Doctrinal Statement/Mission Statement

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MC850 is a core course in both the Master of Divinity degree and the Master of
Theological Studies in Christian Leadership (MTS-CL) degree

1. Personal Doctrinal Statement
The student will develop a doctrinal statement that reflects the current state of the
student’s theological understanding of his or her faith. The paper will be at least 15
pages in length and cover the following major areas of belief:

• Prolegomena describing epistemological basis for theology
• Doctrine of Scripture
• Doctrine of God (Theology)
• The Person of Christ (Christology)
• Doctrine of Humanity (Anthropology)
• Doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology)
• The Nature of Redemption (Soteriology)
• The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
• The Church and its Mission (Ecclesiology and Missiology)
• The Final Things (Eschatology)

The doctrinal statement should include a presentation of the student’s views regarding
the following key theological issues:

• The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible
• The Trinity
• Openness of God or Free-will Theism
• The Nature of the Fall and Effect upon Humanity
• Election
• The Nature and the Extent of the Atonement
• The Uniqueness of Christ
• The Work of the Holy Spirit
• Eschatological Distinctions

The doctrinal statement should seek to be succinct and confessional in content. The
student should provide a concise commentary to the doctrinal statement that discusses
relevant sources, creeds, key biblical support, and a discussion of personal changes
and theological development over the course of the student’s seminary experience.

The commentary should include discussion of areas of tension or personal struggle. This
commentary should accompany the doctrinal statement in the form of footnotes or
endnotes. This should prove to be a valuable exercise for the student to compile a
summative theological framework for ordination and ministry. The student will be graded
on quality of synthesis, clarity of expression, and the ability to demonstrate mature
theological reflection underlying the statement of faith. The student is expected to use
proper grammar, punctuation, and style.

 

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Doctrinal Statement
A doctrinal statement is a statement of doctrine made by a church or other religious
institution which quantifies precisely its core beliefs on certain issues. It is common for
doctrinal statements to include positions on lectionary and translations of the Bible,
particularly in evangelical churches, some of which accept only the King James Version.

In the Roman Catholic Church, a doctrinal statement can be made by the Pope himself,
usually with the help of the Holy Office, a statement which then becomes part of the
Magisterium of the Church. The Magisterium can be Ordinary and Extraordinary, depending
on the degree of solemnity of the statements.
Reference (Link): -->> Doctrinal statement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[zone]

We've had the same doctrinal statement since 325 AD
Yes Scott we know about Filioque vs non-filioque versions.

hehehe...love you santo.
zone

 

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Dallas Theological Seminary - Doctrinal Statement

Core Beliefs
While our faculty and board annually affirm their agreement with the full doctrinal
statement (below), students need only agree with these seven essentials:

* the Trinity
* the full deity and humanity of Christ
* the spiritual lostness of the human race
* the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ
* salvation by faith alone in Christ alone
* the physical return of Christ
* the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.

Full Doctrinal Statement (Outline):
Article I—The Scriptures

Article II—The Godhead

Article III—Angels, Fallen and Unfallen

Article IV—Man, Created and Fallen

Article V—The Dispensations

Article VI—The First Advent

Article VII—Salvation Only Through Christ

Article VIII—The Extent of Salvation

Article IX—Sanctification

Article X—Eternal Security

Article XI—Assurance

Article XII—The Holy Spirit

Article XIII—The Church, A Unity of Believers

Article XIV—The Sacrament or Ordinances

Article XV—The Christian Walk

Article XVI—The Christian's Service

Article XVII—The Great Commission

Article XVIII—The Blessed Hope

Article XIX—The Tribulation

Article XX—The Second Coming of Christ

Article XXI—The Eternal State

Reference (Link): -->> Doctrinal Statement | Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)

 

[zone]

Apostles' Creed


1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body: 12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

 

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MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE (MBI) Doctrinal Statement:

Historically MBI has maintained positions that have identified it as non-charismatic,
dispensational and generally Calvinistic.

