When asked, “What religion are you?” many Christians in today’s society, especially the young Christians, tend to answer with a denomination under Christianity. If you are a Christian, your religion is Christianity. How you practice this religion is considered a denomination. The following are the major denominations under Christianity:Baptist
Church Government: The pastor is the principal leader in the local Church. The deacons and congregation vote in, and can dismiss, the Pastor.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Water Baptism and The Lord’s Supper The bread and wine taken during communion, symbolize Jesus’ Body and Blood. Baptists practice and support the evangelical born again experience by Jesus baptizing the believer into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. They mainly focus on discipleship, evangelism and mission outreach.
Affiliate Churches: American Baptist Association, Black Baptist, Southern Baptist Convention, Freewill Baptist, Landmark Baptist, United Baptist, and others.
Catholic
Church Government: The doctrine and sacraments are bound to the power of: first the pope, then archbishops, bishops, priests and deacons; normally in this succession. The clergy are all male celibates. Nuns (sisters) are Church workers.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Baptism (by sprinkling), Confirmation (post-baptismal anointing), Confession (forgiveness of sins), Matrimony, Ordination, Anointing of the sick, and Extreme Unction (act of anointing) The Eucharist (The Lord’s Supper) is a memorial to Christ’s death and resurrection and is celebrated daily. The bread and wine is believed to supernaturally change into the body and blood of Jesus as they are consecrated by the priest. The Rosary, a circular string of beads, is used counting prayers, for the recitation of Hail Mary, the Lord’s Prayer and Meditations.
Affiliate Churches: Roman Catholic Church, Christian Catholic Church, Old Catholic.
Church Of God
Church Government: Each congregation has its own charter and by-laws, owns and controls property, calls its ministers, establishes its own budgets and financial policies. Some churches have a hierarchical leadership representation for overall decision-making. Most have voting representatives at regional and national assemblies.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: All have in common a strong emphasis on devotion to the Bible. Followers adhere to the doctrines of the Trinity, original sin and salvation through the atoning blood of Christ, as well as the Virgin birth and deity of Jesus. They believe in the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and descension of Jesus; that eternal bliss awaits the righteous dead in Christ, and eternal punishment the unrighteous. They baptize believers by totally submerging a person underwater, and observe the Lord’s Supper, many with foot-washing. Most engage in “speaking” and “prophesying” in tongues.
Affiliate Churches: Church of God in Christ, Church of God in Christ (international), Church of God in Prophecy, Church of God and Saints of Christ, Church of God by Faith, Inc.
Church Of Christ
Church Government: The Church of Christ has no formal governing bodies and ministers do not function as clergymen. Elders are looked to for common views of each congregation. Ministers are ordained and hold tenure in their pulpits by mutual agreement with elders in the church.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Practices include weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, baptism by immersion, a capella (no music) singing, a vigorous prayer life, support of church needs through voluntary giving, and a program of preaching and teaching the Bible. Furthermore, they emphasis the same doctrinal aspects as Church of God do.
Affiliate Church: The Evangelical Church.
Methodist
Church Government: Ministers usually are selected and appointed by the bishop at the annual conference. Each church elects its own local Administrative Board for establishing services, committees and workers.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Methodists are deeply rooted in the doctrine of “justification by faith” through human participation and cooperation with God in active repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They practice baptism of both infants and adults (more commonly by sprinkling). They observe the Lord’s Supper, and adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity. Great emphasis is placed o social and political issues, and reforms.
Affiliate Churches: African American Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Southern Methodist Church.
Pentecostal
Church Government: The Pentecostals are governed by local pastors, elders and deacons; and overseen by superintendents.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Pentecostals emphasize baptism as a work of grace after conversion rather than during conversion as most denominations believe. Most believe in instant and divine health, prosperity, demon possession and exorcism. Prophesying in “tongues” during services is common. The gifts of the Spirit, from 1 Corinthians 12, are of main emphasis as well.
Affiliate Churches: Pentecostal Church of God, United Pentecostal Church.
Presbyterian
Church Government: Form of church government in which elders, both pastors and people with duties, govern.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Presbyterians believe that if a person is predestined, they will be saved eternally regardless of any other considerations. Likewise, if any person is not predestined, they can not attain eternal life regardless of any other considerations. They practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Affiliate Churches: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Presbyterian Church, Bible Presbyterian Church.
Lutheran
Church Government: By Bishops.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: The Bible is the sole authority for the Christian’s spiritual guidance, apart any Pope’s hierarchy authority. The also practice “justification by faith.” Lutherans practice the Lord’s Supper (the observance of the Eucharist). They differ from the Catholics when it comes to the bread and wine. They believe Jesus is already present in body and blood before they are consumed. Lutherans also practice Baptism by sprinkling, Confirmation, Confession and Matrimony.
Affiliate Churches: Evangelical Lutheran Church, Apostolic Lutheran Church, Church of Lutheran Confession.
Episcopal
Church Government: Episcopal churches are constitutionally governed by legislative synods (council of church officials). This council consists of archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons and members with duties. Episcopalians object to the Pope’s authority.
Major Doctrinal Emphasis: Episcopalians work hard for worldwide reunion of all Christian churches. They emphasize the bible as the final source of doctrine “necessary to salvation.” The Church expects its members to be loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Practices include baptism of infants and adults by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion, and the Lord’s Supper.
Affiliate Churches: The Episcopal Church, Reformed Episcopal Church.
Non-Denominational
Those who are non-denominational feel that it is possible to be a Christian without being a member of a denomination. They believe God did not design the Church to be put into divisions. God designed the Church to be “one body” and “one faith” as described in (Ephesians 4:1-6). They feel that if we divide ourselves by men and doctrines into differing religious bodies with differing “faiths,” we are not honoring God’s plan foe His people, the Church.
By obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ, you can be a Christian.