Christian Denominations

This web page provides a brief overview of the major denominations within Christianity.
Click on any of the links below to go to the denomination indicated by the link title.

Sections on this Web Page

Christianity ~30-100 AD
Christianity, ~100 - 300 AD
Roman Catholicism, ~600 AD
Eastern Orthodox, ~1000 AD
Reformation, ~1500 AD
Lutheran, ~1500 AD
Baptist, ~1500 AD
Brethren, ~1500 AD
Anglican, Episcopal ~1530 AD
Presbyterian, ~1550 AD
Reformed, ~1550 AD
Methodist, ~1750 AD
The Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, ~1800 AD
Christian Church, ~1800 AD
Disciples of Christ, ~1800 AD
Adventist, ~ 1850 AD
Seventh Day Adventist, ~1850 AD
Church of God, ~1900 AD
Church of the Nazarene, ~1900 AD
Pentecostal, ~1900 AD
Summary

Christianity ~30 - 100 AD

Book of Acts

... ... Formation of church
... ... Peter preaches to Jews
Jerusalem church provides leadership
Paul goes to Gentiles
... ... Around the Mediterranean
... ... 3 missionary journeys
... ... Beheaded in Rome ~65 AD
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After Acts
... ... Disciples go around the world, plant churches
... ... Gospel spreads
... ... Africa, Asia, Europe
Roman Empire
... ... Persecutes Christians
... ... many Xtns killed
... ... but many pagans -> Xtn
... ... church grows like wildfire
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Christianity, ~100 - 300 AD

... ... Gnostics
... ... Mystery Religions
... ... Persecution of Xtns
... ... Xtn spreads thru Roman Empire
300’s AD
... ... Roman Emperor Constantine
... ... Sees a vision (?) of a cross and shield I.H.S
... ... Becomes a Xtn (?)
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Constantine’s conversion
... ... may have been real
... ... or may have been a conversion of convenience
Made Xtn State Religion
... ... to create a unified empire
Problems for Church
... ... persecution purified Xtn
... ... State Religion -> wealth, status into the church
... ... attracted selfish, ambitious, status-seekers into church
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Roman Catholicism, ~600 AD

... ... Pagans start coming into the church
... ... Some to curry favor with Roman Empire
... ... Some were true seekers
... ... To attract Pagans, the RC starts incorporating pagan practices
... ... The RC church claims power greater than the Jerusalem church
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Roman Church
... ... grows in wealth, status, hierarchy
•600-1500 AD
... ... moves towards
... ... Salvation by Works
... ... (or) mediated grace
... ... I.e., grace mediated thru ritual and obedience and the RC church
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600-1200 AD, RC adds
... ... purgatory ~ 600
... ... pope – universal bishop 600
... ... prayer to Mary, saints 600
... ... supererogation 600
... ... worship cross, images 786
... ... worship relics 786
... ... mass as sacrifice 1000
... ... celibate priests 1079
... ... rosary 1090
... ... inquisition 1184
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1200-1500 AD, RC adds
... ... sale of indulgences 1190
... ... transubstantiation 1215
... ... confession to priest 1215
... ... adoration of wafer 1220
... ... Bible forbidden to lay people 1229
... ... Tradition = Bible, in authority 1545
... ... Apocrypha -> Bible 1546
... ... Immaculate conception of Mary 1854
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Eastern Orthodox, ~1000 AD

Claims direct descent from Christ and Apostles;
For 1000 years, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic part of same church;
1054 AD – official division between the two;
Organizational forms – national churches such as Greek, Romanian, Russian, Syrian.
Focus on worship through liturgy;
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Acknowledges creeds from the first 7 ecumenical councils;
Shares many prayers, litanies, eucharistic forms with RC church;
Sight oriented;
variety of icons to represent the reality of God;
elaborate color, shape, brightness – in the Orthodox churches
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Split – due to increasing friction between Roman Catholic Pope and Eastern Orthodox Patriarch…
and Eastern church insisted that the Holy Spirit proceeds directly from God the Father (whereas the Western Roman church insisted that Holy Spirit proceeds from Father and Son).
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Reformation, ~1500 AD

