Key differences between Christian churches
Plain-language summaries of the big dividing questions, with the Scripture each side cites. All of these churches confess Jesus Christ as Lord. These summaries are simplified; read each church's own confession.
Baptism
Baptism gives new birth; baptize infantsCatholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, AnglicanJohn 3:5; Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 3:21
Covenant sign and seal; baptize believers' childrenReformed/Presbyterian, MethodistCol 2:11-12; Gen 17:7; Acts 2:39
Believers only, by immersion, as public testimonyBaptist, Pentecostal, most non-denominationalMatt 28:19; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 6:4
Immersion of believers for forgivenessChurches of ChristActs 2:38; 22:16
The Lord's Supper
Bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood (transubstantiation; Orthodox: a mystery)Catholic, OrthodoxMatt 26:26-28; John 6:53-56
Christ's true Body and Blood in, with and under the bread and wineLutheran1 Cor 10:16; 11:27-29
Christ spiritually present, received by faithReformed, many Anglicans and Methodists1 Cor 10:16; John 6:63
A memorial of Christ's deathBaptist, Pentecostal, many non-denominationalLuke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24-26
Salvation & grace
Grace alone through faith alone, for Christ's sakeLutheran, Reformed, Baptist, most evangelicalsRom 3:28; Eph 2:8-9
Grace received through faith and sacraments, working through love; cooperation over a lifetimeCatholic, OrthodoxJames 2:24; Phil 2:12-13
Grace enables a free response; growth in holinessMethodist, Wesleyan, PentecostalTitus 2:11; 1 Thess 5:23
God's sovereign election received by faithReformed/CalvinistEph 1:4-5; Rom 8:29-30
Scripture & tradition
Scripture alone is the final norm; confessions summarize itLutheran, Reformed2 Tim 3:16-17
Scripture with Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the ChurchCatholic, Orthodox2 Thess 2:15; 1 Tim 3:15
Scripture primary, read with tradition, reason and experienceMethodist, Anglican2 Tim 3:16
Bible only, no creedChurches of Christ, many non-denominational1 Pet 4:11
Church government
Bishops in apostolic successionCatholic, Orthodox, Anglican (Methodist bishops without succession claim)Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5
Elders and regional assembliesPresbyterian/ReformedActs 15:6; 1 Tim 5:17
Congregational self-ruleBaptist, Churches of Christ, many non-denominationalMatt 18:17; Acts 6:3
Synod of congregationsLutheran (LCMS)Acts 15:22
Mary & the saints
Mary is Mother of God, sinless, assumed; saints asked to intercedeCatholic, Orthodox (Orthodox differ on some Marian dogmas)Luke 1:28,48; Heb 12:1; Rev 5:8
Mary honored as Mother of God; saints remembered, not invokedLutheran, many AnglicansLuke 1:48; 1 Tim 2:5
Mary honored as a faithful believer; all believers are saintsReformed, Baptist, Pentecostal, evangelical1 Cor 1:2; 1 Tim 2:5
Spiritual gifts
All gifts including tongues and healing are active and soughtPentecostal, charismaticActs 2:17-18; 1 Cor 12:7-11
Gifts continue, but emphasis on Word and Sacrament or orderLutheran, Catholic, Anglican, Methodist1 Cor 14:40; Rom 10:17
Miraculous sign gifts ceased with the apostlesMany Reformed, Churches of Christ, some BaptistsHeb 2:3-4; 1 Cor 13:8-10
End times
Amillennial: Christ reigns now; one return, resurrection and judgmentCatholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, AnglicanJohn 5:28-29; Rev 20 read symbolically
Premillennial (often dispensational): rapture, tribulation, 1,000-year reignMany Baptist, Pentecostal, non-denominational1 Thess 4:16-17; Rev 20:1-6
Postmillennial: gospel advances before Christ returnsSome ReformedMatt 13:31-33
Women's ordination
Pastoral/priestly office reserved to menCatholic, Orthodox, LCMS, WELS, SBC, PCA, many others1 Tim 2:12; 1 Cor 14:34; Titus 1:6
Women may be ordainedELCA, Episcopal, UMC, PC(USA), AG, many othersGal 3:28; Acts 2:17-18; Rom 16:1-7