|| United Church of Christ Beliefs (UCC) ||

Baptism - Baptism is the church community's promise 
of "love, support, and care." United Church of Christ (UCC) 
churches baptize infants brought by parents, or adults, 
when they are received into membership.
 Bible - The Bible is used for inspiration, guidance, 
and for preaching. Members are not required to believe 
literally any version of Scripture. 
Communion - All people of faith are invited to participate 
in the sacrament of communion. The act is seen as a 
reminder of the cost of Christ's sacrifice. Communion is 
celebrated as a mystery, honoring Christ and 
those who have died in his faith. 
Creed - The UCC does not require its congregations or 
members to follow a creed. The only profession 
necessary is love. 
Equality-There is no discrimination of any type 
in United Church of Christ beliefs. 
Heaven and Hell- Many members do not believe
 in specific places of reward or punishment, 
but do believe God gives believers eternal life.
 Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is recognized as fully 
human and fully God, Son of the Creator, 
Savior, and Head of the Church. 
Prophecy - United Church of Christ beliefs call the 
UCC to be a prophetic church. Many of the church's 
positions call for the same treatment of 
people as did the prophets and apostles. 
Sin - According to the UCC, sin is "opposition or 
indifference to the will of God." 
Trinity - The UCC believes in the Triune God: Creator, 
Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The United Church of Christ sets
 itself apart from other Christian denominations with its 
emphasis on the belief that God still speaks to his 
followers today. New light and understanding are constantly 
being revealed through interpretation of the Bible, 
says the United Church of Christ. 
Sacraments - Congregations conduct baptism during worship 
services when the community is present. Sprinkling is the 
usual practice, although some congre-gations use immersion. 
Communion elements are usually brought 
to members in their pews. 

Worship Service - United Church of Christ beliefs account 
for wide diversity in services. Local needs and traditions 
usually dictate worship styles and music. While no single
 liturgy is imposed, a typical Sunday service includes a sermon, 
adoration of God, general confession of sins, an assurance of 
forgiveness, prayers or songs of thanksgiving, and 
members dedicating themselves to God's will.

All members of the UCC are equals as the priesthood of 
believers, and though ordained ministers have 
special training, they are considered servants. 
             Individuals are free to live and believe based on their 
interpretation of God's will for their lives. UCC stresses unity
 within the church and a unifying spirit to heal divisions.
 It seeks unity in essentials but allows for diversity 
in nonessentials, with a charitable 
attitude toward disagreement. 

               The unity of the church is a gift from God, 
UCC teaches, yet diversity is to be accepted with love. 
To learn more about United Church of Christ beliefs, 
Crd: official United Church of Christ Website.

|| Moravian Church Beliefs ||

 Moravian Church Beliefs Motto: 

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.' 

Baptism: || Infants, children, and adults are baptized in this church. 

Through baptism "the individual receives a pledge of 

the forgiveness of sin and admission into the covenant of 

God through the blood of Jesus Christ."

Communion:  || The Moravian Church does not try to explain 

the mystery of this sacrament of Christ's presence in 

the bread and wine. Believers engage in an act of covenant 

with Christ as Savior and with other believers. 

Creeds:  || Moravian Church beliefs recognize the 

Apostles' Creed, Athanasian Creed, and the Nicene Creed as 

important statements of Christian faith. They help set a 

Scriptural confession, mark the boundaries of heresy,

 and encourage believers to an obedient life.

Doctrine:--- ||  The Unity of Brethren takes an unusual 

stand on doctrine: "Just as the Holy Scripture does not contain 

any doctrinal system, so the Unitas Fratrum also has not 

developed any of its own because it knows that the mystery 

of Jesus Christ, which is attested to in the Bible, cannot be

 comprehended completely by any human mind or expressed 

completely in any human statement," its Ground of the Unity 

document states. Moravian Church beliefs hold that all 

information needed for salvation is contained in the Bible. 

Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Trinity, 

who directs and unites Christians and forms them into a church. 

The Spirit calls each person individually to recognize their 

sin and accept redemption through Christ.

Jesus Christ:   || There is no salvation apart from Christ.

 He redeemed the whole of humanity by his death and 

resurrection and is present with us in the Word and the Sacrament. 

Priesthood of All Believers: The Unitas Fratrum recognizes the 

priesthood of all believers but does ordain ministers and 

deacons, as well as consecrate presbyters and bishops.

Salvation: God's will for salvation is revealed completely 

and clearly in the Bible, through the sacrifice of 

Jesus Christ on the cross. 

Trinity::::|| God is Triune in nature: Father, Son, 

and Holy Spirit and is the only source of life and salvation. 

Unity::::|| The Moravian Church takes a firm stand for 

unity in the church, recognizing Christ as the sole head of 

the church, who is leading his scattered children toward unity. 

Moravians cooperate with other Christian denominations in 

worthwhile charitable ventures and respect the differences 

among Christian churches. "We recognize the danger of 

self-righteousness and judging others without love," 

the Moravian Ground of the Unity says. 

