What defines the denomination...

[J.A.I]

Not sure if this is the right place to put it... but what is the difference in between all denominations ? Like what do.....

Pentecostals
Baptists
Catholics
Presbyterians
Lutherans
Anglicans
Methodists

..... and so on believe that differs from the other denominations ? What makes an Anglican an Anglican, and so forth ?

Thanks :)

[Dominus Fidelis]

Jai___,

Catholics are not a denomination. We are the Universal Church for all people, which is what 'Catholic' means. Denominations came from people separating from the Catholic Church over time.

Just wanted to clarify that bit.

PS

Your picture is beatiful. :)

[Eusebios]

Jai___,

Catholics are not a denomination. We are the Universal Church for all people, which is what 'Catholic' means. Denominations came from people separating from the Catholic Church over time.

Just wanted to clarify that bit.
I respectfully disagree, but that's another thread or 10,000 :)

PS

Your picture is beatiful. :)
Agreed, but perhaps irrelevant to the question :D
In all seriousness Jai, the thing that the denominations( n 1: a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith ) you mentioned have in common is that they are "Protestant" in their orientation and origin, that is they are sects which have broken off from the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. To examine all the differences would be quite a lengthy process. Sufffice it to say that the differences are those relating to Soterilogy (issues regarding salvation), perhaps Christology(views on Christ and His nature(s)), and I would submit, primarily dealing with Ecclisiology (matters concerning the Church and it's role, particularly with regard to the afore-mentioned area of Soteriology). This just scratches the surface I'm sure.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[<><]

Did the Christian Church "break off" of the religion of the Jews of Jesus' day?

Breaking off isn't bad, if what is being broken from (1) doesn't obey God and (2) doesn't teach His Word.

[<><]

Denominations differ on the standard of morality.
Churches disagree about what we must do to be saved.
Religious groups do not agree about the condition of the saved, either.
Worship is another matter of discrepancy.

The attempt to sweep away the problem of religious division as "minor differences" is futile. These are major disagreements on matters of the greatest import. Do not be deceived. Read your Bible and learn the truth about these and similar questions.

[Eusebios]

Denominations differ on the standard of morality.
Churches disagree about what we must do to be saved.
Religious groups do not agree about the condition of the saved, either.
Worship is another matter of discrepancy.
That's interesting. Are these your thoughts?

The attempt to sweep away the problem of religious division as "minor differences" is futile. These are major disagreements on matters of the greatest import. Do not be deceived. Read your Bible and learn the truth about these and similar questions.
I don't believe anyone is trying to "sweep away" the division in the Body. I agree that the idea that such things are minor differences is a gross underestimation of the issue(s).I'm not sure that the scriptures however will shed light on the OP, as at the time they were written, the Church was for all intents and purposes unified. Enominations, are at the very most slightly less than a thousand years old.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[J.A.I]

Aww thanks for the compliment, Defens..... :)

Anyhow, I disagree with the fact that Catholicism is not a denomination.. From what it sounds like, you are saying that Catholicism is THE main religion and Baptists, Presbyterians, and so on are just parts of it. I totally disagree with that if that is what you are saying.

Personally... my experience.. I went to a Catholic school my junior yr of high school, and we were forced to go to mass every Wednesday. The things that people would do at MY church (Pentecostal).. if they'd gone to Catholic mass and done that, they'd probably be looked at as if they were demonic or disrespectful. So there are definite differences.. from one point of view, it seems that Catholics don't believe in the gifts of the spirit as Pentecostals and Baptists and so on do.

Also, no other 'denomination' prays to a saint. And that has always made me wonder because nowhere in the Bible does it say that a man can help me. Jesus died and became the 'middleman'.. He connects us to God. We don't need saints to connect us to Jesus.

Just my thoughts and questions... :)

[Dominus Fidelis]

Aww thanks for the compliment, Defens..... :)

Anyhow, I disagree with the fact that Catholicism is not a denomination.. From what it sounds like, you are saying that Catholicism is THE main religion and Baptists, Presbyterians, and so on are just parts of it. I totally disagree with that if that is what you are saying.

Personally... my experience.. I went to a Catholic school my junior yr of high school, and we were forced to go to mass every Wednesday. The things that people would do at MY church (Pentecostal).. if they'd gone to Catholic mass and done that, they'd probably be looked at as if they were demonic or disrespectful. So there are definite differences.. from one point of view, it seems that Catholics don't believe in the gifts of the spirit as Pentecostals and Baptists and so on do.

Also, no other 'denomination' prays to a saint. And that has always made me wonder because nowhere in the Bible does it say that a man can help me. Jesus died and became the 'middleman'.. He connects us to God. We don't need saints to connect us to Jesus.

Just my thoughts and questions... :)

Hey there-

Yes, we have some disagreements, but thats ok. :) There is more that connects us than what separates us. If you want to ask specific questions, you might want to try the 'One Bread, One Body' forum. As long as people ask sincere questions everyone is very nice to non-Catholics and will answer anything for you.

:)