Differences between Catholic faith and Baptist?

[Malachi4U]

Carole:

My daughter is considering being Baptist. When asked why, she describes their wide range of children’s programs, a large and beautiful building, and social contacts. I have encouraged her to thoroughly research the faith first. Can someone help me to accuately describe for her how Catholic is different from Baptist?

Boy, where do we begin?:whacky:

Start with what the early Church taught and how the Baptists changed that.
What about them deleting books out of Scripture?
Who wrote Scripture?
Did Jesus command us to be schismatics or of one mind and body?
What about their changing Faith and Morals whenever they feel like it?
Etc. etc., etc…

I used to go to a Baptist church. They often contridicted Scripture and now I’m Catholic. Praise God!

 

[MikeB]

I don’t know about all Baptist Churches but the very first one I was in, around 1974, there was a display of literature and one of them was titled “To my Catholic Friend…” This booklet was devoted entirely to why all Catholics were going to hell unless they repented and dropped their faith and converted. It was pretty strong stuff and I didn’t feel any compassion to my faith at all.

 

[ahimsaman72]

MikeB.:

I don’t know about all Baptist Churches but the very first one I was in, around 1974, there was a display of literature and one of them was titled “To my Catholic Friend…” This booklet was devoted entirely to why all Catholics were going to hell unless they repented and dropped their faith and converted. It was pretty strong stuff and I didn’t feel any compassion to my faith at all.

Mike,
That truly is unfortunate that you encountered that. The Southern Baptist churches I grew up with and the independent Baptist church I belong to now would not have such a thing.

We also have to remember that times have changed. That was 30 years ago. The open-mindedness and willingness of many have done alot to establishing better relations between our faiths.

Blessings…

 

[ahimsaman72]

Malachi4U:

Boy, where do we begin?:whacky:

Start with what the early Church taught and how the Baptists changed that.
What about them deleting books out of Scripture?
Who wrote Scripture?
Did Jesus command us to be schismatics or of one mind and body?
What about their changing Faith and Morals whenever they feel like it?
Etc. etc., etc…

I used to go to a Baptist church. They often contridicted Scripture and now I’m Catholic. Praise God!

Boy, where do I begin?

This is not entirely accurate. The Baptist denomination didn’t really begin till 1607 officially. It is incorrect to say that Baptists deleted books out of Scripture.

It is also incorrect to say that the Baptists changed the early church. I don’t understand - have any examples?

Scripture was written by Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets then by apostles and other disciples like Matthew, Paul and Peter, etc. Don’t you believe that too? These men were inspired by God to write what they did. And they did it for our benefit - to learn.

As for the rest of your post - it is similarly ridiculous and without examples it is impossible for your post to make sense. Basically condescending garbage.

 

[carol_marie]

ahimsaman72:

As a life-long baptist I can honestly say I’ve never heard anyone call a catholic a “non-Christian”. My pastors have always taught that people from all walks of life and many denominations would make it to heaven, including catholics. Unless this happened to you personally or is verifiable by someone close to you I would say this is a generalization and should not be repeated because my experience has not been so.

**Are you serious? I’ve NEVER heard a Baptist (I attended a Southern Baptist church for 3 years) admit that a Catholic WAS a Christian. Over & over again I’d hear, "Pray for my neighbors/boss/sister in law they don’t know the Lord. I’d ask, “They aren’t Christians?” Answer: “No, they are Catholic.” I also knew lots of Baptists who grew up Catholic and told me they NEVER knew about Jesus. According to them it was all about Mary & the Saints & making you feel guilty and it wasn’t until they became “Christians” (Baptist) that they realized Jesus died for their sins. I’m still friends with lots of Baptists and they know I’m thinking about becoming Catholic and they have all said the same thing… “Well, at least you’re already a Christian… maybe God wants to use you to spread the gospel in the Catholic Church.” (And yes, to Catholics reading this I know that’s very insulting - I’m sorry) **

**I’m glad that’s not the case in your church. However, I’m betting your Pastor would say something like, “Some may be Christian in spite of being Catholic - not because they are Catholic.” **

 

[Sherlock]

Ahimsaman,

Sorry I couldn’t respond to your post sooner—I’ve been gone most of the day.

