Understanding the Different Branches of Christianity

 

Core Christian Beliefs

When presenting information about the Christian religion in the classroom, it is important to realize that the religion is made up of many different branches, sects or denominations. Each branch has its own history, traditions and distinguishing doctrines around which they have gathered its community. However, the following core beliefs are shared among most Christians:

·         Christianity is centered on the understanding that Jesus Christ is God’s son, born of a virgin, who was crucified, died, was buried, rose again and ascended into heaven from where he will return to earth at the end of time

·         The Holy Bible is the source for Christianity’s teachings and practices

·         Christianity, like Judaism, believes that there is only one God who created the heavens and the earth, that God is invisible and immortal, all-knowing and all-powerful

·         Christians believe that there is life after death: heaven is the eternal  destination for believers and hell is the eternal destination for unbelievers

The first Christians were Jews. Then the faith spread throughout the known world so that by 350 CE (CE has become the new convention for the time formerly known as AD), the adherents of Christianity were mostly gentile believers. Jewish people who believe that Jesus Christ is the Jewish messiah are known today as Messianic Jews. The Messianic Movement has been increasing in adherents since the late 1960’s.

As different interpretations and preferences among Christians emerged, divisions occurred so that now there are many different Christian sects or denominations.  There are three basic approaches to classifying these divisions: by the governmental structure, by the orientation, goal or focus of the corporate gathering, and by issues of doctrine.

Governmental structures

There are three governmental structures used by Christian denominations: ecclesiastical, denominational and congregational. An ecclesiastical structure is a hierarchy where someone is at the top like the pope is for Roman Catholicism, for example, and where other officials have decreasing authority as they are positioned lower on the organization’s chart. Denominations that govern themselves according to an ecclesiastical structure include: Roman Catholicism, Orthodox churches, Anglicans and Episcopalians. 

Other groups govern themselves by a denominational leadership structure that has authority over individual congregations. These include: Methodists, Presbyterians, some Baptists, Christians and Nazarenes.

A third governmental structure is congregational where the individual congregations are independent and autonomous. These groups include: Assemblies of God, Congregationalists, Non-denominational and charismatic congregations.

The Focus of a Corporate Gathering

Liturgical churches tend to make the focal point of their gatherings the celebration of Holy Communion. Holy Communion is a shared “meal” of bread and either wine or grape juice derived from the pattern of the biblical account of Jesus’ last supper before he was crucified. The hymns, prayers, readings and homilies in these churches are selected to lead to the sharing of Communion. These groups include: Roman Catholicism, Orthodox churches, Anglicans, Episcopalians and Lutherans,

Other groups of churches focus their services around the sermon. These include: Methodists, Presbyterians, Christians, Congregationalists, Nazarenes and others.

Still other groups of churches focus their services to encourage and make space for the people’s personal response to God at an altar call or by some other spontaneous participation. These include: Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God and others.

Doctrine

A third way to categorize Christian denominations is around their interpretation of specific doctrines. The most visible division is about water baptism and whether it is permissible to baptize infants or only those people who are mature enough to articulate their personal profession of faith. The churches who practice infant baptism also allow the rite to be done by sprinkling a little bit of water on the person’s head. These churches include Roman Catholicism, Orthodox churches, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Methodists and Lutherans and others. The churches who do not practice infant baptism also usually baptize by fully immersing a person in water. These groups include: Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God and others.

Other doctrinal issues around which Christianity has divided include what happens to the bread and the wine during Holy Communion: whether they actually become the body and blood of Christ or if they are more representative symbols. In addition beliefs differ about the end times and when Jesus will return to the earth as well as when the rapture will occur on an end times time-line; beliefs about the relative importance of free will versus predestination; and beliefs about how to dress, eat, celebrate holidays and more.

Diversity and Ecumenicalism

The diversity of how each denominations expresses and celebrates their Christianity is similar to how different families in the same neighborhood follow different traditions for celebrating Thanksgiving or for setting up their house rules. The differences do not change the fact that each group ascribes to the core Christian doctrines. The variations are more about preference and nuance. However, the passion with which the denominations defend and practice their traditions and beliefs is sometimes fierce which is why these things initially caused and continue to allow the divisions. When members of different denominations attempt to collaborate, the effort is ecumenical. Some of the more conservative denominations are opposed to any ecumenical efforts.