The ancient churches came first. The Protestant groups grew out of the 16th century Reformation and later revivals. The groups in the dotted box identify as Christian but depart from the historic creeds on the Trinity or other points; they are drawn with dashed lines because whether they descend from the Protestant tradition is disputed, or because the groups describe themselves as restoring the original church. The Pentecostal line is dashed because it runs through the Holiness movement. The Adventists are placed in that box for their restorationist outlook, not because they reject the Trinity today.
Read left to right, from earlier to later. On a phone, swipe sideways to see the whole tree. Dates are shown only where they are well documented.
Is God a Trinity?
Yes, three Persons in one God. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist
Three separate beings united in purpose. Latter-day Saints
No: one God, not a Trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, Christadelphians
No: one God in three manifestations, not three persons. Oneness Pentecostals
Who is Christ?
God the Son, one Person in two natures. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Adventist
God the Son, 'one incarnate nature' (wording differs). Oriental Orthodox
One Person, two natures kept distinct. Church of the East
Son of God, not God Almighty. Jehovah's Witnesses; Latter-day Saints (divine Son, separate from the Father)
A human being, Son of God or teacher. Christadelphians, Unitarians
The one God come in the flesh. Oneness Pentecostals
What has final authority?
Scripture alone. Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Pentecostal, Adventist, Christadelphian, Oneness Pentecostal
Scripture with Tradition. Catholic (with the Magisterium), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, Anglican, Methodist
Bible plus further scripture and living leaders. Latter-day Saints (Book of Mormon and prophets); Jehovah's Witnesses (Governing Body)
Reason and conscience, with Scripture. Unitarians
How is the church led?
A pope over the whole church. Catholic
Bishops, with no single head. Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, Anglican; also Lutheran and Methodist in many countries
Elders and assemblies. Reformed and Presbyterian
Each congregation governs itself. Baptist, Unitarians, Christadelphians; many Pentecostal and Oneness churches
A central council or leader. Latter-day Saints (president and apostles), Jehovah's Witnesses (Governing Body), Adventists (General Conference)
Adherent figures are approximate and come from the groups themselves, Pew or the best available estimate. Groups appear in the same order in the cards below.
The ancient communions that trace themselves to the apostles and hold the Nicene Creed (the Church of the East differs in how it words the doctrine of Christ's nature).
Catholic Church
Historic communion1.42 billion baptized (2024, Vatican)
Traces itself to the apostles, with Peter as first bishop of Rome. Formal separation from the Eastern churches is dated to 1054.
AuthorityScripture and Sacred Tradition together, interpreted by the Magisterium (the teaching office of the pope and bishops). Canon includes the deuterocanonical books.
GodOne God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (the Filioque).
ChristJesus (peace be upon him) is God the Son incarnate, one Person with two natures, fully divine and fully human (Council of Chalcedon, 451).
LeadershipPope (Bishop of Rome) with universal, supreme authority, with bishops in communion. Priests are generally celibate in the Latin Church.
Core beliefs
- Seven sacraments, with the Eucharist as the center of worship.
- In the Eucharist the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ (transubstantiation).
- The pope, as successor of Peter, holds full and universal authority over the Church.
- Scripture and Tradition together, authoritatively interpreted by the Magisterium.
- Purgatory: a final purification for those who die in God's grace but are not yet fully purified.
PracticesSeven sacraments (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, matrimony); Mass; veneration of Mary (peace be upon her) and the saints; prayer for the dead.
Eastern Orthodox Church
Historic communionAbout 210 million (Pew 2017, approx.)
Traces itself to the apostles. Formal break with Rome dated to 1054, after centuries of growing division.
AuthorityHoly Tradition, of which Scripture is the heart, together with the seven Ecumenical Councils and the Church Fathers.
GodOne God in three Persons. The Spirit proceeds from the Father alone; the Orthodox reject the Filioque as an addition to the Creed.
ChristJesus is God the Son incarnate, two natures in one Person, as defined at Chalcedon (451).
LeadershipSelf-governing national or regional churches led by bishops. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is first in honor, not a universal ruler. Parish priests may marry before ordination; bishops are celibate.
Core beliefs
- No universal pope: the Church is a communion of equal, self-governing churches.
