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Christian Denominations




Some groups are large (e.g. Catholic s, Lutheran s, Anglican s or Baptist s) while others are just a few small churches, and in most cases the relative size is not evident in this list. Also, modern movements such as Fundamentalist Christianity , Pietism , Evangelicalism , Pentecostalism and the Holiness Movement sometimes cross denominational lines, or in some cases create new denominations out of two or more continuing groups (as is the case for many United And Uniting Churches , for example). Such subtleties and complexities are not clearly depicted here. Additionally, some groups viewed by non-adherents as denominational actively resist being called a "denomination" and do not have any formal denominational structure, authority, or record-keeping beyond the local congregation; several groups within Restorationism fall into this category.

This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity that exists among denominations of Christianity. Some links may point to non-existent articles. There are approximately 300 branches listed here.

Between denominations, theologians and comparative religionists, there are considerable disagreements about which groups can be properly called Christian. These disagreements rise primarily from doctrinal differences between groups. For the purpose of simplicity, this list is intended to reflect the self-understanding of each denomination. Explanations about different opinions concerning their status as Christian denominations can be found at their respective articles.




CATHOLICISM


The Catholic Church: Churches in communion with the Bishop of Rome

See Also: Roman Catholic Church
Primacy of the Roman Pontiff



Roman Rite

The Roman Rite , is the largest and most familiar of the 23 Rites of the Catholic Church.

Eastern Catholic Church

All of the following are Particular Church es of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the pope of Rome and acknowledge his claim of universal jurisdiction and authority however, they have some minor theological differences some of which include many of the aspects of the Latin concept of purgatory and original sin.

The Catholic Church considers itself the one Church that Christ founded.http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church


Other Churches that claims to be Catholic, But Who Are Not In Communion With Rome

Many other churches- especially those with roots in the Reformation- claim to be 'catholic' in doctrine but are not in commmunion with Rome.


EASTERN CHURCHES


Note: nearly all the Churches of this group name themselves as Orthodox Catholic, though this can be confusing with the Catholic (non Orthodox) Churches (which see).


The (Eastern) Orthodox Church

(In order of precedence. Indentation indicates Autonomy rather than Autocephaly .)


Western-Rite Orthodox Churches



Other Eastern Orthodox Churches



Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas . The Church did not accept the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is incorrectly referred to as Nestorianism ; Assyrian Orthodox do not consider themselves Nestorians, and recent Christological agreements with the Catholic and Orthodox churches have resolved this debate permanently, clearing the way for union.


Oriental Orthodoxy

Oriental Orthodoxy was formed in the fifth century by Christians who did not accept the Council Of Chalcedon (AD 451). It is historically related to Eutychian Monophysitism , and other denominations typically call these churches Monophysite, but Oriental Orthodox reject this description, calling themselves Miaphysite .


Oriental Orthodox Communion


  • The Antiochian Catholic Church In America is theologically aligned with these Churches, but is not in full communion with them, primarily because it ordains women and does not impose celibacy on its bishops.



PROTESTANT


Pre-Lutheran Protestants



Lutheranism



Reformed Churches




Congregationalist Churches


Anglicanism



= Anglican Communion (in communion with the Church Of England )



=Independent Anglican and Continuing Anglican Movement Churches



Anabaptists



Methodists

See Also: World Methodist Council#Members




Pietist s and Holiness Churches



Baptists


Note: All Baptist associations are Congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.


Spiritual Baptists


Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has Congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.



Brethren



Apostolic Churches - Irvingites



Pentecostalism



Oneness Pentecostalism


Note: Genealogically, Oneness Pentecostalism can be grouped with other Pentecostals, but doctrinally, it is a non-trinitarian denomination.


Charismatics


Neo-Charismatic Churches



African Initiated Churches

See Also: African Initiated Church




United and uniting churches

See Also: United and uniting churches




Other Protestant Denominations



Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Note: Although, historically speaking, the Religious Society of Friends can be listed as a Protestant denomination, this is sometimes contested and many Quakers today consider their faith to be a distinct, non-Protestant form of Christianity, with no compulsory beliefs or creeds. Some Quakers are " Post-Christian " and some Non-theists .


MESSIANIC JUDAISM



RESTORATIONISM



Latter Day Saints


See Also: Latter Day Saint movement
Mormonism



Most denominations are derived from the Church Of Christ established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830 . The majority of "Prarie Saint" denominations were established after the death of Smith by the remnants of the saints who did not go west with Brigham Young . The Rocky Mountain denominations are various sects who broke from the LDS Church after its abandonment of Polygamy in 1890 . Other denominations are defined by either a belief in Joseph Smith as a prophet, or acceptance of the Book Of Mormon as scripture.


"Prairie Saint" denominations



Rocky Mountains denominations



Other



Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement



Southcottites


Millerites and Comparable groups


Sabbath Keeping Churches, Adventist


Sabbath-Keeping Churches, Non-Adventist



Sunday Adventists



Sacred Name Groups


Other Adventists



Bible Student Groups


Anglo-Israelism



NONTRINITARIAN GROUPS




RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS RELATED TO CHRISTIANITY


Christian/Wicca


Manichaeism

(extinct as a distinct and modern group)


The New Church also called Swedenborgianism


Episcopal




New Thought



Christian mystery movements



ETHNIC OR SYNCRETIC RELIGIONS INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIANITY




REFERENCES



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