Foot-washing also an ordinance.
•Pre-millennial Dispensationalism
•Assemblies of God Distinctions:
Focus on the Great Commission
Presbyterian church governance (Elders, Pastors)

Prominent Pentecostals: Wayne Hughes, Brian Houston (Hillsong church), Oral Roberts, David Wilkerson, etc
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Restoration Movement (Stone-Campbell Movement)


Founders: Barton W. Stone (Stone movement), Thomas Campbell (Campbell movement)
Sub-congregations: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of Christ, Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ
Distinctive Belief:
•Basics:
Restoration of the different churches to be united as one.
Rejects the use of Creeds, and only look at the Bible
Rejects organized traditional practices
Rejects name based groups (Lutheran, Methodist, Calvinist)
Baptism was immersion in water
•This movement was later divided into sub-congregations due to different doctrinal beliefs. They vary with the beliefs from the denomination that was already mentioned above:
Calvinism vs. Armenianism
Millennialism (amillenial, pre-millennial, post-millennial)
The use of instruments in worship vs. a cappella worship(Churches of Christ)
Church governance (Presbyterianism vs. Congregationalism)
ETC, ETC…

NOTE: I OVERSIMPLFIED THESE GROUPS BECAUSE THE SMALLER TOPICS VARIES SO MUCH, THAT I DECIDED TO AVOID EXPLAINING THEM IN FULL DETAIL, BOTH DUE TO TIME AND DUE TO LARGE CONFUSION AND LACK OF MOTIVATION TO LOOK THROUGH THIS MOVEMENT. MOST IMPORTANT BELIEF FROM THIS MOVEMENT IS IN THE BASICS SECTIONS.
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So this is a general idea of what these denominations believe. When looking at the different denominations, their differences are on different topics of theology, like view of salvation (predestination vs. Free Will), end times (different millennialism or amillennialism), church governance (bishops vs. Elders/Pastors vs. autonomy), Eucharist theology (Memorialism or Real Presence), etc. Some denominations exist not because of different theology, but they focus on a specific truth in Christianity more than others. For example, Lutherans focus more on salvation by grace alone; Baptist focus more on sola scriptura; Pentecostals focus more on the work of the Holy Spirit; Brethrens focus more on pietism; Methodist focus more on holiness, and the list goes on. Some of the differences are not even huge, but just because the style of worship is different. However, they are all in unison on the key doctrines of Christianity: Jesus is the Son of God, part of the Trinity, died on the cross for our sins, Judgment, repentance and faith to receive the gift of salvation, the doctrine of regeneration, justification, sanctification, the great commission, and other important concepts.

One must keep in mind; these are just names, so just because someone says that they belong to a denomination (or a Christian), does not mean that they are in the group in terms of beliefs. (Ex: Oprah says she is a Baptist, but she is clearly a Universalist and can be considered a Gnostic.) Also, one cannot simply look at the name of the church to know what denomination they are. The name “Church of God” can be a Pentecostal church or a holiness movement church. The best way to know the church is by knowing its theology.

Finally, what I am…I’ve had different backgrounds of churches and schools. I've been in a Baptist church when I was in Kindergarten, a Lutheran primary school for Elementary, and my dad has been a pastor of Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches and now is the pastor of the Church of Nazarene. Theologically, I think I would be a Christian and Missionary Alliance (there are not much theological distinctions in this denomination). I do believe Christians should strive for living in holiness, but must keep in mind that we are still in our earthly flesh and may still stumble and fall into sin, and must always look to God for repentance. However, we should not be DIVING into sin like it is habitual or a lifestyle, or with no remorse for your sins. These can be signs that one is not truly saved.

Furthermore, I tend to lean more on Reformed theology, so I could be indirectly be a Presbyterian (Founder of C&MA was a Presbyterian). I have high respect for Lutherans, Baptists, and Methodists tend to take views from each of them. I believe more on Sola scriptura than Prima scriptura (at least Methodist have a good rule behind Prima scriptura); I view church membership to be less strict than Baptists; I’m more into contemporary worship, but hymns are still true to my heart. I do believe that God still does healings, but don’t believe in “Faith healer”—those who think that they can heal whenever they ask God to do so and not asking God’s will to do so. I do not believe that speaking in tongues is strictly evidence that one is filled with the Holy Spirit, but those who are already Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit. I believe baptism is an open proclamation of your faith demonstrated through being in water and coming out of the water, symbolizing being cleaned by our sins, but I am not a believer in Infant Baptism. I still haven't decided what my views on End Times theology, though I am leaning towards Pre-millenial. That is my position. 


Could my position on these beliefs change? Very possible, since I still want to study scripture to understand more about God and His relationship with us, but like I said, it is important to know these differences, and we can debate and discuss on these secondary issues, but we are still united in Christ, and the primary concepts are not compromised. This is interdenominationalism.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)
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**Sources that I used where the main websites of these denominations, a denomination reference handbook, Wikipedia for summary references, and other websites that talk about this, like Religionfacts.com**

I only looked into beliefs and doctrine, not on social issues, because that is a different subject. Do not take my word for these views, if you are interested, go and look into it yourself. If there are errors in my article, please let me know, for this article is still subjected to change.

What is your denomination? Do you have one? What do you think about these secondary distinctions among different denominations?