- The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone; the Filioque is rejected.
- Doctrine is held to be defined by the first seven Ecumenical Councils and kept in Holy Tradition.
- Icons are venerated (not worshiped) as windows to their heavenly subjects.
- Salvation is understood as theosis: lifelong union with God through the Church and the sacraments.
PracticesSeven Holy Mysteries (sacraments); the Divine Liturgy; veneration of icons; fasting seasons; theosis (union with God) as the goal of the Christian life.
Oriental Orthodox Churches
Historic communion (six churches)About 50 to 70 million (estimates vary)
Did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (451). Six churches: Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Armenian, Syriac and Malankara (Indian).
AuthorityScripture and Holy Tradition, with the first three Ecumenical Councils (Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus).
GodOne God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Nicene Creed).
ChristMiaphysite: Christ is one Person in whom divinity and humanity are united in 'one incarnate nature of God the Word', without mixing or change. Dialogue statements with the Eastern Orthodox describe the difference as largely one of wording.
LeadershipEach church is led by its own patriarch or catholicos with bishops; the Coptic Pope of Alexandria, for example, heads the Coptic Church. No single head of all six.
Core beliefs
- Rejects the Chalcedonian formula of 'two natures', and confesses 'one incarnate nature of God the Word'.
- Insists it is not Monophysite: Christ is fully God and fully man, with no mixture or confusion.
- Accepts the first three Ecumenical Councils only.
- Ancient national churches with their own patriarchs and liturgical languages.
- Joint statements with Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches in the 20th century describe the shared faith in Christ.
PracticesSeven sacraments; ancient liturgies in Coptic, Ge'ez, Armenian, Syriac; strong fasting traditions; veneration of saints.
Disputed or notedChurch historians and the churches themselves differ on whether the split in 451 was chiefly about doctrine or about wording and politics. The churches reject the older label 'Monophysite'.
Church of the East (Assyrian Church of the East)
Historic communionAbout 300,000 to 500,000 (estimates vary)
Ancient church of Persia and Mesopotamia. Did not accept the Council of Ephesus (431). Outsiders called it 'Nestorian', a name the church rejects.
AuthorityScripture and Holy Tradition, with the first two Ecumenical Councils (Nicaea and Constantinople).
GodOne God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Nicene Creed).
ChristChrist is one Person, fully divine and fully human, with the two natures kept distinct. The church traditionally prefers 'Mother of Christ our God and Saviour' to the title 'Mother of God'.
LeadershipCatholicos-Patriarch with bishops.
Core beliefs
- Does not accept the Council of Ephesus (431), which condemned Nestorius.
- Rejects the label 'Nestorian' and says it does not teach that Christ is two persons.
- A 1994 joint declaration with the Catholic Church affirmed that Christ is one Person, fully God and fully man.
- Uses the title 'Mother of Christ our God and Saviour'.
- Very small today after centuries of persecution and migration.
PracticesAncient Syriac liturgy (Holy Qurbana); sacraments; a long missionary history across Asia.
Disputed or notedWhether the church's traditional teaching amounts to the doctrine Nestorius was accused of is disputed. The church and the Catholic Church signed a Common Christological Declaration (1994) stating that they share the same faith in Christ.
Churches and movements that grew out of, or were shaped by, the 16th century Reformation and later revivals.
Lutheran
ProtestantAbout 78 million (LWF, 2023)
Reformation begun by Martin Luther in 1517; the Augsburg Confession (1530) is the main statement of belief.
AuthorityScripture alone as the final norm; the Book of Concord (including the Augsburg Confession) explains it.
GodOne God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
ChristJesus (peace be upon him) is God the Son incarnate, fully divine and fully human.
LeadershipVaries by country: bishops in many national churches, synods and congregations in others. Pastors may marry.
Core beliefs
- Justification by grace through faith alone, for Christ's sake, not by works.
- Scripture alone is the final rule of doctrine.
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the sacraments; Christ is held to be truly present in the Supper.
- The 'priesthood of all believers'; pastors may marry.
PracticesTwo main sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper); infant baptism; worship centered on preaching and the sacrament.
