The major differences between Christian denominations

Different Christian denominations are organized and worship in different ways. This handy list will help you track and compare some differences in worship, rituals, and beliefs among the major groups of the Christian Church.

Anglican / Episcopal

• Means of salvation: the grace of God by faith alone

• How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; contemporary liturgy is possible

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord's Supper (consider the other five that Catholics observe as “minor sacraments”)

• Organization: Episcopal (clergy in local churches presided over by the bishop.)

• Ordination of women: Yes

• Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians

Assembly of God

• Means of salvation: the grace of God by faith alone

• How they worship: Worship non-liturgical (free); sometimes contemporary

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord's Supper

• Organization: mix of congregational and presbyterian (local churches largely govern themselves but do not have full autonomy.)

• Ordination of women: Yes

• Who can be baptized? Only professing Christians

Baptist

• Means of salvation: the grace of God by faith alone

• How they worship: Worship non-liturgical (free); sometimes contemporary

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord's Supper

• Organization: congregational (local churches are autonomous.)

• Ordination of women: according to the convention (division of churches)

• Who can be baptized? Only professing Christians

Catholic

• Means of salvation: the grace of God, which Christians receive through faith and by observing the sacraments

• How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; contemporary liturgy is possible

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Eucharist (Lord's Supper), Penance, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick

• Organization: papal / episcopal (the clergy in local churches presided over by the bishop; the pope [l'évêque de Rome] is the supreme head of the Church.)

• Ordination of women: No

• Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians

Lutheran

• Means of salvation: the grace of God by faith alone

• How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; Contemporary worship is possible

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord's Supper

• Organization: Mixed (there are congregational, presbyterian, and episcopal structures.)

• Ordination of women: according to the synod (council)

• Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians

Methodist

• Means of salvation: the grace of God by faith alone

• How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; Contemporary worship is possible

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord's Supper

• Organization: Episcopal (clergy in local churches presided over by the bishop.)

• Ordination of women: Yes

• Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians

Orthodox

• Means of salvation: the grace of God received by faith and ongoing participation in the work of salvation

• How they worship: the Traditional style through liturgy

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: no official position, but often observes Catholic sacraments

• Organization: Episcopal (clergy in local churches presided over by the bishop.)

• Ordination of women: No

• Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians

Presbyterian

• Means of salvation: the grace of God by faith alone

• How they worship: the Traditional style through liturgy

• Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord's Supper

• Organization: Presbyterian (A graded organizational system by priests or elders.)

• Ordination of women: Yes

• Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians