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Compare Denominations

Choose two Christian traditions to see where they agree and where they differ. The comparison covers 12 traditions and 16 questions: authority, the canon, the Trinity, salvation, baptism, communion, church government, worship and more.

Popular comparisons

• Catholic vs. Eastern Orthodox
• Catholic vs. Baptist
• Catholic vs. Lutheran
• Lutheran vs. Presbyterian / Reformed
• Presbyterian / Reformed vs. Baptist
• Anglican / Episcopal vs. Methodist
• Methodist vs. Baptist
• Baptist vs. Pentecostal
• Baptist vs. Non-denominational
• Baptist vs. Church of Christ

The traditions

• Catholic

  The Catholic Church is the largest Christian body, led by the pope as bishop of Rome and organized around the seven sacraments. It traces its line of bishops to the apostles and teaches that Scripture and Sacred Tradition together carry God’s revelation.

  Read more about the Catholic tradition

• Eastern Orthodox

  The Eastern Orthodox Church is a communion of self-governing churches, such as the Greek, Russian and Antiochian churches, that share one faith and worship. It separated from Rome in the Great Schism of 1054 and treats the early councils and the Church Fathers as its standard.

  Read more about the Eastern Orthodox tradition

• Lutheran

  Lutheranism grew from Martin Luther’s reforming work in Germany from 1517. It is built on justification by grace through faith and the authority of Scripture, while keeping a liturgical form of worship and a strong view of the sacraments.

  Read more about the Lutheran tradition

• Presbyterian / Reformed

  The Reformed tradition follows the teaching of John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli and their heirs, and Presbyterian churches are its best-known family. It stresses the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and government by elders (presbyters).

  Read more about the Presbyterian / Reformed tradition

• Anglican / Episcopal

  The Anglican Communion descends from the Church of England, which broke with Rome in the 1530s while keeping bishops and much of the older liturgy. The Episcopal Church is its American branch. It describes itself as both catholic and Reformed.

  Read more about the Anglican / Episcopal tradition

• Methodist

  Methodism began in the 18th century as a renewal movement within the Church of England under John and Charles Wesley. It emphasizes God’s grace offered to all, holiness of heart and life, and practical care for the poor.

  Read more about the Methodist tradition

• Baptist

  Baptists arose from English Separatist churches in the early 1600s. They baptize only those who profess faith, govern each congregation independently, and hold to the Bible as the sole authority for belief and practice.

  Read more about the Baptist tradition

• Anabaptist / Mennonite

  The Anabaptists began in Zurich in 1525 and spread to Germany and the Netherlands as the “radical” wing of the Reformation. Mennonites, the Amish and the Hutterites descend from them. They stress adult baptism, following the Sermon on the Mount, and separation of church and state.

• Pentecostal

  Pentecostalism began in the early 1900s, notably at the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles. It teaches that the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Acts and 1 Corinthians, including tongues and healing, are active today. It is among the fastest-growing Christian movements.

  Read more about the Pentecostal tradition

• Seventh-day Adventist

  The Seventh-day Adventist Church grew out of the Millerite expectation of Christ’s return in the 1840s and was formally organized in 1863. It worships on the seventh day, Saturday, and holds distinctive teaching on the state of the dead and the end times.

• Church of Christ

  The Churches of Christ come from the American Restoration Movement of the early 1800s, which sought to return to the pattern of the New Testament church. Congregations are independent, and they are known for weekly communion and unaccompanied singing.

• Non-denominational

  Non-denominational churches are independent congregations with no formal denominational parent. Most are evangelical, centered on the Bible and personal faith in Christ, but each sets its own doctrine and style, so practice varies more here than in any other group.

  Read more about the Non-denominational tradition

All comparisons

These summaries describe the typical teaching of each tradition. Individual churches and church bodies within a tradition can differ, and where a tradition is itself divided on a question, the answer says so. For an authoritative statement, consult the denomination’s own confessions and official documents.