Anglican
Protestant and catholic traditionAbout 85 million (Anglican Communion)
Church of England separated from papal authority under Henry VIII (Act of Supremacy, 1534); shaped by the Book of Common Prayer (1549).
AuthorityScripture, interpreted with Tradition and reason. The Lambeth Quadrilateral (1888) names Scripture, the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, baptism and the Eucharist, and the historic episcopate as essentials.
GodOne God in three Persons (Apostles' and Nicene Creeds).
ChristJesus is God the Son incarnate, fully divine and fully human.
LeadershipBishops in historic succession. The Archbishop of Canterbury is a focus of unity, not a ruler of the Communion's 40-plus self-governing provinces.
Core beliefs
- Scripture, Tradition and reason together; a 'middle way' between Catholic and Reformed.
- Bishops in historic succession, but no pope.
- The Creeds and two main sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist) as the basis of unity.
- Wide internal diversity, with some provinces differing sharply on issues such as ordination and marriage.
PracticesWorship from the Book of Common Prayer or its modern revisions; baptism and the Eucharist; wide range from 'high' (Catholic-style) to 'low' (evangelical-style) worship.
Disputed or notedAnglicans disagree among themselves on several moral and church-order questions, so the Communion's membership figures and unity are themselves debated.
Baptist
ProtestantAbout 53 million (BWA member bodies)
English Separatists in Amsterdam under John Smyth, 1609.
AuthorityScripture alone; each person responsible to God ('soul competency'). Statements such as the Baptist Faith and Message (Southern Baptist) are not creeds binding all Baptists.
GodOne God in three Persons; most Baptist bodies are trinitarian.
ChristJesus is God the Son incarnate, fully divine and fully human.
LeadershipEach local church governs itself (congregational); no bishops over churches.
Core beliefs
- Baptism only for those who profess faith, by full immersion; infant baptism is rejected.
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances that picture salvation; they do not convey it.
- Each local church is autonomous and governs itself.
- Scripture alone is the final authority; strong support for religious liberty.
PracticesBeliever's baptism by immersion; the Lord's Supper as a memorial; strong emphasis on evangelism and religious liberty.
Disputed or notedBaptist bodies vary widely (for example, on Calvinism and on women in ministry), and there is no single Baptist authority.
Methodist
ProtestantOver 80 million (WMC)
Revival led by John Wesley in England, c. 1738 to 1739; separate Methodist churches by the 1780s.
AuthorityScripture first, read with Tradition, reason and experience (the 'Wesleyan quadrilateral'); the Articles of Religion.
GodOne God in three Persons.
ChristJesus is God the Son incarnate, fully divine and fully human.
LeadershipVaries: bishops in some branches (such as the United Methodist Church), conferences and connectional structure.
Core beliefs
- Prevenient grace: God's grace comes before and enables any human response.
- Sanctification: believers are called to grow in holiness of life.
- Salvation is offered to all; Methodism historically opposed strict predestination.
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two sacraments.
PracticesTwo sacraments (baptism, including infants, and the Lord's Supper); hymn singing; a focus on holiness and social service.
Pentecostal
Protestant movementAbout 279 million (Pew 2011)
Grew from the Holiness movement; the 1906 Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles, led by William J. Seymour, spread it worldwide. The Assemblies of God formed in 1914.
AuthorityScripture alone, with the Spirit's present gifts and guidance valued highly.
GodMost Pentecostal churches teach one God in three Persons. (Oneness Pentecostals are covered separately.)
ChristJesus is God the Son incarnate, fully divine and fully human; also Savior, Healer and coming King.
LeadershipVaries widely: denominations with bishops, overseers or councils; many independent congregations.
Core beliefs
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit as an experience separate from conversion, often with tongues.
- Spiritual gifts (healing, prophecy, tongues) are believed to continue today.
- Strong emphasis on evangelism and personal conversion.
- Scripture alone as the final authority.
PracticesBaptism in the Holy Spirit, often with speaking in tongues; healing and prophecy; lively, expressive worship; believer's baptism in most churches.
Disputed or notedPentecostal and charismatic counts depend on definitions. 'Pentecostal' covers many unrelated denominations rather than a single church.
