Christians make up a large portion of the global population, accounting for about a third of the total population according to a 2018 Pew Research Center estimate. Christianity is an often misunderstood term and is comprised of several different sects and denominations. This article will explore how many different religions within Christianity exist, their primary points of difference and how they are all closely connected.
Broadly speaking, Christianity traces its roots back to the Jewish faith and many of its core beliefs, practices and customs are deeply entwined with Judaism. Christ followed many of the Jewish customs during his time and specifically the Jewish faith during his ministry. Christians celebrate many of the Judaic holidays such as Passover, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah and Purim, but also honor the life of Jesus Christ differently by observing Easter and Christmas.
The Christian faith is today divided into five major religious denominations. Roman Catholicism is one of the largest and included in this denomination are the Uniate and Eastern Orthodox churches. The second oldest major denomination of Christianity is Protestantism, which includes Protestantism, Anglicanism, Anabaptism and Methodism. The three newest Christian denominations are Pentecostalism, Charismatic and Messianic Judaism.
Each of these denominations have beliefs and practices that are distinct from one another, but still all have something in common. A shared belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God and a savior of mankind is probably the most foundational belief between all these denominations of Christianity.
Perhaps the single biggest difference between the denominations of Christianity lies in the way they view the Bible. Roman Catholicism holds that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and should be followed to the letter. The Protestant, Pentecostal, Charismatic and Messianic Judaic faiths all view the Bible as the literal truth, but acknowledge it should be interpreted within the contemporary context.
The differences between these denominations can be further broken down into small sub-groups, many with completely different beliefs, values and practices. Some of the largest groups within Protestantism include the Methodists, Anglicans, Baptists and Presbyterians, each of which have further divisions within them as well.
The Catholic Church also has many smaller divisions such as the Roman Catholic, Uniate and Eastern Orthodox, with the Roman Church accounting for over half of all Catholics and the Uniate and Eastern churches making up most of the remainder.
Despite the differences between the different denominations of Christianity, many are united in their beliefs and common Christian teachings. A shared commitment to love and service to others and a belief in a person’s capacity to choose to follow a life of godliness and service to others binds together all of the Christian denominations.
The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is currently the largest Christian denomination, with over 1.3 billion members and a presence in virtually every country on the planet. The Catholic Church is unified under the leadership of the Pope and holds that the Pope is the direct spiritual descendant of Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Church holds that the Bible is divinely inspired and all teachings of the Church must be interpreted within the light of Scripture. The Catholic Church also maintains a hierarchy, led by the Pope and also including cardinals, bishops and priests.
The Catholic Church has many rituals, customs and beliefs that are unique to it. It holds that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ, that the seven sacraments are essential for the health of the spiritual life and it believes in the authority of the Pope and bishops.
The Catholic Church also has a strong belief in the absolution of sins, both through its sacraments and also through acts of repentance. It also believes in the power of prayer to intercede with God on behalf of individuals and believes in the power of God to heal and protect.
The Protestant Faith
The Protestant faith is the second largest Christian denomination, with over 800 million members. It traces its roots to the Reformation of the 16th century, when certain leaders of the Catholic Church became disillusioned with certain practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church.
The Protestant faith holds that the Bible is the ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice and that individuals have direct access to God apart from any human intermediary. The Protestant faith also emphasizes the importance of personal faith and individual spiritual growth.
Protestants reject the notion of the Pope’s infallibility and also reject the idea that salvation is attained solely through good works. Instead, they believe that salvation is freely given to those who accept Christ and pledge allegiance to Him. Protestantism emphasizes the importance of evangelism, teaching the gospel to all people, and also devotion to personal Bible study.
Within the Protestant faith lies the numerous sects and denominations, each with distinct doctrines and practices. Some of the most popular Protestant denominations include Methodism, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Baptist and Presbyterianism.
The Charismatic and Pentecostal Faith
The Charismatic and Pentecostal faith is the third largest Christian denomination, with about 500 million members worldwide. It is rooted in the Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century, when several Christian denominations began to emphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
The Charismatic and Pentecostal faith teach that the gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues, healing and prophecy are given to all believers. They believe that the gifts of the Spirit can be manifested through prayer and spiritual gifts, and emphasize the need for weekly fellowship and prayer meetings.
The Charismatic and Pentecostal movements also emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and reject the idea of a formal church hierarchy or organized religious rituals. Instead, they believe in spreading the gospel through acts of service, generosity and worship.
The Charismatic and Pentecostal faith also emphasize the concept of spiritual gifts and the ability for individuals to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to operate within laid down principles of faith. Charismatic and Pentecostal churches are often characterized by lively worship and music, and members are often encouraged to publicly express their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Messianic Judaism
Messianic Judaism is the fourth major denomination of Christianity, with approximately 200 million members worldwide. Messianic Judaism is rooted in the Jewish faith and is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It seeks to bring together Jewish and Christian beliefs in order to create a unified faith.
Messianic Judaism teaches the same biblical principles of faith and obedience to the Word of God as other Christian denominations. It emphasizes the importance of the Torah and the Scriptures in daily life and also encourages adherence to Jewish traditions and rituals such as keeping the Sabbath, celebrating the Passover and observing Hanukkah.
The Messianic faith also accepts Jesus Christ as the Mess
