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Catholic
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Orthodox
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Lutheran
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Presbyterian/
Reformed
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Anglican/
Episcopalian
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Methodist/
Wesleyan
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Baptist
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| Role and Type of Clergy |
"To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the
office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his
power. But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical,
and kingly office of Christ." |
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All believers are priests, in that they have direct access to
God. Clergy are "pastors" or "ministers." |
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Priests and bishops. "The historic episcopate is locally adapted
in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the
nations and peoples called of God into the unity of his Church."
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"The affirmation of lay leaders as integral to church
vitality... underscore the belief that many have been called by God
to serve." |
| Marriage of Clergy |
Priests are celibate, except in Eastern Rite Catholicism or for
priests who were already married when ordained. |
Priests may be married. |
Ministers may be married. |
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"Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are not commanded by God's Law
either to vow the estate of single life or to abstain from marriage:
therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to
marry at their own discretion as they shall judge the same to serve
better to godliness." |
"The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God's law either
to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage;
therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to
marry at their own discretion." |
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| Ordination of Women? |
No. |
No, but the role of deaconness is being considered. |
Yes. &
No. |
Yes. |
Some parishes. ( |
Yes. |
Yes. & No. "While both men and women are gifted for service in
the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by
Scripture." |
| View of Sacraments |
They convey grace by their operation (ex opere operato).
They are not merely symbolic or outward signs. |
"Special experiences when the perception of God's presence and
actions is heightened and celebrated." |
Means of grace only if received with faith. |
"Through the Sacraments, God seals believers in redemption,
renews their identity as the people of God, and marks them for
service." |
"The two sacraments ordained by Christ himself are administered
with unfailing use of Christ's words of institution, and the
elements are ordained by him." |
" Sacraments ordained of Christ are … certain signs of grace and
God's good will toward us, by which he works invisibly in us, and
not only quickens, but also strengthens and confirms, our faith in
him." Only beneficial when received worthily. |
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| View of Baptism |
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"By baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a
person is made one with Christ and received into the fellowship of
the Church." |
"A sign of regeneration or the new birth."
"A symbol of the new covenant of grace... acceptance of the benefits
of the atonement of Jesus Christ." |
"An act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a
crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin,
the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness
of life in Christ Jesus." |
| Infant Baptism |
Accepted |
Accepted. |
Accepted |
Accepted |
Accepted. |
Accepted. (UMC)
Rejected. (WC) |
Rejected. |
| View of Eucharist |
Transubstantiation |
Transubstantiation |
"Real Presence" |
"Real Presence" |
"In this offering of prayer and praise, the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ are recalled." |
"The body of Christ is… eaten in the Supper only after a
heavenly and spiritual manner." |
"A symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church...
memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second
coming." |
| Other Sacraments |
Extreme Unction (Anointing); Marriage; Holy Orders; Confession;
Confirmation |
Holy Chrism (Anointing) |
None. |
None. |
"Other important rites, commonly called sacraments, include
confirmation, holy orders, reconciliation, marriage and anointing of
the sick." |
None. |
None. |
| Other Practices |
Exorcism |
Exorcism; Confession |
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| Prayer to Saints |
Accepted |
Accepted |
Rejected |
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Rejected (Art. 22) |
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| Icons & Images |
Accepted |
Emphasized |
Mostly rejected |
Strongly rejected |
Rejected (Art. 22) |
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| Evangelism |
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"Missionary activity is an essential part of the life of the
Church." "Orthodox do not... actively seek to cause the disaffection
of others from their non-Orthodox Christian faiths." |
"It is our privilege to tell the good news about Jesus." |
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"Following the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Churches are
committed to the proclamation of the good news of the Gospel to the
whole creation." |
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"...committed to. see Jesus Christ proclaimed as Savior and Lord
to all people and nations."
"It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ... to
endeavor to make disciples of all nations." |
| Tongues and Other Spiritual Gifts |
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"The Greek Orthodox Church does not preclude the use of
Glossolalia, but regards it as one of the minor gifts of the Holy
Spirit." |
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"The relative value of the gifts of the Spirit is to be tested
by their usefulness in the church and not by the ecstasy produced in
the ones receiving them." |
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