What's the difference between baptist, methodist and orthodox?

[Baby Alice]

What's the difference between baptist, methodist and orthodox?

 

[High Fidelity]

You're better searching them individually, but principally they hold different theological beliefs and traditions(or lack of traditions).

If you search for each of their beliefs you will be able to see the differences.

 

[HTacianas]

What's the difference between baptist, methodist and orthodox?

To understand the differences you have to understand the protestant reformation. There was once only one Church, with a few exceptions. It was made up of the Roman (Catholic) Church of the West, and the Eastern (Orthodox) Churches of the East.

Aside from the schism between the Western and Eastern Churches, some members of the Western Church broke away from Rome, and formed their own "denominations", each with its own beliefs.

Those denominations then split into more denominations and still further denominations, of which Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc., are all descended from.

Between them all, you will find some common beliefs and some divergent beliefs. To understand each denomination's set of beliefs you would need to read each one's statement of faith.

The Orthodox Churches have maintained their original beliefs and teachings from the beginning, with no need of "reform".

 

[Albion]

You're better searching them individually, but principally they hold different theological beliefs and traditions(or lack of traditions).

If you search for each of their beliefs you will be able to see the differences.

I agree. And the differences are substantial.

That's one reason why a quick comment about what each believes will probably not be adequate...which isn't to say, though, that we here cannot answer specific questions if you have some, Alice.

 

[Albion]

To understand the differences you have to understand the protestant reformation. There was once only one Church, with a few exceptions. It was made up of the Roman (Catholic) Church of the West, and the Eastern (Orthodox) Churches of the East.

What an interesting (if self-serving) way to describe the biggest of all formal splits in church history.

 

[AV1611VET]

What's the difference between baptist, methodist and orthodox?

I would say one of the biggest differences is in the area of Sacraments vs Ordinances.

As I understand it, a sacrament has redemptive power, meaning it is necessary for salvation; whereas an ordinance does not have such power.

That's why we view sacraments as "salvation by works;" rather than "salvation by grace."

We independent, fundamental, Baptists recognize only two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Table.

No sacraments.

 

[Dave L]

To understand the differences you have to understand the protestant reformation. There was once only one Church, with a few exceptions. It was made up of the Roman (Catholic) Church of the West, and the Eastern (Orthodox) Churches of the East.

Aside from the schism between the Western and Eastern Churches, some members of the Western Church broke away from Rome, and formed their own "denominations", each with its own beliefs.

Those denominations then split into more denominations and still further denominations, of which Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc., are all descended from.

Between them all, you will find some common beliefs and some divergent beliefs. To understand each denomination's set of beliefs you would need to read each one's statement of faith.

The Orthodox Churches have maintained their original beliefs and teachings from the beginning, with no need of "reform".

As far as I know, there have always been Christians who remained outside of the Institutional Churches. Waldensians, Albigensians, and many Baptists trace their beliefs through churches that remained beyond the institutions.

 

[joshua 1 9]

What's the difference between baptist, methodist and orthodox?

There is baptism: dedication and confirmation. When a baby is baptized that is a dedication service where the Parent, Godparents, Family, Friends and all the members of the Church agree to do all they can to raise the child as a Christian. Then when the child is of age they make a decision for themselves if they want to become a Christian and if they want to join the church.

The Baptist Church actually does not have an infant baptism service. They do not dedicate the baby and the church does not make a commitment to raise the child as a christian. I left the Baptist Church because I wanted to get my son baptized and the pastor would not do it. He was maybe 5 or 6 years old and they did not think he was old enough or had enough understanding to be baptized. Even though he had learned a little bit in sunday school classes.

 

[Dave L]

All churches can be reduced to 3 groups. Group 1 says "Salvation is from God alone". Group 2, the biggest group, says "Salvation is a joint effort on the part of God and people". And group 3 says, "salvation is from people alone, unaided by God".

The trick is in knowing which one is true to scripture. And heading for that camp.

 

[AV1611VET]

I left the Baptist Church because I wanted to get my son baptized and the pastor would not do it. He was maybe 5 or 6 years old and they did not think he was old enough or had enough understanding to be baptized. Even though he had learned a little bit in sunday school classes.

Yes ... we call that "Believer's Baptism," as opposed to "Infant Baptism."

In other words, it's up to the individual person to get baptized, not the parents or anyone else.

You said you left the Baptist church because you wanted to get your son baptized.

But what did your son want?

 

[joshua 1 9]

There was once only one Church, with a few exceptions.

The Anglo Church of England must be your exception. They were not a part of anything. Not Greek, not Orthodox & not reformed. In America the Anglo Church became the Episcopalian Church and through John Wesley the Methodist Church. A few other churches began with Wesley and his Holiness Movement.

 

[bekkilyn]

I would say one of the biggest differences is in the area of Sacraments vs Ordinances.

As I understand it, a sacrament has redemptive power, meaning it is necessary for salvation; whereas an ordinance does not have such power.

That's why we view sacraments as "salvation by works;" rather than "salvation by grace."

We independent, fundamental, Baptists recognize only two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Table.

No sacraments.

Here is the United Methodist definition of a sacrament: Something consecrated or holy. Traditionally, a Christian ordinance manifesting an inward, spiritual grace by an outward, visible sign or symbol. United Methodists recognize two sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion.
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/glossary-sacrament

We are indeed saved by grace alone and not by a sacrament or ordinance or any other work.

 

[AV1611VET]

Here is the United Methodist definition of a sacrament: Something consecrated or holy. Traditionally, a Christian ordinance manifesting an inward, spiritual grace by an outward, visible sign or symbol. United Methodists recognize two sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion.

It almost sounds like your definition is what we would call an ordinance: an outward show of an inward decision.

We are indeed saved by grace alone and not by a sacrament or ordinance or any other work.

Thanks for the correction.

Question: Once you're saved by grace through faith, do the sacraments keep you saved?

 

[joshua 1 9]

The Orthodox Churches have maintained their original beliefs and teachings from the beginning, with no need of "reform".

We are told that the latter rain will be greater then the formal. Yet a lot of Churches are still trying to get back to the early rain and what the Church received in the beginning. I had a friend die because he did not believe that healing was for today but only for the early church.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Question: Once you're saved by grace through faith, do the sacraments keep you saved?

You are saved when you produce fruit. Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." If the tree does not produce fruit it is cut down and thrown into the fire. The seed is in the fruit so the tree is able to reproduce itself. Although Paul says as gentiles we are branches grafted into the tree. The Everson Museum of Art has a Tree with 40 different Fruit.

 

[AV1611VET]

You are saved when you produce fruit.

I thought it was the other way around?

We produce fruit because we're saved.

 

[HTacianas]

As far as I know, there have always been Christians who remained outside of the Institutional Churches. Waldensians, Albigensians, and many Baptists trace their beliefs through churches that remained beyond the institutions.

I have heard people say the same thing but it isn't true.

 

[Dave L]

I have heard people say the same thing but it isn't true.

There is plenty of history on this. Unless you don't consider these groups to be Christian Churches.

 

[HTacianas]

There is plenty of history on this. Unless you don't consider these groups to be Christian Churches.

There is no history at all to prove that Waldensians existed very much beyond the reformation.

The Albigensians weren't Christian.

 

[AV1611VET]

There is no history at all to prove that Waldensians existed very much beyond the reformation.

The Albigensians weren't Christian.

Have you read The Trail of Blood, by J.M. Carroll?