Overview of Christianity
Christianity is one of the major religions of the world and has followers in over 200 countries. It originated in Israel in the first century CE and is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Christianity is divided into several denominations, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Oriental Orthodoxy. These denominations are divided by ideology, practice, and organizational structure.
Different Denominations Of Christianity
The major denominations of Christianity can be divided into three main branches: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. Catholic Christianity is represented by the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination in the world. The Catholic Church has about 1.3 billion followers worldwide and is divided into 23 autonomous churches, known as rites. Protestant Christianity is based on the teachings of the 16th-century theologian Martin Luther and is represented by churches such as the Anglican Church and Baptist Church. There are about 800 million Protestant Christians in total. The Orthodox Church, with an estimated 250 million adherents, is the third main branch of Christianity. The Orthodox Church includes the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church, which have their own distinctive theologies and rituals.
Catholicism
The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the world and is divided into 23 autonomous churches. The main doctrines of the Catholic Church include the apostolic succession of Peter and the doctrine of papal infallibility. The Catholic Church also believes in the existence of Heaven and Hell, the importance of good works, and the seven sacraments. The Church also holds to certain teachings on social issues, such as abortion, contraception, and euthanasia.
Protestantism
Protestantism is based on the teachings of 16th-century theologian Martin Luther. Luther was a part of the Roman Catholic Church but disagreed with the Church’s practice of selling indulgences and other teachings. Protestantism is divided into many different denominations, including Anglicanism, Baptist, and Presbyterian. Protestant beliefs vary from denomination to denomination, but most agree on the importance of being saved through faith in Christ, the Bible being the word of God, and the celebration of baptism, communion, and other ordinances.
Eastern Orthodoxy
Eastern Orthodoxy is represented by the Eastern Orthodox Church and is the second largest denomination of Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox Church is divided into several independent churches, including the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Eastern Orthodoxy is theologically and sacramentally similar to the Catholic Church, but it does not recognize the infallibility of the Pope. It emphasizes the human experience of divinity, the importance of the scriptures, and the role of the faith community in the transmission of spiritual knowledge.
Oriental Orthodoxy
Oriental Orthodoxy is a branch of Christianity that includes the Coptic Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and the Armenian Apostolic Church. These churches reject the doctrine of Chalcedon, a Fourth Century formula adopted by the Church which outlined the two natures of Christ, divine and human. They also reject the authority of the Pope and some of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Modern Christianity
Christianity is an ever-evolving religion and there are now various denominations which have sprung up in the last century, such as Pentecostalism, Evangelicalism, and Charismatism. These denominations are generally more conservative in beliefs and usually emphasize a more personal relationship with God, often emphasizing the importance of the teachings in the Bible.
Statistics
Christianity is estimated to have about 2.3 billion followers worldwide. According to a 2015 Pew Research Report, Christianity is the largest religion in the world, followed by Islam at 1.8 billion, non-religious at 1.1 billion, Hinduism at 900 million, and Buddhism at 500 million. Catholicism is the largest denomination with about 1.3 billion adherents, followed by Protestantism with 800 million adherents, and Orthodoxy with 250 million adherents.
Conclusion
Christianity is one of the world’s oldest and largest religions. There are several branches of Christianity and various denominations within each branch. These denominations vary in beliefs, doctrines, and practices, but have some essential beliefs in common, such as the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and salvation through faith in him. According to a 2015 Pew Research Report, the total number of Christians in the world is 2.3 billion. The Catholic Church is the largest denomination, followed by Protestantism, and then Orthodoxy.