... ... Calls the RC church back to the Bible
... ... Starts the Reformation
... ... --> Lutherans
1530 Calvin & Zwingli
... ... Calvinism
... ... --> Reformed churches
... ... --> Presbyterians
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Back to the Bible
…
No more… statues, icons, mass
... ... prayer to saints, Mary
... ... purgatory, supererogation
... ... confessional, Pope
... ... mediated grace
... ... salvation by works
... ... indulgences
Protestant Denominations
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Lutheran, ~1500 AD

Martin Luther, a RC monk reading the Bible;
concluded many RC practices are not scriptural;
called the RC church back to the Bible;
RC rejected Luther's call --> Protestantism…
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Luther's stand:
The church and papacy has no divine right in spiritual matters;
The Bible, not the priest or the church, has final authority over conscience.
People are forgiven by God Not by good works, or by rituals, but by their turning to God.
Justification is by Faith, not by ceremony.
Faith is not subscription to the dictates of the church; but rather the individual's trust in Christ.
The Bible is the clear, perfect, inspired, authoritative Word of God.
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Lutheran Teachings:
God, Conscience and The Bible – are the foundations of
Lutheranism.
Bible = sole authority for church life and Christian belief and practice;
Retain tradition of ancient and medieval church;
Sense of participation in historic People of God;
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Traditional liturgy (but revised in accord with Protestant focus on Bible)
Focus on Sound doctrine; systematic theology; thoughtful preaching;
Historic church of Germany and Scandinavian countries.
In the US, many of German and Scandinavian descent have been Lutherans.
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Baptist, ~1500 AD

... ... Germany, Switzerland
Pedo-baptists
... ... baptized infants, children
Anti-pedo-baptists
... ... oppose infant baptism
Anabaptists
... ... rebaptize adults
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Anabaptists
... ... literal application of Bible in social matters
... ... communal
... ... pacifist
... ... opposed payment of taxes
... ... opposed charging interest
... ... rejected infant baptism
... ... Persecution
... ... AnaB --> Norway, Italy, Poland, Holland, England
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Anabaptists in Holland
... ... Anabaptist Leader (Menno Simmons)
•Teachings
... ... Bible is sole authority for faith and practice
... ... baptism is for believer’s only
... ... separation of church and state
... ... church discipline over business, family, personal affairs
... ... --> Mennonite church
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British Separatists
... ... John Smythe & followers
... ... in Amsterdam
... ... Meet the Anabaptists
... ... convinced by them
... ... back to England -->
First Baptist church in UK
... ... 1609 (General Baptist)
... ... believe in General Atonement
... ... --> Particular Baptist church 1638
... ... Limited Atonement (Calvinist)
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Baptist ^ influence on British Parliament and Society
... ... “Magistrate should not meddle in religion or matters of conscience”
1793 Baptist William Carey
... ... takes gospel to India
... ... start of Modern Missionary Movement
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Teachings
Inspiration & trustworthiness of Bible as sole rule of life
Lordship of JC
Freedom of individuals to approach God for themselves
Salvation through faith by grace
Two ordinances (Lord's supper; baptism of believers by immersion)
independence of local church
church = group of regenerated believers who are baptized upon confession of faith
infant baptism is unscriptural and should not be practiced
complete separation of church and state
life after death
unity of humankind
royal law of God
need for redemption from sin
ultimate triumph of God's kingdom
Other:
Freedom of thought and expression in pulpit and pew.
Current Status:
Worldwide ~100 million Baptists
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Brethren, ~1500 AD

Authentic Pietists.

Inner Spiritual Life (piety) is cultivated by (a) prayer, (b) study Bible, (c) association with fellow believers.
Local church is central.
Church members are true brothers and sisters.
Church claims primary loyalty.
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Church = community of people who love God and one another.
Spirit of God within each believer takes precedence over tight doctrine.
Simple unadorned life.
In past, separated themselves from state churches and conventional churches.
Devote themselves to purity in thought word and deed (more so than many other Christian denominations).
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Anglican, Episcopal ~1530 AD

Episcopal --> American division of Anglican Church --> Separated from Anglican church when US split off from UK…

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Teachings & Practice:

