What's the difference between church denominations?

Yes, it is!! I have been in the Church of Christ my whole life. And, we are NOT the United Churches of Christ. I can guarantee you that. My pastor would never get up in the pulpit and discuss any politics for or against anybody or anything. That's not what we come to church for. Clear separation of church and state. The main difference between the COC and Methodist or Baptist churches is music. We do only what the bible says and try to stay as close to the 1st century churches as possible. Nowhere in the new testament does it say music is acceptable. Also, the entire church is encouraged to sing, not just the choir. Baptism - We don't believe that people should take a class before being baptised. If you can confess Jesus, then you can be baptised. The Ethiopian eunich was not required to take a class. We also believe that baptism is essential to salvation. Also, we don't call our pastors reverend. I address my pastor as Brother. That's all I can think of right now.  more

The basic difference is pride and competition, plus dissatisfaction of church leadership. Seriously, there are more than 30,000 Protestant denominations. Each has its own way of interpreting Scripture because they believe (erroneously) that Scripture is self-interpreting which, of course, is false. Truth -- real Truth -- is One...not 30,000. If these groups did believe in and abide by the Holy Spirit (as they should but don't) then they would all come to the same conclusion, right? And it would happen all the time. But because people want to interpret it as they see fit -- without any regard to a single interpretive authority, you end up with 30,000 denominations. Some denominations are more conservative, some more liberal. Some groups are episcopal in polity (how they are ruled), others are presbyteral and still others are congregational. Some insist on infant baptism -- Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist and others; many maintain that only adult ...  more

The many denominations should not exist. Notice what 1 Corinthians 1:10 says;"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING, and that there be NO DIVISIONS among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." Jesus prayed for such unity in John 17:20-21. Why do we have so many divisions? Men are not satisfied to all speak the same thing. Men are not satisfied to teach only the word of God. Men are not satisfied to only speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent. Men are not content to do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names. Too many wish to add their own desires and teach their own doctrine. Notice 2 Timothy 4:2-4. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap ...  more

Well I am Baptist and I think the main difference is styles of worship.  more

the biggest difference is everybody in the "other" denomination is going to hell.  more