Free Resource

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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Church of the Nazarene (Holiness)

Evangelical

1908

πŸ“ Pilot Point, Texas, USA

🌍 ~2.5 million

Origin

The Church of the Nazarene was formed in 1908 at Pilot Point, Texas, from the merger of several Holiness associations. It represents the American Holiness Movement's commitment to Wesley's doctrine of 'entire sanctification' - a second definite work of grace after conversion that cleanses the heart from sin's dominion. It operates in over 160 countries with strong global mission.

Core beliefs

  • Entire sanctification as a second definite work of grace
  • Arminian soteriology (free will, universal atonement)
  • The Holy Spirit empowers holy living
  • Social holiness: care for the poor as integral to discipleship
  • Wesleyan-Arminian theology

Worship style

Traditional and contemporary evangelical worship with testimonies, altar calls, and emphasis on the experience of sanctification. Warm, community-focused services.

Key scriptures

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
  • Hebrews 12:14
  • 1 John 1:9
  • Romans 6:22

Relationship to other denominations

Part of the Wesleyan-Holiness family alongside Free Methodist, Wesleyan, and Salvation Army. Distinguished from Pentecostals: sanctification is not evidenced by tongues.