Determining the number of Christian denominations is a virtually impossible task. Though the numbers of known denominations can be easily traced, even for the more obscure offshoots of the main denominations, there are always going to be small pockets of believers who prescribe to the Christian doctrines in their own unique way. Therefore, the best historians can do is track down the basic denominations and make it clear that there are many branches that lead away from those most basic congregations.

Most Christian denominations are considered as such because they believe in the basic tenants of Christianity, including the Bible, the Trinity, and the Nicene Creed. The most common denominations in Christianity came into being in the 500 years since the Protestant revolution, with the exception of a few. Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant are the major denominations from which other denominations formed.

What are the most common? You probably know someone who follows one of these, or you might follow one of them yourself:

Roman Catholic has over one million followers and is considered to be one of the oldest Christian religions.
Amish are known for their strict beliefs, their tendency to live away from others of differing beliefs, and their determination to avoid modern technology.
Baptists are one of the largest denominations and are known for baptism (as the name suggests) as well as their desire for a firm separation of church and state.
Lutheran is based on the teachings of Martin Luther and is a very large denomination.
Eastern Orthodox is prominent in Germany, Russia, and other eastern countries, though it is becoming more common throughout the world.
Anglican is considered the middle ground between Protestants and Catholics.
Protestant is a wide-ranging denomination that includes several different beliefs and smaller denominations.
Presbyterian and Reformation are two denominations that base their beliefs on the teachings of John Calvin.
Seventh-day Adventists are known for their strict observance of the Sabbath and their emphasis on physical health.

Many “spin off” religions were borne of these main denominations, such as the Primitive Baptist, the Pentecostal, and other religions that have a smaller following but offer powerful teachings nonetheless.

Vatican City, or the Vatican, is a sovereign city-state located in Rome, Italy. It is surrounded by walls, and has a population of about 800 people. The Vatican sits on about 110 acres and is home to the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church.

Vatican City came into existence in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, which spoke of Vatican City as a new creation, and not as a reminder of the Papal States that were previously in central Italy. But for hundreds of years before the Vatican was created, Popes lived in the area where the Vatican now stands. Before 1377, Popes resided on Caelian Hill, on the opposite side of Rome.

A full half of Vatican City is filled with gardens, consisting of priceless works of art, fountains, and sculptures. Vatican City also holds several properties scattered about Rome and Italy, and those are openly shared with the public. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, various museums, and St. Peter’s Square are all features of Vatican City. The Apostolic Palace, in Vatican City, is the residence of the Pope.

The Pope has complete control over Vatican City in one of the world’s few non-hereditary monarchies. The Vatican is one of the few countries who is not a member of the United Nations; rather, it remains a permanent observer state, neutral to conflict. Because of the small size of Vatican City, it is one of the few countries that cannot host a foreign embassy.

Vatican City has its own police force, known as the Corpo della Gendarmeria. This police force handles all criminal investigations, law enforcement, public order, traffic control, and the like. Vatican City also has its own bank, it’s own currency, and is a non-commercial state, sustained only by the sale of postage stamps, periodicals, museum admissions, and tourist mementos.

The Vatican Library and the Vatican Museum contain what is considered some of the rarest, most priceless items in world history. Under the Hague convention, the works of art in Vatican City are protected in the event of armed conflict — meaning that to destroy or damage them is considered an international crime.

But Vatican City is looking forward as well — soon it will become the first carbon-neutral nation in the world, offsetting the carbon footprint by the growth of sustainable forests, and setting an example for the rest of the modernized world.

Vatican City is currently home to Pope Benedict XVI, and it the site of pilgrimages for not only Catholics, but those who are interested in the history of the Catholic Church and the priceless works of art it has collected over the centuries.

In the town of Bethany, Lazarus was very sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother’s health was failing, and asked him to come. But instead of rushing to the town and helping Lazarus, Jesus took his time in getting there. He knew there was to be a great miracle, and he didn’t have to rush.

