What is the difference between the Catholic faith and the Baptists?

Question

My fience is Catholic. I think I want to convert.

Answer 1

Catholics believe in the necessity of water baptism to wash away sin, to reject Satan, and to profess one's faith in God, using the widely accepted Trinitarian form of the sacrament.

Catholics believe that it is possible for someone who has been baptized to lose their salvation
and end up in hell.

Catholics accept the complete revelation of God as received from the Bible, directly from Jesus Christ and the apostles, and directly from the Holy Spirit.

Catholics believe that the pope is the God-ordained earthly leader of the whole church, and that the bishops are the God-ordained earthly leaders of all the Catholics in their "see" or diocese.

Catholics believe in "apostolic succession" the handing down, one to another, of the holy office of bishop (and pope) from bishop to direct successor, that power and authority which was originally obtained by the apostles, directly from Jesus Christ.

The source and summit of all Catholic worship is the authentic body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ, which is wholly and substantially present in the most blessed sacrament of the holy Eucharist.

The holy sacrifice of the Mass is the primary Catholic liturgy, which is a re-presentation of Jesus' once for all, eternal sacrifice at Calvary.

The Mass is a supernatural work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, centered on Jesus Christ.

Catholics believe in sacraments. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inner, spiritual reality. All seven sacraments were established by Jesus Christ in order to give grace to the individual receiver, for the benefit of that person, as well as for the benefit of the whole church.

Catholics rely on the constant guidance of Jesus Christ as the head of the church, and of the Holy Spirit as the divine truth advocate.

All Catholic practices, beliefs, and teachings are based on the necessary harmony and concurrence of both scripture and tradition, as defined by the God-ordained official teaching office of the church, which is known as the Magisterium.

Catholics believe that the church is charged by God with being the primary faith authority, and that both scripture and tradition must be equally respected as sources of divine revelation and truth, neither one being superior to the other.

The Catholic church maintains a consistent body of both religious scholarship and tradition extending from Christ and the apostles during the earliest days of the church, through the present day.

Baptists do not believe in the necessity of water baptism, or in baptismal regeneration (that baptism washes away sin).

Baptists believe that once a person has been "born again" through faith and/or baptism that it is impossible for that person to lose their salvation and subsequently end up in hell.

Baptists claim to believe only what is contained in the Bible, but they do maintain other beliefs as part of their own faith tradition, which do not have a proven correlation with scripture.

Baptists deny the primacy of the pope, but do subscribe to their own version of a hierarchy, preferring to allow each individual pastor to make faith decisions for their congregation.

Baptists do not believe in apostolic succession, and claim the authority for their denomination exists in scripture.

Baptists do not generally believe in the efficacy or necessity of sacraments. Their version of the eucharist is merely symbolic, with no claim that it is anything but a remembrance, utilizing a form of bread and wine, or bread and grape juice. No transformation is attempted, expected, or considered necessary.

Baptists worship ceremonies are centered on Jesus Christ , a minister, and the Bible.

Baptists look for and claim the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide them in their interpretation of scripture.

Both groups generally agree on fairly similar "end times" scenarios, the return of Christ, a bodily ressurection, judgment, etc.

There's more, but this is too long already. Drop me an email if necessary.

God Bless you.

Answer 2

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are some minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.

You can go and ask any questions you want.

This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.

There is no obligation to become a Catholic.

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 3

Catholicism is big into the whole Virgin Mary, confession, etc. The real difference though is Catholics don't need to be "saved" like in Baptism. Plus, Catholocism has a lot more pomp and circumstance in it. They are completely different sects. Catholics are pretty serious and follow routines over and over again...whereas Baptists are all about "fire and brimstone" and having get-togethers so they all can eat. What is it about Baptists and food?

Answer 4

Baptists originate form Protestantism after the Schism with the Catholic Curch, so doctorine is quite different.

They do not believe in any sort of central organization (like the Vatican), and tend to take care of things within their own congregation, thus views on certain things tend to vary from flock to flock. Though generally they are quite a bit conservative and definitely don't look very well on topics such as gay marriage and abortion.

Answer 5

Here ya go:

Some of the most important difference are (Baptist view presented first, then Catholic):

1. The source of authority: the Bible vs. the Bible plus tradition plus the ex cathedra pronouncements of the pope.

2. The authority of the pope: None vs. Christ's representative on earth.

3. Salvation: By faith alone vs. by faith plus works.

4. Baptism: of believers by immersion as a "sign" of one's commitment to Christ vs. of infants by pouring as the means of salvation.

5. The Apocrypha: not canonical (part of inspired Scripture) vs. canonical.

6. The Lord's Supper: Symbolic of Christ's death vs. a re-sacrifice of Christ, with the bread and wine being "transubstantiated" into the literal body and blood of Christ.

7. The place of Mary: to be honored as any other believer for being faithful to the Lord vs. to be prayed to and venerated.

8. Saints: all believers in Christ are saints vs. especially "holy" people the pope has canonized, who can then be prayed to.

9. Meaning of the Church: all true believers in Christ vs. the Roman Catholic Church, with Protestants being "separated brethren."

10. Priests: not needed vs. needed as "mediators" between the congregation and God, and as "sacrificers" of Christ in the mass.

There are many others, but these should give you some idea of the "gap" between Baptists and Catholics.

From: http://www.dtl.org/catholicism/emails/cath-baptist.htm

I also found an interesting article from a Catholic's point of view:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1252/is_21_127/ai_68659363

Answer 6

catholic is more ritualistic and believes a slight variation. catholic you have to pray to mary while baptist has you directly to god. catholic to me gets too uptight on their rules and traditions and gets wrapped up in it and looses the message. i like being a baptist because it is more relaxed and is about the relationship between you and god. either way, they are both christian so its not that big of a choice. just how you want to cary out your faith ;D

Answer 7

Catholics Tend To be A Bit Ummmm "Excessive" In Their Faith.

Answer 8

baptists tend to shov etheir beleifs down peoples throats (no offense just talkin about my experiences) and catholics are usually nice and let people have their own beleifs.baptists also are just a speration of the catholic church.u should convert tho, its a smart thing, im going to become catholic.

Answer 9

I don't know to much about Catholics,but as Long as you are truly born again and stay faithful to our Lord. Religion doesn't have anything to do with salvation.

Answer 10

Baptist churches are different to catholic ones, they are like houses where they gather to preach, churches they don't have icons with saints and the ceremonies are very different.