Groups that identify as Christian but depart from the historic creeds on the Trinity and, in some cases, on other points. Whether they count as part of historic Christianity is disputed (see the notes on each card).
Latter-day Saints
RestorationistAbout 17.9 million (Church, end of 2025)
Founded by Joseph Smith in New York in 1830 (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
AuthorityThe Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, plus teachings of living prophets.
GodBelieves in God the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) and the Holy Ghost as three separate beings united in purpose (the Godhead), not as one being.
ChristJesus is the divine Son of God and Savior, the first-born spirit child of the Father; separate from the Father.
LeadershipA president and prophet, apostles, and lay leadership; local congregations are led by unpaid lay clergy.
Core beliefs
- The church holds that Christ's original church was lost and restored through Joseph Smith.
- Additional scripture beyond the Bible, including the Book of Mormon.
- A Godhead of three separate beings, rather than the Trinity of the historic creeds.
- Living prophets and apostles lead the church today.
- Temple ordinances, including baptisms and marriage 'for time and eternity'.
PracticesTemple ordinances; baptism at age eight and above; tithing; the Word of Wisdom (no alcohol, tobacco, coffee or tea); missionary service.
Disputed or notedLatter-day Saints consider themselves Christians. Catholic, Orthodox and many Protestant churches do not regard them as part of historic Christianity because of the differences over the Trinity, scripture and authority. Pew counts them as Christians.
Jehovah's Witnesses
Restorationist, non-trinitarian9.2 million publishers; 20.6 million at Memorial (2025)
Grew from the Bible study groups of Charles Taze Russell in the 1870s in Pennsylvania; took the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931.
AuthorityThe Bible, read in the New World Translation; guidance from the Governing Body.
GodOne God, whose personal name is Jehovah. The Trinity is rejected as unscriptural.
ChristJesus is the Son of God and Savior, created by Jehovah and subordinate to him; not God Almighty.
LeadershipA Governing Body at world headquarters directs congregations, which are led by appointed elders.
Core beliefs
- The Trinity is rejected: Jehovah alone is God Almighty, and Jesus is his Son.
- God's Kingdom will soon replace human governments.
- Declines blood transfusions and military service on Biblical grounds, as the group teaches.
- Does not observe birthdays or most holidays, which it regards as having non-Biblical origins.
- All members are expected to share their faith publicly.
PracticesDoor-to-door ministry; Bible study; annual Memorial of Christ's death; refusal of military service and blood transfusions; no celebration of birthdays or most holidays.
Disputed or notedJehovah's Witnesses consider themselves Christians. Most historic churches do not regard them as part of historic Christianity because they reject the Trinity and the full divinity of Christ. Pew includes them among Christians.
Seventh-day Adventist
Adventist (restorationist)About 22 to 24 million (church statistics)
Grew from the Millerite Adventist movement of the 1840s; formally organized in 1863 in Battle Creek, Michigan.
AuthorityThe Bible alone as the rule of faith; Ellen G. White is regarded as having the gift of prophecy but is not above Scripture.
GodOne God in three Persons. Adventists affirm the Trinity in their 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
ChristJesus is God the Son incarnate, fully divine and fully human.
LeadershipA world General Conference with regional and local conferences; local congregations led by elders and pastors.
Core beliefs
- The seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) is a continuing commandment.
- Christ's literal second coming is near.
- The dead await the resurrection (no conscious existence in between), according to Adventist teaching.
- Emphasis on health and a healthy diet as part of discipleship.
- Ellen G. White's writings are viewed as inspired but subordinate to the Bible.
PracticesSeventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath; health message (many are vegetarian); investigative judgment teaching; belief in Christ's soon return.
Disputed or notedAdventists today affirm the Trinity in their 28 Fundamental Beliefs, and most Protestants regard them as Christian. Some early Adventist pioneers, including James White and Joseph Bates, rejected the Trinity; the church's 1931 statement of beliefs, published in its Yearbook, affirmed it, and in 1980 the church adopted a revised statement of Fundamental Beliefs that treats the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in separate articles. Some historians and critics dispute parts of Adventist teaching such as the 'investigative judgment'. The church is placed in this section because of its restorationist outlook and the early non-trinitarian views, not because it rejects the Trinity today.
