Different Christian denominations are organized and worship in different ways. This handy list will help you keep track of and compare some differences in worship, rituals, and beliefs of the largest groups of the Christian Church.
Anglican/ Episcopalian
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- Means of salvation: God’s grace by faith alone
- How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; contemporary liturgy is possible
- Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord’s Supper (Regard the other five that Catholics observe as “minor sacraments”)
- Organization: Episcopal (Clergy in local churches presided over by bishop.)
- Ordain women: Yes
- Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians
Assembly of God
- Means of salvation: God’s grace by faith alone
- How they worship: Non-liturgical (free) worship; sometimes contemporary
- Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord’s Supper
- Organization: Mixture of Congregational and Presbyterian (Local churches largely govern themselves, but don’t have complete autonomy.)
- Ordain women: Yes
- Who can be baptized? Only professing Christians
Baptist
- Means of salvation: God’s grace by faith alone
- How they worship: Non-liturgical (free) worship; sometimes contemporary
- Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord’s Supper
- Organization: Congregational (Local churches are self-governing.)
- Ordain women: Depending on the convention (division of churches)
- Who can be baptized? Only professing Christians
Catholic
- Means of salvation: God’s grace, which Christians receive by 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 (Clergy in local churches presided over by bishop; the pope [the Bishop of Rome] is the ultimate Church leader.)
- Ordain women: No
- Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians
Lutheran
- Means of salvation: God’s grace by faith alone
- How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; contemporary worship is possible
- Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord’s Supper
- Organization: Mixed (Congregational, Presbyterian, and Episcopal structures exist.)
- Ordain women: Depending on the synod (council)
- Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians
Methodist
- Means of salvation: God’s grace 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 bishop.)
- Ordain women: Yes
- Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians
Orthodox
- Means of salvation: God’s grace received through faith and on-going participation in the work of one’s salvation
- How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy
- Sacraments and ordinances observed: No official position, but often observes the Catholic sacraments
- Organization: Episcopal (Clergy in local churches presided over by bishop.)
- Ordain women: No
- Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians
Presbyterian
- Means of salvation: God’s grace by faith alone
- How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy
- Sacraments and ordinances observed: Baptism, Lord’s Supper
- Organization: Presbyterian (A graded organizational system by presbyters or elders.)
- Ordain women: Yes
- Who can be baptized? Infants and professing Christians