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Denom- ination

Origins

Organization

Authority

Special rites

Baptists

In radical Reformation, objections to infant baptism, demands for church and state separation; John Smyth, English Separatist, in 1609; Roger Williams, 1638, Providence, RI.

Congregational; each local church is autonomous.

Scripture; some Baptists, particularly in the South, interpret the Bible literally.

[Baptism, usually early teen years and after, by total immersion;] Lord's Supper.

Church of Christ (Disciples)

Among evangelical Presbyterians in KY (1804) and PA (1809), in distress over Protestant factionalism and decline of fervor; organized in 1832.

Congregational.

[“Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.”]

Adult baptism; Lord's Supper (weekly).

Episco- palians

Henry VIII separated English Catholic Church from Rome, 1534, for political reasons; Protestant Episcopal Church in U.S. founded in 1789.

[Diocesan bishops, in apostolic succession, are elected by parish representatives; the national Church is headed by General Convention and Presiding Bishop; part of the Anglican Communion.]

Scripture as interpreted by tradition, especially 39 Articles (1563); tri-annual convention of bishops, priests, and lay people.

Infant baptism, Eucharist, and other sacraments; sacrament taken to be symbolic, but as having real spiritual effect.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Founded in 1870 in PA by Charles Taze Russell; incorporated as Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of PA, 1884; name Jehovah's Witnesses adopted in 1931.

A governing body located in NY coordinates worldwide activities; each congregation cared for by a body of elders; each Witness considered a minister.

The Bible.

Baptism by immersion; annual Lord's Meal ceremony.

Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

In a vision of the Father and the Son reported by Joseph Smith (1820s) in NY. Smith also reported receiving new scripture on golden tablets: The Book of Mormon.

Theocratic; 1st Presidency (church president, 2 counselors), 12 Apostles preside over inter­national church. Local congregations headed by lay priesthood leaders.

Revelation to living prophet (church president). The Bible, Book of Mormon, and other revelations to Smith and his successors.

Baptism, at age 8; laying on of hands (which confers the gift of the Holy Ghost); Lord's Supper; temple rites: baptism for the dead, marriage for eternity, others.

Lutherans

Begun by Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517; objection to Catholic doctrine of salvation and sale of indulgences; break complete, 1519.

Varies from congregational to episcopal; in U.S., a combination of regional synods and congregational polities is most common.

Scripture alone. The Book of Concord (1580), which includes the three Ecumenical Creeds, is subscribed to as a correct exposition of Scripture.

Infant baptism; Lord's Supper; Christ's true body and blood present “in, with, and under the bread and wine.”

Methodists

Rev. John Wesley began movement in 1738, within Church of England; first U.S. denomination, Baltimore (1784).

Conference and superintendent system; [in United Methodist Church, general superinten­­dents are bishops—not a priestly order, only an office—who are elected for life.]

Scripture as interpreted by tradition, reason, and experience.

Baptism of infants or adults; Lord's Supper commanded; other rites: marriage, ordination, solemnization of personal commitments.

Orthodox

Developed in original Christian proselytizing; broke with Rome in 1054, after centuries of doctrinal disputes and diverging traditions.

Synods of bishops in autonomous, usually national, churches elect a patriarch, archbishop, or metropolitan; these men, as a group, are the heads of the church.

Scripture, tradition, and the first 7 church councils up to Nicaea II in 787; bishops in council have authority in doctrine and policy.

Seven sacraments: infant baptism and anointing, Eucharist, ordination, penance, marriage, and anointing of the sick.

Pentecostal

In Topeka, KS (1901) and Los Angeles (1906), in reaction to perceived loss of evangelical fervor among Methodists and others.

Originally a movement, not a formal organization, Pente­costalism now has a variety of organized forms and continues also as a movement.

Scripture; individual charismatic leaders, the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

[Spirit baptism, especially as shown in “speaking in tongues”; healing and sometimes exorcism;] adult baptism; Lord's Supper.

Presby- terians

In 16th-cent. Calvinist reformation; differed with Lutherans over sacraments, church government; John Knox founded Scotch Presby­erian church about 1560.

[Highly structured representational system of ministers and lay persons (presbyters) in local, regional, and national bodies (synods).]

Scripture.

Infant baptism; Lord's Supper; bread and wine symbolize Christ's spiritual presence.

Roman Catholics

Traditionally, founded by Jesus who named St. Peter the 1st vicar; developed in early Christian proselytizing, especially after the conversion of imperial Rome in the 4th cent.

[Hierarchy with supreme power vested in pope elected by cardinals;] councils of bishops advise on matters of doctrine and policy.

[The pope, when speaking for the whole church in matters of faith and morals; and tradition (which is expressed in church councils and in part contained in Scripture).]

Mass; 7 sacraments: baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, ordination, and anointing of the sick (unction).

United Church of Christ

[By ecumenical union, in 1957, of Congregationalists and Evangelical & Reformed, representing both Calvinist and Lutheran traditions.]

Congregational; a General Synod, representative of all congregations, sets general policy.

Scripture.

Infant baptism; Lord's Supper.