Denomination Differences

Reformed vs. Oriental Orthodox Beliefs

ReformedOriental Orthodox
a.k.a.Calvinist
  • Miaphysite
  • Coptic
Number of Members75,000,00052,000,000[1]
How does one get saved?Sola fide: Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection alone to save you.Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and be baptized.[2][3][4]
Who gets saved?Those who God chooses to call will be saved and no one else.Anyone who chooses by his own free will to believe and accept God's gift of grace will be saved.
Can one lose his salvation?Eternal security: No, once a Christian is saved, he is always saved.Yes, a Christian can lose his salvation by apostasy.
Who gets baptized and why?Saved people and their infant children get baptized as a sign of God's grace.[5]The unsaved, typically as infants, get baptized as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, cleansing them of all sins.[2]
How should baptism be done?Baptism can be by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling.Baptism should be by triple immersion.
When does one receive the Holy Spirit?The Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation.[6]The Holy Spirit is received at baptism.
What is the trinity?The Trinity is God existing as one god in three equal, eternal, cosubstantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.The Trinity is God existing as one god in three equal, eternal, cosubstantial persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
What is the human nature?Total depravity: Human nature is corrupt, naturally inclined to evil, and incapable of choosing God on his own.Human nature is corrupt and naturally inclined to evil.[7]
Are we guilty of Adam's original sin?Federalism: Yes, Adam represented all of the human race, and all are guilty of his sin.No, we are not guilty of Adam's sin, but we did inherit the consequences and a corrupt human nature from him, causing us all to sin.[7][8]
Are Christians required to keep the Old Testament ceremonial laws?No, the ceremonial laws of Judaism were fulfilled and done away with by Jesus.Yes, all Old Testament laws are binding on Christians.
Can Christians become sinless in this earthly life?No, although Christians can and should sin less, they can never become sinless in this life.Yes, Christian perfection is possible.
Do the elements of communion become the body and blood of Christ?No, the elements do not become the body and blood of Christ, but Christ is present in an unknown way.Yes, the bread and the wine change into the body and blood of Christ in an unknown way.[9][10]
Can one be baptized of behalf of someone who has died?No, the dead cannot be baptized.No, the dead cannot be baptized.
What happens if a saved person dies without being perfect?Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.[11][12]Once Christians leave their sinful bodies, nothing else is needed to receive glorified, sinless bodies.[13]
Did Mary ever sin?Yes, Mary sinned like all other humans except Jesus.Mary was prone to sin like anyone else, but no, through her own free will she still never did.
What spiritual gifts are available today?Cessationism: Spiritual gifts used for serving are available today, while gifts used as signs have ceased.[14]
What framework has God used in dealing with man?Covenant theology: God acts either within the covenant of works or the covenant of grace.[15]
What is the gift of tongues?The gift of tongues is the ability to speak foreign human languages without knowing how.[16]
What are the requirements for clergy?Experienced men above reproach, faithful to their wives and with with obedient children if applicable, and able to teach are to be appointed as pastors.
How many church ordinances/​sacraments are there?The church has two ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion.The church has seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Unction of the Sick, Matrimony, and Priesthood.[17][18][19]
Should communion bread be leavened?Most believe leavened bread should be used in Holy Communion. Armenians use unleavened bread.
To whom do Christians need to confess their sins?Confession should be made directly to God, but confession to another believer is beneficial for some sins.Sins must be privately confessed to a priest within 40 days.[20][21][22][23]
How should a church be structured?Varies widelyEpiscopal: Churches should be governed by the bishop in that eparchy, who in turn is governed by a patriarch of an autocephalous church.
What day of the week should Christians worship?Christians worship on Sunday.Christians worship on Sunday, although the Sabbath should be observed on Saturday.
How does God's revelation come to us today?Prima scriptura: There are many sources of God's revelation, although none can contradict the Bible.Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition have equal authority and comprise one finished deposit of faith.[24]
How was the Bible written?Verbal plenary inspiration: The Bible was written by men who had every word supernaturaly inspired by God.[25]Verbal plenary inspiration: The Bible was written by men who had every word supernaturaly inspired by God.[26]
How many books are in the Bible?There are 66 canonical books of the Bible: 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books.Varies widely
Was the Bible written inerrantly?Yes, the Bible was written without any error.[25]Yes, the Bible was written without any error.[26]
Who can speak with God's authority today?Nobody today can speak for God.Nobody today can speak for God.[27]
How was the Bible preserved?God has preserved the meanings of the Bible, but not every word.[26]
How was the earth created?Creationism: The earth was spoken into existence by God.Generally creationism: The earth was spoken into existence by God.
What is marriage?Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[28]Marriage is a covenant before God between one man and one woman.[29][30][31]
Is sex permissible outside marriage?No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.[32][33]No, sex outside of marriage is not permissible.
When is divorce permissible?Divorce is permissible for adultery or desertion.[34][35]Divorce is seldomly permissible upon investigation by a clergical committee, usually instigated by infidelity.[36]
May a Christian remarry while his former spouse is still alive?The innocent party to the adultery may remarry.[37]The innocent party to the adultery may remarry.[38]
When does a fetus become human?Humanity begins at conception.[39][40]Ranges from humanity beginning at fertilization to 40 days after conception[41][42][43][44]
Is contraception permissible?Yes, contraceptives are permissible.[45]Varies widely[43][46][47][48]
Are blood transfusions permissible?Yes, blood transfusions are permissible.Yes, blood transfusions are permissible.[49][50]
Should Christians drink alcohol?Varies widelyNo, alcohol should be totally avoided aside from Eucharist.[51]
Should Christians fight in wars?Yes, Christians should fight in just wars.[52]Yes, Christians can fight in just wars.[53]
Whom does the Holy Spirit come from?The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.[54]The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.[55]
Who can be demon-possessed?Demons can possess unbelievers but not Christians.Demons can possess unbelievers and Christians living in sin.[56][57]
Do icons glorify God?Most believe no, icons violate the Second Commandment against graven images. Icons of Christ are especially prohibited.[58][59][60]Yes, icons are holy and should be venerated.[61][62]
Where does a Christian's soul go after death?Christians immediately go to heaven when they die.[11][63]After death, souls sit conscious in an Intermediate State, with Christians being with Christ.[64]
When does the Tribulation happen?Futurism: The Tribulation will happen at a time in the future which no man knows the time of.[65]
When is the millennial reign of Christ happen?Amillennialism: The millennial reign of Christ is an indefinite period of time beginning on the day of Pentecost and ending at His Second Coming.