Uses traditional liturgy in worship;
Communion bread & wine à is a Divine Mystery (unlike RC definition)
No central authority (unlike Pope in RC)
Bishops are a symbol of unity among groups of Episcopal/Anglican churches.
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Source of beliefs and practice = Bible, Tradition of the church, Reason.
Aesthetic in worship and practice…
Incorporates theology into liturgy;
Uses sight and taste as well as hearing and speaking to communicate the gospel/message.
Clergy are called priests; have apostolate authority.
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Presbyterian, ~1550 AD

1534-1560 – originated with John Calvin's teachings; France, Switzerland
Church governed by Presbyters (representatives; elders)
Teachings
Strong focus on God's sovereignty over world;
People's response to God's authority and will'
God's will – known through Word (Bible) and Holy Spirit
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Covenant theology
Stress on People's responsibility (in their relationship with God)
More cerebral and verbal than emotional and aesthetic;
values understanding, learning, propriety
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Calvin's teachings:
God is Sovereign over everything.
TULIP
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints
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Big Emphasis on Reform (in all fields; based on Biblical Understanding applied in all fields)
Education
Intelligent Ministry
Helping the Oppressed
Helping the persecuted
Establishment of Democratic forms of Government (in church, in state)
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Sowed the seed that ultimately destroyed "the divine right of kings"
Influenced Europe towards Representative forms of Government
Provided Spiritual & Moral tone to the dawning Capitalism.
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Calvin did not start Presbyterianism; but Presbyterianism sprung out of his teachings;
In Switzerland, Holland, France, England, Scotland, Ireland.
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Reformed, ~1550 AD

Started based on the teachings of John Calvin.
Big focus on correct theology; sermons and doctrine;
More Rationalist than Pietist;
Strict theological orthodoxy;
Focus on Systematic uniting of the teachings of the Bible (into a systematic whole)
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Origins mostly from the Netherlands, Holland (followers of Calvin etc).
Theology, based on Belgic Confession (1561, http://members.iinet.net.au/~jvd/Belgic.htm), Heidelberg Catechism and Canons of the Synod of Dort.
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Reformed churches – arose during the Reformation, in Switzerland (under leadership John Calvin, Zwingli, Melanchthon).. called Reformed in Switzerland, Holland, Germany; Presbyterian in England, Scotland; Huguenot in France.
Calvinistic and Conservative.
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Methodist, ~1750 AD

Started within Church of England.
Liturgy had become stale for many.
1738-1790 – John Wesley, Charles Wesley
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Direct and warm action of Holy Spirit infuses life into the liturgy.
History minded;
Respectful of the liturgy;
Concerned with ministry to poor and disadvantaged;
Expressing faith through in compassion;
Holy Spirit – force for worship, love of neighbor, personal piety, evangelism.
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1729 - England, Oxford University,
Oxford Methodists (small group of Christian students who had a focus on growing in relationship with Christ – using discipline/methods – providing set times for prayer and for Bible reading etc.
Members included John Wesley, Charles Wesley, George Whitefield.
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They emphasized
need to be "justified" before one can be "sanctified"
Need for Holiness in human living.
Stood their ground against jeering Oxford Students;
Went out to preach and pray with the poor and desperate commoners in England;
prisoners in jail, paupers in hovels, underdogs of British society.
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Methodism – started on Oxford campus, reached out to the masses;
Charles Wesley – writing hymns of revival for the streets, barns, homes, mines of Cornwall;
John Wesley – preaching repentance, regeneration, justification, holiness, sanctification.
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Upper classes laughed; lower classes listened to the first words of hope they had heard in many years; and converted in droves.
1739-1744 – the Methodists instituted
circuit system
annual conferences
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Initially, Wesley wanted to keep Methodism inside the Church of England;
but as large numbers of unchurched people became Methodists à became necessary to create a separate organization.
1739 – Wesley drew up a set of rules; and delineation of Bible rules and conduct.
1784 – deed of declaration – legal status to the yearly Methodist conference.
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1791 – John Wesley died; and later Methodism became a recognized church (Wesleyan Methodist connection)
23 separate Methodist bodies in the US.
United Methodist is numerically the largest.
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Teachings:
Trinity
natural sinfulness of humanity
the fall
need for conversion and repentance
freedom of will
justification by faith
sanctification and holiness
future rewards and punishments
sufficiency of Bible for salvation
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enabling grace of God
Perfection
Two sacraments – baptism and Lord's supper
Baptism – to both infants and adults, usually by sprinkling
Membership – is based on confession of faith, or letter of transfer from another church;
Wide freedom in interpretation and practice of all doctrines (liberals and conservatives work in close harmony)…
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The Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, ~1800 AD

