Generic name that encompasses all Christian churches in the West that conflicted with the Church of Rome in the 18th century. XVI, denying the primacy of Peter and papal authority. The term was at first only the ' Lutheran ', and was born from the ' protest ' that the main protectors of German Lutheranism, formulated against the Coil (April 19, 1529) diet, convened by Charles V, in the rebellion of Augustinian Friar.

With the diversification of reformed churches, the word was applied to them interchangeably, although under denial of some of them, notably the Anglican Church. The progressive decrease of papal prestige, fruit of the captivity of Avignon, the nefarious Western schism, the disagreements between the Popes and the Council of Basel, on one side, and on the other, the corruption that was raging inside the Catholic clergy, not sparing the high hierarchy even their own religious orders, gave motivation and unexpected success to the cry of ' Reform '.

This benefit with the newfound press, which multiplied and spread the writings of Luther, Calvin and Zwingli, spread across Europe, particularly among anglo-Germanic peoples and between the North of the continent.

The head of this religious revolution was Martin Luther, the religious Order of St. Augustine. It joined, they say, in a vote that did, under the terror of the spokes of a storm.Restless nature, tormented scruples and the idea of inherent human corruption by original sin, chased, so, by the fear of hell, refuge in a blind faith in the redemption ofJesus Christ, harvested in the reading of the Epistles of St.

Paulo. This same temperament took him to the apostolate of preaching uninterrupted; so, rarely had the opportunity to recite the Breviary and celebrate mass-according to his confession in a letter. To October 31 1517, unsown against the papal order to preach the indulgences, posted on the doors of the Norman Church his 95 theses; in November 1518, rejected the Pope's authority and called for the Ecumenical Council; in July 1519, could see the Bible as sole source of faith; in December 1520, supported by humanists, for gentlemen and revolutionaries by the Prince elector of Saxony, broke all ties with Rome, burning in the public square the Papal Bull of excommunication: even then, condemned clerical celibacy, the monastic vows, veneration to the images of the Saints, purgatory and the celebration of the mass.

In addition to Melanchton, his inseparable companion of preaching by Germany, supported the Friars from various religious orders: Lang, Guttel and Stiefeld, of his own Office; Rhegio urban, of Carmel; Bernadino Ochino, Franciscan Capuchin; and the Ecolampádio Benedictine.Moral and political reasons did add to the Schism numerous bishops – German princes; King Gustaf Wasa, of Sweden, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England.Identifying the religious truth with the will of the Princes of each region, the ' Reform ' initiated under the serious risk of internal dilution by contradiction – for missing the essential unity of doctrine.

Then John Calvin, who came to systematize the essential points of Protestantism, have branched into several streams. The fundamental dogma, where everything logically gives rise to as necessary corollary, is the doctrine of justification by faith, redemption thanks to the infinite merits of the blood of Christ. Luther relies on numerous texts of the Pauline Epistles, which Catholics interpret opposed the birth of vs. 14 et seq. of Chapter 2 of the epistle of the Apostle Saint James: "faith without works is dead". Calvin argues even the theory of predestination: each has his destiny set precito or saved forever, regardless of their cooperation – that, without any divine injustice, since Wisdom knows ab aeterno the circumstances in which they live certain creature and their reactions before the same.

Now the Scripture is clear and comprehensive repertoire of the faith which justifies. Hence, refusing reformers the primacy of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Pontiff, defined by Luther as "the Antichrist himself", and Rome as "the whore of Babylon". The text "you are Peter (Rock) and on this rock I will build my church" (Mt 16, 18) give the protesters, if not deny their literary or historical authenticity, just the meaning of an honorary primacy to Simon Peter, Prince of the Apostles.

As a result, dissolves the papal jurisdiction to govern the Church of Christ and to teach or set any dogma. And since the Church dies at authority and purity to interpret the texts of the Bible, every believer is not a freedom onímoda, according to individual criteria, which would lead to ' free ' examination, repulsed by the heads of the energy reform, but the search for communication of personal encounter with God. Corrupted intrinsically by original sin, human reason is taken necessarily to error;any personal exegesis of Scripture "will not produce faith in the hearts of men, unless it is sealed by the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit" – the teaching of Calvin.

In order to avoid the inevitable desagregamento that sprang from the lack of supreme authority, Luther appealed to the Cardinals created, in which the civil administration replaces the Bishops; Calvin already adopted more democratic regime, making the direction of ecclesiastical Ministry Church, as an institution of Christ himself.