Sacraments::::|| Moravian churches profess two sacraments:

 baptism and communion. Baptism is done by sprinkling and, 

for infants, implies responsibility for the infant, parents, 

and congregation. Youth and adults may be

 baptized at the time they make a profession of faith. 

Sources • Moravian Church in North America. 

 • The Ground of the Unity.

|| Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA) ||

                    The Christian Reformed Church had its beginning in the Netherlands. Today, the Christian Reformed Church is spread across the United States and Canada, while missionaries take its message to 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) has more than 268,000 members in over 1,049 churches in 30 countries.

CRCNA Founding ---|| One of many Calvinist denominations in Europe, the Dutch Reformed Church became the state religion in the Netherlands in the 1600s. However, during the Enlightenment, that church strayed from Calvin's teachings. The common people responded by forming their own movement, worshiping in small groups called conventicles.
                      Persecution by the state church led to a formal secession by Rev. Hendrik de Cock and others. Many years later, Rev. Albertus Van Raalte saw that the only way to avoid further persecution was to go to the United States. They settled in Holland, Michigan in 1848. To overcome the harsh conditions, they merged with the Dutch Reformed Church in New Jersey. By 1857, a group of four churches seceded and formed the Christian Reformed Church.

Geography:::::|| The Christian Reformed Church in North America is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, with congregations throughout the United States and Canada, and about 27 other countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. 

Christian Reformed Church Beliefs ::::|| The Christian Reformed Church professes the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. They believe salvation is God's work from beginning to end and that humans can do nothing to earn their way into heaven. 
Baptism ::: Christ's blood and spirit wash away sins in baptism. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, infants as well as adults may be baptized and received into the church. 
Bible ::: The Bible is the "inspired and infallible Word of God." While Scripture reflects the personalities and cultures of the individual writers, it infallibly conveys God's revelation. Over the decades, the Christian Reformed Church has authorized several translations of the Bible to be used in worship services.
Clergy -:::Women may be ordained to all ecclesiastical offices in the Christian Reformed Church. Synods have debated this issue since 1970, and not all local churches agree with this position. 

Communion ||  The Lord's Supper is offered as a remembrance of Jesus Christ's "once-for-all" sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins. 
Holy Spirit || The Holy Spirit is the comforter promised by Jesus before his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit is God with us in the here and now, empowering and guiding both the church and individuals. 
Jesus Christ -|| Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the center of human history. Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, and his life, death and resurrection are historical facts. Christ returned to heaven following his resurrection and will come again to make all things new.
Redemption - God the Father refused to let sin conquer humanity. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world through his sacrificial death. Further, God raised Jesus from the dead to show that Christ has overcome sin and death. Sabbath - From the time of the early church, Christians have celebrated the Sabbath on Sunday. Sunday should be a day of rest from work, except by necessity, and recreation should not interfere with church worship.

Sin - The Fall introduced the "sin virus" into the world, which contaminates everything, from people to creatures to institutions. Sin can result in alienation from God but cannot blot out a person's longing for God and wholeness. 
Trinity - God is One, in three persons, as revealed by the Bible. God is a "perfect community of love" as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
Sacraments - The Christian Reformed Church practices two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is performed by a minister or ministry associate, by sprinkling water on the forehead but may also be done by immersion. Adults who are baptized are called to make a public confession of faith.
               The Lord's Supper is offered as bread and the cup. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, the bread and wine are not changed into the body and blood of Christ but are a certain sign that participants receive full pardon for their sins through communion.  

|| Church of the Brethren ||

• Background: Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination with origins in the Pietist and Anabaptist movements. Adherents stress peace and reconciliation, serving others, living a simple life, and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. 
• Founding: The Brethren were founded in 1708 by Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau Germany. 
• The Brethren's Vision Statement: “Through Scripture, Jesus calls us to live as courageous disciples by word and action: To surrender ourselves to God, To embrace one another, To express God’s love for all creation.” 

Baptism: Baptism by triple immersion is an ordinance performed on adults, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Brethren see baptism as a commitment to live Jesus' teachings responsibly and joyfully. 
Bible: The Brethren use the New Testament as their guidebook for living. They believe the Bible is divinely inspired and hold that the Old Testament lays out God's purpose and desires for humanity. 
Communion: Communion is an expression of love, modeled after Christ's last supper with his disciples. The Brethren partake in bread and wine, celebrating agape, the selfless love Jesus showed to the world. 

Creed: The Brethren do not follow a Christian creed. Rather, they use the entire New Testament to affirm their beliefs and to glean instruction on how to live. God: God the Father is viewed by Brethren as "Creator and loving Sustainer.
"Healing: The practice of anointing is an ordinance within the Church of the Brethren, and includes the minister laying on hands for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. The laying on of hands symbolizes the prayers and support of the entire congregation. 
Holy Spirit: Brethren hold that the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the believer's life: "We seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life, thought, and mission." 

