W
Will_Pick
Guest
What do Baptist church believe that is not in the Bible ?
paying Pastor ect.
paying Pastor ect.
- Status
J
joshua_b
Guest
There is such a potential for debate here that I am still (as I post) unsure that I should even touch this one. As best I can tell, whether or not whatever Baptist practice is Biblical or not is ultimately defined not so much by the Bible, as it is by how the Bible is to be interpreted. I could argue that many of the beliefs and practices of Baptists are unbiblical, and they would retort that they are very Scriptural and I simply dont know how to interpret the Scriptures correctly. Ultimately, I think ALL of the differences between Catholicism and Baptists come down to two basic problems, the rejection of Apostolic Tradition and the rejection of Church Authority (in that it was instituted by Jesus himself). I have found that no matter what specific “issue” is being debated, it will ultimately end in the Baptist rejection of one (or both) of these two principles.
1
1ke
Guest
Huh?
J
joshua_b
Guest
In simple terms, if i give ANY example of a Baptist belief not being in the Bible, it will result in a debate, and the debate will basically be about who knows how to “correctly interpret” Scripture. It will ultimately come down to either a Baptist rejecting Apostolic Tradition or the Papacy as being a legitimately institutionalized authority. Pick any topic or disagreement between Baptists and Catholics and I can illustrate my point a little more clearly.
1
12volt_man
Guest
Will Pick said:
As a Baptist deacon, Sunday School and New Believers Pre-Baptism Bible Study leader, I don’t believe that we have any beliefs that cannot be justified by scripture.
J
JimG
Guest
And every other denomination in Christianity has that same belief.
1
12volt_man
Guest
Since we are united on the essential doctrines of Christianity, they’re probably right.
J
JimG
Guest
If Southern Baptists, Bible Baptists, Independent Baptists, Methodists, Evangelicals, Assemblies of God, ELCA, Lutheran Missouri Synod, Assemblies of God, Churches of God in Christ, Presbyterian, Full Gospel, Foursquare Gospel, and Pentecostal, for example, are all “united on the essential doctrines of Christianity”, why are they not united as chuches?
1
12volt_man
Guest
Why do we need to be? Why can’t we form associations for the purpose of cooperative missions and common governing bodies?
S
swnunley
Guest
Some years ago, I lived in the deep south for a time, and our county had only one Catholic parish, to which I belonged.
I had the unique oportunity to have lunch with 4 baptist pastors (one was an independant baptist), and one other Christian, who was a former baptist and at the time referred to himself as a Calvinist. Two of these pastors had churches on the same street.
During the course of our time together, not one of them could agree on the biblical proofs for such significant dogmas such as justification, election, salvation, baptism meaning, etc. For the most part, I just sat back, watched and asked them why they couldn’t agree. I would get the fish look :ehh: from all of them, and they would then start “discussing” again.
Oh, and ocasionally they would try to skewer me with anti-catholic misconceptions. I was “shotgunned” on more than one occasion, such as “Nothin’ good ayver came outa tha Caythlic Church.”, or “Wha do you Caythlics wership Mayree an’ day-ed saints?” Fortunately, by my responses, I was able to convince them by the end of our luncheon that I “was just as saved as they were, but they weren’t too sure about other Catholics.” Such presumption!
Clearly, nothing was clear about what the bible said, despite they were all Baptists, and very learned, holy men of God. I have a great deal of respect for them for their zeal in their faith, and their love of the Lord.
While I am certain you believe that you can justify your beliefs through the scripture, as my lunch partners believed they could, what is the authority for these interpretations? Not any two of them could agree on the meaning of a single passage, yet they were all sola scriptura Christians. The simple fact is that the bible itself cannot be your authority, just as studying a medical text or legal book make one a doctor or lawyer.
Indeed, in Acts 8:30, where Phillip met the eunich: "… Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? 8:31. Who said: And how can I, unless some man show me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 8:32. And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter: and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth."
So, even by the Word of God’s example, we need an authoritative teacher on matters of faith. God, who is not a God of confusion, would certainly make provisions to safeguard His teachings, for he sent us “the Spirit, who will guide you in all truth.”
That teacher is found in only one Church: The Catholic Church, through the Magesterium of the Pope and Bishops.
Respectfully,
J
jimmy
Guest
I have five letters for you, T U L I P. I can show the falseness of the L and U with John 3;16 along with several others. Irresistable grace is also proved false by this verse. T and P are all that remain. Three false doctrines.
J
JimG
Guest
So, if a Missouri Synod Lutheran or a Presbyterian or Methodist wanted to join your congregation, he would not need to change any of his beliefs? Would you require that he be rebaptized?
1
12volt_man
Guest
It depends on the church.
In our church, we would ask that he follow the Biblical example and partake in believers’ baptism.
S
swnunley
Guest
If, according to Baptist beliefs that baptism has no sacramental value, meaning it does not wash away Original Sin, and is merely an outward profession of one’s faith, why would someone who was baptized in another faith have to be baptized again?
That’s not logical, and I know this to be true. When my father converted from Southern Baptist (his father was a preacher) to Catholic, he knew and understood the difference, and received baptism in the Catholic Church.
A
allischalmers
Guest
Hi
If anyone is really interested in what most Baptist believe here is a good web site to explore www.bible-truth.org/Fundbapt.htm
forever Baptist
allischalmers
If anyone is really interested in what most Baptist believe here is a good web site to explore www.bible-truth.org/Fundbapt.htm
forever Baptist
allischalmers
J
JimG
Guest
This is what puzzles me. As a Baptist, I presume that you do not believe that baptism in itself has any spiritual effect; but repenting, saying the sinner’s prayer, and accepting Jesus as your personal Savior does.
If these other Christians have already accepted Jesus (and for that matter, already been baptized), why the insistence on re-baptism? You have already said that you are united with them on the essential doctrines of Christianity.
You indicated that you are a pre-baptism Bible Study Leader; so it sounds as though you are giving potential new members some instruction before Baptism.
I can only conclude that there are sufficient doctrinal differences between your congregation and other Christians, that they cannot join you without changing at least some of their beliefs and undergoing a new Baptism. It sounds as though their original Faith in Christ was not sufficient.
D
dwolstro
Guest
Can you show us where the “essential” doctrines are listed in the bible?
M
mikew262
Guest
If you include all Christian denominations in this list, God is probably asking the same questions. “Why isn’t there just 1 Christian church? What’s with this denomination stuff?”
T
TAS2000
Guest
Um, most Catholic Pastors are paid. The vow of poverty is only required of various religious orders. Diocessin preists (at least in our area) do not take a vow of poverty.
1
12volt_man
Guest
Right. Baptism is strictly symbolic.
The “Sinners Prayer” carries no real spiritual weight in and of itself, but is simply a way for new converts to easily codify and express their faith.
Right. They are already Christians by virtue of their faith in Christ.
However, the Biblical example tells us that one participates in Believer’s Baptism as a way to publically identify with Christ and indicate that he is a part of the church.
One cannot be baptised as a baby because a baby has not made a conscious decision to follow Christ.
Right.
It’s not required and there is no pass or fail. You’re not going to be rejected if you don’t take it. It’s simply something that we recommend so that new converts have a basic idea of Christian doctrines and Baptist history.
Even though it is called “New Believers” class, all are welcome and no one is required to attend.
Again, it has nothing to do with their faith in Christ, but in their public profession of faith in Christ.
It has nothing to do with changing doctrine, as baptism isn’t about doctrine, anyway.
In addition, a letter that one has been baptised in a recognized Christian church, in accordance with the Biblical example is sufficient.
But, no we do not recognize infant baptism.
- Status