What are the main differences between the Baptist religion and other Christian denominations?

The Baptist church was around long before the reformation. We trace our heritage back to John the Baptist,hence the name, who was on earth preaching of Jesus' coming and immersion baptising BELIEVERS before Jesus matured and began his ministry. As a Bible thumpin Independent Fundamental Baptist, I will tell you what I believe to be the main difference.

Independent Baptists believe that there should be no organization , or national,world or otherwise group in charge of a church. No Pope-no Bishop-no Southern Baptist convention-no missouri synod-no presbyte-no nothing.Each local Pastor is the leader of his church, and only Jesus Christ is its head.

Are we holier than thou? NO. First and foremost, we believe that we are ALL sinners.(Romans 3:23 " For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.")

Are we Bible thumpin Jesus freaks? YES. Because Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and the head of our church, His word, the Bible is the one and only standard for correctness in every thing we do! We are not perfect people but we wanna be.[Col 1:18 "He is the head of the body(Christ head of the church);who is the beginning;the first born of the dead; and that in all things he might have preeminance".]

We are not saved from damnation by our works, or by some priest, or by living the 10 commandments. The only way to get to Heaven is to rely on the grace of Jesus.(Eph 2:8-9 "For by Grace you are saved through faith;and that not of yourselves;it is the gift of God."v9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast")Belief,Faith and Love for Jesus are the only way in. (John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,and the light. No man cometh unto the Father but through me.")

The above paragraphs are a very condensed version of my opinions. The difference is that most other denominations tend to pick one idea and support it as doctrine, unfortunately ignoring others which may be more important. Examples would be believing that you can lose your Salvation by breaking commandments(John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life;and they shall not perish;neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 6:23 " All that the father giveth me shall come to me;and he that cometh to me I shall in no wise cast out.") or that Jesus walked on the earth in the United States in the 1800's. The bible says in Rev 22 18:19..... if any man add to these things God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book. v 19 If any man take away from the words of this book, God shall take his part out of the book of life...
Very serious stuff. The Book of Mormon is an addition to the word of God. The practice of praying to saints is idolatry. The act of absolution by a priest is not valid. Sorry folks but I'm thumping my Bible again!

in reference to the comment about reading 1 Tim 3:15. And your point is...? Here is the verse you reference, and the one before it which sets the context.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Why do you disagree with me and for your proof quote a verse out of context which agrees with me even out of context. What words would Jesus writ for you to read if He tarries long? Hmmm, The Bible! Now go forth and behave yourself in Church.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The words of God are the book, my friend.

I am not a historian, but I do know what I believe about the first church.The following is my testimony, and some of the wording may seem harsh, but I can not appologize for my beliefs. I really care about everyone who reads this and I pray to God every day that my words will get someone to think about their stand on these issues, and if necessary make corrections.

The Pastor was Jesus, and the Deacons were the 12 Apostles, no one among them was chief. Each apostle had equal say and equal responsibility for his ministry. Some apostles made more waves, like Paul, but they each had their own area of responsibility. They were only subordinate to Jesus, not to each other. They traveled the civilized world of the time, preaching the Gospel to each living person, obeying the Great Commission. They immersion Baptised believers, as John baptised Jesus, and Jesus gave them powers to perform miracles in his name. While no Associate Pastor, Pastor, or Deacon today has power to perform miracles, aside from the miracle of leading another sinner to Jesus, and none converses directly with God as the apostles did, the above description of a church does not describe most churches today. The Gospels they preached were the teachings of Jesus Christ himself, and are recorded for posterity in the New Testament. As with the Apostles, the church is to live by the teachings of Jesus, not part of them but all of them. The church is to send out missionaries, who go out and preach the Gospel, and win souls to Jesus.

Every member of the church is to have equal say in things, as did the Apostles, and each member is also a missionary. The Bible tells us to preach these Gospels everywhere. We are ordered not to be silent when we see a misconception. Business meetings are for members to vote on changes to the church staff, be informed on progress of missionaries, and financial status of the church.