Jesus Christ: All Brethren "affirm their belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." Living a life patterned after the life of Christ is of paramount importance to the Brethren as they seek to emulate his humble service and unconditional love. Peace: All war is a sin, according to the Church of the Brethren. Brethren are conscientious objectors and seek to promote nonviolent solutions to conflict, ranging from personal disagreements to international threats. 
Salvation: God's plan of salvation is that people are pardoned from their sins through believing in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. God provided his only Son as the perfect sacrifice in our place. Jesus promises believers in him a place in heaven. 

Trinity: Brethren believe in the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one God. 
Sacraments: The Brethren recognize the ordinances of adult believer's baptism, communion (which includes a love feast, bread and cup, and feet washing), and anointing. Baptism is by immersion, three times forward, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This triple immersion method of baptism earned the Brethren the nickname “Dunkers.”

|| Pentecostal Church International(UPCI) ||

                           The UPCI, or United Pentecostal Church International, sets itself apart from other Christian denominations by its belief in the oneness of God, a doctrine which rejects the Trinity. And while the UPCI professes salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not works, this church commands baptism and obedience as requirements for reconciliation to God (salvation). 
UPCI Beliefs  
Baptism - The UPCI does not baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but rather in the name of Jesus Christ. Oneness Pentecostals cite Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, and 22:16 as their proof for this doctrine. 
Bible - The Bible is "the Word of God and is therefore inerrant and infallible." UPCI holds that all extrabiblical writings, revelations, creeds, and articles of faith are to be rejected, as the opinions of men. 
Communion - UPCI churches practice the Lord's Supper and foot washing as ordinances. 
Divine Healing - The UPCI believes the healing ministry of Christ continues on earth today. Doctors and medicine play a vital role, but God is the ultimate source of all healing. God still heals miraculously today. 
Heaven, Hell - Both the just and unjust will be resurrected, and all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. A just God will determine the eternal destiny of every soul: The unjust will go to everlasting fire and punishment, while the righteous will receive eternal life. Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the manifestation of the one God in the New Testament. Christ's shed blood was offered for the redemption of mankind. 
Modesty - "Holiness involves both the inner man and the outer man." Accordingly, the United Pentecostal Church says that for women, modesty requires that they not wear slacks, not cut their hair, not wear jewelry, not wear makeup, and not swim in mixed company. Dress hemlines should be below the knee and sleeves below the elbow. Men are advised that hair should not cover the tops of the ears or touch the shirt collar. Movies, dancing, and worldly sports are also to be avoided.
 Oneness of God - God is one, manifested in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He manifested himself as Jehovah in the Old Testament; as Jesus Christ, God and man, in the New Testament; and as the Holy Spirit, God with us and in us in our regeneration. This doctrine opposes the Tri-unity of God or three distinct persons within one God. 
Salvation - According to United Pentecostal Church belief, salvation requires repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and baptism in the Holy Ghost, then living a godly life. 
Sin - Sin is breaking the commandments of God. Every human being from Adam to the present is guilty of sin. 
Tongues - "Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker." Initial speaking in tongues indicates baptism in the Holy Spirit. Subsequent speaking in tongues in church meetings is a public message which must be interpreted. 
Trinity - The word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible. UPCI says that doctrine is invalid. God, according to United Pentecostals, is not three distinct persons, as in the Trinity doctrine, but three "manifestations" of the one God. This doctrine is called Oneness of God or Jesus Only. Disagreement over the Trinity vs. Oneness of God and water baptism caused the original split of Oneness Pentecostals from the Assemblies of God in 1916. 
UPCI Practices Sacraments - The United Pentecostal Church requires water baptism as a condition for salvation, and the formula is "... in the name of Jesus," not in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as other Protestant denominations observe. Baptism is by immersion only, ruling out pouring, sprinkling, and infant baptism. United Pentecostals observe the Lord's Supper in their worship service, along with foot washing. 
Worship Service - UPCI services are spirit-filled and lively, with members shouting, singing, raising their hands in praise, clapping, dancing, testifying, and speaking in tongues. Instrumental music also plays a key role, based on 2 Samuel 6:5. People are also anointed with oil for divine healing. 
( official UPCI Website.)

