What are the main differences in the Baptist church and the Methodist church?

Question

I go to a Methodist church, and I am around Baptist people everyday at school. I was just wondering what the differences were.

Answer 1

This article was posted on the internet and is from an anonymous source, but it seems to do well in answering your question below!

What is the difference between the Baptist church and the Methodist Church?" -- Anonymous
Ok, well first let me clarify that The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren merged in 1968 to form the present 8 million member United Methodist Church. Also I'm assuming that you are referring to the Southern Baptist Convention as opposed to the American Baptists or Independent or Free Will Baptists. Each of these have different views on certain issues. So for simplicity, the two churches I will discuss will be the United Methodist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.

The best way to answer your question is to look at the history of both churches. The Baptist Church came from the Reformed churches that were Calvinistic (Presbyterian) in theology. The reformed churches broke off to establish a "pure" church that adhered to strict scriptural Christianity and the Baptist churches broke off from the reformed churches to establish an ever more "pure" church, that strayed away from tradition that Calvin ,in their eyes, had compromised (A History of Christian Thought, Justo Gonzalez).

The United Methodist Church came from John and Charles Wesley, both priests in the Church of England. John and Charles meet weekly in 'Holy Clubs' at Oxford for prayer and Bible study. People jokingly called them "Methodists" by the methodical way in which they met. John wanted a renewal in the Church of England (Episcopal). He never wanted to break away, but to revive the spiritual life of the Church. Over time, the Methodists became a church of their own, but John remain a priest in the Church of England until his death in the late eighteenth century.

United Methodists and Southern Baptists came from distinctly different backgrounds and thus have many differences. The main difference is baptism. United Methodists baptize infants as a response to God's grace to all God's children, and in response to the command of Christ. We believe that baptism is an act of God and a free gift of his grace. In baptism God claims us as a citizen. We accept the baptism of other churches, because we believe that it's an act of God and doesn't need to be repeated. United Methodists usually sprinkle water and do not usually use full immersion in baptism.

Southern Baptists believe in a believer's baptism in which only a professing Christian can be baptized. They view baptism as a sign of conversion and full membership in a church. Southern Baptists do not accept the Baptism of the United Methodist Church and if you join from a United Methodist church, you will be baptized again. This goes back to their background of strict scriptural Christianity. The Bible does not explicitly say that infants can be baptized.

The other main difference is the view of scripture. United Methodists believe that the canonical scriptures (the Old and New Testaments) contain all that is necessary for salvation (Article V) and we believe that the spiritual truth that the bible reveals is perfect. We do not agree that the the bible is infallible and inerrant in areas of history and science. We also affirm that the scriptures were written by men during a certain social and political context and that they must be interpreted in that context. Southern Baptists affirm that the entire bible is infallible and inerrant in all areas. Our view of scripture is based on our Anglican heritage. Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and United Church of Christ shares our view.

There are other differences, but these two are the most prevalent. Hope this helps.....

Answer 2

I have been in both churches at different times, and do not mean to be critical of either. These are just the difference as I see them:

Both churches have an "open pulpit", meaning the ministers are pretty much free to teach and preach as they understand the scriputres. So they will vary from church to church according to the minister.

But, generally the Methodist is a more liberal denomination. Usually one service on Sundays, you do not need to bring a Bible, the church tend to be low demand and low committment. They tend to be formal in their worship style and services. If you are looking for a middle of road, middle America church, the Methodist are it.

The Baptist are usually more evangelical (fundamental if you prefer). They usually have a mid week and/or a Sunday night service in addition to Sunday morning. You are encourgaged to bring (and actually open) a Bible. They are usually more informal in their worship style. They use the scriptures as their proof for everything they teach and do (or at least their understanding of the scripture). They tend to take stronger stands on moral issues, and can be more demanded in the lifestyle they want from their members.

Answer 3

Baptism is one. Baptist believe in believers baptism and total immersion. Methodist do the sprinking thing.

Answer 4

Baptists go three times a wk to me thats legalistic...i dont...im not helpless.....Methodists are more openminded and we show up on good Friday too....they ignore it!! they (Baptists) wont allow women to speak....we do..

Answer 5

i think methodists encourage you to think for yourself more and to really examine your faith, not just to blindly believe