I'm hoping someone can refer me to a graphic, flowchart or even a list of when various Christian denominations formed. For example, a biggie is the Lutheran church breaking off from the Catholic church. Or the Anglican church splitting off from the Catholic one. Will appreciate any help, thank you.

Background = Out of pure curiosity, I wanted to know if, somewhere, there is an authoritative chart of core beliefs/tenets held in common, and opposing beliefs, of the largest (by professed believer count) Christian [denominations](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_denomination) . I am not sure if this is the best forum to ask this in. If so let me know and preferably point me to a better forum. However, this was the first forum that came to mind for me. My intention is that of fact finding and research. Question = Is there a resource that accurately and succinctly describes the differences and similarities between the majority of Christian denominations? Note: Unless it is significant, I am not asking about the granularity of different [rites](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_particular_churches_and_liturgical_rites)

Of course many (if not most) denominations believe that what they teach and believe as doctrine critical to salvation is, in fact, critical to salvation. Most denominations also teach and believe many doctrines that they will admit as being 'secondary' and debatable or uncertain. Often a doctrine critical in one denomination is secondary in another. In my experience most official members of particular denominations, while not asserting that only they are completely correct, would be comfortable as classifying their denomination as 'the most correct'. Most folks would not assert that *only* their denomination can attain salvation however, since theirs is *most correct*, they would be comfortable asserting that, when all come to face to face with God, they will all come 'round to that *most correct* view. My question is: Are there denominations that officially teach that God will have respect toward one denomination over another such that one denomination gets a 'blanket pass' based upon membership whereas others might undergo individual evaluation?

How can there be so many denominations of Christianity? Christianity is solely based on the Bible, so how can multiple faiths come from it?

Many denominations may believe they are right. Likewise multiple religions sincerely believe they are right. But does God require one to join a denomination? Or does he emphasize the importance of Christlike living and the study of his word?

From my reading of the Bible, I have come to understand that unity among Christians is a good thing. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 > Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Psalm 133:1 > Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity! These, and other passages of scripture, seem to emphasize the importance of Christian unity and love while de-emphasizing the importance of distinctions. In light of these passages, how do Christians justify separating themselves into so many different denominations? Are there any Biblical justifications given for why having such division is preferred over unity?

According to this analysis, choosing the Sola Scriptura approach is the "safest best" Where could this logic fall apart, and what are your counterarguments?

Or, in mathematical terminology, is the relationship of full communion a transitive relation ? I can easily imagine a scenario where church A is stricter in their rules for full communion than church B, but not so strict as to exclude B from full communion on those grounds. However, since B is more lenient, they have full communion with C, which is outside the bounds for church A. While that's easily imaginable, I don't know of any example of three church institutions where this is the case. Do any exist? Does communing with C create any tension in the relationship between B and A?

All my life, I've been massively confused about how there exists separate, seemingly incompatible and separate, "branches" of Christianity. I know about "protestant", "catholic" and then there's something else in the "main three" which I probably "should know" by heart but I simply don't. And then there's also things like Mormons ("Latter Day Saints") and many other minor "variants". I find Wikipedia and all other websites to be utterly exhausting to try to browse. They seem to always assume that you know most of what you're reading about, instead of having basically no knowledge and wanting to hear the most important elements of each "flavour" and preferably a short summary of why they are separate in the first place. It would be much simpler if there were just "Christians", "Muslims", "Jews", etc., but it's apparently not enough to be "Christian", because all the different groups of Christians will not approve of you unless you use their "variant". At least that's how I perceive things and how they must logically be if they are different branches. I mean, why would they exist if they all agreed to the same stuff anyway? Some (a lot, in fact) even say that Jesus was a Jew and thus Christianity in itself is branched out from Judaism? That seems like an important fact if true. It makes Christianity as a whole just some kind of "expansion pack" to the "main software product", to speak in computer jargon. I'm really just trying to get an overview by asking this question. If such a thing can be had. I find that the more basic my questions are, the more vague are the answers. In fact, I have never heard of any Christians who refer to the "protestant Bible" or "catholic Bible" -- it's always just "the Bible" (by which they mean the old and the new testaments combined, I assume) or "the good book" or "the holy word". Does the Bible in itself talk about and name these branches, or were they created much later, long after the Bible had been finished and spread? I also know that the Mormons have another "testament" added to the first two, but that's just about it. And I know there's a stereotype about Catholics making a lot of children, but that also seems to be a common cliché for Mormons as well. That's just about all I know, amazingly. (It's why I ask.)

We all are familiar with several of the largest denominations of Christianity: the Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, etc. Several sources claim that there are approximately 45,000 denominations in Christianity, 200 denominations in the U.S. alone. Do a quick Google search and you'll see what I mean. If this is true, this is certainly astonishing and quite worrying as a Christian. Jesus sincerely desired to unite all believers as one body under God. As you read about His prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane, you could tell that Jesus wouldn't be quite pleased with the massive number of denominations we have today. >**John 17:20-23 (NKJV)** > >20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; **that they also may be one in Us**, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, **that they may be one just as We are one**: 23 I in them, and You in Me; **that they may be made perfect in one**, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Every denomination differs in terms of doctrine, rituals, eschatology, style of music for worship, Bible translation -- if they are all given the same Bible passage, every one of them will give a different interpretation. Is the Christian community truly so fragmented?