|| Lutheran Beliefs and Practices ||

Baptism - Although Luther retained that baptism was necessary for 
spiritual regeneration, no specific form was stipulated. Today Lutherans 
practice both infant baptism and baptism of believing adults. Baptism is 
done by sprinkling or pouring water rather than immersion. 
Most Lutheran branches accept a valid baptism of other 
Christian denominations when a person converts, 
making re-baptism unnecessary. 
Catechism - Luther wrote two catechisms or guides to the faith. 
The Small Catechism contains basic explanations of the T
en Commandments, Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, baptism, 
confession, communion, and a list of prayers and table of duties.
 The Large Catechism goes into great detail on these topics. 
Church Governance - Luther maintained that individual 
churches should be governed locally, not by a centralized authority, 
as in the Roman Catholic Church. Although many Lutheran branches
still have bishops, they do not exercise the same type of 
control over congregations. 
Creeds - Today's Lutheran churches use the three 
Christian creeds:the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, 
and the Athanasian Creed. These ancient professions of 
faith summarize basic Lutheran beliefs. 
Eschatology - Lutherans do not interpret the Rapture as most o
ther Protestant denominations do. Instead, Lutherans believe 
Christ will return only once, visibly, and will catch up all 
Christians together with the dead in Christ. The tribulation is 
the normal suffering all Christians endure until that last day. 
Heaven and Hell - Lutherans see heaven and hell as literal places. 
Heaven is a realm where believers enjoy God forever, 
free from sin, death, and evil. Hell is a place of 
punishment where the soul is eternally separated from God. 
Individual Access to God - Luther believed each individual 
has the right to reach God through Scripture with a responsibility 
to God alone. It is not necessary for a priest to mediate. 
This "priesthood of all believers" was a radical change from Catholic doctrine. 
The Lord's Supper - Luther retained the sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper, which is the central act of worship in the Lutheran denomination. But the doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected. 
While Lutherans believe in the true presence of Jesus Christ in 
the elements of bread and wine, the church is not specific 
in how or when that act occurs. Thus, Lutherans resist 
the idea that the bread and wine are mere symbols. 
Purgatory - Lutherans reject the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 
a place of cleansing where believers go after death, 
before entering heaven. The Lutheran Church teaches that 
there is no scriptural support for it and that the dead go 
directly to either heaven or hell. 
Salvation by Grace through Faith - Luther maintained that salvation comes by grace through faith alone; not by works and sacraments. 
This key doctrine of justification represents the major difference 
between Lutheranism and Catholicism. Luther held that works 
such as fasting, pilgrimages, novenas, indulgences, 
and masses of special intention play no part in salvation. 
Salvation for All - Luther believed that salvation is available 
to all humans through the redeeming work of Christ. Scripture - 
Luther believed the Scriptures contained the one necessary 
guide to truth. In the Lutheran Church, much emphasis is placed 
on hearing the Word of God. The church teaches that the 
Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but every 
word of it is inspired or "God-breathed." The Holy Spirit is 
the author of the Bible. 
Lutheran Practices (Sacraments) - Luther believed the sacraments
 were valid only as aids to faith. The sacraments initiate and feed faith,
 thus giving grace to those who participate in them. 
The Catholic Church claims seven sacraments,
the Lutheran Church only two: baptism and the Lord's Supper. 
Worship - As to the manner of worship, Luther chose to retain 
altars and vestments and prepare an order of liturgical service, 
but with the understanding that no church was bound to follow any 
set order. As a result, there is emphasis today on a liturgical 
approach to worship services, but no uniform liturgy belonging 
to all branches of the Lutheran body. An important place is given to preaching, congregational singing, and music, as Luther was a great fan of music.
Sources • Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, 
Concordia Publishing House • ReligiousTolerance.org 
• ReligionFacts.com

|| Counter-Reformation ||

The Early Roots of the Counter-Reformation 

                 With the waning of the Catholic Middle Ages and the dawn of an increasingly secular and political modern age in the 14th century, the Catholic Church found herself affected by trends in the broader culture. Through a series of reforms of religious orders, such as the Benedictines, Cistercians, and Franciscans, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Church tried to elevate the preaching of the gospel and to call laypeople back to Catholic morality. 
                  Many problems, however, had deeper roots that affected the very structure of the Church. In 1512, the Fifth Lateran Council attempted a series of reforms for what are known as secular priests that is, clergy who belong to a regular diocese rather than to a religious order. The council had a very limited effect, though it did make one very important convert Alexander Farnese, a cardinal who would become Pope Paul III in 1534. 
                   Before the Fifth Lateran Council, Cardinal Farnese had a longtime mistress, with whom he had four children. But the council pricked his conscience, and he reformed his life in the years immediately before a German monk by the name of Martin Luther set out to reform the Catholic Church and ended up sparking the Protestant Reformation.

 The Catholic Response to the Protestant Reformation 

Martin Luther's 95 Theses set the Catholic world on fire in 1517, and nearly 25 years after the Catholic Church condemned Luther's theological errors at the Diet of Worms (1521), Pope Paul III attempted to put out the flames by convening the Council of Trent (1545-63). 
                   The Council of Trent defended important Church doctrines that Luther and later Protestants attacked, such as transubstantiation (the belief that, during the Mass, the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, which Catholics then receive in Communion); that both faith and the works that flow from that faith are necessary for salvation; that there are seven sacraments (some Protestants had insisted that only Baptism and Communion were sacraments, and others had denied that there were any sacraments); and that the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, and exercises authority over all Christians.               
                Through the council's reforms, the practice of appointing secular rulers as bishops came to an end, as did the sale of indulgences, which Martin Luther had used as a reason to attack the Church's teaching on the existence of, and need for, Purgatory. The Council of Trent ordered the writing and publishing of a new catechism to make it clear what the Catholic Church taught, and called for reforms in the Mass, which were made by Pius V, who became pope in 1566 (three years after the council ended). 
                  The Mass of Pope Pius V (1570), often regarded as the crown jewel of the Counter-Reformation, is today known as the Traditional Latin Mass or (since the release of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum) the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. 