Unitarians
Non-trinitarianUUA 130,265 (2024); Transylvania about 75,000
Organized Christian Unitarian churches appeared in Poland and Transylvania in the 1560s. Unitarian Universalism in the United States grew from this heritage.
AuthorityReason, conscience and Scripture; no binding creed. Today the UUA draws on many sources and is not exclusively Christian.
GodOne God in one Person. The Trinity is rejected.
ChristHistorically, Jesus is a unique human teacher and servant of God, not God himself. Many modern Unitarian Universalists do not identify as Christian.
LeadershipCongregational: each congregation governs itself.
Core beliefs
- God is one, and the Trinity is not taught in Scripture.
- Jesus is regarded as a human being, a great teacher, rather than God.
- Faith is a matter of reason and conscience; no creed is imposed.
- In modern Unitarian Universalism, many members hold non-Christian or non-theistic views.
PracticesWorship services centered on reflection and ethics; inclusive membership; no required creed.
Disputed or notedHistoric Unitarians called themselves Christians, but other churches generally do not count them as such because they reject the Trinity and Christ's divinity. The UUA today is explicitly pluralistic and is not a Christian church in the usual sense.
Christadelphians
Restorationist, non-trinitarianAbout 50,000 to 60,000
Founded through the work of John Thomas, who toured Britain in 1848; the name 'Christadelphian' means 'brothers in Christ'.
AuthorityThe Bible alone; the group's Statement of Faith summarizes its teachings.
GodOne God, the Father. The Trinity is rejected; the Holy Spirit is God's power, not a person.
ChristJesus is the Son of God, miraculously begotten, sinless, but fully human and not pre-existent as a person before his birth.
LeadershipNo clergy; each local congregation (ecclesia) is self-governing.
Core beliefs
- God is one; the Trinity and the pre-existence of Jesus as a person are rejected.
- The Holy Spirit is God's power, not a separate person.
- Jesus will return to establish God's Kingdom on earth, centered on Jerusalem.
- The dead are unconscious until the resurrection.
- No paid clergy; adult baptism by immersion.
PracticesWeekly memorial meeting with bread and wine; Bible study; baptism of adults by immersion; generally decline military service.
Disputed or notedChristadelphians consider themselves Christians. Churches that hold the Nicene Creed generally do not regard them as holding historic Christian doctrine.
Oneness Pentecostals
Pentecostal, non-trinitarianUPCI 6.2 million; wider estimates 2.7 to 30 million
Emerged within Pentecostalism. At an April 1913 camp meeting at Arroyo Seco, California, a sermon on baptism in the name of Jesus began the 'Jesus Name' controversy; in April 1914 Frank Ewart and Glenn Cook baptized each other in the name of Jesus Christ. In October 1916 the Assemblies of God adopted a Trinitarian statement of faith, and Oneness ministers left. Oneness ministers organized in 1917, and the United Pentecostal Church International formed in 1945 (St. Louis) by merger.
AuthorityThe Bible alone, with strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit's gifts and holiness standards.
GodOne God, who has manifested himself as Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Spirit. Distinct 'persons' in the Trinity are rejected.
ChristJesus is the one God himself, come in the flesh. 'Jesus' is held to be the saving name of God.
LeadershipVaries: denominations (such as the UPCI) with district leaders and bishops, plus independent churches.
Core beliefs
- God is absolutely one; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are titles or manifestations of the one God.
- Jesus is the full manifestation of that one God in human form.
- Baptism is by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Salvation includes repentance, water baptism, and Spirit baptism with tongues, in the UPCI's teaching.
PracticesBaptism by immersion 'in the name of Jesus Christ'; baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues; strict holiness standards in dress and lifestyle in many churches.
Disputed or notedOneness Pentecostals regard themselves as Christians and as the faithful restoration of the apostolic faith. Trinitarian Pentecostal churches (such as the Assemblies of God) reject Oneness teaching as outside historic Christian doctrine. Membership counts vary widely.
Descriptions follow each group's own statements of belief where available. Whether the groups in the last section count as part of historic Christianity is disputed: they identify as Christian, and the Pew Research Center counts them as Christians, but Catholic, Orthodox and many Protestant churches do not.