Why are there different branches of Christianity?

Answer 1

Really to broad a question. With over two hundred different denominations of Christianity just in United States, their are just too many differences. 1) The Orthodox faith does not fall into the category of "Protestant" 2) Henry VIII had his problems with the Cahtolics and the Church of England was formed. At present there are 105 or so "churches" which have broken with the Church of England Alone, (not in communion with the Church of England) it seems impossible to answer this question. cf Link

Answer 2

All Christian Church denominations have the same core beliefs. These include the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is God in human form, in the divinity of Jesus Christ, in the teachings of Jesus Christ, in the Virgin Birth, in the scriptures as God's Word, in the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, in the coming of the Holy Spirit, and in the coming again of jesus Christ as judge of all among many others. Most agree in the trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is in the peripheral beliefs that denominations differ. The most different is the Roman Catholic Church which has added various doctrines to those as revealed in scripture and by Christ himself. These include purgatory, limbo, the over-adulation of Mary, the assumption of Mary, the veneration of relics, the praying for the dead and the praying to saints to intercede for us, including other non-scriptural doctrines. Most non-Catholics see these doctrines as man-made and unscriptural and hence are false. However, to the devout Catholic they are seen as part of their religious belief and duty. As for the other non-Catholic denominations, with the exception of the Orthodox Church, which has some beliefs similar to the Roman Church, they all agree in most areas, namely the doctrines listed in the first paragraph amd many others. There are subtle differences, for example, Baptists baptise by full immersion and only baptise adults, Anglicans and Methodists baptise by sprinkling with water and baptise infants as well as adults. Salvationists (the Salvation Army) and the Quakers do not practise baptism at all. Some denominations use wafers and alcoholic wine for communion, but Methodists use bread and grape juice. Some emphasise aspects of worship above others - for example Quakers (silent prayer), Pentecostals (charismatic worship and speaking in tongies), Methodists (rousing hymn singing) and so on. However, all these churches hold the same basic beliefs. There are other groups, however, that lie outside these denominations. The two largest are the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses. To most Christians of all denominations, these groups have doctrines that are so far removed from the Christian Church (for example, Jehovah's Witnesses deny the divinity of Christ) that they cannot be called Christian in the true sense and are seen by some as cults, or at the very least, heretical sects.

Answer 3

A recent study found that there are nearly 40,000 different branches/denominations calling themselves 'Christian.' The largest groups are: Catholic; Protestant; Orthodox; Mormon; and Jehovah Witnesses.

Answer 4

From the very earliest days, Christianity has been split into different branches. Even St Paul wrote of those who taught "a different Christ". The split between the proto-Catholic-Orthodox and Gnostic Christian branches had probably already occurred as early as the first century CE. By the fourth century CE, the Catholic-Orthodox Church had received state patronage and the licence to take over all the property of the Gnostic Christian Churches, so as to eliminate these competing branches of Christianity. However, newer branches, such as the Arians and Cathars, had already split off from the Catholic-Orthodox Church and continued to prosper for some centuries.

At the Council of Nicaea, in 325, the Roman emperor, Constantine, established his role as head of the Catholic-Orthodox Church. Over time, the bishop of Rome sought to place himself in this leading role, eventually leading to the Great Schism of 1054. The outcome of the Great Schism was the creation of separate Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, which continue to the present time.
In the sixteenth century, Martin Luther called for reforms to the sale and use of indulgences, although not necessarily for them to be abolished altogether. In 1517, he nailed his theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, calling for churchmen to debate the issue. Prierias, Master of the Papal Palace, declared any challenge to the sale of indulgences heretical, meaning that a compromise would not be possible. Luther soon began to call into question other practices and theology of the Catholic Church. Consequently, Protestant Churches were set up, not only in Germany, but Switzerland, England and elsewhere.

By the nineteenth century, the Protestant Churches were themselves splintering. In the United States, new Churches such as the Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Reformed Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists and Watch Tower Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) were set up.

Answer 5

father, son, hollyness , this is the three branches of