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Be careful not to confuse denominationalism with Biblical Christianity
Christian denominations represent what some refer to as the “visible” church which can defined by ecclesiology of tradition, architecture, culture, sight, sound, experience etc.
This visible church of denominations (represented in the chart below) is not to be confused with the “genuine” (sometimes called “invisible”) church from a Biblical perspective. The Biblical church can be defined as all those people throughout the world who have come to saving faith in the Biblically-defined person and finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead. Upon authentic conversion to Christ, these former “unbelievers” become born again as brand new believers and are baptised into Christ. Together these believers throughout the world, comprise what the Apostle Paul referred to as the “body of Christ” – one Lord, one faith, one baptism:
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
The following flow chart or “family tree” is based on historic schisms and/or splits due to theological disagreements, reformation, or geo-political relocation.
It is important to note up front that the denominations on the chart below represent what some refer to as the “visible” church which is defined by ecclesiology of tradition, architecture, culture, sight, sound, experience etc. – this is not necessarily the “true” church from a Biblical perspective. The true church is comprised of those who have actually cried out to God for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:21 & Romans 10:13) and have trusted His Son Jesus as the one-and-only Saviour of their sins (John 14:6; 5:24) – these can come from any of the denominations listed below as church/denomination membership has nothing to do with being a Bible-based believer i.e. part of the church of Jesus Christ. – this is not rank ecumenicalism but rather a declaration that salvation has nothing to do with the fragmented visible “church” you see below.
- There are seven major families of denominations which comprise the visible/earthly organizational Christian “church”: Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Four Protestant Families. I have represented these families in the chart below. Click each name to open a page with information about that denomination
On the chart, I have colored each family separately to differentiate the direct and indirect relationships they bear to one another. Upon closer investigation of this chart, you will discover that the greatest contributor to the list of denominations is the Anglican church, followed by the Reformed family of denominations.
The chart is chronological from top down and works much like a family tree with the origin or “roots” of a denomination shown by a vertical line and a similarity or “sibling kinship” to another denomination drawn by a horizontal line. the top or beginning of the tree can be dated 30 A.D. and the bottom or last major denomination formed can be dated 1993 (International Church of Christ, formerly known as the Boston Church of Christ)
Much of this research has been compiled from the books “History of the Christian Church” by Phillip Schaff, “Church History In Plain Language” by Bruce Shelley, Frank Mead’s “Handbook of Denominations”, Max Anders’ “30 Days to Understanding Church History” along with the official historical information provided by each particular denomination’s historical web page.
To explore a more in-depth description of the history, reasons for, and origins of schisms and splits of the denominations below, click each denomination name to view more information about denomination or visit the following link and scroll down for the accordian style information pages: Christian Denominations page.
The Biblical or “invisible” church is comprised of those who have come to recognise themselves as sinners condemned to eternal separation from God and who subsequenetly cry out to God for mercy and the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:21 & Romans 10:13) and have a converted/repentant faith (assurance of things hoped for) in the Lord Jesus as the Saviour of their sins (John 14:6; 5:24).
- These genuine Christian converts can be found among many of the denominations we mention but there are no denominations that represent the “true church” although some cults attempt to lay that claim.
- Church or denomination membership has nothing to do with being a genuine Bible-based believer in Christ i.e. part of the Biblical Church founded on and by Jesus Christ.
- Please note: this is not rank ecumenicalism but rather a declaration that salvation has nothing to do with the fragmented visible “church” you see in the denominations.
In the chart above, I have color-coded the seven family groups mentioned below to differentiate the direct and indirect relationships they bear to one another.
**Disciples of Christ is the result of an 1832 merger between two groups of Presbyterian(Stone) and Baptist influence(Campbellites).
***It is worth noting that missing are the groups: Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostal, Christian Science, New Apostolic Reformation or NAR – (C. Peter Wagner, Rick Joyner, Bill Johnson, etc), United Pentecostal Church, The Apostolic Church, The Unitarian Church, and a few others. These belief systems veer from the essential, historic Christian proper theological belief (Nature, Person of God, i.e the Trinity, Christological belief such as the person and work of Jesus Christ, Deity of Jesus, etc. these doctrines are what categorise certain groups of being a cult and determine whether a group is to be included within the Biblical, historical Christian faith. See our DENOMINATION OR CULT page for more information.
The excluded groups named are mostly (if not entirely) based on the private interpretations of a charismatic leader or leaders, whereby the gods revealed by these “prophets” and “teachers” are wholly and completely different from the God of Christianity (despite having the same or similar names for their gods). It is for this reason that Christianity on the whole does not consider these groups e.g. LDS church, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Christian Science to be part of the Biblical and historic orthodoxy of the Christian church.
For more information about the differentiation between a denomination and a cult visit our page: Denomination or Cult.
To explore a more in-depth historical description of the schisms, splits, and origins seen on the chart above, visit our Christian Denominations page.
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