Presbyterians and Baptists

[Susan]

what are the differences between the Presbyterian and Baptist denominations? :)

[jukesk9]

I'm neither but I know that Presbyterians baptize infants and Baptists don't.....

[Susan]

Oh, OK, thanks.
:)

[sola fide]

Susan is right on that matter but I can explain it a little bit. I am baptist so I think I can speak for the baptist side of this issue. Baptists believe that one must make a confession of Christ before being baptized, or it is not a true baptism. Before baptism, we believe, you must confess Christ as Lord and savior and repent of your sins, then be baptized into the body of Christ.
Presbyterians believe that infants should be baptized into the body of believers as a generational covenant.
They think that in order for infants to be a part of the church body, and be received in the new covenant, they should be baptized at an early age. They come to this understanding by comparing the circumcision of Jewish children in the old covenant.
Of course, us baptists think that if a child is baptized before making a confession of Christ, they should be re-baptized as a true confessing believer.
Presbyterians, for the most part, are also a more "traditional" church-with a "Romanesque" reverance about them. They are very similar to baptists on most key doctrinal issues, I would actually say I'm very close to being a presbyterian, but I can't agree with the subject of infant baptism..from my standpoint that's the main thing that sets the denominations apart.

Soli Deo gloria!

[Caedmon]

I think the main difference between Presbyterians and Baptists is that Presbyterians are more loyal to Calvinistic doctrine. Most Baptists do not assent to all five doctrines of Calvinism, which is ludicrous, considering that you must believe in all five. They are all interconnected. They are in actuality, extensions of the same thing. All five are equal.

Most Baptists cannot accept full, true Calvinism, esp. Limited Atonement. That's the major thing that seperates the two.

[Susan]

Thanks all