Protestant

The forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Protestant doctrine, in contradistinction to that of Roman Catholicism, rejects papal authority and many elements of Roman Catholic doctrine. It typically holds that Scripture is the only source of revealed truth, and also that salvation is the result of God's grace alone.

The key tenets of Protestantism are outlined in the Five Solas:

Solus Christus: Christ alone (Christ is the only mediator between God and man).
Sola scriptura: Scripture alone (the Scripture is the sole authority in matters of faith and practice)
Sola fide: Faith alone (faith in Christ alone is enough for eternal salvation)
Sola gratia: Grace alone (a sinner is not accepted by God on account of the change wrought in the believer by God's grace, and that the believer is accepted without regard for the merit of his works)
Soli Deo gloria: Glory to God alone (all glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his will and action.

The churches most commonly associated with Protestantism can be divided along four fairly definitive lines:

1. Mainline Protestants

Those who trace their lineage to Luther, Calvin, or Anglicanism. These groups hold the doctrines of the Reformation. They include such denominations as Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists. Baptists, Pentecostals, and Adventists also developed from this movement, though they developed aspects of Anabaptist beliefs as well.

2. Anabaptist

Part of a movement that developed from the Radical Reformation. Today, denominations such as the Brethren, Mennonites, Hutterites, and Amish eschew infant baptism and have historically been Peace churches.

3. Restorationists

A more recent movement beginning with the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. Restorationists may not consider themselves Protestants. Nevertheless, they do not recognize papal authority, and so they are most commonly deemed Protestants by those who include them among Christian denominations.

4. Nontrinitarian Movements

Those who reject the doctrine of the trinity. Today, they include such denominations as the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians and some Quakers.