Some underground church in mainland China said that they are a branch of a Christian denomination called "福音派", which also exists in US and other places in the world. But they were not able to name it in English, except that one member mentioned the word of "assembly", despite not being able to confirm whether it is "Assembly of God". By searching on the censored Internet (the one only available in China), "福音派" seems to be a translation of "evangelical", while "派" means denomination. If I am correct, "evangelical" isn't just a denomination, but a group of conservative denominations, at least in US. Also, I am not sure if there is any mainline denomination in mainland China. It seems to make sense to think of the church as evangelical, since it constantly gives out a conservative feeling, both biblical and political. (The preacher keeps saying that gays are promiscuous and will go to hell, by citing the bible, and claims that the American churches accepting the LGBTQ movement betray the bible. He also keeps requesting every one to keep the church's location a secret, while denying their religious freedom having been infringed at all, and furthermore feeling grateful to the government for not having found it out and/or not having shut it down.) Is there a way to find out which denomination the church (or a church calling themselves "福音派") belongs to? Is there more than one evangelical denominations whose names include "assembly"? Does "福音派" in China mostly likely refer to one particular denomination?

Is it frowned upon to alternate between churches? Especially churches of different denominations? The intention is to explore the differences and find a better fit.

What was the denomination of Bishop Heahmund from? If he is a Catholic bishop how did priestly celibacy work in that era? *(The Vikings TV series shows him with multiple relationships)*

I want to know what Evangelical Christians (ECs) believe regarding ecumenism and how they practice it. A very practical example is when a person converts interdenominationally. How do ECs make the convert feel like his/her conversion to EC does not imply that his/her entire faith journey up to that point was invalid since they used to believe different to what they now do? Another practical example is where an EC wishes to not make Christians from other denominations feel like they are belittling their faith because they, as an EC, hold to their views while fellowshipping with them.

Paul says to avoid quarreling in his letters to Titus. Have Christians failed at this, considering we have 45,000 denominations ? >**9**But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. **10**Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. **11**You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. - (Titus 3:9-11) NIV

I have a lot of respect for many Mennonite groups' strict adherence to many parts of the New Testament. What passages do Old Order Mennonite groups point to as authority for organizing themselves into large denominations like the Mennonite Church USA, instead of remaining as fully autonomous local groups which share fellowship (but not connecting human power structures) with other local groups? It is possible that I have misunderstood the purpose of said Mennonite denominations; if there is no hierarchical power structure in them, that would render my question moot. But my current understanding is that there are decisions made at the top of these denominations which are expected to be implemented on a local level.

I received an email today from someone who has, thus far, complied with Government advice, concerned that prolonged lockdown conditions or 'semi-lockdown' conditions (which pose significant restrictions on communal gathering for worship) will soon necessitate a decision to go against Government requirements in the future (I am not saying which country this refers to) and to consider house-meetings for worship or other arrangements that will contradict 'advice' or statutory requirements. The thought had crossed my own mind as well, that the restrictions imposed (no singing permitted, limited number of persons allowed in the building, limited scope for normal fellowship, limited scope for prayer meetings where many of the congregation will lead in prayer) might, if prolonged, be considered a situation where one would have to consider 'obeying God rather than men'. My own thought has been to consider meetings in the open air, something done commonly in olden times and done often in the times when Jesus preached to large multitudes. A building is not a necessity and it would perhaps be viewed by authorities less severely than if Government requirements were breached within a building. Have any Christian gatherings or denominations (who have thus far complied with all recommendations) made any public statements in regard to how Christians view the ongoing pandemic situation and what they propose for the future ?

I've looked through the beliefs of several denominations, but I can't seem to find one that has the same positions that I take on many Christian questions. Is there a quiz or test or even just a catalog of each denominations core beliefs that will give me a straight answer to which denomination I should look into rather than the "you're 81% Methodist" or "you're 63% Lutheran" that I get from many online surveys and quizzes?

Since Satanists worships the Christian Devil, would that be a Christian denomination or a religion in and of itself?

This is something I read from [hrc](https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-american-baptist-church-usa#:~:text=Although%20ABCUSA%20shares%20many%20traditions,and%20the%20Cooperative%20Baptist%20Fellowship.) >Although ABCUSA shares many traditions, beliefs and values with other Baptists, ABCUSA is a distinct entity from its relatives, the American Baptist Association (ABA), the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the Alliance of Baptists, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. (this is why I assume these groups are even comparable) So we have - [ABCUSA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Baptist_Churches_USA) , a " mainline Baptist Christian denomination" - [ABA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Baptist_Association) , "an association of Baptist churches" - [SBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Baptist_Convention) , "a Christian denomination based in the United States" - [AoB](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_Baptists) , "a fellowship of Baptist churches and individuals" - [CBF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative_Baptist_Fellowship) , "a Christian fellowship of Baptist churches" Notably, only the last two are considered "fellowships" while the first 3 are either denominations or associations, which becomes even more confusing when you consider that they are all under the Baptist denomination, which is a subsect of Protestantism. Obviously these are groups of churches that associate with each other, but what makes each group an association, denomination, or fellowship? Is there even a meaningful difference? Are some of these interchangeable?