Other Chief Figures of the Counter-Reformation 

                  While there are many important figures who left their mark on the Counter-Reformation, four in particular bear mentioning. St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84), the cardinal-archbishop of Milan, found himself on the front lines as Protestantism descended from Northern Europe. 
                    He founded seminaries and schools throughout Northern Italy, and traveled throughout the area under his authority, visiting parishes, preaching, and calling his priests to a life of holiness. St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), the bishop of Geneva, in the very heart of Calvinism, won many Calvinists back to the Catholic Faith through his example of "preaching the Truth in charity." Just as importantly, he worked hard to keep Catholics in the Church, not only by teaching them sound doctrine but by calling them to the "devout life," making prayer, meditation, and the reading of Scripture a daily practice. 
                          St. Teresa of Avila (1515-82) and St. John of the Cross (1542-91), both Spanish mystics and Doctors of the Church, reformed the Carmelite order and called Catholics to a greater life of interior prayer and commitment to the will of God.

|| Southern Baptist History ||

                       In the late 1700's and early 1800's, as Baptists began to organize and expand, they formed missionary societies to spread the Christian lifestyle to others. These mission societies led to other organizational structures that would eventually define the denomination of Southern Baptists. By the 1830's tension began to mount between Northern and Southern Baptists. 
                          One issue that severely divided the Baptists was slavery. Northern Baptists believed God would not condone treating one race as superior to another, while Southerners said that God intended for races to be separate. Southern state Baptists began complaining that they weren't receiving money for missions work. The Home Mission Society declared that a person could not be a missionary and wish to keep his slaves as property. As a result of this division, Baptists in the South met in May of 1845 and organized the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). 
                        The Civil War and Civil Rights From 1861 through 1865, the American Civil War disrupted all aspects of Southern society, including the church. Just as Southern Baptists fought for independence for their local churches, so the Confederacy fought for individual states' rights. In the Reconstruction period after the war, Southern Baptists continued to maintain their own identity, expanding rapidly throughout the region. 
                  Although the SBC broke from the North in 1845, it continued to use materials from the American Baptist Publication Society in Philadelphia. Not until 1891 did the SBC form its own Sunday School Board, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Providing standard literature for all Southern Baptist churches had a strong unifying effect, solidifying the Southern Baptist Convention as a denomination. 
                     During the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, the SBC took no active role, and in some locales strongly opposed racial equality. However, in 1995, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Southern Baptist Convention, at its national meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, SBC leaders adopted a resolution on racial reconciliation. 
                  The resolution condemned racism, acknowledged the SBC's role in supporting slavery, and affirmed the equality of all people on scriptural grounds. Further, it apologized to African-Americans, asking their forgiveness, and pledged to eradicate all forms of racism from Southern Baptist life.

|| Primitive Baptists ||

                  Primitive, or Old School Baptists, split from other Baptists in 1832. Primitive Baptists could find no scriptural support for mission boards, Sunday Schools, and theological seminaries. Primitive Baptists believe their church is the first New Testament church, established by Jesus Christ, simple and free of the theology and practices later added by men. 
               Prominent primitive Baptist founders include Thomas Griffith, Joseph Stout, Thomas Pope, John Leland, Wilson Thompson, John Clark, Gilbert Beebe. Geography Churches are located primarily in the midwestern, southern, and western United States. Primitive Baptists have also established new churches in the Philippines, India, and Kenya. 
               Primitive Baptists Governing Body Primitive Baptists are organized in Associations, with each church independently governed under a congregational system. All baptized members may vote in the conference. Ministers are males chosen from the congregation and have the biblical title "Elder." In some churches, they are unpaid, while others provide support or a salary. 
               Elders are self-trained and do not attend seminaries. Sacred or Distinguishing Text The 1611 King James Version of the Bible is the only text this denomination uses. Primitive Baptists' Beliefs and Practices Primitives believe in total depravity, that is, only a predetermined act of God can bring a person to salvation and that the individual can do nothing to save him or herself. 
                  Primitives hold to unconditional election, based "solely on the grace and mercy of God." Their belief in limited atonement, or particular redemption, set them apart, stating that "the Bible teaches that Christ died to save his elect only, a definite number of people who can never be lost." Their doctrine of irresistible grace teaches that God sends the Holy Spirit into the hearts of his chosen elect, which always results in new birth and salvation. 
                    Finally, Primitive Baptists believe all elect will be saved, although some hold that even though the person does not persevere, they will still be saved (preserved). Primitives conduct simple worship services with preaching, praying, and a cappella singing. They have two ordinances: baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, consisting of unleavened bread and wine and in some churches, feet washing. 

