A-Z » Protestants
Definition
Christians whose faith and practice stems from the Reformation movement in the sixteenth century which resulted in new churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church. A term originally applied to the German princes (followers of Martin Luther) who 'protested' against the Catholic Emperor Charles V's attempt to withdraw their religious privileges. By the mid-1550s in England, however, it had come to include all those Christians who had rejected most aspects of late-medieval Catholicism, and who opposed the revived Catholicism of the Counter-Reformation. All Protestants emphasised the religious authority of the Bible, and insisted that faith rather than 'good works' was the basis of salvation, but some differed about other details of belief and practice. Since the sixteenth century, Protestantism has been the principal western European Christian alternative to Roman Catholicism. It has become increasingly widespread (in America, Australasia and Africa). See Baptist Church; Calvin; Church of England; Martin Luther; Methodists; Nonconformist; Presbyterian; Reformation.
Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.
Belief and trust in someone or something.
Term given to the movements of church reform which in the sixteenth century resulted in new Protestant churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church.
1. Term for a worshipping community of Christians.
2. The building in which Christians traditionally meet for worship.
3. The worldwide community of Christian believers.
A worldwide Christian church which traces its origins from Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. It has a continuous history from earliest Christianity. Its centre is the Vatican Palace, Rome, where the Pope resides.
1. Sometimes used to denote all Christians
2. Used specifically of the Roman Catholic church.
1. Devout, involved in religious practice
2. Member of a religious order, a monk or nun.
Belonging to the Middle Ages.
The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.
One of the largest Protestant churches. Stresses the importance of only baptising (usually by immersion) people who are old enough to make a personal profession of faith based on accepting the forgiveness offered by God through Jesus Christ.
John Calvin (1509-64). Leading figure in the Reformation.
The 'Established' or state church of England, the result of a break with the Catholic church under Henry VIII and further developments in the reign of Elizabeth I.
Martin Luther, a 16BCE monk and religious scholar and writer. A Lutheran is someone who follows the religious beliefs of Martin Luther. The Lutheran church is represented worldwide.
In the U.K., any Protestant group or church that does not adhere to the teachings of the State Church, the Church of England or, in Scotland, the Church of Scotland.
Member of the Presbyterian Church, a worldwide Protestant church, which is governed not by bishops but by minsters and lay elders.
Term given to the movements of church reform which in the sixteenth century resulted in new Protestant churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church.