Christenism
| Christenists | |
|---|---|
| Christenistas | |
| Classification | Amendant |
| Orientation | Missionarist |
| Theology | Christenist |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Branched from | Orthodoxy |
| Separations | Companions |
| Other name(s) | Ebrarian Baptists |
Christenism is a Missionarist Amendant branch of Christianity, distinguished by christening and baptizing professing Christian believers only (as opposed to infant baptism). Christenists take the name of a saint or Biblical figure as a second "Christian" name when they are baptized, and place a great degree of importance on this choice and the act of baptism.
Theology
Sacraments
Christenists believe in four sacraments of baptism, christening, chrismation, and the Eucharist. The movement does not believe that infants should be baptized or christened, and only a person of sufficient age and maturity to accept Christ may be baptized and christened. Christening, chrismation, and baptism are distinct sacraments in Christenist theology, although all three take place concurrently. Christenists elevated christening (taking a Christian name) to the level of a sacrament, and take a distinct name by which they are known in the church and believe they will be called in Heaven.
Christenists see the Eucharist as having the real spiritual presence of Christ.
Stance on icons
The Christenist movement has a moderate stance on icons in line with the majority of the Amendant movement such as the Parishists. Christenists believe that religious artwork depicting Christ and other Biblical figures is acceptable to be displayed in church, but that this art should not be in or behind the pulpit (or in any other position) where it might become the object or adoration or worship. Many Christenist churches contain ornate depictions of Biblical scenes in stained glass windows.
Major denominations
Christenist Union of Ebrary
The Christenist Union of Ebrary is the largest Christenist denomination in Ebrary. This organization has a presbyterian church structure.
United Christenist Church
The United Christenist Church is the second-largest Christenist denomination in Ebrary. This groups split from the Christenist Union of Ebrary in 1855 over the issue of complete immersion. The United Christenist Church believes that baptism must include being completely immersed in water, while the Christenist Union of Ebrary does not require this.