Why Are There So Many Kinds of Christian?

'Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't ... Some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think that every day is alike ... don't condemn each other anymore.' ( The Bible, Romans chapter 14 verses 3-13 ).

There have always been different ideas around in the Christian Church. The Bible teaches that some things are really important - and on others we can agree to differ.

Over two thousand years there have been divisions within the Christian Church as people have disagreed over some things that they believed, or on the way that things were done. These different groups (denominations) within the Christian Church all share the same basic beliefs set down in the Nicene Creed (see basics - one faith).

Jesus prayed for all Christians everywhere that 'they may be one.' ( The Bible, John chapter 17 verse 21 ).

In the UK , Christian churches are putting this into practice by meeting and working together in their local areas, under umbrella groups like 'Churches Together' and the 'Evangelical Alliance'. Churches sometimes cancel their separate Sunday services and meet to worship together in one big venue. They also work together in all kinds of other joint projects - helping the homeless, opening a youth club, organising big events or distributing Bibles.

The Bible says this about Christians: 'We are all one body ... There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.' ( The Bible, Ephesians chapter 4 verses 4-6 ).