What differences are there between Baptist Christians and nondenominational Christians?

Question

I am considering switching but I don't know a lot about different denominations so any Baptists can you tell me?

Answer 1

Here are the Baptist Distinctives- in a nutshell what baptists believe-
B-Biblical Authority
A-Autonomy of the Local Church
P-Priesthood of All Believers
T-Two Ordinances (Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper)
I-Individual soul Liberty
S-Saved Church Membership
T-Two Officers (Pastor and Deacons)
S-Separation (Separation of Church and State and Separation from Unbelief).

When you go to a Baptist church you can be sure this is what you are getting. There are many types of nondenominational churches and each has it's own beliefs. Make sure you look at their doctrinal statement or articles of faith.

Answer 2

Nondenominational churches (NDCs) range the entire spectrum of Christianity and pseudo-Christianity (e.g., David Koresh). There is not fixed set of beliefs for NDCs *as a whole*. Each church determines it's own beliefs - that's why it's non-denominational.

Baptists, on the other hand, require each person to develop his *own individual* beliefs based on his *own individual* interpretation of the bible. There are, of course, a "short list" of things you must believe. The list, naturally, varies from Baptist sect to Baptist sect, and often from pastor to pastor. Reading these two sections http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist#Distinctive_Beliefs will help you understand Baptists better.

The bottom line: for either of these two choices, each congregation will be different. The Baptists (IMHO) tend to have an "anything I decide is OK must be OK" approach which I find contrary to scripture. It *seems* to lead to self-justification rather than obedience to scripture. Some NDCs seem quite sound scripturally (it depends on the pastor and/or the church elders).

My advice: read the scripture. Get a good study bible (such as the New Jerusalem Bible, Regular Edition, see my review here http://www.jimpettis.com/bibles/njb.htm ), read it cover to cover, and then read it again (the same or another version). *Then* test the doctrine of whatever church you are attending against scripture. Don't go for the church that feels *good* or *comfortable*, go for the church that feels *right*.

Me? I'm still looking for the right sect.

Jim, still a Christian, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 3

Some nondenominational denominations actually are Baptist with local congregation governance,Believer's Baptism,Communion as bare memorial meal and much more.

Answer 4

I belong to a non-denominational church but I also visit the nearby Calvary Baptist Church in Redwood City for Bible study on occasion. Of all of the denominations the Baptists are in most cases the closest to a church like mine http://www.alcf.net that is a Bible teaching, Christ centered, Spirit led church. Some Baptist churches are KJV only churches. Some are hyper-Calvinistic in their teachings or at least wedded to Calvinist doctrine. Some deny that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still available to believers today. You would have to go to a Baptist church in your area to find out where they fall in the spectrum of things.

Answer 5

Churches are attended by humans so there is good and bad in all of them . It's more of a choice of your personal style of worship . For me it's all about the Bible . I have gone to various churches and would again . I do not belong to a church and don't want to . So you can call me a non denominational Christian if you want , but that's just a label to me . I was baptized in the church I attended at that moment in time .Baptism is accepting Jesus , not a particular brand of church . If Jesus puts it in my heart to visit a particular church , I will go and see what He wants me to learn there . Then I will move on . Paul went out to all the people and I think that's an important message in the Bible .

Answer 6

Baptists believe in salvation, but not some of the gifts of the spirit, such as speaking in tongues.

Answer 7

religion i am a follower of Christ that claims no religion-Jesus didnt-instead of taking the bible for what it says religion is a group of people that believe the same thing such as a baptist thinks once saved always saved and that you must be baptised,i believe you do not have to be baptised to be saved

Answer 8

i woudlnt bother, until there is some type of proof of this giant parental figure known as god shaking his finger at us i think your wasting your life living by these means. I think you should live life for you and the ones you love. I mean the only reason people still buy this stuff is because they have been brainwashed into since birth, and their parents have and theirs aswell and so on and so forth. I mean think about it, easter bunny, tooth fairy, santa, its all the same, gods the one they never tell you is make believe, and its so you be a decent person in the fear of being punished after you die. i dont want to make you mad or anything, im just giving you my perspective. i mean to me the hole thing doesnt sound logical, if god is the creator of all, did he create him self? I mean how do we know who really wrote the bibles? and why would there be so many different faiths so drastic from another. And i tell you what, people think that money is the root of all evil, no, church is, every war in history is almost church based, its crazy, i know you prolly think im crazy, im just happy, i dont do anything to hurt anyone or anything, i just do what i want in life and dont fear the after life, i dont even think there is one

Answer 9

All Catholics are Christians. no longer all Christians are Catholic. i exchange right into a born back Christian who grew to alter into Catholic so i will communicate from the two factors. generally conversing, the two love Jesus and attempt to do His will. the two study the Bible. the two have stable and undesirable human beings of their church homes. I grew to alter into Catholic because of the fact it exchange into based by Jesus himself . it incredibly is the oldest Christian faith. The Catholic church follows the full bible, no longer in simple terms some verses taken out of context. (John 6 - it incredibly is MY physique - Jesus exchange into conversing actually right here.) The Catholic Church does not exchange it incredibly is opinion on issues based on society. Fifty years in the past all Christian beleived that man made start administration exchange into incorrect. Now in simple terms the Catholics have confidence that .. all different Christian church homes replaced with the situations. Do they think of God replaced His concepts? final analysis even with the undeniable fact that: the respond is and could continuously be Jesus - you will on no account bypass incorrect in case you persist with Him. My advice to you would be to forget approximately finding a faith "you like perfect" yet quite hit upon a faith that God likes perfect. He promised Peter, the 1st Pope that the gates of hell does not be triumphant against His Church - it incredibly is the Catholic Church. it incredibly is a promise i've got confidence.

Answer 10

Not really a difference. I go to a community church and we don't really talk about denominations because they aren't really that important....on the other hand...your relationship with God is.