Introduction to the Doctrinal Statement

Throughout its history MBI has held to the essentials of biblical orthodoxy. In addition, it
has defined itself in other distinct ways in terms of more specific interpretations of
Scripture. These positions are reflected in the Doctrinal Statement (1928) documents and
policies published by MBI. These Institutional Positions Related to the Moody Bible
Institute Doctrinal Statement (1928) were produced to clarify and make explicit the
doctrinal positions of the institution.

While MBI's particular definitions are important to its position, it is readily recognized that
they do not define orthodoxy for the whole body of Christ. MBI gladly embraces all who
faithfully adhere to the essentials of biblical Christianity as fellow believers and
colleagues in Christ's cause.

Whereas biblical Christianity is defined by the central tenets of the faith, throughout the
history of the church various groups have employed more specific definitions to define
themselves. Historically MBI has maintained positions that have identified it as
non-charismatic, dispensational and generally Calvinistic.

To maintain continuity and consistency with the heritage entrusted to its care, Moody
expects faculty and administration to agree with, personally adhere to and support MBI's
doctrinal distinctives as noted above and defined in the following Institutional Positions
Related to the Moody Bible Institute Doctrinal Statement (1928).

Moody Bible Institute Doctrinal Statement

Article I
God is a Person who has revealed Himself as a Trinity in unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
—three Persons and yet one God.

• Deuteronomy 6:4, • Matthew 28:19, • 1 Corinthians 8:6

Article II
The Bible, including both the Old and the New Testaments, is a divine revelation, the
original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit.

• 2 Timothy 3:16, • 2 Peter 1:21

Article III
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, which is to say, He is Himself very God; He
took upon Himself our nature, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Mary; He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the world; He
arose from the dead in the body in which He was crucified; He ascended into heaven in
that body glorified, where He is now our interceding High Priest; He will come again
personally and visibly to set up His Kingdom and to judge the quick and the dead.

• Colossians 1:15, • Philippians 2:5-8, • Matthew 1:18-25, • 1 Peter 2:24-25, • Luke 24, •
Hebrews 4:14-16, • Acts 1:9-11, • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18• Matthew 25:31-46, •
Revelation 11:15-17; 20:4-6, 11-15

Article IV
Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin, and, in that sense, is lost; this is
true of all men, and except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God;
salvation is by grace through faith in Christ who His own self bore our sins in His own body
on the tree; the retribution of the wicked and unbelieving and the rewards of the
righteous are everlasting, and as the reward is conscious, so is the retribution.

• Genesis 1:26-27, • Romans 3:10, 23, • John 3:3, • Acts 13:38-39; 4:12, • John 3:16;
Matthew 25:46, • 2 Corinthians 5:1, • 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

Article V
The Church is an elect company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its
mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all
nations; it will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air ere He appears to set up His
kingdom.

• Acts 2:41; 15:13-17, • Ephesians 1:3-6, • 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, • Matthew 28:19-20, •
Acts 1:6-8, • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Reference (Link): -->> Moody Bible Institute | Moody Believes | Doctrinal Statement

 

[SantoSubito]

Apostles' Creed


1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body: 12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

I thought Reformed churches also used the Nicene Creed? In Lutheran churches they can use either the Apostles or Nicene Creed, is it the same way in Reformed circles?

 

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Master's Theological Seminary - Doctrinal Statement - For Christ & Scripture
* Denotes web link to full statement

* The Holy Scriptures


*God
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit

* Man

* Salvation

• Regeneration, Election, Justification, Sanctification, Security, Separation

* The Church

* Angels

• Holy Angels, Fallen Angels

* Last Things (Eschatology)

• Death, The Rapture of the Church, The Tribulation Period, The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign, The Judgment of the Lost, Eternity

Reference (Link): -->> Doctrinal Statement

 

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS

Statement of Faith

* We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.


* We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.


* We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in
His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily
resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in
power and glory.


* We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy
Spirit is absolutely essential.


* We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian
is enabled to live a godly life.


* We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved
unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.


