What are the origins of the various branches of Christianity?

Answer

The church began with a supernatural work of God in Jerusalem. Approximately fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples, empowering them to preach the gospel. Acts 2 documents the outcomes of the Spirit’s arrival—three thousand people were saved that day, marking the inception of the church (verse 41). Since that era of unity and simplicity, Christianity has diversified into various branches. Presently, most scholars recognize three primary branches of Christianity: Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, each further subdivided. Occasionally, Anglicanism is classified as a fourth branch, while at other times, it is considered part of Protestantism.

Roman Catholicism. Catholicism stands as the largest and most prominent branch of Christianity, often the default association when thinking of Christianity. Catholicism emerged around the fourth or fifth century AD. Prior to this period, Christianity existed as a persecuted sect within the Roman world until Emperor Constantine granted religious tolerance through the Edict of Milan in AD 313. With newfound religious freedom, there was a centralization of church authority in Rome, a trend where the Roman bishop began to adopt the title “Pope” (“Father”), and an influx of converts who brought aspects of their pagan beliefs. By the fifth century, several non-biblical Roman Catholic traditions had been established, including priestly celibacy. Despite ongoing dissent towards Roman authority, Catholicism maintained its position as the predominant Christian branch for six centuries.

The Roman Catholic Church can be categorized into the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic churches, such as the Armenian Catholic Church, the Macedonian Catholic Church, the Syriac Catholic Church, and the Eritrean Catholic Church. There are additional Catholic denominations that continue to exist.Independent of the Roman Church, there are other churches such as the Celtic Catholic Church, the Free Catholic Church in Germany, and the Polish National Catholic Church.

Eastern Orthodoxy. The Eastern Orthodox Church officially began in 1054 with the Great Schism. This event was triggered by the dual excommunications of Pope Leo IX (of the Western or Roman Church) and Patriarch Michael I (of the Eastern Church). Before the Schism, there was a long history of disagreements over papal authority, the wording of the Nicene Creed, and spiritual jurisdiction over the Balkans.

The Eastern Orthodox Church is not a single entity but rather a family of thirteen self-governing bodies, identified by the nation in which they are situated. These include the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the Finnish Orthodox Church.

Protestantism. The Protestant movement commenced in 1517 with the Reformation led by Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin, who sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church. The needed reforms were extensive—abuses of power and unbiblical doctrines were prevalent in the Roman Church. As it became evident that church leaders were unwilling to embrace reform, various groups began to break away from Catholicism: the Lutheran Church was named after Martin Luther, the German Reformation leader. The Presbyterians in Scotland followed John Knox’s guidance. The Anabaptists set themselves apart by practicing believer’s baptism instead of infant baptism. Anglicanism originated in England due to a non-theological dispute between the Pope and King Henry VIII.

Other churches within the Protestant movement include the Methodist Church (established by John Wesley, who emerged from Anglicanism), Amish and Mennonite churches (the spiritual successors of the Anabaptists), Baptist churches, non-denominational churches, and Pentecostal churches.

The doctrinal distinctions between Roman Catholicism and EEastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism have significant differences that have kept these two branches of Christianity separate for nearly 1,000 years. The fundamental distinctions between these groups and Protestants are also substantial and extensive. Ultimately, there is only one church; the Body of Christ consists of all those who, through faith in Christ, are reborn and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).