What are the differences between Christian groups? This is the most frequently asked question I receive from new believers. They want to know what's the difference between Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterian, Pentacostals ... and others too numerous to name.
I don't like to answer that question because, for the most part, I believe Christian denominations are divided over relatively small differences. Yes, a Catholic mass and Pentacostal revival service will seem radically different on the exterior, but what about the core beliefs? Catholic and Protestant churches share belief in the same Trinitarian God and understanding of Jesus. Compared to worship traditions or the method of baptism, aren't those core commonalities vastly more important?
So instead of focusing on differences, the basis of denomination, I prefer to focus on the unity of the Body of Christ. As Paul asked in 1 Corinthians 1, "Is Christ divided?" No! Either one is Christian or not. And what is the litmus test for Christian doctrine? I think the "Apostle's Creed" is sufficient, which was used since the second century to identify whether one was truly a believer or not.
I recognize denominations are probably useful, but dislike those labels nonetheless. For me, I choose to accept my Catholic or Baptist or Presbyterian or whatever-denomination brother or sister, along with our differences.
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