What defines the Church of Christ church versus the Baptist Church? Likewise, what defines the Methodist?

Question

I am Baptist but not happy with my church. I am considering Church of Christ or Methodist, but know little about each. Can anyone provide some insight into their beliefs?

Answer 1

a church, Christ's bride as described by Paul, should be following God's will and not a creed, convention or what "wise" men(like John Wessly) of the day think is socially acceptable for the moment. most of the C of C's follow only the bible as the only acceptable form of authority and pattern for our lives. thus the difference.

and yes some Church of Christ have the name on the door but are just as bad at following what they want to do rather than what God wants them to just like the rest.

Answer 2

The difference between Baptist, Church of Christ, and Methodist depends upon which branch you are talking about.

As a general rule of thumb, Methodists have a more liberal theology than Baptists, and Baptists have a more liberal theology than Church of Christ. [But rules of thumb are meant to be broken, when it comes to religion.]

More "rules of thumb":
* Methodists are more liturgical than either Baptists or Church of Christ.
* Church of Christ usually is non-instrumental. Both Baptist and Methodist are instrumental.

Before you go church shopping:

1: Make a list of exactly what it is within the church you go to, that you are not happy with.

Is it:
i) The beliefs;
ii) The practices;
iii) Internal dissension;
iv) Church politics;
v) Something else;

Then, after you created that list, look for objective evidence about the items on that list. It is not enough that the Sunday School program is constantly bickering with the VBS program. Get several exmples, with specific situations. [At least five different situations, with different people, for each point on your list.]

Then make an appointment with the church pastor, and go over the points with him/her. Have a discussion, not a debate, and especially not an arguement. If your points of concern are purely theological, then church shopping is in order. If it is internal dissension, then work with the Pastor to resolve the items that are causing the dissent.

If it is an "abusive church", then church shopping is justified.
If, OTOH, you are an "antagonist in the church", then counselling would be in order. [I do not know you. I have no way to say whether or nto thsi is the case. I wrote that as something to consider. Your Pstor should be able, and willing to tell you directly if you are. They should also be able to point you to where you can get counselling for it.]

[Yes, I know you said you were Baptist. At least one branch of Baptists does have female pastors --- which is why I wrote that rules of thumb are meant to be broken, when it comes to religion.]

2: Write down what your theological beliefs are:
* 5 point calvinism
* 4 point calvinism
* Arminian
* Holiness
* Pentacostal
* etc
Write down what you mean/understand by each of those terms.
Find several scriptural citations to support your belief.

Your church should have a group devoted to exploring at least their own tenants of faith. Participate in it --- even if you have previously done so. Ask questions. Learn what your beliefs are, and why you hold them.
[If your church does not have such a group, ask your pastor about setting up a class. (The usual reason churches do not have such a group, is a lack of somebody who is qualified to teach/lead such a class. Lay people can teach/lead this class --- if they have studied the subject intensively.)]

3: Write down what your theological practices are:
* Lords Supper. (When, who administers, etc.)
* Foot washing
* Daily prayers
etc

Once you have completed steps 2 & 3, then you can go "Church Shopping". Interview church staff first. Then attend a worship service. The idea is to find congruent beliefs first, then congruent practices.

One other thing to consider. Church size.
Do you want to be one of 200 people in a service, or one of 1 000 people in a service. Or perhaps you'd prefer a service with no more than a dozen people present? Alose consider the tradeoffs between the home-based church with a dozen members, and the megachurch where the main pastor has no clue who you are.

Answer 3

Most congregations of church of Christ offer a free correspondance bible study course. You take this by mail. When you finish one lesson, you mail in the "test page" and they will "grade it" and mail you the next lesson. Such lessons are also available on-line at the web sites of many of the congregations.
If you are considering the church of christ, you might want to call them and take one of these courses or simply ask for additional information, they will usually sent it to you on request. This will help you know what they believe and why they believe it. This will also help you get "first hand" information. Some will try to tell you what someone else believes when they don't correctly understand it themselves.
There is a specific tract. The local congregation may have it, but if they don't, do an on-line search. It's called "What to Expect When You Visit a Church of Christ". If you visit, there are usually a variety of tracts available on many subjects (usually on racks just inside the door) that you can take. They are free for anyone who wants to take them.
The church of christ will send you free information and will never try to sell you anything and they will not ask for a "donation".