Although condemned in theory, the free exam prevailed in practice. The time, in addition, would generate constant multiplication of denominational sects. Proliferate today over 200 Protestant branches. Here are some of the most important:

Adventists. The Adventist Church was established by William Miller in the century before last. Believe in the return of Christ to Earth into a realm of 1000 years (Millennium); Adventists keep the seventh day (Saturday).

Baptists. From England, in the beginning of the 20th century. XVII, developed in the USA, where they occupy the second place among the Protestant denominations.Give particular importance to baptism by immersion and are organized in autonomous congregations.

Disciples of Christ. Dating back to 1809. The sect was created by Thomas Campbell, along with his son, Abdul, in Kentucky, USA. Aimed both to bring together all branches of a single Christian Church: vindicavam only fidelity to Christ and the freedom to interpret the Scripture.

Anglicans. Members of the Church of England, created by Henry VIII, after his excommunication by the Pope. Dating back to the year 1534. Do not heed the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff, even though its main branch follow Catholic doctrine and liturgy; but not all accept the seven sacraments. The Protestant episcopal Church of the United States, founded in Jamestown, in 1607, is subdivision of the Church of England.

Lutherans. Members of the reformist group more powerful; for them, the redemption is the result of the unique merits of Christ and the faith which justifies-doctrine condensed into the book of Concord. The sacraments, confirmation, marriage, the priesthood, and the last rites.

Methodists. The Methodist Church arose at the University of Oxford in 1729, created by brothers John and Charles Wesley. The cult of inner life illuminated by the Holy Spirit, giving certainty to the faithful of his adoption as son of God, as well as the divergence in the administration of the sacraments, took them to the schism of the Anglican Church.

Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the last days). Founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York.Mormon is the name of a prophet. It is intended that around 600 BC a wave of Jews emigrated to America headed by a prophet, Lehi. Were divided into two groups: Lamanites, that have become wild and are the ancestors of the American Indians; and the Nephites — highly civilized. Christ revealed after the Ascension to the Mormon, Nephite Prophet who recorded the new tablets of the law on Golden plates. His son, Moroni, made additions and buried them.

Were transmitted 1400 years later to Joseph Smith.Mormons believe in a personal God, in Christ, in Revelation, in baptism, the penalty for sins and the salvation of humanity, thanks to the observance of the Evangelical precepts and to the blood of Christ. In 1890, by Congress's legal device, they had to leave polygamy who adopted.

Pentecostals. The charismatic movement, the Pentecostal churches are based on baptism by the Holy Spirit and the gift of spiritual power that manifests itself including the gift of speaking in tongues, as described in the Gospels. In its institutional form, dating back to the early 1950.

Presbyterians. Constitute a sect almost Calvinist, John Knox took to Scotland, where he obtained the Parliament which were recognized as official Church in 1560. Adopt the baptism and communion, decrying the trappings: liturgical so their religious services are conspicuous by their simplicity. Not recognize the hierarchical supremacy of the episcopate, identifying the priest the dignity of the Shepherd and the craft of teaching.

Quakers. Popular name of the members of the ' society of friends ', George Fox created in England, in the 19th century. XVII. The name quakers (' shaky ') comes from the phrase said by the founder: "Tremble before God".Recognize the Holy Spirit the inner guide of souls; don't swear; are peaceful and adopt the archaic thou treatment.

Jehovah's witnesses. Founded in the late 19th century.XIX by Charles Iaze Russell, the sect rejects the teachings of other Christian churches and the power of the State;see Christ as a created being and wait for the advent of the Millennium after the battle of Armaggedon, qualsó the good ones will survive.

Unitarians. Protestant sect who only believe in one person, God, and disbelieve the divinity of Christ. For them, the Supreme authority is the religious experience enlightened by reason. Dating back to the 19th century.XVII, time in which had religious communities in Poland and in Hungary who professed such ideas; now living in English-speaking lands; His Apostles, initiators of Unitarianism in England, were Joseph Prisdtley and Theophilus Lindsey.

Protestantism in Brazil. The Protestant religions constitute the second religious group from Brazil.Appears at the forefront; Second, the Rio Grande do Sul;at last, the territory of Roraima.

Bibligrafia

The Encyclopedia Britannica of Brazil, vol. 13, p. 49-52.Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo, 1995.