You’ve probably seen it before—on church signs, social media, or maybe just talking with friends. One church is Baptist, another is Methodist. Some call themselves Lutheran, Presbyterian, or Pentecostal. And then there are churches that don’t use a label at all.
It’s no wonder people ask how many denominations of Christianity there are. And maybe more importantly why there are so many Christian denominations in the first place. Are some approaches right while others are wrong? Or is it a matter of tradition or preference—or something else?
What Does “Denomination” Actually Mean?
Think of a denomination like a family within a family: still part of Christianity, but with its own unique traits. A denomination is simply a group of churches that share common beliefs, practices, and leadership structures.
Some denominations are well-known, like Methodist, Baptist, or Lutheran. Others may sound more like movements—like Evangelical or Pentecostal. Even non-denominational churches like LCBC still align with core beliefs that are part of the historic Christian faith. They may just choose not to affiliate with a larger denomination or formal governing body.
Why Do So Many Christian Denominations Exist?
As the Church grew, people disagreed over how to interpret the Bible, how churches should be led, and how faith should be lived out in the world.
Some of the major turning points in church history include:
- The Great Schism (1054 AD): Split the Church into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches.
- The Protestant Reformation (1500s): Led by Martin Luther, this movement protested abuses in the Catholic Church and sparked the creation of new denominations like Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Methodism.
- Modern movements: New denominations and networks have continued to form over time—some around theological issues, others around culture, worship style, or how to engage with the world.
Sometimes these splits are tragic. Other times, they’ve created space for new generations to connect with Jesus in meaningful ways. Denominations don’t always mean division. They can also reflect growth, reform, or fresh expressions of the same core truth.
Are All Denominations Part of the Same Faith?
Think of Christianity like a tree. The core of the tree—Jesus, Scripture, salvation by grace through faith—is solid. Denominations are like branches growing from that core.
Many denominations, despite their differences, all hold tightly to the same core, the same foundation:
- The authority of the Bible
- The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
- The belief that salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn
But like any tree, the condition of its branches can vary. Some are healthy. Some are overgrown. A few may have broken away entirely and lost connection to the trunk.
In other words, not every group that calls itself “Christian” actually teaches the essentials of Christianity. Some movements like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses use Christian language but deny central truths the Bible clearly teaches.
For example, both groups reject the full divinity of Jesus, even though Scripture is direct on this point:
- “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” Colossians 2:9
- “The Word was with God, and the Word was God...So the Word became human and made his home among us.” John 1:1,14
In addition, these groups often teach that salvation comes through human effort or added revelation. But the Bible emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, not something we earn or achieve:
- “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8
- “He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:5
Even Jesus himself made it clear that he alone is the way to God, not one path among many, and not through secret knowledge or added texts:
- “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
This is why most mainstream Christian churches do not consider groups like Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses to be part of historic, biblical Christianity—not to be critical or divisive, but to stay anchored in what the Bible actually says about Jesus, salvation, and the Good News.
So…Which One Is Right?
It’s a fair question. But maybe the better question is: What’s essential? Instead of focusing on who’s “right,” we’re better off asking ourselves what is true, biblical, and points us to Jesus? If you’re exploring faith or trying to find a church, focus on what matters most: Jesus, the Bible, and the truth of the Gospel.
And if you’re looking for a church that cares about getting these things right, you’re always welcome to check out LCBC!
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For a deeper dive into how we got to thousands of denominations, what makes them different, and how to discern between them, check out this episode of The Evidence Podcast—a 6-episode series where we dive into some of the biggest questions around faith and Christianity to uncover the truth.
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!