DENOMINATIONS: WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN AM i?
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
August 10, 2020
There are many different Christian denominations. Each has its own distinctive set of beliefs.
The following facts will attempt to place you in a Christian church which agrees with you.
BAPTISM:
Water baptism is essential for salvation.
YES: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Church of Christ
NO: Baptist, Charismatic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, +++
BAPTISM:
The manner of baptism can be sprinkling, pouring or immersion.
YES: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian
NO: Baptist, Charismatic, Church of Christ
BAPTISM:
Immersion only.
YES: Baptist, Charismatics, Church of Christ +++
BIBLE:
The Bible is inspired by God and (at the least) its originals were without error in theology, history and science. Biblical miracles were real. Prophecy predicts the future.
YES: CONSERVATIVE
NO: LIBERAL
PARTIAL: MODERATE
BIBLE:
The King James Version of the Bible is the most accurate.
YES: CONSERVATIVE, FUNDAMENTALIST
NO: LIBERAL, MODERATE
CHURCH:
When Israel rejected Christ at Calvary, God replaced national Israel with “spiritual Israel,” the Church. Unfulfilled O. T. prophecy concerning national Israel must be either ignored or spiritually re-interpreted in terms of the new covenant Church.
YES: (Most) Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Methodists, Presbyterians
NO: Conservative Dispensationalists among many denominations, especially Baptists and Charismatics
ETERNAL SECURITY:
Believers will be punished as disobedient children, but they cannot fall from grace.
YES: (Due to predestination) Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Reformed. (Not due to predestination) Baptists
NO: (Arminianism) Methodists, most Charismatics, Church of Christ, Freewill Baptists +++
FREE-WILL:
Man has free-will both to accept God’s offer of grace for salvation and also to subsequently reject God’s grace and fall from a position of justification by faith.
YES: (Arminians) Methodists, most Charismatics, Freewill Baptists, Church of Christ +++
NO: (Predestinationists) Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Reformed. Baptists reject the ability to use free-will and fall from grace after justification by faith.
ISRAEL:
God has only temporarily rejected national Israel and is now focusing on the Church. The nation of Israel is still prominent in prophecy as God’s chosen nation.
YES: Literalists, dispensationalists in many denominations, especially conservative fundamental Baptists and Charismatics
NO: (Most) Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Reformed
LIBERAL THEOLOGY:
Do not read the Bible as an accurate truthful book. Read it to discover the real Jesus. Biblical miracles are not true. Prophecy is not possible. Jesus was not Deity.
YES: Almost every denomination has churches which follow liberal theology.
NO: The Bible cannot be a compilation of errors and also reveal the truth about Jesus.
MILLENNIUM:
Based on a literal interpretation of Revelation 20 and O. T. prophecy, Christ will reign on Earth for 1000 years prior to the final judgment and eternity.
YES: Conservative dispensationalists among all denominations, especially Baptists and Charismatics
NO: Most other churches
PREDESTINATION:
No free will concerning one’s final salvation. God has predetermined and elected those who be saved individually before they are born.
YES: Roman Catholics (Augustine, Aquinas), Anglicans, Lutherans (Luther), Presbyterians, Reformed (Calvin), early Baptists
NO: (Arminians) Methodists (Arminius, Wesley), most Charismatics, most modern Baptists (only before being saved)
SECOND COMING:
Jesus could return at any moment to “catch up” His Church and keep it out of great tribulation. This is the first of two phases of His second coming.
YES: Conservative dispensationalists among all denominations, especially Baptists and Charismatics
NO: Most other churches
SECOND COMING:
Jesus will return only once at the end of a period of great tribulation.
YES: Most churches
NO: Conservative dispensationalists, mostly Baptists and Charismatics
TRINITY:
One God revealed to man in 3 Persons.
YES: Moderates and Conservatives
NO: Most liberals; Unitarian