Sources • oldschoolbaptist.org

|| Mennonite Beliefs and Practices ||

                       A group of Anabaptists broke from the Protestant and Catholic ranks in 1525 in Switzerland. In 1536, Menno Simons, a former Dutch Catholic priest, joined their ranks, rising to a leadership position. To avoid persecution, Swiss German Mennonites migrated to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. They first settled in Pennsylvania, then spread to the Midwest states. The Amish split from the Mennonites in the 1600s in Europe because they felt the Mennonites had become too liberal. 
Geography || The largest concentration of Mennonites is in the United States and Canada, but great numbers are also found throughout Africa, India, Indonesia, Central and South America, Germany, the Netherlands, and the rest of Europe.  
Mennonite Governing Body || The largest assembly is the Mennonite Church USA Assembly, which meets on odd years. As a rule, Mennonites are not governed by a hierarchical structure, but there is a give-and-take among local churches and the 22 regional conferences. Each church has a minister; some have deacons who supervise finances and the well-being of church members. An overseer guides and advises local pastors. 
Sacred or Distinguishing Text ---|| The Bible is the Mennonites' guiding book. Notable Mennonite Ministers and Members Menno Simons, Rembrandt, Milton Hershey, J.L. Kraft, Matt Groening, Floyd Landis, Graham Kerr, Jeff Hostetler, Larry Sheets.

 Mennonite Beliefs ||

• Baptism: Water baptism is a sign of cleansing from sin and a pledge to follow Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a public act "because baptism means a commitment to membership and service in a particular congregation." 

• Bible: "Mennonites believe that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit for instruction in salvation and training in righteousness. We accept the Scriptures as the Word of God and as the fully reliable and trustworthy standard for Christian faith and life..." 

• Communion: The Lord's Supper is a sign to remember 

the new covenant Jesus established with his death on the cross. 

• Eternal Security: Mennonites do not believe in eternal security. 

Everyone has free will and can choose to live a sinful life, forfeiting their salvation. 

• Government: Voting varies greatly among Mennonites. Conservative groups often do not; modern Mennonites frequently do. The same holds true of jury duty. Scripture warns against taking oaths and judging others,

 but some Mennonites do welcome jury duty. As a rule, Mennonites try to avoid lawsuits, seeking negotiation or another form of reconciliation. 

Some Mennonites seek public office or government employment, always asking whether the position will let them further Christ's work in the world. 

• Heaven, Hell: Mennonite beliefs say those who have received 

Christ into their life as Lord and Savior will go to heaven. 

The church has no detailed position on hell except that it 

consists of eternal separation from God. 

• Holy Spirit: Mennonites believe the Holy Spirit is the eternal 

Spirit of God, who dwelt in Jesus Christ, empowers the church, 

and is the source of the believer's life in Christ. 

• Jesus Christ: Mennonite beliefs hold that Christ is the Son of God, 

Savior of the world, fully human and fully God. He reconciled 

humanity to God through his sacrificial death on the cross. 

• Ordinances: Mennonites refer to their practices as ordinances or acts, instead of the word sacrament. They recognize seven "biblical ordinances": 

baptism on confession of faith; the Lord's Supper; washing of the 

saints' feet; the holy kiss; marriage; ordination of elders/

bishops, ministers/preachers of the Word, deacons; 

and anointing with oil for healing. 

• Peace / Pacifism: Because Jesus taught his followers to love 

everyone, killing, even in war, is not a Christian response. 

Most young Mennonites do not serve in the military, although 

they are encouraged to spend a year in service in missions 

or in the local community.

 • Sabbath: Mennonites meet for worship services on Sunday, 

following the tradition of the early church. They base that on 

the fact that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. 

• Salvation: The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation, who moves

 people to accept this gift from God. The believer accepts

 God's grace, trusts in God alone, repents, join a church, 

and lives a life of obedience. Trinity: Mennonites believe in

 the Trinity as "three aspects of the Divine, all in one": 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

( by Jack Zavada)