Restoration (recover the message, organization, mission of early church) in America.
1800's – movements lead by Barton Stone, and Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott.
From Presbyterian backgrounds.
Christians should unite on the basis of simple faith in Christ; divisive doctrines and practices of denominationalism should be abolished.
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Salvation has little to do with Denominational Affiliation.
Deeds are more important than Creeds (particularly for distinctives; not verities)
Campbell (West Virginia)– Disciples of Christ
Barton Stone (Kentucky) – Christian church
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1832 – Christians and Disciples merged;
National convention organized 1849;
During Civil war period -- Churches of Christ separated from Disciples (conflict between conservatives and progressives – in matters of organization of missionary societies and instrumental music in churches)
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Christian Church, ~1800 AD

Independent churches
Arose from 19th century restoration movement led by Alexander Campbell (West Virginia) & others
to recapture unity and simplicity of 1st century church.
Disciples of Christ & Noninstrumental churches of Christ also come from this reformation.
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Early 1900s, Churches of Christ left over music issue;
1920's many Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ separated from Disciples over the Disciples' liberalism.
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Teachings:
Divinity of Christ
Authority of Bible
Indwelling of Holy Spirit in believer
future reward or punishment
God as loving, prayer-answering Deity
Baptize by immersion
Open communion (anyone can participate; not only members)
Lord's supper every Sunday
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Status:
estimated 2 million members
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Disciples of Christ, ~1800 AD

Teachings:
Church allows for variance in opinion and freedom in interpretation;
There is no creed but Christ;
no saving doctrines apart from what is in NT;
The Disciples are God-centered, Christ-centered, Bible-centered.
Beyond that, Faith is a matter of individual conviction.
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General areas of agreement:
Believe in immortality.
do not accept doctrine of original sin;
all people are of sinful nature until redeemed by sacrifice of Christ
not concerned with speculation about nature of Trinity.
No catechism; no set order of worship
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Faith in Christ as Lord is the only requirement.
The local church is the basic unit.
Each congregation manages its own affairs.
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Adventist, ~ 1850 AD

Conservative, Protestant
Big focus on 2nd Advent (Return of Christ)
1830-1840 Predictions of 2nd Advent
1844 – October - Great Disappointment (predicted 2nd coming didn’t happen)
Big focus – evil nature of the current age; confidence & hope in God's future
Focus on Obedience to God, Evangelizing whole world
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Teachings
2nd coming is sole hope for world
Humans are Fallen (due to sin)
Judgment
Those who rebel against God will be destroyed one day
Salvation by God's grace.
After that –> Millennium (1000 year period of Christ's rule in triumph)
Big focus on Daniel & Revelation
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Origins
William Miller (1782-1849)
Studied Bible, particularly Daniel, Revelation
Decided 1 prophetic day = 1 earth year
2300 days of Daniel 8:14 started 457 BC (with command to rebuild Jerusalem)
2nd coming by March 1844 (didn’t happen)
His followers à Millerites
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Some Millerites à decided 2nd coming October 1844 (didn’t happen)
Spiritualized the 1844 prophecy (Jesus moved into the Holy of Holies in Heaven)
Continued on in various Adventist church bodies
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1845 a loose organization of the Adventist churches formed (American Millennial Association)
Common teachings:
Premillenial
Resurrection of the dead (believers at Christ's return; rest 1000 years later)
Renewal of Earth as Eternal abode for the Redeemed
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Today (Adventists have differing viewpoints):
Premil, Amil
state of dead = conscious, unconscious
Resurrection = both righteous & wicked; or only righteous
Eternal punishment; or eternal annihilation; for the wicked
Sabbath = on Saturday, or on Sunday
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Seventh Day Adventist, ~1850 AD

