Difference between Baptist Churches

[sweethaven]

I grew up in a Baptist church and I've been around to see several names of Baptist churches. I was wondering if there was different teaching practices or doctrines.

The names I have seen are:
Southern Baptist
Calvary Baptist
Missionary Baptist

There might be more but those are the ones that I'm seeing the most around town.

Thanks,
Jen

[MrJim]

I'm at an american baptist~note that the denominational title doesn't always represent what is inside~pick one out and see what's there. While on paper there may be "official" differences application varies from one congregation to the next.

[DeaconDean]

Having grew up in one, I know that most, although not all, but most churches that are "Missionary" are Independant Baptists.

And I have to agree with Mr. Jim. It really depends on what part of the country your in. The ABA, (American Baptist Asso.) usually are churches that are above the Mason-Dixon line. Churches below the Mason-Dixon line are mostly SBA. (Southern Baptist Asso.)

But, with the advent of controversal themes today, a lot of SBC churches are withdrawing from the Asso., or are being "kicked" out. And many are joining the GBA. (General Baptist Assoc.)

In recent years, the SBC has come under fire for withdrawing from the WBA (World Baptist Asso.), and for taking a stance against homosexuals in the pulpit, women in the pulpit, and women submitting to their husbands.

All these this are just scripture being fulfilled, in my honest opinion.

You'll have to go to these churches for yourself and listen to what is preached. Check it against Gods word. You'll know what kind of church it is.

God Bless

Till all are one.

[TexasSky]

I grew up in a Baptist church and I've been around to see several names of Baptist churches. I was wondering if there was different teaching practices or doctrines.

The names I have seen are:
Southern Baptist
Calvary Baptist
Missionary Baptist

There might be more but those are the ones that I'm seeing the most around town.

Thanks,
Jen
Every Baptist church is actually independent, and therefore "ruled" by its congregation.

Some of them unite to form conventions to offer financial support to one another, mission support, and they generally share teaching materials from a common source, but even then, practices within congregations can vary.

The only way to really know what a particular Baptist church teaches is to check out that church. You can sometimes get information from their websites, or by reading up on who they associate with.

For instance, if it says it is a Southern Baptist Church, you can check out the website of the Southern Baptist Convention for the core beliefs since the church is, by joining the convention, stating they support the views of the Southern Baptist Convention.

I've seen some very, very liberal Baptist Churches, so liberal I have serious doubts about their scriptual basis, and I've seen some that are so very conservative they read nothing but the King James, wash feet at the door, and are almost as legalistic as the pharisees were. Most, though, fall in the middle regions.

[sweethaven]

Thanks for the information.
I live in Florida and I see several names on the door on the Baptist churches. As I was riding through the buildings of one church I saw the words "Prophet House" on the building. From the church that I grew up in I was always told the prophets were in the Bible and that they don't....well I'm not sure that I believe in the version of the prophets that are seen today. If they are actual prophets please don't argue with me just show me in the Bible that they exist today.
Thanks,
Jen

[DeaconDean]

Thanks for the information.
I live in Florida and I see several names on the door on the Baptist churches. As I was riding through the buildings of one church I saw the words "Prophet House" on the building. From the church that I grew up in I was always told the prophets were in the Bible and that they don't....well I'm not sure that I believe in the version of the prophets that are seen today. If they are actual prophets please don't argue with me just show me in the Bible that they exist today.
Thanks,
Jen

While there are some here who would argue against the gifts of the Spirit, the apostls Paul said:

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." -1 Cor. 12:28 (KJV)

One person here argued that these gifts were "cut off" when Jesus said "It is finished," one person here argues that these gifts were "cut off" after the crufixion, at or near the end of the first century. But Paul very clearly says that "prophets" are a gift of the Spirit. And besides all that, let me point out that the apostle Paul would know better than to tell Christians to look back, in expectance of, gifts that were already "cut off" at the crucifixion, or at the end of the first century.

Now that we most certainly are in the "end times," prophets and prophesy will play a great part in God's eternal plan. God said:

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." -Joel 2:28-29 (KJV)

This quote is recorded also for further emphasis by Luke in Acts 2:17-18:

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" -Acts 2:17-18 (KJV)

Be cautious, but check everything by scripture. God's word will never led you wrong.

God Bless

Till all are one.

[sweethaven]

Thanks for clarifying DeaconDean.
As you can probably tell I haven't looked at God's Word in a while.
I went to a Charismatic church for a time nearly 3yrs ago and one of the members of the church, who is also my landlord, believes that everyone has the gifts of the Spirit not just certain individuals. I'm not sure that is exactly correct, but I believe if God wanted all of us to have the gifts of the Spirit He would have given them to all us, no exceptions. If I'm wrong please correct me, being raised in the Baptist church I believe the gifts of the Spirit was only touched on briefly if at all.

Thanks,
Jen

[DeaconDean]

Thanks for clarifying DeaconDean.
As you can probably tell I haven't looked at God's Word in a while.
I went to a Charismatic church for a time nearly 3yrs ago and one of the members of the church, who is also my landlord, believes that everyone has the gifts of the Spirit not just certain individuals. I'm not sure that is exactly correct, but I believe if God wanted all of us to have the gifts of the Spirit He would have given them to all us, no exceptions. If I'm wrong please correct me, being raised in the Baptist church I believe the gifts of the Spirit was only touched on briefly if at all.

Thanks,
Jen

You are correct. Not everybody in the church is given all the gifts. Paul explains this in 1 Cor. 12:12-31.

Also, again you are correct in that as a general rule, in Baptist churches, the exercising of the gifts of the Spirit is usually only generally talked about.

God Bless

Till all are one.

[rainbowpromises]

I attend a church that is named Calvary Baptist Church. We are Independant Baptist which means we do not answer to a larger association.

[A Brother In Christ]

I have seen
independant baptist
prehistoric baptist