When he did arrive at the gates of the town, Jesus was met by Martha, who told him that Lazarus had already died, four days earlier. She asked him why he had not come? If he had been there, Lazarus would still be alive. “Your brother will rise again,” he told her, but she assumed Jesus meant he would go on to eternal life.

Jesus went on: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Grieved, Martha went back home.

Mary was the next to come, and she asked the same questions. She was weeping and terribly upset over her brother’s death. Those who were with her were weeping as well, and Jesus cried with them. He asked to see the tomb of Lazarus, and all the mourners led him there. Then he asked them to remove the stone that covered the hillside tomb. The sisters protested, but Jesus was adamant that the tomb be opened.

Jesus prayed to His Father, and when he was finished, he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”

Lazarus came out of the tomb, and as he did so, Jesus simply asked the shocked mourners to remove the grave clothes. The shock of seeing a man rise from the dead was more than enough to turn everyone into believers that day.

The important message in the rising of Lazarus is the simple belief that Jesus will do what he says he will do. Sometimes a situation will go from bad to worse, and you might wonder why Jesus hasn’t responded to your prayers. But the answer will come, and at a time that will bring the greatest glory to God. We must simply be patient and wait for the moment when it is all made right.

In the gospel of Matthew and Luke is the story of Mary and her husband, Joseph, who were the parents of Jesus. Jesus was sent to Mary by God, and asked to bear him as her own child. Mary and Joseph were in the town of Bethlehem when it was time to give birth, but they could find no room in any of the inns in the town. Therefore, they did the best they could, and found a stable in which to find protection from the elements. There, Mary gave birth to Jesus, wrapped him in clothes, and placed him in a manger.

The birth of Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and set in motion all the things that would come in the three decades afterward, including all the teachings of Jesus, leading up to his death and promise to rise again.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in most corners of the world, and is designated as the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Some places celebrate Christmas on January 7th, in keeping with different calendars. Some even celebrate Christmas in July, in the belief that the date of conception happened nine months prior. Some believe that the date of Christmas was a random date chosen to mark the Winter Solstice. Regardless of when it is celebrated, the reason for the celebration is clear.

The tradition of a Christmas tree in the house actually began in Roman times, when trees were brought into homes for protection from the elements during the harshest weather. Pagan traditions of decorating trees soon became adapted to Christmas rituals, and so did the hanging of the lights. Centuries ago, European countries began celebrating Christmas by decorating their homes with anything green — evergreen boughs, pine needles, and ivy were popular options. It was believed that green denoted life, even in the cold and dreary winters, and was seen as a fitting way to honor the season.

Regardless of the date Christmas is celebrated or the way in which it is observed, there is no doubt that the birth of Jesus is the reason for the season.

During the time Jesus was here on earth, there were many farmers. The people didn’t have enormous companies that planted and harvested food for them — it was something they had to do entirely on their own. So a parable about seeds was something that would help everyone to understand the message of Jesus.

Jesus told his followers of a farmer who planted seeds. He sprinkled seeds everywhere, all over his land. Some of the seeds wound up on the hard ground, such as the footpath, and were quickly eaten up by hungry birds. Other seeds wound up in the rocky parts of the soil, where they tried to grow — but as soon as the sun came out, they withered away.

Some seeds fell onto the areas with weeds, and the more powerful weeds choked out the young seeds, leaving them no room to grow. But some of the seeds landed on strong, healthy soil, and they immediately took root and began to grow. These seeds resulted in a good, fine crop.

The people didn’t understand yet — so Jesus went further.

The seeds represent God’s word. When the teachings are spread haphazardly, Satan finds it easy to take them away, like the birds plucking seeds from the hard ground. Some people will hear the teachings, and they might try to follow them — but like the seeds deposited in the rocky soil, those teachings don’t have the ability to take root, and their faith withers at the first sign of trouble.

Then there are those who hear the teachings of God, but are too worried about other things. They let their concerns “weed out” the seeds of faith, and their faith winds up dying.