|| The Great Schism of 1054 & the Split of Christianity ||

                   The Great Schism of 1054 marked the first major split in the history of Christianity, separating the Orthodox Church in the East from the Roman Catholic Church in the West. Until this time, all of Christendom existed under one body, but the churches in the East were developing distinct cultural and theological differences from those in the West. Tensions gradually increased between the two branches, and finally boiled over into the Great Schism of 1054, also called the East-West Schism. 
                  The Great Schism of 1054 The Great Schism of 1054 marked the split of Christianity and established the separation between the Orthodox Churches in the East and the Roman Catholic Church in the West. 
• Start Date: For centuries, tension increased between the two 
                   branches until they finally boiled over on July 16, 1054. 
• Also Known As: The East-West Schism; the Great Schism. 
• Key Players: Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople; Pope Leo IX. 
• Causes: Ecclesiastical, theological, political, cultural, jurisdictional, 
                and language differences. 
• Result: Permanent separation between the Roman Catholic Church 
          and Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox Churches.   
          Recent relations between East and West have improved, but 
          to date, the churches remain divided. Further efforts toward 
           reconciliation have included: 
• In 1979, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue 
           Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church was established. 
• In 1995, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople visited the Vatican 
         City for the first time, to join in an inter-religious day of prayer for peace. 
• In 1999, Pope John Paul II visited Romania by invitation of the 
          Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The occasion was 
          the first visit of a pope to an Eastern Orthodox country 
          since the Great Schism of 1054. 
• In 2004, Pope John Paul II gave back relics to the East from the 
           Vatican. This gesture was significant because the relics were 
           believed to have been robbed from Constantinople during the 
           Fourth Crusade of 1204. 
• In 2005, Patriarch Bartholomew I, along with other Eastern Orthodox
            Church leaders, attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II. 
• In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed his commitment 
             to work toward reconciliation. 
• In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited Istanbul at the invitation 
            of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. 
• In 2006, Greek Orthodox Church Archbishop Christodoulos 
           visited Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in the first official visit of 
          a Greek church leader to the Vatican. 
• In 2014, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew signed a Joint 
            Declaration affirming their commitment to seek unity between their
             churches. by Mary Fairchild Sources 
• The Complete Book of When and Where in the Bible and 
            Throughout History (p. 164). 
• Pocket Dictionary of Church History: Over 300 Terms Clearly 
             and Concisely Defined (p. 122). 
• The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev., p. 1089).

|| Social Gospel Movement ||

The Social Gospel movement was a powerful and broad religious movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that advocated many social reforms and whose ideas about social justice continue to influence policy today. This liberal Christian religious movement began after the Civil War in 1865 and continued until about 1920. 
            Its goal was to solve social problems caused by industrialization and urbanization by applying individual Christian principles to society as a whole. Protestant clergy became increasingly interested in social justice as they witnessed urban poverty and squalor brought on by industrialization and over-crowding, greater wealth disparity, and the decline of their congregations with the increase of Roman Catholic immigrants to the U.S. from Europe.
                Using the teachings of Jesus  in particular, his second commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself”  Protestant ministers began to believe and preach that salvation depended not just on loving God, but also in behaving like Jesus, loving your neighbor, doing good works, and taking care of the poor and needy. They believed that wealth was meant to be shared, not hoarded. 
                They did not believe in the concept of Social Darwinism or “the survival of the fittest,” a theory popular at the time, but rather, in looking out for the good of all. The popular phrase, “What would Jesus do?”, used by Christians to help with moral decisions, grew in popularity as a result of the Social Gospel movement. The phrase was part of the title of a book, In His Steps, What Would Jesus Do?, written by one of the leaders of the Social Gospel movement, Dr. Charles Monroe Sheldon (1857-1946). 
                   Sheldon was a Congregational minister whose book was a compilation of stories told to his congregation about people facing a moral dilemma, to which he would pose the question, “What would Jesus do?” Some of the other leaders of the Social Gospel movement were Dr. Washington Gladden (1836-1918), a Congregational minister and leading member of the Progressive Movement, Josiah Strong (1847-1916),
            Protestant clergyman who was a strong supporter of American imperialism, and Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918), a Baptist preacher and Christian theologian who wrote several influential books, among them Christianity and the Social Crisis, the most popular-selling religious book for three years after it was published, and A Theology of the Social Gospel.

|| Quakers History ||

Quakers fared no better in the American colonies. Colonists who worshiped in the established Christian denominations considered Quakers heretics. Friends were deported, imprisoned, and hanged as witches. Eventually, they found a haven in Rhode Island, which decreed religious tolerance. 
               William Penn (1644-1718), a prominent Quaker, received a large land grant in payment for a debt the crown owed his family. Penn founded Pennsylvania colony and worked Quaker beliefs into its government. Quakerism flourished there. Over the years, Quakers became more accepted and were actually admired for their honesty and simple living. That changed during the American Revolution when Quakers refused to pay military taxes or fight in the war. 
                 Some Quakers were exiled because of that position. In the early 19th century, Quakers rallied against the social abuses of the day: slavery, poverty, horrible prison conditions, and mistreatment of Native Americans. Quakers were instrumental in the Underground Railroad, a secret organization that helped escaped slaves find freedom before the Civil War.

Schisms in the Quaker 

Religion Elias Hicks (1748-1830), a Long Island Quaker, preached the "Christ within" and downplayed traditional biblical beliefs. That led to a split, with Hicksites on one side and Orthodox Quakers on the other. Then in the 1840s, the Orthodox faction split. By the early 1900s, Quakerism was divided into four basic groups: "Hicksites" - This Eastern U.S., liberal branch stressed social reform.
                        "Gurneyites" - Progressive, evangelical, Bible-centered followers of Joseph John Gurney had pastors to lead meetings. "Wilburites" - Mostly rural traditionalists who believed in individual spiritual inspiration, they were followers of John Wilbur. They also kept the traditional Quaker speech (thee and thou) and the plain way of dressing. "Orthodox" - The Philadelphia Yearly Meeting was a Christ-centered group. 
                    Modern Quakers History During World War I and World War II, many Quaker men enlisted in the military, in non-combative positions. In the First World War, hundreds served in a civilian ambulance corps, an especially dangerous assignment which allowed them to relieve suffering while still avoiding military service. 
                 Following World War II, Quakers became involved in the civil rights movement in the United States. Bayard Rustin, who worked behind the scenes, was a Quaker who organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Quakers also demonstrated against the Vietnam War and donated medical supplies to South Vietnam. 
                   Some of the Friends schisms have been healed, but worship services vary widely today, from liberal to conservative. Quaker missionary efforts took their message to South and Latin America and to east Africa. Currently, the largest concentration of Quakers is in Kenya, where the faith is 125,000 members strong. 