Adventist + Sabbath = Saturday
Millerites à 1846 (Joseph Bates, Sabbath = Saturday) à James & Ellen White (her writings are viewed as inspired counsel from God) à growth in followers à HQ in Michigan à 1860 adopt name SDA
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Teachings:
Bible is inspired by God in its entirety;
Trinity (Father, Son, HS)
Creation by Fiat
Fall of Humanity
Humans are Mortal à can receive immortality thru Jesus' atonement
Sabbath = Saturday
Gift of Prophecy is active in SDA church today
Separation of church and State
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Abstain from alcohol, tobacco, drugs
Premillenial, personal, visible return of Christ
Dead are unconscious awaiting Resurrection
Body and Soul will be Resurrected at Judgment à Immortality for Righteous; destruction by fire for wicked
A new earth will be created from the ruins of the old
The righteous will live for ever on planet earth
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Today:
About 8 million SDAs in ~36000 churches (worldwide)
8,00,000 SDAs in US, Canada in ~4600 churches
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Church of God, ~1900 AD

Name used by over 200 conservative protestant groups (not one denomination)
Big focus on Bible.
Nearness of God's Spiritual Power.
Power to generate Holiness & life of righteousness in believer's life.
Separatists – denounced accommodation with the "world".
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Some of the groups are Pentecostal, some are not:
Pentecostal groups:
God's power produces speaking in tongues.
Miracles are not exceptional; rather readily available.
Occurrence of tongues and/or miracles necessary for spiritual authenticity.
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Origins of Pentecostal Churches of God:
Out of Southern Appalachian Holiness Revival.
Focus on restoration of NT church.
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Church of the Nazarene, ~1900 AD

Origins:
1700s – John Wesley – Revival in England à Doctrines of Holiness and Sanctification
Followers came over to the US etc.
Merger of 3 independent Holiness groups in the US.
1907 – Association of Pentecostal churches of America (NY & New England) joined with Church of the Nazarene (California group);
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1908 – southern group, Holiness Church of Christ joined…
Group was called Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene.
1919 -- Then the word Pentecostal – had changed its meaning. So the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene – changed its name to Church of the Nazarene.
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Teachings:
Theology is Methodist (Wesleyan) + Holiness Movement.
Justification by faith;
sanctification by faith;
sanctification is a 2nd work of grace following regeneration;
All ministers and local church officials must profess this experience.
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Plenary inspiration of Bible;
Bible contains all truths needed for Christian faith and living.
General Atonement (of Christ for entire human race)
Justification, regeneration, adoption of all penitent believers in Christ;
2nd coming of Christ;
resurrection of dead;
final judgment;
Belief in divine healing (but do use doctors)
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Denounce tobacco, alcohol.
Two sacraments – baptism by sprinkling, pouring, immersion; and Communion.
Baptism of small children allowed; but believer's baptism mostly;
Neither extremely ritualistic nor totally informal.
Pastors are elected by local churches.
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Pentecostal, ~1900 AD

Term Pentecost – refers to the first Pentecost;
First Pentecost – 50 days after Resurrection, Holy Spirit descends on believers, they speak in other languages.
Pentecostalism – started early 1900s in US.
Through HS, what happened at Pentecost can happen now.
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Seeking and receiving the gift of tongues – seen as evidence of baptism of the Holy Spirit (needed for full discipleship).
Other gifts of the Spirit (healing, love, joy, answered prayer) also experienced.
Many come from Baptist and Methodist backgrounds;
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Teachings:
Trinity,
original sin
salvation thru atoning blood of Jesus
virgin birth & deity of Jesus
divine inspiration & literal infallibility of Bible
Manifestations of Holy Spirit (speaking in tongues etc)
premillenialism
future rewards, punishments
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Sacraments – baptism by immersion, Lord's Supper
Some:
Foot-washing, Divine Healing
Some: Reject Trinity (e.g., Oneness Pentecostals)
Groups: Assemblies of God
Churches of God
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Summary

In this study, we’ve briefly looked at the Reformation and the Origins, Teachings, and Status of specific Christian denominations, e.g.,

Baptist,

Presbyterian,

Methodist,

Lutheran,

Episcopal…

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