The above description of a church to me fits only the Independent Baptist doctrine that I know and love. I don't believe that any other church in the world can make the same claim, because they in some part have, not on purpose, but have departed from strict Bible teaching. Church members must be students of the Bible, they must love Jesus, and they must live by his teachings. Most churches love Jesus, and most live kinda by his teachings, but Bible study is becoming a lost art in most places. I acknowlege that even some Baptist churches have departed the way, by having a convention to dictate their doctrine, or elders to do the same. The only way to stick to the Bible is to encourage each and every member to pull out the Bible he brings to church with him, and to read along with the Pastor during the sermon, and make his own decision as to accuracy of the sermon. The member is to study the Bible daily. I am a Christian by choice, but a Baptist by conviction.

The first church was the only church, and there was no reason for any other name until the Catholics came on the scene. Nunya is correct about the name Baptist being applied to our church during the reformation, but what about before? As I claimed in my first posting, the Independent Baptist Church originated with John the Baptist, before Jesus began his ministry, although John's church was called only Christian, because he worshipped the coming Christ,or Messiah, and not baal, or ra, or a tree. There was no need for any name besides that because there were no denominations. As it was with the Apostles, Salvation is for everyone, if it wasn't why would we be told to preach the Gospel to every living creature?

Martin Luther was a good MAN. He saw how the Catholic church had strayed from the doctrine of Jesus and did something about it. He was though only a man, and not perfect, so everything he did isn't perfect. I want to go striaght to the boss for correct doctrine.

Children are covered by the Grace of God up to the age of consent, so why Baptise a baby before he knows what you are doing? Baptism is meant for believers, who have chosen by free will to love Jesus, and is an act of obedience, not a means to salvation.

Here is one very condensed history of the Baptist denomination:

In the early 16th century the Protestant Reformation began in Germany. Eventually it spread to other countries like Switzerland, France, Italy, and England. The Catholic form of Christianity was already in England, but in the mid-16th century Protestantism started making inroads until it became entrenched and was there to stay.

England endured "bloody" religious battles between Catholicism and Protestantism, unfortunately. The Church of England severed ties with Rome and instituted internal reforms similar though not exactly like that of Protestant churches. This fomented the emergence of Protestants dedicated to stronger church reform calling themselves "Separatists". They believed in things like a stronger separation of State from Church (to avoid politics from controlling religion unlike in America where the fear is reversed), doctrinal purity, and a more congregational form of church government.

From the Separatists emerged two other groups who are the forerunners to most Baptists today: the "General Baptists" and the "Particular Baptists". The "General" Baptists came first and apparently got the tag "baptist" because of their belief in "believer's baptism" versus the more typically Protestant view (of the time) which was "infant baptism". (This is a separate issue altogether.) The "general" part refers to a view of the salvation offered by Jesus which, they believed, was "generally" offered to all rather than "particularly" given by predestination. Obviously, the "Particular Baptists" distinguished themselves by holding to the latter view of particularism.

Coming to America, one of the first and strongest baptist groups was the Philadelphia Baptist Association (1707), which was of the "Particular" Baptist line. Ultimately, it seems that both groups had strong, formative influences in what we know today as "Baptists" in America.

Now the "differences" between Baptists and other Christian denominations are legion. I'll just list a few examples. (Even these are disagreed upon with the Baptist denominations.)

Believer's Baptism (vs. infant baptism)
Congregational church government (vs. presbyterian / elder rule)
Arminianism (vs. Calvinism / predestination)
Memorialistic communion (vs. "real presence" / consubstantiation)
Simple worship setting (vs. stained glass windows, statues, etc.)
Premillennial (and pretribulational) eschatology (vs. amillennialism)
Political/ Social action (vs. Gospel-only societal influence)

I've found these comparison charts. Your question can be answered in an orderly fashion by comparing the Christian denominations side by side.

I'll try to sum it up but the charts can help you more. The Baptist believe in the Virgin Birth, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for atonement of sin. They believe that every person can come to God through Jesus Christ by faith through God's grace. Baptists believe in the trinity - God The Father, Jesus Christ The Son Of God and The Holy Spirit. They believe that communion and baptism are ordinances - baptism is following Christ by obedience after salvation - it is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Communion is another ordinance that Baptists practice - they take communion to do it in remembrance of Christ. They also believe that the bible is God's word.

