Different Denominations

If you have friends that are different denominations, you probably don't sit there and wonder what they believe. You probably just have a regular conversation with them. In this study we will look at the different denominations and what they believe.

Most important thing you want to know about your friends if you are a true Christian is "are they going to heaven."

Catholic
- Consider Jesus' disciple Peter the first pope.
- scripture must be interpreted within the Tradition of the Church.
- The canon includes 46 books for the Old Testament including deuterocanonical books (the Apocrypha) and 27 books from the New Testament.
- God is the one Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Jesus is the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary.
He died on the cross, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come again in glory to judge us all.
- the souls of the faithful go to heaven either immediately or, if imperfectly purified in this life, after purgatory.
- The church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
- Mary is the Mother of the Church and is considered an object of devotion and veneration.

Lutheran
- Founded by Martin Luther in 1517.
- The standard Protestant canon of 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books is accepted.
- God is the one Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Jesus is the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary.
- The souls of believers upon dying go immediately to Christ.
- The church is the congregation of believers.
- Baptism is necessary for salvation.

Anglican Churches Episcopal
- Scripture contains the truth that is necessary for salvation and is the primary norm for faith. The canon includes 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books.
- God is the one Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Jesus is the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, and born of the virgin Mary.
- After death, the souls of the faithful are purified as needed to enjoy full communion with God.
- The church is the Body of Christ.

Presbyterian
- God is the one Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Jesus is the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary.
- We are saved by grace alone.
- After death, the souls of believers upon dying go immediately to be with Christ.
- The church is the body of Christ.
- baptism is not necessary for salvation.
- God chooses who will be saved, Christ died specifically to save those whom God chose.

Methodist
- God is the one Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity.
- Jesus is the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary.
- We are saved by grace alone.
- after death, the souls of believers upon dying go immediately to Christ.
- The church is the body of Christ.