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Denomination Explorer

Christianity is not one tradition. It is a family shaped by centuries of faith, geography, and the many ways people have met God. Explore the full family here. All branches. No judgment.

Evangelical~1609

Baptist

πŸ“ Amsterdam, Netherlands (English Separatists); spread to England and America

Scripture alone, believer's baptism by immersion, congregational governance.

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Evangelical1863

Seventh-day Adventist

πŸ“ Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

Saturday Sabbath, healthy living, and the imminent return of Christ.

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Evangelical~1906 (formal separation)

Churches of Christ (a cappella)

πŸ“ Southern USA (Tennessee, Texas)

Scripture only: no instruments in worship, no creed, believer's baptism for salvation.

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Evangelical~1927 (identified as distinct body)

Christian Churches (Independent)

πŸ“ USA (Midwest)

Instrumental Stone-Campbell conservatives: direct New Testament Christianity.

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Evangelical~1860s

Stundists

πŸ“ Ukraine (Odessa region), Russian Empire

Ukrainian Protestant movement born from German pietist Bible hours.

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Evangelical~1970s–present

Non-denominational Evangelical

πŸ“ USA (primarily); now global

Bible-believing, Jesus-centred Christianity without traditional denominational labels.

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Evangelical1831

Plymouth Brethren

πŸ“ Plymouth, England; Dublin, Ireland

No clergy, no creed: just the Lord's Table and Scripture exposition.

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Evangelical1908

Church of the Nazarene (Holiness)

πŸ“ Pilot Point, Texas, USA

Entire sanctification: Wesley's second blessing in the American heartland.

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Evangelical1865

Salvation Army

πŸ“ East London, England

An army for God: evangelism, soup kitchens, and no sacraments.

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Evangelical1827

Primitive Baptist

πŸ“ Southern USA

Old-school Calvinist Baptists: no Sunday schools, no paid ministers, no instruments.

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Evangelical1860

Free Methodist Church

πŸ“ Pekin, New York, USA

Free pews, free slaves, free grace - the abolitionist breakaway from Methodism.

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Evangelical1968 (merger); roots in 1843

Wesleyan Church

πŸ“ Indiana, USA

Holiness, social action, and entire sanctification in the Wesleyan tradition.

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Evangelical1881

Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)

πŸ“ Anderson, Indiana, USA

No membership roll, no creed - just the restored New Testament Church.

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Evangelical1887

Christian Missionary Alliance (C&MA)

πŸ“ New York City, USA

A.B. Simpson's Fourfold Gospel: Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer, Coming King.

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Evangelical~1770s

Brethren in Christ

πŸ“ Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA

Where Anabaptist, Pietist, and Holiness streams converge.

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Baptist

Evangelical

~1609

πŸ“ Amsterdam, Netherlands (English Separatists); spread to England and America

🌍 ~170 million

Origin

Baptist churches arose in the 17th century from the English Separatist movement, emphasising believer's baptism (by immersion), the authority of Scripture, and local church autonomy. They spread globally through the 18th and 19th centuries and today include a wide variety of traditions from mainline to conservative Evangelical.

Core beliefs

  • Believer's baptism by immersion (not infant baptism)
  • Soul liberty and priesthood of all believers
  • Congregational church governance
  • Scripture as sole authority for faith and practice
  • Separation of church and state

Worship style

Varies from traditional hymn-based services to contemporary worship. Emphasis on expository preaching and the ordinances (baptism and Lord's Supper). Altar calls common in many Baptist traditions.

Key scriptures

  • Acts 2:38–41
  • Romans 6:3–4
  • 2 Timothy 3:16–17
  • Matthew 28:19–20

Relationship to other denominations

Free-church Protestant tradition. Differs from Catholic and Orthodox on baptism and authority; from many Reformed on baptism mode and church structure.