I go to a Baptist church.

[Jeremiah4Christ]

I go to a Baptist church, but I don't understand what makes me "Baptist"? I just consider myself a christian - a disicple and follower of God. Anyone able to give a brief explanation of what makes Baptists different from others like catholics or lutherans? Thank you. :thumbsup:

[Project 86]

There is a lot more on this then what I am posting here but this is just for starters.

1. We believe that only born again Christian should be baptised. Lutherans and Catholics baptize babies. We believe this because it is the Biblical model.

2. We don't believe good works plays ANY part in your salvation. We do believe that good works come out from a saved person but that again plays no part in your salvation. The Catholics believe otherwise and this is coming from several Catholic sources I have read.

3. Catholics believe communion is real blood and real flesh. Baptists believe the wine and bread are just a symbol of God's blood and flesh. For us to remember what he did for us.


I go to a Baptist church, but I don't understand what makes me "Baptist"? I just consider myself a christian - a disicple and follower of God. Anyone able to give a brief explanation of what makes Baptists different from others like catholics or lutherans? Thank you. :thumbsup:

[arunma]

I go to a Baptist church, but I don't understand what makes me "Baptist"? I just consider myself a christian - a disicple and follower of God. Anyone able to give a brief explanation of what makes Baptists different from others like catholics or lutherans? Thank you. :thumbsup:

Nothing, really. Being a Baptist really just means that you believe in credobaptism (that is, baptism after a confession of faith). Most Baptists also believe reject the doctrine of the real presence regarding the eucharist, whereas many other Protestants do believe in the real presence of Christ. The only other thing that all Baptists have in common is that they believe in the autonomy of the local church (strangely enough, this is about the only issue on which I disagree with my church's position).

Other than that, no doctrinal distinctives unify Baptists. Baptists are thought of as theologically orthodox, but a rather large Baptist group, the American Baptist Church, holds to rather liberal theological views. As you said, you are simply a Christian: a disciple of Christ and follower of God.

[Jeremiah4Christ]

Project 86 - oh wow, I knew I believed those things, but I didn't know that it was part of me being a Baptist. Thanks for the helpful insight. I am a Baptist I suppose. Thank you very much. :)

[arunma]

Project 86 - oh wow, I knew I believed those things, but I didn't know that it was part of me being a Baptist. Thanks for the helpful insight. I am a Baptist I suppose. Thank you very much. :)

Project 86's post is absolutely correct as well. It is noteworthy that his number 2 also applies to most other Protestants. Lutherans in particular believe in salvation by grace through faith, just as Baptists.

[christian73]

There is a lot more on this then what I am posting here but this is just for starters.

1. We believe that only born again Christian should be baptised. Lutherans and Catholics baptize babies. We believe this because it is the Biblical model.

2. We don't believe good works plays ANY part in your salvation. We do believe that good works come out from a saved person but that again plays no part in your salvation. The Catholics believe otherwise and this is coming from several Catholic sources I have read.

3. Catholics believe communion is real blood and real flesh. Baptists believe the wine and bread are just a symbol of God's blood and flesh. For us to remember what he did for us.
Project86 has it right on. Another difference is that Catholics and some other denominations say you must go to a priest to intercede when you confess sin. Baptists believe you can go straight to the Lord, and Jesus will intercede. If I am wrong, someone please correct me.

[Jeremiah4Christ]

Project 86's post is absolutely correct as well. It is noteworthy that his number 2 also applies to most other Protestants. Lutherans in particular believe in salvation by grace through faith, just as Baptists.

:thumbsup: Thanks for helping me understand better and I was going to say something about your first post until I realized my tiny brain could not phathom a few of the things it said. Project 86 was in general terms. Sorry I'm not smart! You rock! :cool:

[RED that's ME]

Jeremiah, you might wanna check out this thread on What does Baptist believe? and check out the links. :)

What does Baptists believe (http://www.christianforums.com/t1479209-what-does-the-baptist-anabaptist-believe.html)?