Today there is a return to spirituality.More and more people think about the immaterial component of our lives.In this article we will talk about who the Protestants.This is a separate direction of Christianity, or a sect, as some believe.
also touch on the question of the various currents in Protestantism.It will be interesting information on the situation of the supporters of this movement in modern Russia.
Read on and you will learn the answers to these and many other questions.
Who are Protestants
In the sixteenth century in Western Europe there was a significant part of the Department of the faithful from the Roman Catholic Church.This event in the historiography is called "Reformation."Thus, Protestants - is part of Christians who do not agree with the principles of Catholic worship, and some of the questions of theology.
Then we'll deal unlike Protestantism from such areas as Orthodoxy and Catholicism.In the meantime, it costs a little deeper into the history of this movement.
Middle Ages in Western Europe was such a period, when the company fell into total dependence not only on the secular rulers, but from the church.
Almost no issue resolved without the participation of the priest, whether it's a wedding or a household problem.
woven more and more into the social life, Catholic holy fathers have accumulated enormous wealth.Screaming luxury and double standards practiced by the monks hid from them society.Growing dissatisfaction due to the fact that many of the issues dealt with forbidden or coercive interference of priests.
It is in this situation and have an opportunity to be heard by Martin Luther.This German theologian and priest.As a member of the Augustinian Order, he was constantly watching the corruption of the Catholic clergy.Once, he said, had an epiphany about the true path of a true Christian.
result was "Ninety-Five Theses," which Luther nailed to the church door in Wittenberg in 1517, as well as action against the sale of indulgences.
basis of Protestantism is the principle of «sola fide» (only with the help of faith).He says that no one on earth can help the man escape, but himself.Thus, swept aside Institute priests sale of indulgences, the pursuit of wealth or power on the part of priests.
Let's continue to dwell on theological differences between the three areas of Christianity.
difference from the Catholics and Orthodox
Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants belong to one religion - Christianity.However, in the process of historical and social development have been several splits.The first was in 1054, when by the Roman Catholic Orthodox Church separated.Later, in the sixteenth century, during the Reformation, there was a completely separate for - Protestantism.
Let's see how different principles in these churches.And why former Protestants often converted to Orthodoxy.
So, as two quite ancient course, Catholics and Orthodox believe their church is true.Protestants have a variety of views.Some areas even deny the need to belong to any denomination.
among Orthodox priests are allowed to marry only once, the monks to marry is prohibited.Catholics of the Latin tradition, all vow of celibacy.Protestants are allowed to get married, they do not recognize celibacy.
Also last absolutely no monastic institution, in contrast to the first two directions.
Catholics supreme authority is the Pope, the Orthodox - the works of the Holy Fathers and Scripture, Protestants - only the Bible.
addition, Protestants do not address the question «filioque», which is the cornerstone of the dispute between Catholics and Orthodox.Also, they have no purgatory, and the Virgin Mary is seen as a model of the perfect woman.
Of the seven sacraments common Protestants recognize only baptism and communion.No confession and no perceived worship icons.
Protestantism in Russia
Though the Russian Federation and an Orthodox country, but there are other common faith.In particular, there are Catholics and Protestants, Jews and Buddhists, adherents of various spiritual currents and philosophical worldview.
According to statistics, in Russia about three million Protestants who attend more than ten thousand parishes.Because these communities are officially registered with the Ministry of Justice is less than half.
largest course in the Russian Pentecostal Protestantism considered.They and their reformed branch (neo-Pentecostals) combined more than half a million followers.
But over time, some go for the traditional Russian religion.Protestants about Orthodoxy tell friends, acquaintances, and sometimes they read special literature.Judging by the reviews of those who have "returned to the fold" mother church, they feel relieved, no longer deluded.
The remaining currents common in the Russian Federation, are Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, minnonity, Lutherans, evangelicals, Methodists and many others.
Next, we'll talk more about the most common forms of Protestantism in Russia.Also cover some denominations, which by definition is on the verge between the sect and the Protestant church.
Calvinists
most rational Protestants - Calvinists it.This area was formed in the mid-sixteenth century in Switzerland.The young French preacher and theologian John Calvin, has decided to continue and deepen the reform ideas of Martin Luther.
He declared that should be removed from the churches, not only that which is contrary to Scripture, but also those things which are not even mentioned in the Bible.That is, according to Calvinism in a house of prayer should be only what is written in the holy book.
Thus, there are some differences in the teachings that are held by Protestants and Orthodox.The first church believe any gathering of people in the name of the Lord, deny the majority of the saints, the Virgin Mary and Christian symbolism.
In addition, they believe that the faith of a person takes himself and sober judgment.Therefore baptism occurs only in adulthood.
Orthodox are the complete opposite of the Protestants in the above points.In addition, they adhere to the belief that the Bible can explain only a specially trained person.Protestants believe that everyone is doing the best of their abilities, and spiritual development.
Lutherans
fact, Lutherans are followers of the true aspirations of Martin Luther.It was after their performances in the city of Speyer movement began to call "church Protestants."
term "Lutheran" appeared in the sixteenth century during the controversy of Catholic theologians and priests with Luther.So they called in a pejorative manner followers father of the Reformation.Lutherans called themselves "evangelicals."
Thus, Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians seek salvation of the soul, but the techniques for each are different.Differences in principle, based only on the interpretation of Scripture.
His "Ninety-five Theses" Martin Luther refutes all the priests of the Institute and many traditions that are held by Catholics.According to him, these innovations relate to more material and secular spheres of life, than the spiritual.So from them should be abandoned.
addition, based Lutheranism is the belief that Jesus Christ by his death on Golgotha atoned for the sins of mankind, including the original.Everything you need for a happy life is to believe in the good news.
