What does it mean to believe in the teachings of some sect of Christianity?

Question

What does it mean to be either Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, or Anglecan, or Eastern Orthodox or any other sect?

Answer 1

There are so many denominations, but all are the same in the belief of Christ, his death & resurrection, and the Word of God.

One big difference between Catholocism and the protestant faiths is communion. In the Catholic church, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, in the protestant faiths it is a symbol. The belief that it changes is called transubstantiation.

In the Catholic church, the priests are a hierarchy of preists, bishops, cardinals up to the Pope, and the Pope is the head of the church. Methodists have Bishops, but do not recognize the Pope. Presbyterians are completely democratic, and select their own ministers. Methodist and Presbyterian follow the thoughts of Calvin, and the Lutherans follow the thoughts of Martin Luther.

Just a few things off the top of my head...there's so much info to answer your question...

Answer 2

Sect is not really the right word, because it refers to splinter groups (often informal ones) within a larger group. Denomination or tradition would be more appropriate, because it denotes a more formal separation.

To answer your question, the different Christian traditions are generally grouped as Protestant (Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc.) or Apostolic (those who believe that their leaders have inherited their position of leadership from the apostles - e.g. the Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox). Protestant churches, though large in number and varied in doctrine, are generally distinct in that they believe Christianity is based only on scripture (the Bible), while Apostolic churches also believe that religious tradition is an important source of information about early Christianity.

Fundamentally, all of these groups believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and follow the Bible. But there are many differences that have appeared between them over the generations, so that Evangelical Christian belief, for example, is very far removed from Catholic or Orthodox belief (in some cases the differences can be so extreme that you can rightly wonder whether they are all the same religion).

I'm not sure if I'm answering your question - it was rather open ended. Hope this helps though ;)

Answer 3

i suppose it means you adhere to the specific details contained in the catechism of your particularly sect. the differences and similiarities amongst demoninations is vast because each provides an individualized view of the christian faith.

everything from the identity of jesus, virgin birth, baptism, apostles, lay people, music, service, prayers, and translations of holy texts is defined by each sect "differently".

utlimately to believe in the teachings of a particular sect should consititute a person as a member of that sect's faith based-community. ofcourse you could belive in something from every sect which would render you believes to be nondemonionational. in that case you would be a christian unconcerned w/ the particulars as to "ways to ______".

Answer 4

They're all just denominations. All you really need to worry about is believing the Bible. Denominations are just there because everyone has a different style of worship. A different level of comfort believing and acting on what they read in the Bible. Find a Bible believing church - one that doesn't skip over scriptures they don't understand or aren't comfortable with and study on your own. No church is perfect, because it's made up of people who no matter what some of them may want you to believe are not perfect. You have to lean on God - not on people. Anyway... hope that helped a little.

Answer 5

You'd have to ask the members (or better yet, clerics) of that particular demonimation...