Comparison chart of Christian denominations' and belief's:

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm

Comparison chart of Christian demoninations' practices:

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_practices.htm

Source: Religion Facts
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/comparison_charts.htm

The Bible says to "Believe in Jesus" not just "Believe the facts about Jesus" To Believe in Him means to DEPEND ON HIM. or in other words you must:
1.Admit That You're A Sinner (Including Your Hopeless Situation)
2.Believe that Jesus is God and paid for all of your sins (past, present and future) meaning that he can save you forever.
3.Allow Jesus (Based On 2.) to take 100% CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE (Your Mind And Body).
(YOU MUST DESIRE THESE IN YOUR HEART TO BE SAVED)

God's Grace and Power will save you forever and make sure that you don't live in continual sin.

Make Sense

jesusissavior7@yahoo.com

um, instead of aligning the churches views with your views, shouldn't you be aligning your views with the bible's views. The word, which was made flesh, which was Jesus who is a part of the tri-une God. I was raised a southern Baptist. However, If the preacher at any church I attended didn't read the bible or follow it that would be an acceptable reason for me to leave. I think people should stop church shopping. From what I know, I am not a theologian, baptism doesn't save. Profession of Christ as Lord and faith in his death and resurrection as payment of your sins saves. This is the only reason (besides marian devotion, the pope's infallibility, infant baptism...forget it the list is waaaay too long) I could never be a Catholic. I spent a year studying the chatechism and attending classes. I decided that I could NEVER be a catholic when I asked a priest "when would my daughter's profess their faith in Christ? and was told that at thirteen that they would dedicate themselves to the church. I left right then. I pledge myself to God, not a church. I profess my faith in Christ, not the pope. Baptism isnt what saves you. Faith In what Christ accomplished in his ddeath and ressurection is what saves you. Where ever we came from I know where we are going. I don't think minor points of doctrine determine your ultimate destination. Place your faith in Christ, profess him before men, and he will profess you before the throne of God. live according to his word because a tree is known by it's fruit. God will hold you in the palm of his hand, whatever your denomination.
In Christ,
cm.oursler

This is in response to the answer that was more against Baptists. Iâ??m sorry but I donâ??t agree with you about Baptists. I was raised in a Baptist church through childhood as well but have a different outlook and maybe I can refute some of your points. First off, Iâ??m no historian so I do not know for certain the origination of the denomination but to my knowledge there are studies out there. I do know, however, that the first church was very split and the council Nicea attempted to rectify that and may have not been successful so I do believe it possible that a small sect could have progressed under the radar of the majority. Also the reformation was not an instantaneous event. It happened over centuries and many of the denominations were very similar to Catholicism at the time of their break and have changed over time. Now to your points about Catholicism: first, Baptists know that Catholics believe and worship God. However, there are many things about Catholicism that Baptists see as direct defiance of the bible such as: praying to Mary and saints, relying on a man (priests, bishops, the pope) to forgive you of your sins, and many other things. As for your problem with baptism, this stems from two things. One, Baptists believe that a person must first be a believer that only Jesus has the power to save him/her â??by grace, through faithâ?? as the bible states and that baptism is a public profession of what has happened personally. The second problem that Baptists have with accepting the baptism of other denominations is that the word baptism means to completely cover with water just as John the Baptist did. As for the reference to Ephesians 4:5, the verse is referring to how there is only one form of baptism not many. Why does the Catholic Church not read the next verse that says â??One God and Father of allâ?¦â?? Doesnâ??t this speak against praying to saints and acting as if the Pope is our spiritual father? Lastly I 100% agree with you that only God is our judge and that it is not our right to judge others. However, I donâ??t believe God would have us conform and bend to the norms of society. This also means that we are not all equal spiritually. Jesus said â??I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no man comes to the Father but through Me.â?? Sorry but the sad truth of it all is that we are all sinners and are doomed to a sinnerâ??s fate unless we follow that verse. Oh and for the record, I think your daughterâ??s doing just fine.

Salvation is By Grace through Faith, not just by Faith.

