1. Christian History
“Splits” in the Church

2. 30 C.E. Pentecost Considered the beginning of the Christian Church.
Disciples became Apostles (those sent forth)
The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they were given the gift of tongues.
They went forth and spread the gospel.

3. 325 C.E. Council of Nicaea
Diverse forms of Christianity are given a standard form.
Council was called together by Emperor Constantine
They developed the Nicene Creed which was accepted as a “brief statement of belief used to test orthodoxy”

4. 1054 C.E. Eastern Schism
The Orthodox and Catholic Churches split from one another.
Among other reasons, the Roman Catholic church believed that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) was the leader of the whole church, as opposed to one among many bishops. The Eastern Church disagreed.
The Roman Catholic church excommunicated the Eastern church, and vice versa.

5. Schism
Differences:
Orthodox Church rejects the Pope as head of the Christian Church
Orthodox Church lets priests marry
O.C. originally rejected Latin as the official language of the Church
O.C. uses leavened bread in the Eucharist and rejects transubstantiation.
O.C. uses a different calendar (holidays fall 13 days later)

6. Protestant Reformation
1517 CE: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on Wittenberg door, beginning a wave of protests in the church.
Religious Assertions
The Bible is the final authority; the Church is not.
Salvation is a Gift of God; the Church cannot dispense salvation.
Only God can forgive; the Church cannot “sell” indulgences.
Priesthood is a calling; the Church cannot sell the offices of the church.
Priesthood requires study; the Church is responsible for capable priests.

7. Protestantism
After Luther opens the floodgates, several “protest” churches come up, each with a different set of beliefs.

9. Anabaptists Include Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish
Believe in delaying baptism until adherent professes their faith, not as infants
Menno Simons, founder of the Mennonites

10. Anglican
Started as a protest against papal influence on domestic (English) affairs
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury at time of reformation

11. Calvinism
Stresses the rule of God in all things – in the afterlife and in life
John Calvin

12. Lutheranism
Believes that scripture alone is the final authority on all matters of faith, not the church
Martin Luther

13. Pentecostalism
Special emphasis on the direct, personal experience of God through baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Charles Parham, founder

14. Chief Beliefs in Protestantism
Scripture Alone – Bible is sole authority
Justification by Faith Alone – Your faith is more important than good deeds
Universal Priesthood of Believers – No intermediary. You have to read and understand the Bible yourself, and are responsible for your own soul.

15. 1540 C.E. Catholic Reformation
Loyola founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Loyola and other devout Catholics took action to reform the Catholic Church and rid it of corruption.
Priests became better educated
Priests were more closely supervised
The practice of selling indulgences was ended
The Church was infused with new energy

16. 2nd Vatican Council (Vatican 2)
Most recent modernization of Catholic faith
Encouraged lay-persons to become more involved in life of church
Celebration of the Mass in the vernacular (i.e., current languages such as English, Spanish, French, etc., depending on the country) instead of Latin.
John XXIII and Paul VI – the two Popes of the Council