What's the difference between a Baptist, a Methodist, and a Presbyterian?

Question

Stupid answers, e.g. the first 2, will be reported for abuse.

Answer 1

History. Methodists are very close to Presbyterians, the main difference being that Methodists believe in "pre-venient grace" which is an impulse of the Holy Spirit driving people towards believing and finding salvation in Christ (as the hymn puts it, "whosever will may come") and Presbyterians believe in the Calvinistic doctrine of election, which means that only those who are predestined to be saved will find salvation. Both churches practise infant baptism. Baptists believe that through God's grace all may find salvation and that only when a person comes to a personal belief in Jesus Christ should that person be baptised.

There is, of course, far more to it than that and there are permutations even within those three main denominations.

Answer 2

Not a lot! The Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland, for example), Baptist and Methodists here in the U.K. are all Protestant and Christian. It would be totally wrong to suggest any one of them goes more by the Bible than another. Presbyterian literally means a system of church governance - instead of having Bishops and Priests, they are governed by the Elders/Deacons. This is in direct contrast to Roman Catholicism and Church of England. Presbyterian churches adhere to Reformed Theology - Protestant through and through and Bible-based. When I became a Christian I was baptised in a UK Baptist church (full water immersion) and the theology was sound, Bible-based and uplifting. UK Baptist churches have a degree of independence and are not told what to believe or what to say. Most refreshing! Also, great music and singing, fellowship and outreach into the community to spread the gospel. I don't know where people come up with the 'once saved always saved' nonsense - that's a gross misrepresentation of anything I've ever heard in a UK Baptist church. Since moving, I now worship in a UK Methodist church which has sound, Bible-based theology, great music and singing, fellowship and outreach into the community to spread the gospel. Only difference is a tendency to sing older hymns (which I love) and there's a bit more formality to things like Communion. The UK Methodists are into 'churches together' and unity between different groups. I don't go along with infant baptism, but our salvation hardly depends on that! The important thing about a church is whether God wants you to be there - and if you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, it will soon become clear where God wants you to worship.

Answer 3

Not really much is different between the three. It partly depends on what kind of Baptist. Unlike Methodists and Presbyterians, there is no single Baptist denomination. Some Baptists are very fundamental and others aren't.

A couple big differences are church structure. Baptists tend to have no central administration for all churches. The other two do. Another big difference is baptism and type of service. Baptists believe in full submersion, while the other two have various forms of baptism (sprinkling, etc). Methodists are more liturgical in their service, Presbyterian more of a message, and Baptists more preaching.

Answer 4

Baptists are members of the Protestant religion. Except for the issue of baptism, there is little distinction between from Methodist and Presbyterians. They believe that baptism should be restricted to believers who are old enough to make their own declaration of faith. The three, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian are all believers of salvation through Jesus Christ. Their internal organizations differ, but not drastically. The Methodists stress salvation through faith and emphasis on orderly active Christian life. They accept the Bible as the supreme rule of faith and religious practice. I would compare the three religions as a tree branch with different branches. They differ very little from each other, with the fundamental foundation being the same.

Answer 5

The Baptists are called that because of their emphasis on Baptism, the Methods follow the Wesleys, and used to deal with spiritual matters through "Methods". and the Presybterian rule the church through a Presbyter. Doctrinally Baptists tend to be more Calvinistic (believe in eternal security), Methodists are more Arminian (like Pentacostals without the emphasis on tongues and experiences) and Presbyterian are more liberal in their theology. Baptists are the most evangelical as a rule, the Methodists next, and the presbyterians not overly evangelistic at all. Sorry I can't help more, that the best I can do off the top of my head.

Answer 6

First atheists are not interested in banning the Bible, we would just ask that is not be babbled at us in public places. That out of the way: A Methodist is a Baptist with shoes, and a Presbyterian is a Methodist who drinks.

Answer 7

Baptist churches only do baptisms by going right into the water! The other two only do sprinklings and they aren't as lively as the baptist church! The Presbyterian church is owned by the elders, not so sure about the Methodist!

Answer 8

The way they operate church government. Methodist and Presbyterians have a centrally controlled governing body Baptist have no outside control over the local church... Jim

Answer 9

Not much far as I've seen. The baptists are a bit looser maybe, a bit more fun loving. Presbuttons are a bit more vague than methodists which seem closer to catholic slightly

Answer 10

Who can answer this except someone who has studied all of these religions? Most people only know about the religion they are taught in. What beliefs they have in common is found in the Apostle's Creed.

PS: Your question sounds like some jokes I've heard only without the punchline.