Also, don't confuse the "church of Christ" and the "United Church of Christ". They are not the same. (Some confuse these two groups, which is one reason a non-member may give you faulty information.) For the church of Christ, I suggest the web site www.housetohouse.com

Answer 4

I have to agree with jblake; I think that is one of the most informative answers I have ever read on here so far. Your choice of church is not simply complicated by the faith system (you'll run into a problem calling Independent Baptists denominations considering their administrative hierarchy is most likely local), but also by the church itself. Faith systems often disagree on many fundamental practices and interpretations (i.e. most U.S. Baptists, Southern and Independent, tend to believe in limited election while most members of the Christ United Methodist church believe in unconditional election; neither are completely united on this issue.)

Many feel that these difference are poignant while others find them rather pointless. It's up to you; after carefully considering your own personal feelings and 'church shopping', it is ultimately your own opinion that will give you the best answer!

Answer 5

The church of Christ and the Methodist Churches have changed dramatically over the last 30-40 years The Baptist church has managed to remain Conservative theologically. but the other two have become near apostate, not good. If you are in a Baptist church-that is probably the safest one to be in now. I would try an independent before going to a mainline church that has become ultra liberal.
Look for a Calvary Chapel, they are all over the USA. They have contemporary praise and worship and teach the Bible line by line. I started going to one about two weeks age-I like it. I came from Southern Baptist church.

Answer 6

That is a good question I have often said they have them backward to me. The Church of Christ should be call Baptist because they believe that you have to be Baptisted in water to go to Heaven, The Baptist on the other hand believe that all you do is put your trust and faith in Christ.

Answer 7

i am a christian here in the Philippines.
remember the Church that Jesus the Christ founded is HIS and HIS ALONE. no man made creeds, no human teachings.
the reason we go to church because we Christians is a part of the body of Christ and is baptised into HIM. this means that prevouisly your name was (for example) is joe brown, after you are immersed into his NAME you are now known as joe brown of Christ. this means you are His. you belong to him. you have a relation with him. let us not view Jesus only as our savior, but we must accept Him as our LORD first.
check their teachings about who Jesus really is to them (their LORD or just a savior; Matt 28:18-20)? what is their practice of the Lord's Table (Luke 20:7)? what is their view of baptism (Rom 6)? if anyone of them says to you they are the right church, think twice and READ your Bible.
Jesus himself prayed that all Christians must be one (non-denominational) so that the world may believe.
but the important thing is that going to church is not about for you to be happy. christianity is a serving belief that has a security resting in the promises of Christ.
if you will go on searching for a church to give you happiness, there aint one.
in our local church (east in the island of samar), to tell you the truth, maybe you will rate our music team poor, small sunday attendance (about 16-28 people in average), hot place (no fans no electricity yet), pastor poorly compensated (receives only 1000 pesos or roughly $20 per month), all workers are volunteers, but our JOY is in the LORD.
all people in the church are sinners! if there is someone out there would say that he is not, then he is a hypocrite! Christ came for the sick (both spiritually and physically). lucifer commited the mistake of thinking that he is greater than God, holier than God. dont commit the same mistake. we are all in the same ground.
again read your Bible the Bereans were commended for this. check your spiritual barometer. focus your eyes on Jesus (lest you drown like Peter)!
by the way i am attending Mantang Christian Church.
blessed are the poor in the spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
God bless you!

Answer 8

why aren't you happy at your church? Is it the people there? Is it the leadership? Are their beliefs different from your own? Is it political? What do you want from your church? What are you willing to give to your church? What are you willing to give to God? What are your basic beliefs at this time? Are you attending church regularly at this time? If not, why not? Look at the apostales creed and see if that is what you believe.

Answer 9

Remember that ALL denominations are unBiblical! Paul makes this VERY clear.