An old high school friend of mine had recently asked me to write a blog on the different Christian denominations. To be honest I am not a history expert by any means but I thought, sure why not! I must admit that I learned so much during my research along the way! I thought it was a great idea and decided to include a timeline and the details of the church history.
Welcome to Church History 101.
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Important Events
Seven weeks (c. 36 AD) after Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples were together for the celebration of Pentecost. It was during this gathering when God’s Spirit fell upon everyone otherwise known as a tongue-like flame of fire resting on each of them. Everyone at this gathering rushed into the streets and into the temple. Peter, one of the apostles, announced to all the people that what they were witnessing was a fulfillment of Joel’s promise about the outpouring of God’s Spirit in the “last days” (Shelley, 1995). Peter called the people to repent and 3000 people accepted Peter’s invitation to be baptized. This is how the Christian church started.
Between 70 -312 AD: Within this period Christianity further spread throughout the Roman Empire and the Christians recognized this movement as Catholic (Shelley, 1995). Catholic Christianity was considered universal and was led by bishops (Shelley, 1995).
Between 312-590 AD: The Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and the Christian Church was joined to power of the state (Shelley, 1995).
Between 590-1517: Over time, popes assumed more power and had been later viewed as corrupted by power which had caused reformers to call for change (Shelley, 1995). 1054 AD marked the split between the (Greek) Eastern Orthodox and (Roman) Western Churches (Woodhead, 2004). To read more on this split or otherwise known as the East-West Schism, I suggest you visit this great resource by clicking here.
Year 1054
Examples of People of the Reformation
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a reformer who believed that nothing stood between him and God, including mediating authorities such as popes (Woodhead, 2004). He believed: in one high God; there was no need to call upon the assistance of saints, to place faith in relics, or to obey the pope; and there was no need for the church’s complicated system of confession and penance (Woodhead, 2004). In 1517, Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg. The theses attacked the sale of indulgences (instruments for granting forgiveness of sins) by popes and bishops to raise money (Woodhead, 2004). In other words, one had to pay in order to have their sins forgiven.
John Calvin (1509-1564) was a French lawyer and theologian who led the rest of the way of the Reformation (Woodhead, 2004). Calvanism became the dominant form of Protestanism in Switzerland, Poland, Hungary and a part of the Netherlands (Woodhead, 2004). Calvinists broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th Century. To read more click here.
Overview of Christian Denominations
Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist and Catholic
Here is a short list of some areas of Christianity:
Presbyterianism: Is one of the earliest denominations of the Reformation. Presbyterianism utilizes a system of government structure where representative assemblies of elders (Presbyteries) govern the church. In each church, elders are appointed and are responsible for their local congregation. In Canada, the highest governing body is The Presbyterian Church in Canada. It is structured in four levels: Session (at the congregational level), Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly. Such structure allows the people to vote when making decisions. They believe in baptism and communion, the Bible and God. To read more please click here.
Anglicanism: Sometimes referred to as “Reformed Catholicism” stemmed from the Protestant Reformation. Anglicans view the Bible as the highest form of authority in matters of faith. The church government structure (episcopal form) consists of three pastoral offices: bishops, priests, and deacons. Women can be ordained priests, bishops and priests. Anglicans recognize Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Penance, Ordination, Matrimony and Unction of the Sick. To read more click here and to read more on the Anglican Church of Canada click here.
Baptists: stem from the Anglican Church of England and believe in one God, the Trinity and Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The Bible is considered the authoritative rule of faith. Baptists believe in Baptism only after an individual has professed Jesus Christ as their Saviour as a public expression of their faith. To read more please click here
Catholicism: Roman Catholics believe: that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true church; that purgatory exists; that the clergy remain celibate; the practice of Adoration; and the belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and her bodily Assumption. The church structure is comprised of three orders of pastoral ministry: bishops, priests and deacons. The Pope is the highest ranking bishop. To read more please click here.
Phew! I made it and so did you!! Thank you for staying with me on this one!! Despite my lack of experience in history, I had so much fun writing this one!
Please know that this was just a short list. If you want to learn more about other denominations please let me know in the comments section. I also welcome you to share interesting information about your area of faith.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!
Psalm 111: 10
~Justine, Writer of The Scarlet Rope
References
Boruff, J. (2011). The family tree of Christian denominations. Retrieved from https://wesleygospel.com/2011/12/26/the-family-tree-of-christian-denominations/
Casanova, A. (2018, April 27). The most well-known protestant denomination: 10 things everyone should know about Baptists. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/presbyterians-10-things-to-know-about-this-historic-denomination.html
Casanova, A. (2018, June 1). Presbyterians: 10 things to know about their history and beliefs. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/presbyterians-10-things-to-know-about-this-historic-denomination.html
Crosswalk.com Editorial Staff. (2013, November 14). Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/what-is-calvinism.html
Dennis, G.T. (N.D.). 1054 the east-west schism. Retrieved from https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-28/1054-east-west-schism.html
Gingerich, Barton. (2018, October 16). What is Catholicism? History, tradition and beliefs. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/what-is-catholicism.html
Gingerich, Barton. (2018, November 12). What you need to know about the Anglican church. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/the-anglican-church.html
Orthodox Christianity for Absolute Beginners. (2019). A timeline of church history. Retrieved from http://www.orthodoxresource.co.uk/orthodoxy/history.htm
Shelley, B. (1995). Church history in plain language. Thomas Nelson.
Tait, Jonathan. (N.D.) Church History Timeline.
The Anglican Church of Canada. (2018). The Anglican church of Canada: A brief history. Retrieved from https://www.anglican.ca/about/history/
The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. (2018). Ordination of women in the Anglican church of Canada (deacons, priests and bishops). Retrieved from https://www.anglican.ca/ask/faq/ordination-of-women/
The Presbyterian Church in Canada. (N.D.). The Presbyterian church in Canada: who we are. Retrieved from https://presbyterian.ca/about/
Woodhead, L. (2004). An introduction to Christianity. Cambridge University Press.