religious teaching

what happened over the centuries?

the church has split into many denominations

when did the eastern and western church split?

1054

what did did the 16th century Reformation see?

saw the Protestant Lutherans leave the Catholic Church. There was further fragmentation when Protestants divided into Baptists (who reject infant baptism), Congregationalists (whose individual congregations are autonomous), Presbyterians (who are governed by assemblies of church elders) and others

what do all contemporary Christian denominations claim?

claim that they too like the early Christian community, adhere closely to the teaching of the apostles. Despite their many differences, they all share the basic belief that Jesus was the Messiah; that he performed God’s work on earth, preaching, teaching and healing the sick

what do they believe about Jesus?

that he crucified and buried, and then raised from the dead, that he ascended to the Father and that it is through him that people’s sins are forgiven