* We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reference (Link): -->> Statement of Faith

 

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BIBLE.COM DOCTRINAL STATEMENT (OUTLINE)

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man
will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of
myself. John 7:16,17

* Inspiration of Scriptures:
* God and The Trinity:
* Jesus, Fully God and Fully Man:
* Man:
* Salvation:
* Body of Christ:
* Blood Atonement:
* Bodily Resurrection:
* Ascension:
* Second Coming:
* Judgment:
* Ordinances:
* Heaven and Hell:
* Holy Spirit:
* Baptism in the Holy Spirit:
* Divine Healing:
* Marriage:

Reference (Link): -->> Bible.com

 

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DOCTRINAL STATEMENT WEB LINKS:


LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Reference (Link): -->> About Liberty | Doctrinal Statement | Liberty University


The Evangelical Free Church of America
Reference (Link): -->> EFCA | Statement of Faith


CULTWATCH.COM
Reference (Link): -->> CULTWATCH - Doctrinal Statement


ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
Reference (Link): -->> Fundamental Truths (Condensed Statement)


PRACTICAL BIBLE COLLEGE (Davis College)
Reference (Link): -->> Doctrinal Statement > Davis College > Bible College Located in Binghamton, NY

 

[zone]

I thought Reformed churches also used the Nicene Creed? In Lutheran churches they can use either the Apostles or Nicene Creed, is it the same way in Reformed circles?

sure.
i like them both

catholic with a little c of course santo.
love zone.

 

[Digital_Angel_316]

I thought Reformed churches also used the Nicene Creed? In Lutheran
churches they can use either the Apostles or Nicene Creed, is it the same way in Reformed circles?

The Nicene Creed (Latin: Symbolum Nicaenum) is the creed or profession of faith (Greek:
Σύμβολον τῆς Πίστεω&#962 that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene
(play /ˈnaɪsiːn/) because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the
first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.

The Nicene Creed has been normative to:

* The Anglican Church,
* Assyrian Church of the East,
* Eastern Orthodox Church,
* Oriental Orthodox churches,
* The Roman Catholic Church including the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Old Catholic Church
* The Lutheran Church and
* Most Protestant denominations.

The Apostles' Creed, which in its present form is later, is also broadly accepted in the
West, but is not used in the East. One or other of these two creeds is recited in the Roman
Rite Mass directly after the homily on all Sundays and Solemnities (Tridentine Feasts of
the First Class). In the Byzantine Rite Liturgy, the Nicene Creed is recited on all occasions,
following the Litany of Supplication.

There are several designations for the two forms of the Nicene creed, some with
overlapping meanings:

* Nicene Creed can refer to the original version adopted at the First Council of Nicaea
(325), to the revised version adopted by the First Council of Constantinople (381), to the
later Latin version that includes the phrase "Deum de Deo" and "Filioque", and to the
Armenian version.

* Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed can stand for the revised version of Constantinople
(381) or the later Latin version or various other versions.

* Icon/Symbol of the Faith is the usual designation for the revised version of
Constantinople 381 in the Orthodox churches, where this is the only creed used in the
liturgy.

* Profession of Faith of the 318 Fathers refers specifically to the version of Nicea 325
(traditionally, 318 bishops took part at the First Council of Nicea).

* Profession of Faith of the 150 Fathers refers specifically to the version of Constantinople
381 (traditionally, 150 bishops took part at the First Council of Constantinople)

In musical settings, particularly when sung in Latin, this Creed is usually referred to by its
first word, Credo.

Reference (Link): -->> Nicene Creed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST (SDA) - DOCTRINAL STATEMENT (Summary),
additional text and reference verses found on the web site below:

Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental
beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here,
constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture.
Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the
church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better
language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word.

1. Holy Scriptures:
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by
divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for
salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will.

2. Trinity:
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is
immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present.

3. Father:
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He
is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and
faithfulness.

4. Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were
created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and
the world is judged.

5. Holy Spirit:
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and
redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life with power. He
draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into
the image of God.

6. Creation:
God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His
creative activity.

7. Nature of Man:
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom
to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind,
and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else.