(Sources: QuakerInfo.org, Quaker.org, and ReligiousTolerance.org.)

|| Ann Lee, Founder of the Shakers ||

                  Ann Lee (February 29, 1736–September 8, 1784) was the charismatic leader of the Shakers, officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. The illiterate daughter of a blacksmith in Manchester, England, Lee endured a difficult childhood and troubled marriage before leading a group of "shaking Quakers" to upstate New York. 
               The Shakers became an active evangelical group with communities throughout eight states in the Northeast. Shakers were known for their pacifism, celibacy, egalitarianism between the sexes, unique form of worship, and impressive achievements in the fields of agriculture, design, and music. By the end of the 20th century, Shakerism was essentially extinct, but its legacy continues. 

Fast Facts: Ann Lee 

• Known For: Founder of the Shakers 

• Also Known As: Mother Ann 

• Born: February 29, 1736 in Manchester, England 

• Parents: John Lee or Lees; mother's name unknown 

• Died: September 08, 1784 in Watervliet, New York, United States 

• Spouse: Abraham Standerin 

• Children: Four children, none of whom survived infancy 

• Notable Quote: "You should make the way of God your occupation. The way of God is to be learned as much as a trade. You learn to have faith, learn to believe. A man that has a trade is industrious to work at it and get a living. And you ought to be as industrious and as much engaged in the way of God."

|| Christadelphian Beliefs and Practices ||

Baptism || Baptism is mandatory, a visible demonstration of repentance and contrition. Christadelphians hold that baptism is the symbolic participation in Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, resulting in forgiveness of sins. 

Bible || The 66 books of the Bible are the inerrant, "inspired word of God." Scripture is complete and sufficient for teaching the way to be saved. 

  

Church || The word "ecclesia" is used by Christadelphians instead of church. A Greek word, it is usually translated "church" in English Bibles. It also means "a people called out." Local churches are autonomous. Christadelphians take pride in the fact that they have no central governing body. 

Clergy  || Christadelphians have no paid clergy, nor is there a hierarchical structure in this religion. Elected male volunteers (called lecturing brethren, managing brethren, and presiding brethren) conduct services on a rotating basis. Christadelphians means "Brothers in Christ." Members address each other as "Brother" and "Sister." 

Creed || Christadelphian beliefs adhere to no creeds; however, they do have a list of 53 "Commandments of Christ," most drawn from his words in Scripture but some from the Epistles. 

Death  || The soul is not immortal. The dead are in the "sleep of death," a state of unconsciousness. Believers will be resurrected at Christ's second coming. 

Heaven, Hell ||  Heaven will be on a restored earth, with God reigning over his people, and Jerusalem as its capital. 

Hell does not exist. Amended Christadelphians believe the wicked, or unsaved, will be annihilated. Unamended Christadelphians believe those "in Christ" will be resurrected to eternal life while the rest will remain unconscious, in the grave. 

Holy Spirit  || The Holy Spirit is only a force of God in Christadelphian beliefs because they deny the Trinity doctrine. He is not a distinct Person. 

Jesus Christ || Jesus Christ is a man, Christadelphians say, not God. He did not exist prior to his earthly incarnation. He was the Son of God and salvation requires acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior. Christadelphians believe that since Jesus died, he cannot be God because God cannot die.  

Satan --|| Christadelphians reject the doctrine of Satan as the source of evil. They believe God is the source of both good and evil (Isaiah 45:5-7).  

Trinity || The Trinity is unbiblical, according to Christadelphian beliefs, therefore, they reject it. God is one and does not exist in three Persons.  

Founding of the Christadelphians  

The denomination was founded in 1848 by Dr. John Thomas (1805-1871), who broke from the Disciples of Christ. A British physician, Thomas became a full-time evangelist after a hazardous and terrifying ocean voyage. Shortly after the ship, the Marquis of Wellesley, had cleared the harbor, storms set in. 
                  Thomas' goal was to return to the beliefs and practices of early Christianity. In 1847 he was baptized again. A year later he returned to England to preach, and then came back to the States. Thomas and his followers became known as the Royal Association of Believers. 
                   During the American Civil War, people had to belong to a recognized religious group to be conscientious objectors. In 1864 Dr. John Thomas called his group Christadelphians, which means "Brethren in Christ."