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Three Branches of Christianity. Venn Diagram Activity. Beliefs. All branches of Christianity agree that God is 3 persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit – the Trinity)
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Beliefs • All branches of Christianity agree that God is 3 persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit – the Trinity) • Doctrine (teachings) are very similar between Roman Catholic and Orthodox. Protestant doctrine can be quite different (scripture interpretation, sacraments) • Protestant teaching – People are saved… • Sola fide – by faith alone • Sola scriptura – by scripture alone • Sola gratia – by God’s grace alone • Protestants (and later Catholics, as well) accept a priesthood of all believers – this encourages all Christians to spread the Gospel (evangelize).
Rituals and Practices • All Christians believe that baptism is a sacrament (a visible sign of God’s grace) • Baptism varies by branch: • Catholic – generally infants, sprinkling of water • Orthodox – generally infants, full immersion (all initiation sacraments in infancy) • Protestant – more often adults, more often full immersion • Only the Catholic and Orthodox Churches accept 7 sacraments • The Eucharist is sacramental in Catholic and Orthodox faiths – it becomes the body and blood of Christ, no “open table” – is celebrated at every liturgy • The Eucharist is symbolic in most Protestant faiths – therefore, many have an “open table” – is not celebrated at every liturgy • Marriage is sacramental in Catholic and Orthodox faiths (how is divorce handled?) but not in Protestant faiths
Church organization • Catholic church believes in apostolic succession (trace Pope’s position back to St. Peter) – authority is centralized with the Pope • Orthodox church also believes in apostolic succession – however has no central authority (local bishops) • Protestant church has some central authority (depending on denomination) – some are fully independent • Church appearance: • Roman Catholic – generally more ornate (statues, stained glass, altar vessels, vestments) • Orthodox – generally more ornate (icons, altar vessels, vestments) • Protestant – generally simpler (plain altar table, no statues, focus on choir and pulpit)