But those who are ready and eager to hear the Word of God are those who are like healthy, strong soil. The teachings will find a place deep within them and set their roots there, growing straight and strong, until eventually God’s word bears fruit in their life. Those small seeds of faith will plant themselves in our hearts, growing into a good crop of faith, hope, and love.

During the time of the Last Supper, Jesus knew that a few of his disciples would forsake him in his greatest time of need. He knew one of them — Judas — would turn him over to the soldiers who would them crucify him. But he also told of a disciple who would deny knowing Jesus at all. That disciple was Peter.

“Tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you will three times disown me,” Jesus told him, though Peter was adamant that he would not.

That night in a courtyard, a woman approached Peter and asked if he were with Jesus, one of his disciples, and Peter said he was not. Later, a man spoke with him and asked the same thing, and Peter denied it a second time. Finally, several people said he must be one of the disciples, as he was from Galilee and talked like the others, and Peter grew angry. He cursed, swore, and said he was not a disciple of Jesus.

Immediately upon the third denial, a rooster crowed, and Peter was filled with shame for what he had just done. Jesus had seen what he would do, and sure enough, Peter had done it. Peter broke down and wept.

Some scholars argue that Peter knew what the fate of Jesus would be, and he knew someone had to remain to spread the word of God and keep faith alive — and that if he admitted he knew Jesus, he could be crucified as well. Though it is very easy to claim one would die for their beliefs, when push comes to shove, most people would do what Peter did and try to find a way out of something they fear.

Others claim that Peter’s denials were God’s way of showing him not to be arrogant or boastful. Peter had previously said he loved Jesus more than the other disciples did, and he would go further than they to make certain the word of God was spread. But despite his boasts, Peter was the one who denied him, and that punched a hole in his arrogant bubble.

Have you ever heard the expression, “She has the faith of a mustard seed!” You might have seen individuals wearing tiny seeds in a locket or a pendant around their neck. You might have even seen a vial of mustard seeds for sale at a religious bookstore, and wondered what they were.

Mustard seeds are one of the metaphors Jesus used to describe faith and what it means. The mustard seed is very tiny — it is smaller than a grain of rice. But when the mustard seed is planted in a garden with other plants, it will grow faster and taller than the rest. It will practically erupt into a wide, bushy plant! It is hard to believe that such a strong, healthy plant comes from a seed so tiny, but it does.

Jesus used the parable of the mustard seed to encourage those whose faith isn’t always as strong as it might appear. If the tiny mustard seed can yield such great things, so can the faith of a person, even when they feel lost among all those who seem so much bigger, stronger, and more capable than they are. The tiniest faith matters, and can blossom into the most effective and grateful follower.

But there is another meaning to the mustard seed, one that goes beyond faith. It is the promise that you can do what you set out to do, no matter how small you might feel. The mustard seed is just waiting to be planted — and as soon as it is, it finds its purpose, and grows faster than any plant around it. Humans are much the same way. We might hold back and think we aren’t strong enough, good enough, smart enough — but if we simply have that tiny bit of faith in ourselves, and nurture it with a plan and hope, then we can be just like that mustard seed. We can amaze ourselves with all the good we can do!

So the next time you feel as though your faith is slipping — your faith in yourself, or your faith in God — pick up that tiny mustard seed and hold it close to your heart. The mustard seed has power, even if it can hardly be seen — and so do you.

Samson was a very strong man, born to parents who thought they would never have children. They were visited by an angel who promised they would have a strong and healthy child, but he must be raised as a Nazarite, dedicated only to God from birth. As a result of this vow, there were many things Samson would have to do, including never drink wine, touch a dead body, or cut his hair.

Samson was very strong, and fought many battles, all of which he won. He eventually became a great judge in Israel and ruled with a keen eye and conscience. However, he broke all of the rules of the Nazarites. He had a weakness for earthly things, and one of those biggest weaknesses was for women.

Delilah was a beautiful Philistine woman that Samson believed he loved. However, Delilah was working for the Philistines, and trying to find the source of Samson’s power. He lied to her many times about the powers he held, and each time he overcome her when she tried to trick him. But one day, blinded by love and lust, he told her the truth: “If you cut my hair, I become as weak as any other man.”