8. Great Controversy:
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding
the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict
originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in
self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the
angels.4:9; Heb. 1:14.)

9. Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection,
God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith
accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better
understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator.

10. Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in
Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our
need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in
Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example.

11. Growing in Christ:
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the
demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their
ultimate doom.

12. Church:
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In
continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the
world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the
celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide
proclamation of the gospel.

13. Remnant and Its Mission:
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a
time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments
of God and the faith of Jesus.

14. Unity in the Body of Christ:
The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue,
and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and
nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must
not be divisive among us.

15. Baptism:
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify
of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life.

16. Lord's Supper:
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an
expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour.

17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each
member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of
humanity.

18. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the
remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White .

19. Law of God:
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and
exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes concerning
human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age.

20. Sabbath:
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and
instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation.

21. Stewardship:
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and
possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources.

22. Christian Behavior:
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with the principles
of heaven. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves
only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives.

23. Marriage and the Family:
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union
between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage
commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between
partners who share a common faith.

24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man. In
it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning
sacrifice offered once for all on the cross.

25. Second Coming of Christ:
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the
gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide.

26. Death and Resurrection:
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His
redeemed. Until that day death is an unconscious state for all people.

27. Millennium and the End of Sin:
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the
first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth
will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his
angels.

28. New Earth:
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the
redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His
presence.

Reference (Link): -->> Adventist.org: The Official Site of the Seventh-Day Adventist World Church

 

[Digital_Angel_316]

I thought Reformed churches also used the Nicene Creed? In Lutheran churches they can use either the Apostles or Nicene Creed, is it the same way in Reformed circles?

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
This church's official teaching is expressed in the ELCA Confession of Faith.

ELCA Confession of Faith

What we believe in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

* This church confesses the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

* This church confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of
God for the salvation of all who believe
...o Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made
..........and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.
...o The proclamation of God's message to us as both Law and Gospel is the Word of
..........God, revealing judgment and mercy through word and deed, beginning with the
..........Word in creation, continuing in the history of Israel, and centering in all its fullness in
..........the person and work of Jesus Christ.
...o The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of
..........God. Inspired by God's Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and
..........announce God's revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God's Spirit
..........speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the
..........world.

* This church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the
inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and
life.

* This church accepts the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true
declarations of the faith of this church.

* This church accepts the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the
Gospel, acknowledging as one with it In faith and doctrine all churches that likewise
accept the teachings of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.

* This church accepts the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord, namely,
the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles and the Treatise, the Small
Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid
interpretations of the faith of the Church.

* This church confesses the Gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in
the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran confessional writings, as the power of God to create
and sustain the Church for God's mission in the world.

The Confession of Faith is published in the Constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.

Reference (Link): -->>ELCA Confession of Faith - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

SEE ALSO:
Reference (Link): -->> We Believe, Teach, and Confess — Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Reference (Link): -->> Lutheranism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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WHO ARE ALL THESE CHURCHES?

By the 2010 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, from which members in the
United States are combined with Canadian members, and of the National Council of
Churches, the five largest denominations are:

* The Catholic Church, ............................................. 68,115,001 members
* The Southern Baptist Convention, .......................... 16,228,438 members
* The United Methodist Church, .................................. 7,853,987 members
* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ....... 5,974,041 members
* The Church of God in Christ, ..................................... 5,499,875 members

Reference (Link): -->> Religion in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Religious movement in the USA

How Americans describe their religious identity, 1990 — 2008:

...Religious................ 2008 estimate .....Estimated % of ..........Estimated % of
...Tradition..................(in Millions) ........Population - 1990 ......Population -2008 ............ Change
Catholic ............................ 57.2 .................... 26.2% ..................25.1% ........................ -1.1%
Baptist .............................. 36.1 ....................19.3% ..................15.8% ........................ -3.5%
No religion ........................ 34.2 ..................... 8.2% ..................15.0% ......................... 6.8%
Christian, generic .............. 32.4 ................... 14.8% ..................14.2% ........................ -0.6%
Mainline Protestant ........... 29.4 ................... 18.7% ..................12.9% ........................ -5.8%
Don't Know/Refused .......... 11.8 ..................... 2.3% ....................5.2% ......................... 2.9%
Pentecostal/Charismatic ...... 8.0 ..................... 3.2% ....................3.5% ......................... 0.3%
Protestant denominations ..... 7.1 ..................... 2.6% ....................3.1% ......................... 0.5%
Mormon/latter-day Saints ..... 3.2 ..................... 1.4% ....................1.4% ......................... 0.0%
New movements ,
(such as Wiccan) / Other ....... 2.8 ..................... 0.8% ....................1.2% ......................... 0.4%
Jewish .................................. 2.7 ..................... 1.8% ....................1.2% ........................ -0.6%
Eastern religions ................... 2.0 ..................... 0.4% ....................0.9% ......................... 0.5%
Muslim ..................................1.4 ...................... 0.3% .....................0.6% ......................... 0.3%

Note: "Catholic" includes Roman, Greek and Eastern Rite Catholics. Christian generic
includes non-denominational, unspecified Christian and Protestant, evangelical/born-
again. Protestant denominations includes Churches of Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses and
Seventh-day Adventist.

Source: American Religious Identification Survey 2008, based on 54,000 interviews in
2008, margin of error +/- 0.5 percentage points.

Reference (Link): -->> Most religious groups in USA have lost ground, survey finds - USATODAY.com

 

[Digital_Angel_316]

WHO ARE ALL THESE RELIGIONS?

LARGEST DENOMINATIONS IN THE WORLD:


CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX:

Catholicism - 1.2 billion
* Catholic Church - 1,166 million[1]
o Latin Church - 1,149 million
o Eastern Catholic Churches - 17 million

Breakaway Catholic Churches - 25 million

Eastern Orthodoxy - 230 million
* Autocephalous churches
o Russian Orthodox Church - 125 million
o Romanian Orthodox Church - 18 million
o Serbian Orthodox Church - 15 million
o Church of Greece - 11 million
o Bulgarian Orthodox Church - 10 million
o Georgian Orthodox Church - 5 million
o Greek Orthodox Church of Constantinople - 3.5 million
o Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch - 2.5 million
o Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria - 1.5 million
o Orthodox Church in America - 1.2 million
o Polish Orthodox Church - 1 million
o Albanian Orthodox Church - 0.8 million
o Cypriot Orthodox Church - 0.7 million
o Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem - 0.14 million
o Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church - 0.07 million

* Autonomous churches
o Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) - 7.2 million
o Moldovan Orthodox Church - 3.2 million
o Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia - 1.25 million
o Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia - 0.62 million
o Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric - 0.34 million
o Estonian Orthodox Church - 0.3 million
o Patriarchal Exarchate in Western Europe - 0.15 million
o Finnish Orthodox Church - 0.08 million
o Chinese Orthodox Church - 0.03 million
o Japanese Orthodox Church - 0.02 million
o Latvian Orthodox Church - 0.02 million

* Non-universally recognized churches
o Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate) - 5.5 million
o Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church - 3.8 million
o Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church - 2.4 million
o Macedonian Orthodox Church - 2 million
o Orthodox Church of Greece (Holy Synod in Resistance) - 0.75 million
o Old Calendar Romanian Orthodox Church - 0.50 million
o Old Calendar Bulgarian Orthodox Church - 0.45 million
o Croatian Orthodox Church - 0.36 million
o Orthodox Church in Italy - 0.12 million
o Montenegrin Orthodox Church - 0.05 million

* Other separated Orthodox groups
o Old Believers - 5.5 million
o Greek Old Calendarists - 0.86 million
o Russian True Orthodox Church - 0.85 million

Oriental Orthodoxy - 82 million
* Autocephalous churches in communion
o Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - 48 million
o Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria - 15.5 million
o Armenian Orthodox Church - 8 million
o Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church - 2.5 million
o Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church - 2 million
o Armenian Orthodox Church of Cilicia - 1.5 million
o Syriac Orthodox Church - 1.05 million
* Autonomous churches in communion
o Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church - 1.2 million
o Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople - 0.42 million
o Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem - 0.34 million
o French Coptic Orthodox Church - 0.01 million
o British Orthodox Church - 0.01 million
* Churches not in communion
o Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church - 1.1 million
o Malabar Independent Syrian Church - 0.06 million

Reference (Link): -->> List of Christian denominations by number of members - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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WHO ARE ALL THESE RELIGIONS?

