Denominations exist because Christians have disagreed — sometimes over things that matter enormously, often over things that matter less than the argument suggested. Every tradition listed here confesses the Trinity, the incarnation and the bodily resurrection of Jesus. They are branches of one tree, not different trees.
Roman Catholic Church
~1.3 billion
Traces itself to the apostles; formally distinct from the East after 1054
The largest Christian body, led by the Pope as bishop of Rome, holding Scripture and sacred Tradition together under the teaching office of the Church.
Distinctives
- —Seven sacraments; the Mass at the centre of worship
- —Papal authority and apostolic succession of bishops
- —Honour (not worship) given to Mary and the saints, who are asked to pray for the living
- —Purgatory as a final purification for those who die in grace
- Authority
- Scripture and Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium.
- Salvation
- By grace, received through faith and lived out through the sacraments and works of love.
- Communion
- Transubstantiation: the bread and wine truly become Christ's body and blood.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection, the Nicene Creed.
Eastern Orthodox Churches
~220 million
Apostolic; separated from Rome in 1054
A communion of self-governing churches (Greek, Russian, Serbian and others) shaped by the seven ecumenical councils, icons and a deeply liturgical worship.
Distinctives
- —No single pope; bishops in council, with the Patriarch of Constantinople first in honour
- —Icons venerated as windows onto heaven
- —Theosis — salvation as being progressively united to God's life
- —Rejects the Western addition of 'and the Son' (filioque) to the Creed
- Authority
- Scripture within Holy Tradition, defined by the ecumenical councils.
- Salvation
- A lifelong healing and union with God through grace, sacrament and repentance.
- Communion
- A true change, held as a mystery rather than defined philosophically.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection, the Nicene Creed.
Oriental Orthodox Churches
~60 million
Distinct since 451 (Council of Chalcedon)
Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Syriac and Indian churches, among the oldest Christian communities on earth and often the most persecuted.
Distinctives
- —Miaphysite Christology: one united divine-human nature in Christ (modern dialogue has found much of the split was verbal)
- —Ancient fasting and liturgical practice
- —Strong monastic tradition
- Authority
- Scripture and the first three ecumenical councils.
- Salvation
- By grace through Christ, worked out in a sacramental life.
- Communion
- A real change; deeply reverent eucharistic practice.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection.
Anglican / Episcopal
~85 million
1534, English Reformation
A reformed catholic tradition that kept bishops and liturgy while adopting Reformation theology; the Book of Common Prayer shapes its worship.
Distinctives
- —'Middle way' between Catholic and Reformed practice
- —Worship ordered by the Book of Common Prayer
- —Broad range from Anglo-Catholic to evangelical within one church
- Authority
- Scripture as supreme, read with tradition and reason.
- Salvation
- Justification by grace through faith; sacraments as means of grace.
- Communion
- A real spiritual presence of Christ received by faith; wording deliberately generous.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection, the Nicene Creed.
1517, Martin Luther
The first Protestant tradition, built on justification by faith alone and a sharp distinction between law and gospel.
Distinctives
- —Law and gospel distinguished in all preaching
- —Baptism, including of infants, as God's work rather than ours
- —Liturgical worship and strong hymnody
- Authority
- Scripture alone (sola scriptura), confessed through the Book of Concord.
- Salvation
- By grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone.
- Communion
- Sacramental union — Christ's body and blood truly present in, with and under the bread and wine.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection, the Nicene Creed.
Reformed & Presbyterian
~80 million
1500s, Calvin, Knox and others
A tradition centred on God's sovereignty in salvation, covenant theology and government by elders rather than bishops.
Distinctives
- —God's sovereign grace in election
- —Covenant theology binding Old and New Testaments together
- —Government by councils of elders (presbyteries)
- —Confessions such as Westminster and Heidelberg
- Authority
- Scripture alone, summarised in historic confessions.
- Salvation
- By grace alone through faith alone, given by God's sovereign initiative.
- Communion
- Christ is truly present spiritually and received by faith, not physically in the elements.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection, the Nicene Creed.
1600s
Churches marked by believer's baptism by immersion, congregational government and a strong emphasis on personal conversion.
Distinctives
- —Baptism only for those old enough to profess faith, by full immersion
- —Each local church governs itself
- —Religious liberty and separation of church and state
- Authority
- Scripture alone; 'no creed but the Bible' in many congregations.
- Salvation
- By grace through personal faith in Christ.
- Communion
- A memorial and a means of fellowship; Christ present spiritually among his people.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection.
Methodist / Wesleyan
~80 million
1700s, John and Charles Wesley
A revival movement emphasising grace available to all, holiness of heart and life, and practical mercy to the poor.
Distinctives
- —Prevenient grace: God moves first towards everyone
- —Christian perfection — love filling the whole heart — as a real hope
- —Small groups and social action woven into discipleship
- Authority
- Scripture as primary, with tradition, reason and experience.
- Salvation
- By grace through faith, freely offered to all and genuinely resistible.
- Communion
- A means of grace in which Christ is truly present to faith.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection.
Pentecostal & Charismatic
~600 million (incl. charismatics in other churches)
1901–1906, Azusa Street revival
The fastest-growing stream of Christianity, marked by expectancy that the Holy Spirit still gives gifts today.
Distinctives
- —Baptism in the Holy Spirit as an empowering experience
- —Spiritual gifts — tongues, prophecy, healing — practised in gathered worship
- —Extended sung worship and lay participation
- Authority
- Scripture alone, read with attention to the Spirit's present work.
- Salvation
- By grace through faith, usually with a clear moment of conversion.
- Communion
- A memorial and celebration; Christ present by his Spirit.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection.
Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Brethren)
~2 million
1525, Radical Reformation
Communities built around discipleship, non-violence, simplicity and a church clearly distinct from the surrounding culture.
Distinctives
- —Believer's baptism and voluntary church membership
- —Peace and non-resistance as central to following Jesus
- —Community of goods, simplicity, mutual accountability
- Authority
- Scripture, read with the Sermon on the Mount at the centre.
- Salvation
- By grace through faith, evidenced in a changed and obedient life.
- Communion
- A memorial meal and a sign of shared commitment.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection.
Non-denominational & independent
Tens of millions
Mostly late 1900s onward
Independent congregations, often evangelical and contemporary in style, deliberately unattached to a historic denomination.
Distinctives
- —Local autonomy, contemporary worship, accessible teaching
- —Doctrinal statements rather than historic confessions
- —Strong emphasis on personal relationship with Jesus
- Authority
- Scripture alone.
- Salvation
- By grace through personal faith in Christ.
- Communion
- Usually a memorial, observed monthly or weekly.
Shared with all Christians: The Trinity, the incarnation, the bodily resurrection.
First-order and second-order
Some differences decide whether something is Christianity at all — the Trinity, the deity and humanity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, salvation by grace. Others are real but not gospel-dividing: church government, when to baptise, worship style, spiritual gifts. Hold the first firmly and the second honestly.