Lutheran
Presbyterian
Congregational
Anabaptist
Baptist
I know they are all very similar but if you could just tell me the simple differences in their beliefs, its would be a great help
2007-10-17 08:48:26 · 10 answers · asked by smile and don't stop 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Lutherans are named for Martin Luther. They are more liturgical and have a view of communion which holds that Christ is somehow present in the elements.
Presbyterians and Congregationalists are named for their governments. Presbyterian are ruled by elders, and they have a strong view of predestination. Congregationalists believe in congregational rule (something like democracy).
Baptists are essentially Congregationalists who make it a point that the membership is comprised only of professing believers, thus baptized. The other previously named denominations will also baptize babies (who obviously can't express belief).
Anabaptists were part of the radical reformation, and the "ana" prefix means "again." They re-baptized people, but their theology goes way beyond just that. Today, the Mennonites and Brethren churches represent this group.
2007-10-17 08:54:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can speak to a few of these. Lutheran are reformed Catholics, they still hold on to some of the "rituals" of the Catholic church, such as confession to priests. Most denominations believe you confess to Jesus in prayer, cutting out the middle man. Anabaptists have a stance against war, believing the kingdom is spiritual not physical. Baptists believe obviously in the demonstration (publically) of your faith through Baptism..though this is not necessary for salvation. If any denomination replaces Christ as our savior with anything else...it has strayed from being a "Christian" denomination. There are many paths to take to be trained and get to know and love Christ and God. It is good that you have an interest in other denominations.
2007-10-17 08:55:29 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first 3 baptize babies and the last 2 do not.
Baptists and Congregationalists have congregational church polity which means that the local congregation is the ultimate decision-making unit
Presbyterians have a synodal church structure as do many Lutherans. Lutherans can have episcopal(bishop/diocese-type) structures too.
Anabaptists do not come out of the Lutheran Reformation subfamily or the Reformed(like the Presbyterians and Baptists) but they have their own which includesAmish,Menonite,Hutterite, Bruderhof and others like that
Baptists and Anabaptists have historically been opposed to state establishment of denominations and Anabaptist groups tend to be pacifist"Peace Churches"
Lutherans believe in the actual and corporeal Real Presence of Christ in Communion and the others do not.
2007-10-17 09:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by James O 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the lutheran denomination was named after martin luther and was based on his teachings. the methodists got their name because their founder, john wesley, was famous for coming up with “methods” for spiritual growth. presbyterians are named for their view on church leadership—the greek word for elder is presbyteros. baptists got their name because they have always emphasized the importance of baptism. each denomination has a slightly different doctrine or emphasis from the others
2007-10-17 08:52:40 · answer #4 · answered by Silver 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The difference is the belief in the divinity of Jesus.
2007-10-17 08:51:17 · answer #5 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Christianity is like one of those wooden russian dolls. Each sect has subsects. I believe that we are around 37,000 Christian sects. Why worry about these?
2007-10-17 08:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by UpChuck 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Where they apply the capitals,commas and periods.
Who is telling it to you.
What are they looking to gain.
Go solo, find your own spirit and begin to live.
2007-10-17 08:57:24 · answer #7 · answered by benejueves 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is not a denomination.
2007-10-17 08:52:22 · answer #8 · answered by God is love. 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
they all teach a different doctrine of worship.
2007-10-17 08:52:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very simply, they all stray from the truth. So, pick your leaven.
2007-10-17 08:51:23 · answer #10 · answered by witnessnbr1 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