Protestantism is one of the major branches of Christianity today stemming from the movement known as the Protestant Reformation.

The Reformation began in Europe in the early 16th century by Christians who opposed many of the unbiblical beliefs, practices, and abuses taking place within the Roman Catholic Church. In a broad sense, present-day Christianity can be divided into three major traditions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. Protestants make up the second largest group, with approximately 800 million Protestant Christians in the world today.

Protestant Reformation:

The most notable reformer was German theologian Martin Luther (1483-1546), often called the pioneer of the Protestant Reformation. He and many other brave and controversial figures helped reshape and revolutionize the face of Christianity. Most historians mark the start of the revolution on October 31, 1517, when Luther nailed his famous 95-Thesis to the University of Wittenburg's bulletin boardthe Castle Church door, formally challenging church leaders on the practice of selling indulgences and outlining the biblical doctrine of justification by grace alone.

Protestant Churches:

Protestant churches today consist of hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of denominations with roots in the Reformation movement. While specific denominations vary widely in practice and beliefs, a common doctrinal groundwork exists among them. These churches all reject the ideas of apostolic succession and papal authority. Throughout the course of the Reformation period, five distinct tenets emerged in opposition to Roman Catholic teachings of that day. They are known as the "Five Solas," and they are apparent in the essential beliefs of almost all Protestant churches today:

Sola Scriptura ("Scripture alone") - The Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith, life, and doctrine. Sola Fide ("faith alone") - Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Sola Gratia ("grace alone") - Salvation is by the grace of God alone. Solus Christus ("Christ alone") - Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ because of his atoning sacrifice. Soli Deo Gloria ("for the glory of God alone") - Salvation is accomplished by God alone, and only for his glory.

BELIEFS:

Protestants share some fundamental beliefs with other Christians, and most Protestant denominations have common features that reflect their shared origins. Protestants have traditionally believed in an omnipotent, omniscient God, as described in the Bible. They believe that every person has been made in the image of God but has been tainted by sin. Protestant theology places a particular emphasis on Jesus Christ, the human incarnation of God's love. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers establish a personal relationship with God that transforms them. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection provide a way for people's sinful nature to be forgiven and for believers to be reconciled to a Holy God. When believers die, they will spend eternity with God in heaven. Protestants particularly emphasize that it is through grace that believers are reconciled with God. It is not something they deserve or earn. This does not mean that they do not concern themselves with good deeds or acts of charity. One of the key assertions made by the early Protestant reformers was that all believers are to be ministers or servants to one another and that their beliefs should find an outward expression. A true faith in Christ will give rise to virtues such as love, joy, peace and patience in the lives of believers. Protestants have traditionally viewed the Bible as their primary source of direction and guidance. New Testament writings are particularly emphasized, and Jesus Christ is considered the ultimate role model. Biblical principles are understood and applied to daily living through prayer and through discussion with fellow believers.

SUMMARY: Protestant Christians believe in the Trinity and the sovereignty of God. They believe God forgives freely and will save all who accept the gift of Jesus death for salvation. Prayer is a method of communicating with God, thanking Him for His gifts and letting Him know of specic needs or concerns. Christians look forward to a time when they will live forever with God. Beliefs about the events leading up to that time vary among denominations.

Health and illness Most Protestant churches emphasize the importance of individual well-being and relationships. Health practices should support improvement of the whole person, including the mind, body and spirit. Beliefs about the meaning and cause of suffering and the importance of spiritual practices will vary among denominations.

Birth This is usually a time of great celebration and thanksgiving. If a child is stillborn or if there is a miscarriage, some may wish to have the child baptized. Death and grief Some Christians have religious practices of anointing with oil or other such rituals. Many will appreciate the reading of scripture and/or prayer. Some traditions teach as soon as a person dies, their soul goes to heaven where they live with God, family and friends who died before. Others believe people who die cease to exist until Jesus comes to this earth and resurrects all the dead who have accepted Him. They will then be taken to heaven to live with God. Diet Dietary practices vary with religions. Some are vegetarian. Some have days of fasting for certain religious celebrations. Dos and donts - Organ donation is acceptable. - Withdrawal of treatment and end-of-life issues vary from person to person. - High value is placed on life as long as the quality is good. - Spiritual practices may include scripture reading, prayer, offerings, anointing and the Eucharist. Medical treatment While certain faith groups may have suggestions and restrictions, there are no general guidelines for Protestant Christians when it comes to treatment.

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Founder:

Jesus Christ

Martin Luther was the first Protestant.

Place of origin:

Jerusalem

Germany

Geographical predominance:

Christianity has spread worldwide across all six settled continents, predominantly Europe, North, Central, and South America, Australia, and New Zealand

North America and Europe

Clergy:

Priests, monks, nuns, ministers, & bishops, and deacons. Pastors and some churches Board of Elders

priests, monks, ministers, pastors

Principle:

God created man. Man sinned and fell under its curse. God redeems sinful man through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Those that He redeems, He regenerates and they become "born-again".

Because our first parents sinned, all human beings sin. So Christ Came down from Heaven to Save us from our sins.