Excellent work! You clearly put a lot of effort into this, and I must say, I'm going to reference this quite often, as it really helps me to see the different denominations in a much different light. I also like the idea of being "interdenominational," as in, each denomination has a piece of the pie and not the whole part. I would say that I'm part 3, because I think a lot of denominational nuances get in the way of the Church's overall purposes, but I also understand the need for diversity and I do welcome it. I think what gets me is all the infighting and some of the judgment that goes on. For instance, I have attended a Southern Baptist church whose pastor literally said, "If you're not going to Liberty, you're not going to Hell because you're being taught wrong." That, obviously, was not scriptural, and even though I had no concept of what a true basis of Christianity was, I knew that wasn't it.

Another church I went to was one with a non-denominational attachment to it, but it was full of people who screamed - not spoke - in tongues. Sometimes the members would scream so loud that the band would stop playing during worship. I always questioned that, because I do think that God is a God who wants His people to respect others, so I wound up leaving that church as well. The people there were loving to each other's faces, but they were terrible behind their backs. It was a really difficult thing to watch this, searching for some scrap of belonging during some of the most tumultuous times in my life.

Now I go to a church that really doesn't define itself at all. I would say that it's more Pentecostal in a lot of ways, but it's new and I don't attend very much, so I haven't really figured out some of the theological aspects of this church yet. I'm not quite versed in theology just yet anyways, but I do know that when I am there, I'm pretty much a hawk, listening to the preachers and making sure that they're in line with what the Bible says. And so far, they've been pretty good. I don't know about their interpretation, but I don't find anything that weirds me out or makes me think that what they're saying is wrong. Perhaps it's a problem of my own accord, having gone to some strange churches that really didn't preach love. This church does, though, and the members are really starting to come together as a family. I like it, but there aren't a lot of people my age who attend.

All that randomness aside, I really like what you did here. The hard work and effort will certainly not go unnoticed! Thank you so much for compiling this for us.

Dude, I am almost out of vizz.

I'll have to remember to give you a "good score" later.
(Hit me up a few days from now.)
Over 4000 words and still going too.
You are certainly not one to waste your typed breath.

Why the fixation on differences of many Christian behaviours?
I have a fascination with differences in behaviours of all faiths.

Mine stems from a need to know history in it's most honest form.
(History tends to be written by those who have survived or conquered.)

Yours seems to be a professional style concern for current affairs.

Care to take a dare and share?

I can only guess so much.
("Seek and ye shall find".??? Why not just ask?)

Good Luck To All.
Peace.

I used to have a Dutch Reformed background.  Looking back, I realised I "missed out" on quite a lot of Biblical truths that was either not taught by my church (and no, I'm not generalizing regarding the Reformed churches), or was in fact taught, but I missed it due to my own ignorance. During those days, going to church was just an activity that could be ticked off on my "to do" list.  I now realise that it doesn't mean a thing if you have grown up in a church going family.  You have to come to Christ personally - you have to be "born again".  It's amazing how clearly one sees things then.  Anyways, thank you for this thread.  I knew of some of the major denominations, but not all of them, let alone what they were all about.  This makes it much clearer.  Looking at this, I do agree that it is important to know who all the denominations are and what they teach.  Now, I suppose I'm interdenominational not non-denominational as I've stated in a previous post.  I suppose we use the latter term too loosely.  We strive to be like the church in Philedelphia - the faithful church - as stated in Revelation 3:7.  Basically we have a common vision of growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. An emphasis is given to challenging lives to change through studying the Word of God, worshiping God in spirit and truth, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with one another and others. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Doesn't matter what denomination you are, I think the most important thing to live for is summed up in Ephesians 4:13-16:  "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

A couple of minor points in your historical survey to re-evaluate: The only "official" teaching on the Eucharist in the Anglican church is the "Real Presence" of Christ. As you noted, what this means might vary from parish to parish, though I doubt many would be memorialists (I am an Anglican, after all). Second, it would not be exactly correct to call John Wesley the founder of the holiness movement, since many aspects of the movement originated in German Pietism. Third, you may want to consider Thomas Helwys as one of the of the founders of the Baptist denomination, though, among Baptist historians, the precise "founder" is in dispute.

I believe that there should be unity in the body of Christ. Both Jesus and Paul teach this principle again and again. The question is, how can we achieve this unity today? We live in a hyper-individualistic world. Few people/denominations are willing to concede their differences for the sake of unity. It is quite a tragedy, because we wind up splitting the body of Christ. So, I think I agree with you in principle, but I have no clue how to go about resolving the problem. It is almost idealistic in our day and age. 

This is... really brilliant play4fun.  I personally think you should sticky it, but I guess we probably have too many stickies here right now.  I can't believe you took the time to do this, and though I haven't read through ALL of it, I plan to.   Sometimes I struggle to keep the different denominations separated in my head, and I can't remember which one has which belief or tradition.

Do you plan on adding any more denominations?  I assume you will, since you called it a 'project'. I know it was quite a bit of work, but I really appreciate it.

I agree with you that as Christians, we should be able to fellowship and go to church together peaceably.  However, there are a few denominations I would definitely be uncomfortable in attending church with.

I myself don't align myself with a denomination, but I've never known non-denominationalists to be as you have described them.  I have no problem discussing differences between the denominations or having theological discussions.  I simply prefer to base my beliefs off the revelations that God gives me through study of His Word, and not through what others tell me.  My beliefs line up MOST with the pentecostals, but there are even some points there that I do not agree with.