Do Catholics and Baptists believe the same things?

Question

Do they believe the same things? if not, what is the difference?
and are catholics christains?

Answer 1

Catholics and Baptists do believe in certain things that are the same. Catholics however do not believe in Jesus Christ as their personal savior, don't allow male priests to be married, have to repent by telling priests what their sins were. Yes Catholics are Christians, but not true Christians.

Answer 2

Catholics and Baptists believe the same basics like the Apostles' Creed(even though Baptists are not formally creedal)

Catholicism is Christian and Baptists are grandaughters of Catholicism.

The Baptist groups are Catholics minus the things that Protestants reject about Catholicism and they also reject infant Baptism and anything but congregational church government.

Some Baptist groups are closer to Catholicism on many issues and doctrines(like abortion or free will) than they are to some other Baptists.

There is only one Catholic Church in communion with the Pope but there are more types of Baptist denominations than I could shake a Bible at.

Answer 3

1) They believe *almost entirely* the same things (but see below)

2) Yes, Roman Catholics (RCs) might be considered to be members of the longest continuous organization of Christians, although others have a slightly stronger claim (some of the south-eastern European and south-western Asian orthodox churches).

The differences: there are a *huge* number of differences. Even so, the similarities outweigh the differences by far.

Basic similarities:
..both accept the bible as inspired scripture (i.e. word of God)
..both *generally* accept the western trinity doctrine (but not mandatory for *all* baptist sects)
..both believe that Jesus, the son of God, was born by immaculate conception, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and then ascended into heaven.
..both believe that Jesus is the "way" to salvation
..both believe that eternal life is gained only through the grace of God, and not by works

Some of the more important differences
..Baptists (Bs) believe that scripture is the ultimate authority, RCs believe that "the Church" has the authority to properly interpret the bible, and that ancient church teachings which predate the bible are also valid
..Baptists believe that *personal interpretation* of the bible is necessary - in other words, that *each* person must determine an interpretation of the bible for himself, whereas RCs are supposed to accept the church's interpretation
..Baptists generally believe that *faith alone* is required for salvation, where RCs believe that faith is only the initial step, which must be followed with obedience to the Church and good works, if possible. (Death bed conversions, for example, are considered valid).

In general, the RCs are much more subject to the church hierarchy and the church teachings, whereas Bs are permitted to believe the bible (almost) entirely as they see fit.

Some more about baptist beliefs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist#Distinctive_Beliefs

Former RC, still Christian (non-Baptist)

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 4

Although Catholics and Baptists believe in the Trinity and the inspiration of scripture, there are also differences regarding the Eucharist, primacy of the Pope, salvation and justification,etc.

Answer 5

The other two answered this in a nutshell. The differences are way too huge and profound and numerous to get into on this site. Do your own research.
Just for fun, I'll point out one fact. Catholics are the only religion that can trace their leadership directly back to Peter, the first pope. No other religion can do that. Not that all the popes were holy people... but there is a direct line of leadership that doesn't exist in any other church, which I find fairly significant.

Answer 6

Mostly.

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Yes, Catholics are Christians. The Catholic Church maintains all of the beliefs that, historically, have been part of the Christian faith from the beginning.

Baptists do not accept the authority of the pope and they don't have the seven sacraments.

Answer 8

Catholics are Christians, in fact, the Catholic Church is the biggest and original Christian Church. about Baptists, they are one of the sects of Protestants who believe in sola scriptura. there are differences in beliefs between the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church, and it's a huge one.

Answer 9

It's like DNA: 99% of their doctrine is identical.