...from the rest of the Protestant churches?
I think they believe in "once saved always saved" and they are against infant baptism and believe in the "age of accountabiltiy".
I ask to make sure and because these things are unsupported in the scripture.
2006-10-17 14:04:33 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
According to the Encyclopedia Americana, three distinguishing teachings of Baptist churches are:
1) Baptism of people who have believed, and this baptism is by immersion (which is the meaning of the Greek word baptize)
2) Priesthood of the believer ' which means all believers are priests before God, and in equality. A corollary of that belief is a democratic congregational government.
3) Autonomy of each local church. No hierarchy.
This has been what I have observed as a Baptist. Not only the Baptists believe these things, but that is what distinguishes them. Like many other Protestant groups. the Bible is the final authority for practice and doctrine. All three of the above are very much supported in Scripture.
2006-10-17 14:11:44 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I used to be Southern Baptist, back when I was Christian...not sure how different it is from "regular" Baptist. The main thing, I think, is how literally the Bible is taken. For example, God literally created the world in 7 days, end of story. No wiggle room. God said (through Paul in Corinthians [either 1 or 2, can't remember which]) that God is the head of man, but man is the head of woman. Thus in a lot of southern baptist churches the man makes the decisions, and the woman, while allowed her opinion and input, takes second place. [disclaimer: not what I believed, even then]
That seems to me the main difference. Once saved always saved was not clear cut to me at the time. And we never discussed the age of accountability, so it must not have been that important.
2006-10-17 14:14:59 · answer #2 · answered by rabid_scientist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I come from a Baptist upbringing and don't believe in once saved always saved. Baptists believe in baptism the way Jesus said it was to be done and the way He was baptised. In other words, baptism as an adult when you can understand what you are doing and it is your own decision and a declaration of your faith.
Baptists follow the teachings of scripture and are hopefully christians first and baptists second. Mostly they advocate liberty in matters that are not central or are open to debate such as speaking in tongues etc. You will find some who believe in this and others who don't. They generally do not allow speaking in tongues in a service though.
Most Baptists hold the world of God in high esteem and try to follow it to the best of their ability with the help of the holy spirit. They believe that Jesus is the only way to God - just as He said.
2006-10-17 14:14:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all baptist churches believe once saved always saved. I came from a baptist church and I don't believe it. I did have a pastor who was trying to teach that but God made sure that I got up out of that church into one that was preaching the truth.
2006-10-17 14:08:45 · answer #4 · answered by Gail R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im not sure on what exactly Baptist and Protestant beleive, but since there were no such "churches in the first century" probably they would'nt have a correct interpertation anyway, For reason Gods people should be united anyhow.
2006-10-17 14:07:29 · answer #5 · answered by fire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