What, if any, is the difference in beliefs of Southern Baptist & United Methodist?

Question

Yea, I know, I am setting myself up for some attacking answers and some "smarties" that will have plenty to say & still not answer my question, but here goes...

I was raised with Southern Baptist beliefs. I have stepped away, even studied wicca for a few years. I have been searching for a church to attend since I have moved 10 hours away from my home town. This past Sunday, I went to church with a friend and really liked it. It was a United Methodists and I felt very comfortable there. Are there any major differences that I should know as I search for a church to attend full time?

Answer 1

Does the church believe the Bible and teach from it?

Is there a good sense of fellowship there? Fellowship with God and fellowship among believers?

Probably Southern Baptist have more "do not's" than United Methodist. Maybe such things as do not go to the "movies", etc. The Methodists probably would say be selective in which movies you go to.

One big difference would be that Baptists baptise only by immersion and only of those who are not infants. Methodist probably usually baptise infants but also accept other forms of baptism as being valid.

Do they believe that Jesus is the Christ; that He came from Heaven, that He was delivered for our offences (on the Cross), that He was raised for our justification (the third day) -- Romans 4:24 & 25

Do they believe that the Holy Spirit abides with the Church and guides it?

If so, they they seem to be covering the basics.

They may have different ideas about when Christ will return, how He will return, etc. But likely the Methodists would allow you to have your own views of such things as long as you study your Bible.

Answer 2

I see no reason why someone should give you an attacking answer. Southern Baptists, as you know, believe on baptism by immersion after one has professed faith in Christ. I don't know about United Methodists, but most Methodists believe a baby in a Christian home can and should be baptized - as symbolic of the Christian family's unity in faith, I guess. While I am a Baptist, many Methodists are sincere believers in Christ, and if you have found a united Methodist church that you like, I suggest you keep going back. It is not really about Baptists or Methodists. It is first of all about Christ, and secondly about you, and what God wants to do for you and in you and through you. So - enjoy. (Yes, God actually wants you to enjoy Him).

Answer 3

My uncle is a retired United Methodist minister and my mom was a church secretary for many, many years, while my father's family was Baptist (I'm Wiccan, incidently - what a coincidence!). United Methodists are waaaaaayyyyy more laid back that Baptists, southern or otherwise. While I don't follow Christianity, if you choose to, United Methodist would be a good way to go. There are politics, of course, but that's true of every church.

I think Southern Baptists get a little more into hymn singing as well. United Methodists are big on singing, but are more reserved about it.

Answer 4

Visit both. Look up their beliefs on their websites. Methodist are more liberal. I think both groups have something similar to a governing body that votes on issues and doctrine for their area. Methodist do consider things like gays role in the church, abortion, etc. (I knew someone who shared some of these things being brought up in 1992,) I don't know if these things have passed in any areas or not. Southern Baptist would never consider those things and honestly believe the man is the head of the house. My in-laws were Freewill Missionary Baptist but really liked the Southern Baptist ideas. When they met me they told me if I made it to heaven, I would make it to heaven in spite of my beliefs not on account of my beliefs . . .

Answer 5

Some of the Methodist churches are more liberal than Southern Baptist, they allow women to preach. I would suggest that you ask for a copy of their church doctrine or whatever they have that list their beliefs and compare it to what the bible says and make sure they are using the scripture in context. I know that some of the Methodist don't believe in immersion baptisim, don't know if they all do or not, you might do a web search on doctrines of the methodist church.

Answer 6

You would do well to attend a United Methodist Church. The major difference is Baptist believe once saved always saved where Methodist believe you can fall from grace.

Answer 7

i don't know the answer but i will tell you this. churches are like martial arts, everyone thinks theirs is the best and a lot depends on the instructor.

i can tell you which church to avoid though. any that fit into this catagory;

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans was mentioned in the Apocalypse of John Revelation chapter 2. It is a symbolic name of a group of people that represents the hierarchy of a ruling class over the rest of the people, developing a pecking order of fleshly leadership. Jesus hates this and warns the people to repent. It is not the question of the ministries but rather in the separation of them into a hierarchy over the people. This very idea was taken over by the Protestants with their own corruption of leadership roles and coverings. The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God's sight and He hates the lust for religious power over others. There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.

Answer 8

Studying Wicca....does that mean you just studied the religion or did you do any kind of incantations? If you did, you may be under some kind of oppression, that you don't even realize. The enemy is really good about hiding for years and years, getting you to move on in life, without confessing the sin, and thus having place in your life. Just so you know, in case of oppression my dear, the baptist church and the methodist church are not apt to help you, if you ever are needful of some serious spiritual help. I can't go into the reasons of why in this venue, but Apostolic Succession is important when it comes to that kind of spiritual healing. The only church I know of that helps people who have come out of that lifestyle, is the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Get out a good encyclopedia, like the Brittanica and look up both religions for yourself and read what they are about, how they started and where they are going, and what they base their idea of church on. Is church merely a group of people who believe, or is it something that can be a traced back to the Apostles? Are you a part of someone's idea of Christianity, or are you a part of the authentic Christianity that Christ Himself started? Do you want a church that was started by God, or do you want one that was started by men? Good questions to consider when you looking. Most find themselves Orthodox and didn't even realize it.

Just so you know, many say that miracles of healing and excorcism don't happen anymore, but that isn't true, the Church has always had amazing miracles and has authority over the enemy to cast him off of people, many say these things aren't for today, because their church doesn't have the authority to do such things, because they cannot trace themselves to God, but merely men who decided to worship God in a certain way. Do I think of these people as lost...no I don't, they are probably very close to the Lord, but I do think these dear ones, are not walking in the fullness of the apostolic authority. I am writing you this, because, if you have done Wicca, you may have unbeknownst to you, need more than the baptists and the methodists can offer.
I myself have come out of great darkness, and had an exorcism a few years before, the gentlest experience of my life. I had many spiritual inheritances and had spent time in the charismatic movement...and got a few nasty demons along the way. Only Eastern Orthodox Church could set me free.

We know where the church is, we don't know where she is not.

Answer 9

I was raised Baptist. That's where I got my roots. Now I am a member of a United Methodist. That's where I got my wings.

Answer 10

Look for one that has authority from God and whose male members hold the Melchizedek and Aronic Priesthood. Then you know you will be guided properly through your earthly experience.