LARGEST DENOMINATIONS IN THE WORLD:


MAINLINE PROTESTANT:

Protestantism - 670 million
* Historical Protestantism - 350 million
o Baptist churches - 100 million
o Lutheranism - 75 million
o Methodism - 75 million
o Reformed churches - 75 million
* Presbyterianism - 40 million
* Continental Reformed churches - 30 million
* Congregationalism - 5 million
o Anabaptism and Free churches - 5 million
o Quakers - 0.4 million
o Waldensians - 0.05 million

Modern Protestantism - 274 million
* Pentecostalism - 130 million
o Assemblies of God - 60 million
o International Circle of Faith - 11 million
o The Pentecostal Mission - 10 million
o Church of God (Cleveland) - 9 million
o International Church of the Foursquare Gospel - 8 million
o Apostolic Church - 6 million
o Church of God in Christ - 6.5 million
o Apostolic Church - 5.5 million
o United Pentecostal Church International - 4 million
o Christian Congregation of Brazil - 2.5 million
o Universal Church of the Kingdom of God - 2 million
o Church of God of Prophecy - 1 million

Non-denominational evangelicalism - 80 million
* Calvary Chapel - 25 million
* Born Again Movement - 20 million
* Association of Vineyard Churches - 15 million
* Christian and Missionary Alliance - 4 million
* True Jesus Church - 2.5 million
* Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) - 1.2 million

African initiated churches - 40 million
* Zion Christian Church - 15 million
* Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim - 10 million
* Kimbanguist Church - 5.5 million
* Church of the Lord (Aladura) - 3.6 million
* Council of African Instituted Churches - 3 million
* Church of Christ Light of the Holy Spirit - 1.4 million
* African Church of the Holy Spirit - 0.7 million
* African Israel Church Nineveh - 0.5 million

Seventh-day Adventist Church - 17 million

Restoration Movement - 7 million
* Churches of Christ - 5 million
* Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - 1.1 million
* Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - 0.7 million

Oneness Pentecostalism - 6 million
* United Pentecostal Church International - 4 million
* Pentecostal Assemblies of the World - 1.5 million


Anglicanism - 82 million
* Anglican Communion - 80 million
o Church of England - 25.0 million
o Church of Nigeria - 18.0 million
o Church of Uganda - 8.1 million
o Anglican Church of Kenya - 5.0 million
o Episcopal Church of the Sudan - 4.5 million
o Anglican Church of Australia - 3.9 million
o Church of South India - 3.5 million
o Episcopal Church in the United States - 2.4 million
o Anglican Church of Southern Africa - 2.3 million
o Anglican Church of Tanzania - 2.0 million
o Anglican Church of Canada - 2.0 million
o Church of North India - 1.5 million
o Church of the Province of Rwanda - 1.0 million
o Church of the Province of Central Africa - 0.9 million
o Anglican Church of Burundi - 0.8 million
o Church in the Province of the West Indies - 0.8 million
o Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean - 0.5 million
o Church of Christ in Congo–Anglican Community of Congo - 0.5 million
o Church of Pakistan - 0.5 million
o Church of Ireland - 0.4 million

Restorationism - 40 million
* Latter Day Saint movement (Mormonism) - 14.5 million
o The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 14.1 million
o Community of Christ - 0.2 million
* New Apostolic Church - 11 million
* Jehovah's Witnesses - 7.5 million
* Iglesia ni Cristo - 6 million
* Church of Christ, Scientist - 0.4 million
* Friends of Man - 0.07 million
* Christadelphians - 0.06 million

Unitarian Universalism - 0.6 million

* Unitarian Universalist Association - 0.2 million

Nestorianism - 0.6 million

* Assyrian Church of the East - 0.5 million
* Ancient Church of the East - 0.1 million

Reference (Link): -->> List of Christian denominations by number of members - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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The United Church of Christ (UCC)

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination
primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The
Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in
1957 to form the UCC. These two denominations, which were themselves the result of
earlier unions, had their roots in Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and Reformed
denominations. The UCC's 5,287 congregations claim 1,080,199 members, primarily in the
United States.