Lutherans also of the opinion that any priest - is the same as a layman, but more professional in terms of sermons.Therefore, for the communion of all the people used the chalice.
Lutherans today to include more than eighty-five million people.But the unity they are not represented.There are separate associations and denominations on the historical and geographical basis.
In Russia the most popular in this environment is society "Serving the Lutheran hours."
Baptists
often jokingly say that Baptists - a British Protestants.But in this statement there is a grain of truth.After all, it was allocated for it from among the Puritans UK.
fact, Baptism - is the next stage of development (as some believe), or simply an offshoot of Calvinism.The term comes from the Greek word "baptism".It is expressed in the title of the main idea of this trend.
Baptists believe that a true believer can only be considered a person who in adulthood has come to mind to give up sinful activities and sincerely accepted the faith in his heart.
With such thoughts, many Protestants agree in Russia.Despite the fact that the majority belongs to the Pentecostal, which will be discussed later, some of the views from them are the same.
Briefly express the basics of the practice of church life, Baptists, Protestants are confident in the infallibility of the Bible's authority in all situations.They adhere to the ideas of the universal priesthood of the congregation, that is, each community autonomy and independence.
Elder does not have any real power, it simply reads the sermons and teachings.All questions are decided at general meetings and church councils.The service includes preaching, singing hymns to the accompaniment of instrumental music, and the improvised prayer.
Today Russian Baptists as Adventists, describe themselves as evangelical Christians and their churches - houses of prayer.
Pentecostal
most numerous Protestants in Russia - a Pentecostal.In our country it is over penetrated with western Europe through Finland at the beginning of the twentieth century.
First Pentecostal, or as it was then called, "Oneness," began Thomas Barratt.He arrived in 1911 from Norway to St. Petersburg.Here the preacher declared himself a follower of evangelical Christians in the spirit of the Apostles, and began cross everyone.
basis of the Pentecostal faith and rite of baptism of the Holy Spirit.They recognize and rite of passage with water.But the feelings that one experiences when the Spirit descends on him, considered this the most Protestant denominations correct.They say that the state, which at the same time experiencing baptized, equivalent to the sensations of the Apostles, took initiation from the Jesus Christ on the fiftieth day after his resurrection.
why they call their church in honor of the day of Pentecost or Trinity (Pentecost).Followers believe that dedicated so one gets the divine gifts.He takes the word of wisdom, healing, miracles, prophecy, the ability to speak in foreign languages or to distinguish between spirits.
In Russia today the most influential Protestant associations are considered to be three of the Pentecostal environment.They include the Assembly of God.
Mennonites
Mennonite - one of the most interesting branches of Protestantism.These Protestant Christians first proclaimed pacifism as a part of faith.There
denomination in the thirties of the sixteenth century in the Netherlands.
founder is considered to Menno Simons.Initially, he departed from Catholicism and adopted the principles of Anabaptism.But after a while significantly deepened some features of this doctrine.
So Mennonites believe that the kingdom of God on earth will come only with the support of all the people, when they set the overall true church.Bible - is unquestioned authority, and the Trinity - the only thing that has sanctity.Baptize only adults after the adoption of the solid and sincere decisions.
But the most important feature is considered Mennonite conscientious objection to military service, military oath and litigation.In this way, the supporters of this current humanity are striving for peace and nonviolence.
in the Russian Empire Protestant denomination came during the reign of Catherine the Great.Then she invited the community to move part of the Baltic states in the New Russia, in the Volga region and the Caucasus.This turn of events was a gift for the Mennonites, because they were persecuted in Western Europe.Therefore, there were two waves of forced migration to the east.
Today in the Russian Federation for this fact combined with the Baptists.
Adventists
As any faithful Christian, Protestant believes in the second coming of the Messiah.It was at this event and was originally built Adventist philosophy (from the Latin word "coming").
In 1831, former captain of the Army of the United States of America Miller became a Baptist and later published a book about the indispensable coming of Jesus Christ March 21, 1843.But it turned out that no one appeared.Then an amendment was made to the inaccuracy of the translation, and the Messiah is expected in spring 1844.When the second time and was not justified, a period of depression among the faithful, who in historiography called "the great disappointment".
Then Millerite for splits into separate denominations.The most popular are organized and Seventh-day Adventists.They have centralized management and strategically developed in several countries.
In the Russian Empire it came through for Mennonites.The first communities were formed in the Crimean peninsula and the Volga region.
Because of the refusal to take up arms and give the oath, they were persecuted in the Soviet Union.But at the end of the seventies of the twentieth century saw the restoration movement.And in 1990, the first congress of Russian Adventists, was adopted Unión.
Protestants or sectarians
Today there is no doubt that Protestants - is one of the equal branches of Christianity, with its doctrine, principles, and behavior-based services.
However, there are some churches that are very similar in organization to the Protestant, but that, in fact, are not.The latter, for example, are Jehovah's Witnesses.
But in view of the confusion and uncertainty of their teaching, as well as controversy earlier statements later, this movement can not be unambiguously attributed to some kind of direction.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept Christ, the Trinity, the cross icon.They consider the main and only God, who is called Jehovah, like the medieval mysticism.Some of the provisions in common with the Protestant.But this coincidence does not make them supporters of the Christian denominations.
Thus, we are in this article dealt with those who are Protestants, and talked about the situation of the different branches in Russia.
Good luck to you, dear readers!