We Baptists believe that salvation comes only through the generosity of Jesus Christ. We can NEVER do enough good works to justify ourselves in God's eyes. Why? because of this:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Any sin makes you a sinner. God HATES sin.No sin is any worse than any other. A murderer in not worse than a husband who denies looking at a pretty girl when his wife asks him. A lie is bearing false witness, and a violation of God's law. God hates a liar,

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Notice that all "seven deadly sins" as some call them, are lumped together under the statement that God hates them. Baptists believe ALL sin is deadly, and so being hated by God for comitting these, we can not make up for it ourselves. The blood of Jesus is the only way to have these sins overlooked.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

"Not of yourselves". In other words you can't do it. Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Good works that we do are not part of getting saved. They are a product of being saved. If you do no good works then you probably better get that way. Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments. He did not say keep my commandments or go to Hell.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

"We are not saved from damnation by our works, or by some priest, or by living the 10 commandments." How can you say this when in Joshua ch. 22:5 it says, "...love the Lord, your God; follow him faithfully; keep his commandments..."?

i am so confused........ :(

Basically i only have one question! If i kill 30people but i believe that jesus is the son of god,will i go to heaven?, before the indian man who saves 30people but doesnt believe in jesus?? because basically thats wat baptist people believe. so all the chinese,indian,muslim,islamic people are not going to heaven because they dont believe in jesus. so why did God create these people if he doesnt have plans for them in heaven?? 85% of asia will never know who jesus is,not because they dont want to but rather because they have been brought up in that culture!! pls give me some answers??

God bless

The Baptist religion do not believe in speaking in tongues and that this is not part of the bible teachings. They just past over the truth that the evidence of receiving the holy ghost is speaking in tongues. They believe they have the holy ghost when they get baptised in the water and they don't need to edfiy their spirit like full Gospel churches that believe in speaking in tongues. They are critical to others that believe in praying in the spirit and they do not have gifts of the spirit because they do not have the holy ghost. They do have the holy spirit which they did recieve when they accepted jesus as their savior and confessed that he was risen from the dead. But they have never been filled with holy ghost and don't know how to recieve it in most Baptist churches, because they think they already got it, from the water baptism. Most Pastors avoid this so not to rock the boat with their members who don't want no part of tongues. The pastor then fails to obey Gods word of teaching the truth and the Baptist church never gets the real power of God working of mircles and people getting healed the same as when jesus walked the earth and his apostles.

Actually Christianity is the religion and Baptist is a denomination, or shall we say, GM is a religion while Chevrolet and Pontiac are denominations within the company.

John the Baptist, baptized Jesus, the founder of Christianity; any reason you should not be confused? Does that not mean that Jesus converted to being Baptist, and that means he joined a religion that is not Christian? Talk of the blind leading the blind.

I believe that in general, Baptists are intolerant of others. Baptists do not descend from John the Baptist. Baptists did not come into play until after the Protestant Reformation. I think it is very arrogant of Baptists to claim they came before Christ.
The first organized religion was just Christianity. They were a small group who met in secret to avoid being persicuted. These early Christians became what we now know as the Catholic church. The Protestant Reformation was when all others broke away from the Church. Why do you think you have Jewish, Catholic and Protestant religions? Baptists are protestant. Most Baptists still think that Catholics do not worship God when this is the basis of modern religion. I was raised in a family who was very active in the Baptist church. After I married and started making my own decisions, I visited a Catholic church. I was amazed, after I learned about the religion and wanted to be confirmed in the Church, I would not be baptized again. The catholic church follows the scriptures, Ephesians 4:5, and accepts one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. The Baptist church thinks you have to be baptized into the Baptist church.
I accept there are certain aspects of Catholicism that are controversial. I, myself, have had the unfortunate opportunity to find a priest with which I do not agree. I have since been attending a wonderful Episcopal church whose beliefs are more in alignment with mine.
I have no problem with anyone who worships God, whether Jewish, Catholic or any of the various protestant churches. This is the main problem I have with the religion. I think everyone is equal and should not be judged by true Christians. It says in the Bible not to judge. I think we would all be better of if we take that to heart.
I have found this site because my daughter has been going to my parents church and wants to be baptized again. I am really struggling with my daughter not understanding why I oppose this. I hope to get other opinions about this. Thank you and God bless!