Place of worship:

Church, Chapel, Cathedral, basilica.

Church, chapel, Cathedral

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Belief of God:

God is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Holy, Just, Loving Creator of the Universe. Oneness of God in the form of the Holy Trinity.

Most believe in the Holy Trinity.

Scriptures:

Holy Bible, a collection of canonical books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament), varies in the old(depending on if its a Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox)Bible, and 27 in the new testament.

Holy Bible, a collection of canonical books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament)

Use of statues and pictures:

Used in Catholic & Orthodox Christianity; statues are not used in most Protestant denominations.

Not used

Definition:

Follower of the Christ

To protest.

Concept of Deity:

Believe in the Trinity. Three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Most believe in the Trinity; three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Practices:

Prayers, Sacraments, worshipping in Church, reading

Regularly visit the church,

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the Holy Bible.

especially on Sundays.

Life after death:

Man is appointed to die once, and after that come judgment. Those that are redeemed, live on in Heaven, those that rejected God suffer for eternity in Hell.

Eternal Salvation in Heaven or Eternal Damnation in Hell.

Literal Meaning:

Christian: Meaning "Follower of Christ"

Protestant - to 'protest'

Branches:

Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox.

Thousands of different branches.

Angels:

Angels are God's messengers.

Angels are God's messengers.

Means of salvation:

Through Christ's Death, and Resurrection.

Correct belief, faith alone

Rites:

The Sacraments: Minimum 2; Maximum 7.

Sacraments

Time of origin:

Approx. 33 AD.

Approx. 1500 A.D.

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Goal of religion:

To gain Eternal Salvation in Heaven.

To gain Eternal Salvation.

Human Nature:

Man has inherited "original sin" from Adam. Mankind then is inherently evil and is in need of forgiveness of their sin.

"original sin" inherited from Adam, tendency towards evil, but the sins of the father do not pass through the son, therefore Children are holy, and until they reach the age where they can know good from evil, their sins are not held against them.

Status of women:

They can become nuns in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and can be priests to Protestant churches. For the most part, women are equal to men in modern-day society. The Bible makes clear that men and women have different roles but are not inferior.

Variable. Conservatives and liberals differ greatly.

View of the Buddha:

A sinner in need of God's redemption just like everyone else.

Buddha is viewed as a false deity.

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Prophet:

Moses, Abraham, John the Baptist, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Nahum, Elijah, Elisha, Obadiah, Amos, Hosea, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Malachi, Daniel, Nathan, and many others

Jesus Christ

Geographical distribution and predominance:

Worldwide. Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

North America, Europe

About:

Following Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Protestants broke away from the Catholic Church, & follow strict adherance to their owninterpretations of the Bible.

Second coming of Jesus:

Affirmed, No one knows the date of return not even Jesus, only the Father

Affirmed

Concept of God:

One God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

One God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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Promised Holy one.:

Christ both the First & Second Comings.

The Lord Jesus is the longawaited Messiah of Old TestamentProphecy; He Will Come again at the end of time, to Fulfill New Testament Prophecy.

View of Animistic religions:

Pagan.

Pagan.

God's role in salvation:

Salvation is a completely free gift from the Lord and comes by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ only. This faith is demonstrated thorugh accepting his message of selfless compassion and producing good works in keeping with repentance.

predestination, various forms of grace

View of other Abrahamic religions:

According to Christian doctrine, Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation (incomplete without the Messiah).

Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.

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View of God:

One God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Most believe in the Blessed Trinity.

Holy days:

Sunday is the Lord's Day, Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas.

Christmas, Easter, New Year, Pentecost

Status of Adam:

Adam was the first man created by God. He fell into temptation and brought sin and death to the human race.

Disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.

Birth of Jesus:

Virgin Birth, through the Father.

Virgin Birth

Identity of Jesus:

Son of the Living God, and Saviour of the world, and 2nd person of the Godhead.

Son of God, God Incarnate, Saviour of the world

Resurrection of Jesus:

Affirmed.

Affirmed

Praying to Saints,Mary, and Angel:

Permitted in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican(Episcopalian) Churches, Protestants do not have Saints' intercession.

With the exception of Anglicans(Episcopalians) and

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quitepossibly Lutherans, most Protestants do not believe that one needs to pray to Saints, Mary or Angels. Only pray to God the Father and God the Father alone.

Confessing sins:

Catholic & Orthodox Christians confess their sins to the priest, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Most Protestants do not believe in the Sacrament of Confession.

To God

Original Languages:

Aramaic & Greek.

German

Belief:

Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah & the Saviour.

Prophets:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophets_of_Christianit y

Prophets are people Chosen By the Holy Spirit, to reveal His Message to

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humanity.

Religious Law:

Christians no longer live under the curse of the law but under grace. We are still expected to live by the law.

canon law (Anglicans((Episcopalians) ))

Death of Jesus:

Death by Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the Ascent to Heaven

Death by Crucifixion

Day of worship:

Worship should be a continual process in the lives of Christians. Sunday is not the only day Christians can attend Church.

Sunday

Ressurection of Jesus:

Affirmed by all Christians

affirmed