The UCC maintains full communion with other mainline Protestant denominations, while
many congregations choose to practice open communion. The denomination places high
emphasis on participation in worldwide interfaith and ecumenical efforts. The national
settings of the UCC have historically favored liberal views on social issues, such as civil
rights, gay rights, women's rights, abortion rights. However, United Church of Christ
congregations have freedom in matters of doctrine and ministry and may or may not
support the national body's theological or moral stances. It is self-described as "an
extremely pluralistic and diverse denomination".

Reference (Link): -->> United Church of Christ - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


United Church of Christ Statement of Faith—original version

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to
his deeds we testify:

He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways
of life and death.

He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,he has come to us and
shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.

He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in
the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to
share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the
struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his
kingdom which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him.

Amen.

About this testimony

The original (traditional) version of the UCC Statement of Faith was adopted in 1959 by
General Synod and is widely regarded as one of the most significant Christian faith
testimonies of the 20th century. The Statement of Faith in the Form of a Doxology was
authorized by Executive Council in 1981. For these and other affirmations of the Christian
faith, see the Book of Worship of United Church of Christ and The New Century Hymnal.
Both resources are available from United Church Resources at 800-325-7061, or can be
ordered from The Pilgrim Press at The Pilgrim Press...Since 1640

Reference (Link): -->> Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ - La Declaración de Fe de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo

 

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Must-See Links for a beginning point and over view of Various Religions and
Denominations. How does YOUR Doctrine stand up - Do you have one?

COMPARATIVE RELIGION CHART:
The ReligionFacts "Big Religion Chart" is an attempt to summarize all the complexities of
religions and belief systems into tiny little boxes on a single, quick-reference comparison
chart. Yes, of course this is impossible. As we always warn with our comparison charts,
this is no substitute for reading about religions in greater detail, talking with religious
adherents, etc. But this religion comparison chart can (hopefully) be a useful and
accessible way to "get the gist" of some unfamiliar groups and compare basic beliefs and
practices of the world's religions and belief systems. Currently, 43 belief systems are
listed.
Despite the chart's simplistic title, we have been very inclusive with what is regarded as a
"religion" for purposes of this comparison chart. Basically, the grounds for a group's
inclusion are that it provides a set of teachings and/or rituals that deal with the
traditionally "religious" issues of ultimate reality, the meaning of life, and/or how to find
fulfillment, spiritual health or salvation. Also, all the groups listed below can be found in
dictionaries of religion.
Inclusion of a group on this list does not mean that the group is a "religion" per se (note
that atheism is listed) or a "true religion" or that one group is just as much a religion as
another group. Similarly, if a group does not appear on this chart it doesn't mean it's not a
religion or doesn't matter; the chart is not comprehensive and will continue to grow.
Finally, listing groups separately does not mean they are mutually exclusive, nor does
grouping them together mean that they are basically the same thing. This is not an
authoritative list of religions, simply a resource on some worldviews and ways of life that
hopefully some will find useful.

Link -->> The Big Religion Comparison Chart: Compare World Religions - ReligionFacts

COMPARATIVE DENOMINATIONS CHART:
The following chart compares the similarities and differences between the beliefs,
doctrine and theology of major Christian denominations. Please note that the brief
summaries and excerpts provided here do not reflect all individuals or churches in each
denomination, but they are believed to represent the majority view and taken from
official statements where available.

Link -->> Comparison Chart of Beliefs of Christian Denominations - ReligionFacts