Christianity - denominations
Christianity
It is estimated that there are over 20,000 distinct denominations in the modern Christian world.
Roman Catholic Church
All Christians who acknowledge and accept the authority of the Pope. There are Catholic groups which are non- Roman.
The Pope is the head and under are cardinals, archbishops, priests. There are no separate branches but the church does have 'orders' of monks and nuns.
Catholics emphasize the authority of the Pope, to be one true church. Also the seven sacraments of which the Mass is the central point. The Roman Catholic Church believes itself historically and in its teachings, to be in continuity with the first disciples. The church holds that's God's teachings have been safeguarded and made authentic by the authority of the Church. This authority is exercised especially by the bishops of the local churches, who are still in harmony with the Bishop of Rome. Roman Catholics believe that the Pope is the successor of Peter, the disciple. The Pope has special authority and many Roman Catholics believe that he is infallible when he speaks to, and in the name of, the Church, on questions of faith and morals. Catholics believe that they can ask the saints in heaven to pray for them. The saints are thought to be closer to God and therefore their prayers have special prayers. Catholics also believe in purgatory, an intermediate phrase or state, in which people who've not been terribly bad or terribly good have to be prepared for heaven. Roman Catholics honour Mary highly because of her place in God's plans for the world.
The Orthodox Church
The Orthodox faith is built upon the two foundations of holy scripture and holy tradition. They believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels and through the witness of the apostles, beginning with the letters of Paul and Peter, which have been transmitted through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Their belief is encapsulated in the Niceno Constantinopolitan creed which we recite at each celebration of the Divine Liturgy and in the decrees of the Holy Ecumenical Councils. They believe in the Holy Trinity- God the Father, the creator of ...
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The Orthodox Church
The Orthodox faith is built upon the two foundations of holy scripture and holy tradition. They believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels and through the witness of the apostles, beginning with the letters of Paul and Peter, which have been transmitted through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Their belief is encapsulated in the Niceno Constantinopolitan creed which we recite at each celebration of the Divine Liturgy and in the decrees of the Holy Ecumenical Councils. They believe in the Holy Trinity- God the Father, the creator of all things, God the Son, Who became man, died for our sins and rose again from the dead, and God the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth who fills all things. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is both God and human, born of the blessed Virgin
Mary, the Theotokos or Mother of God. Being an Orthodox Christian involves much more than simply attending church regularly, although that is fundamental to the faith. Believing in Our Lord Jesus Christ means making a change in one's life and behaviour, turning away from the impermanent things of this world and trying to become more like Christ each day in word and deed, advancing from glory to glory, like the holy men and women, the saints, have done.
The Holy sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist when they share in his body and blood. This is the heart of the Divine Liturgy- the most important service for Orthodox Christians.
There are seven sacraments which all include some physical elements. The Roman Catholics and Orthodox Church apply to all the seven sacraments.
* Baptism - This is a ceremony in which a person is cleansed of their sins, to begin a new life with God.
* Anointing of the sick - The priest anoints the person with the oil - a sign of healing.
* Ordination - the setting apart of bishops, priests and deacons by the laying on the hands
* Marriage -the sanctification of the union between man and woman
* Confession - People confess their sins to a priest, express their sincere sorrow for having sinned and promise not to try and sin in the future. The priest then forgives in God's name.
* The Eucharist /Holy Communion - This central act of worship re-enacts the death and resurrection of Jesus in ritual form. Remembering Jesus' actions at words at the Last Supper.
* Confirmation - This is when a baptized person becomes fully accepted into a church. The vows made at his or her baptism are 'confirmed'.
On each of these occasions they believe that God is present and gives his grace and blessing upon them. Many Orthodox Christians use the beautiful 'Jesus Prayer' as a means of focusing their whole being on God.
The Protestant Churches
The Baptists
There are 32 million Baptist worldwide. The main characteristics of the Baptist Churches are:
* The priesthood of believers - all members fully participate in every aspect of the life of the church.
* Believers baptism - only people who are able to understand and accept the Christian faith, and who can explain their own personal decision to follow Jesus Christ, are baptised.
The Methodists
The founders of Methodism were two eighteenth- century Anglican clergymen, John Wesley and Charles Wesley. Methodists keep their worship simple. It is made up of hymn singing prayers, Bible readings and a sermon. Except for Holy Communion, Methodists rarely use a service book. Hymn singing plays an important part in Methodism. The Wesley's, who wrote some of the finest hymns in the Christian religion, wanted to 'inject some life into services'. The first words in the Methodist hymn book state, 'Methodism was born a song'.
The Pentecostals
The Pentecostal Church puts great emphasis on the day of Pentecost, when the first Christians experienced the living power of the Holy Spirit. The distinctive doctrine of the Pentecostalists is their belief in the 'baptism of the Holy Spirit', an individual experience of God said to enrich and empower the Christian life. Many believe that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of an encounter with God. The Pentecostal Church are active I sending missionaries around the world and they lay great stress on evangelism and mission. There are many branches of the Pentecostal Church including Wesleyan Pentecostalists, Baptistic Pentecostalists, Oneness Pentecostalists and Pentecostal Apostolics.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth a Methodist minister who worked in the slums of Victorian England. The movement is built on military lines. The minister is an officer, the members are 'soldiers', and they all wear uniforms. The place where they meet for worship is called a 'Citadel'. The Salvation Army works all over the world among the poor underprivileged. Music is a very important part of the Army's worship, and every service or open air meeting is filled with the sounds of brass bands, hand clapping and the singing of 'songs'. There is no set form of worship the leader of a meeting has almost complete freedom to plan it as he or she wishes.
The Society of friends (Quakers')
'Quaker' was the nickname given to the founder of the Society of Friends, George Fox. By a judge whom he told to 'quake and fear at the word of God. Quakers' worship is extremely simple and they reject all ceremony. They base their religion on the belief that God speaks directly to the heart of everyone. They have no creed, sacraments, ordained ministry, ordered services or sacred buildings. In their services silence is important, with people speaking if they feel moved to do so.
The Evangelicals
Evangelical Christians are among the fastest growing groups in Christianity today. The word 'evangelical' is defined as 'certain Christian churches which believe in the importance of religious teaching, of faith and studying the Bible, rather than in ceremonies' and churches or individuals who represent the 2good news with a view to the conversion of hearers to their faith.
Evangelical Christians stress:
* The Bible as the inspired word of God
* The need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through 'conversion' and a new birth'
* Their commitment to convert others.