Are all Baptist churches the same?

Question

I don't want to make a generalization, but it seems like African Americans who answer questions on this site tend to be a lot more tolerant and accepting of other's choices. Aren't most African American churches Baptist? Are the Baptist Churches unified? Are there theological differences between Southern and Non-Southern baptist Churches? What is the relationship between Baptist Churches? Can someone tell me about different branches, and the cultural and/or theological differences between them?

Answer 1

One common characteristic of every Baptist church is that they are, by and large, autonomous. Their congregation owns the church building(s), not a diocese or over-arching organization, and they get to choose whatever clergy or administrators they want.

The only thing binding Baptist churches is their desire to become affiliated. Any time either the church or the association wants to cut ties, that's what happens.

So Baptists in the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest protestant denomination in the USA, are together because they believe similarly in some pretty conservative views. The American Baptists are more liberal, and many of them allow homosexual members and ministers. African American Baptist denominations are similarly varied.

One bit of theology that Baptists hold is the teaching that Baptism occurs in adulthood, not in childhood, and it must be done by full immersion in water with the blessing of the holy trinity. Beyond that, they can be as varied as the entirety of the rest of Christendom.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 2

I do not think anyone can tell you about all the different Baptists... counting all the independent ones there are well over three thousand variations in the US alone... The Baptists in one sense are the ones who have no historical connetion to those who split from the Roman Catholics. They never were "catholic" so they are not Protestants. But after that... today just about anyone can take the name... to sort out who is would be a near imposability today... and given the differences with the "southern" faction and there changes in the last years... who knows who is Baptist.... I offer a link to a page on my web site I call ... All Different Flavors.. you might find it interesting... or not... but you are invited to visit... http://mikevanauken.pages.web.com/outreach/id24.html

you can scroll to the bottom for a joke about the Baptists...but it could apply to most other "denominations" as well.

Answer 3

Read these for starters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Baptist_Convention
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Baptist_Convention%2C_USA%2C_Inc.

Baptists hold to this backronym,which is a summary of Baptist beliefs.
* Biblical authority (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
* Autonomy of the local church (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3)
* Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 5)
* Two ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper) (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
* Individual soul liberty (Romans 14:5-12)
* Separation of Church and State (Matthew 22:15-22)
* Two offices of the church (pastor and deacon) (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1-2)

Answer 4

The question of Christianity, in accordance to at least one church or yet another, is way over rated. the idea of the Bible is to trust that each and each body directives come from one God. If one is to attain everlasting existence abundantly overflowing with happiness, guidelines, guidelines, and statues as written in Exodus 20: and disbursed by technique of Moses from era to era, till Jesus the Christ returns to earth, to take the righteous into the dominion of God , aka Heaven.should be said. The traditions of Apostleship, or Baptists in line with custom, ought to not lose website of this. So, I say thanks for the pastime, about those scalar's, yet do not get misdirected. praise the God, who created all issues, and retains your Breath battery operating daily; no count the position you fellowship on Saturday or Sunday. stay Blessed and Blessed some One each and daily. Many are observed as yet few are chosen.

Answer 5

I live in Georgia. I am also currently a Baptist. I have seen many different Baptist churches here and they were all different. Same Jesus, but different parts of the body.

Answer 6

I think it safe to say all doctrines has a order in which they conduct their services. Traditional Evangelical is know to be more "up beat" and there was a swing in the 80s some of the traditional Baptist & Methodest brought into their services the "up beat" to draw the youth.. which is working.

Answer 7

No they are not. I think there is difference between all of them. Membership, and preaching techniques.

Answer 8

you need to read a few books to answer all those questions.
( by the way questions are supposed to cost you 2 points each)

Answer 9

Heck no. That's like all trees being the same.

Answer 10

pretty much all the same