As Samson slept, Delilah cut his hair. This time when the Philistine Army came, he had no strength left. They beat him terribly, blinded him with hot pokers, and took him to the mill, where he would serve as an ox, pulling a stone around and around to grind grains. Samson was jeered and teased for losing his strength, and the Philistines asked him where his God was now?

Much later, the Philistines held a festival at the Temple of Dagon, the home of their false idol. Samson was brought to the festival as part of the entertainment. When he stood in the temple, he remembered the strength of it lay in the center pillars that held it up. Samson, whose hair had again grown long and luxuriant, prayed to God one last time to give him the strength to make up for his shortcomings.

Samson pulled and pushed the pillars and brought down the temple. Thousands of Philistines died that day, and so did Samson. But Samson’s act of faith in God and his sacrifice of himself for the greater good eventually led to the victory of the Israelites, and God’s plan for him was complete.

Abraham was a good man who always followed the word of God. One day God spoke to him and told him to leave his home, take his wife, and travel to a new land. God would guide them throughout the journey. When they got there, God promised that he would bless them, and they would have many children, who would then build a great nation.

Abraham was puzzled by this, because he and his wife Sarah had tried to have children for many years, but it hadn’t come to pass. But Abraham believed in God, and so he took his wife and his nephew, Lot, and set out to follow God’s direction.

One night during their travels, God asked Abraham to look up at the stars and count them. Abraham said he couldn’t count them all! That’s when God told him to be happy of heart, because he would have that many descendants for his great nation…too many to count.

Soon afterward, Sarah gave birth to their son, Isaac. God had kept his promise! Abraham now knew that he would have more descendants than there were stars in the sky.

Abraham was so happy as he watched his son grow strong. But one day God called down to Abraham and commanded him to take his son to the mountain and offer him up to the Lord, as a token of his faith. Abraham was devastated by this request, but he believed in God’s request. He told his son to come with him up the mountain, and with a heavy heart, Abraham set out to do what God had asked.

Isaac asked Abraham what they would do for a sacrifice at the top of the mountain. Abraham responded with “God will provide.” By the time they reached the top, Isaac knew what was to happen. Abraham built an altar and laid Isaac on it. At that moment, God called to him and stopped Abraham — he had proven that he trusted God completely.

A short distance away, Abraham spied a ram caught in a thicket. Abraham and Isaac brought the ram to the altar and together, father and son offered it to God. Abraham’s great nation began with Isaac and the faith they both showed when their will was tested by the Lord.

When Babylon defeated Israel in a great struggle, the King of Babylon had a giant golden statue built for worship. When the people heard the King’s special music, they were to stop what they were doing, bow down, and worship the statue. This was especially painful for the Israelites he had captured and brought to Babylon, as they knew that they should not worship only the Lord, and that statue was definitely not their God!

Most people did as they were commanded, for they feared for their lives. But there were three, named Shadrack, Meshech, and Abednego, who refused to bow to the statue. They were determined to follow their hearts and worship only their one true God.

When the King saw this defiance, he was furious. “Throw them into the furnace!” he ordered. “Make the fire seven times hotter than usual!”

The three men did not struggle. They were led to the furnace and the King watched with satisfaction as they were thrown in. A moment later he looked confused. “Were three men thrown into the furnace?”

“Yes, my King,” one of his men replied.

“Then why are there four men in that furnace?”

The King and his men stared at those who were standing in the furnace, comfortable, as though the flames could not touch them. In fact, the flames were dancing around them, but they didn’t seem injured or overcome. The King approached the furnace and called for them to come out. The three men stepped out of the fire with no burns, and not even the slightest hint of smoke. The fourth man had simply vanished.

The King realized what had happened. “Your God is great!” he praised. “He sent an Angel to save you. From this point on, nothing bad will be said about your God, for I have seen with my own eyes what He can do for those who believe in him.”

From that day forward, the statue was not worshipped, and the land was peaceful under the King’s reign.