Opinion

WE SHOULD MODEL OUR RELEGION AFTER JESUS, AND HIS FATHER WHOM SENT HIM?? HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHO THAT WAS, WELL HIS NAME HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE KING JAMES VERSION OVER 7,000 TIMES , GO BACK TO YOUR GREEK OR ARIBIC WRITING AND DO YOUR RESEARCH ON WHO SENT JESUS TO US TO DIE FOR OUR SINS, AND WHEN WE SAY THE LORDS PRAYER WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE PRAYING FOR? DO YOUR RESEARCH. JUST BECAUSE YOU CALL YOURSELF A BABTIST DONT MEAN YOU ARE ALWAYS RIGHT, GO BACK TO THE 10 COMANDMENTS, THOU SHALT NOT "KILL" ANY RELEGION WHO BACKS THE WARS OR KILLING OF ANY SORT IS NOT RIGHT.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT NOW THE GAY'S ARE BEING EXCEPTED INTO RELIGION TO PREACH AND IF WE READ THE BIBLE WE WILL KNOW HOW GOD REALLY FELT ABOUT THAT, IT IS DISCUSTING, NO MATTER HOW ADVANCED IN KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE GOTTEN, WE CANT OVERLOOK WHAT GOD HATES, IF THEY WANT GODS APPROVAL THEN THEY MUST TURN AROUND THERE BAD WAYS AND FOLLOW THE CHRIST. THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL FIND OUT IF YOU ARE DOING WHAT GOD EXSPECTS OF YOU IS TO RESEARCH, DIG FOR IT AS FOR GOLD. YOU WILL FIND THE ANSWER. YOU CANT JUST SIT AND LISTEN TO WHAT SOME MAN IS TELLING YOU. JESUS DIDNT WANT A TITLE SO WHY DO WE HOLD TITLES LIKE DECON, REVERND, PASTOR, JESUS PULLED AWAY FROM THEM WHEN THEY TRIED TO MAKE HIM KING OR GIVE HIM A TITLE, HE SAID I AM NO PART OF THIS WORLD, SO WHY DID HE NEED A TITLE. NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT SAY TO GIVE TITLES OR TO PAY FOR SOMEONE TEACHING YOU ABOUT THE TRUTH, RECIEVE FREELY AND GIVE FREELY, JESUS DIDNT HAVE A BIG HOUSE ON A HILL OR ANY OTHER THINGS THAT MADE HIM LOOK LIKE HE WAS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE, HE EVEN WASHED THE DISIPLES FEET TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT FEEL THAT THEY WERE ANY BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE, SHOW MERCY, SHOW HUMILITY.
ONE OF THE GREATEST COMANDMENT WAS TO LOVE GOD WITH YOUR HOLE HEART AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF, HOW CAN YOU DO THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO WAR TO KILL YOUR NEIGHBOR?
LETS GET AWAY FROM THIS FOR ONE MIN AND DISCUSS LYING, WE KNOW THAT GOD HATES A LYER, CORRECT... WELL WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE TELL OUR CHILDREN THAT THE GIFTS AT CHRISTMAST IS FROM SANTA, WHO IS THIS MAN? RESEARCH
DONT TELL LIES TO YOUR CHILDREN AND MAKE THEM FOLLOW THIS TRIDITION. LETS LISTEN TO THE BIBLE AND STRICKLY GO BY WHAT IT SAYS NO MATTER WHAT RELEGION YOU ARE, LETS GO OUT AND TEACH PEOPLE FREELY, YES WE DO HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR PLACES OF WORSHIP BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE TO SUPPORT THE PREACHER TO THE POINT THAT HE IS LIVING LIKE A KING AND MOST MEMBERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY. DO YOU THINK JESUS WOULD HAVE LIKED THIS? THINK THAT OVER!

Baptists are more uptight. Very rigid and unbending. Can be very judgemental even though their version of the Bible clearly states that judgement is for God to do. Are not known to be very concerned w/their doctrines making sense. Everything is based on the Bible (king James version). Does not matter that is been written and rewritten so many times.
They believe once you ask Jesus into your heart that's all you ever have to do. A one time deal. They believe that your sins are washed away by christ who died just special for us, so we would'nt have to sacrifice animals anymore. (Barbaric and archaic if you ask me).