You asked: “Are you posing this as a hypothetical or are you saying this is what Baptist folks believe?”

I posed that as a hypothetical only. Of course Baptists don’t believe that (I used to go to a Baptist church when I was in my Protestant years). I gave it as an extreme example guaranteed to illicit the response, “Of course not!” when asked if one would go to a church that taught nonsense but had nice facilities and programs. My point is to show that truth matters, and nice perks like social programs do not trump truth.

You wrote: "As a life-long baptist I can honestly say I’ve never heard anyone call a catholic a “non-Christian”.

I suppose it depends upon what strain of Baptist one is. When I attended a Baptist church in Minneapolis for a while, I never came across any overt anti-Catholicism, or at least not from the people I got to know. However, I have since come across vehement anti-Catholicism from Baptists in particular, and no, they don’t regard me as a Christian. I had an e-mail exchange with one guy (we are both falconers and are members of a falconry e-mail list) that was unbelievable: once he found out I was----gasp!—a Catholic, this hitherto nice and gentlemanly fellow accused my Church of 68 million Baptist deaths (whatta joke—this is that “Trail of Blood” fiction), and went on to say that when I am in hell, I would look up to see him and heaven and would wish that I had come out from the “Whore of Babylon”. It got so bad that several other list members (none of them Catholic) castigated him for his bigotry. I am happy, by the way, to see you say “The Baptist denomination didn’t really begin till 1607 officially”, as he claimed that the Baptist denomination was ancient—that there were only two churches at the tiime of Christ, the Catholic Church and the Baptists, but that the Catholic Church killed most of the Baptists. I’ve saved our exchange, so if you want to see anti-Catholicism from a otherwise “normal” guy, let me know and I’ll pass it on. I am now, quite frankly, very leery of Baptists.

You wrote: “On the contrary, I could say that many catholics I’ve encountered on this forum have repeatedly viewed non-catholics as non-Christians.”

I can honestly say that in my 42 years I have NEVER come across a Catholic in person that thought this. This is such a ludicrous idea, that it would take an Internet forum to dredge up the loonies. I’m sorry you have seen any of that here, but I assure you they are the fringe, not the mainstream, whereas some of the Baptist anti-Catholicism I have come across has been. Many fundamentalists do not hold that Catholics are Christians, and unfortunately it’s not confined to the lunatic fringe as it is here.

 

[mesquitemecca]

ahimsaman72:

As a life-long baptist I can honestly say I’ve never heard anyone call a catholic a “non-Christian”. My pastors have always taught that people from all walks of life and many denominations would make it to heaven, including catholics. Unless this happened to you personally or is verifiable by someone close to you I would say this is a generalization and should not be repeated because my experience has not been so.

On the contrary, I could say that many catholics I’ve encountered on this forum have repeatedly viewed non-catholics as non-Christians.

Greetings:

I must say that I have worked at a baptist insitution in Texas for the last five years, and I have learned that baptists down here believe that Catholics (in caps) are going to hell. In fact, a Catholic organization has formed, and the flyers have been torn down and they (we) have been refused to have Mass at this place of employment, being accused of having “rituals.” It’s interesting that the Baptist General Convention of Texas several years ago included Catholics, along with Jews and others, as those who were in need of being 'evangelized." I have learned that 'baptists" in Texas are different than baptists elsewhere, and that, depending on whom you ask, you get a different interpretation of scripture. I sincerely doubt that the Holy Spirit would create this type of division as Christ prayed to Our Father that “they would all be on one as you and I are one.” It is not conceivable to me that the Holy Spirit would have created the division that led to the many “denominations” that exist today, but rather, man’s arrogance and desire to create their own interpretation. As stated, a house divided can not stand…so a church divided can not exist, the Holy Spirit would never allow that, and thus, man has created that. Perhaps, to prove my point, baptists in your area believe differently, as opposed to Holy Mother Church, which believes the same worldwide as the Holy Spirit has the fullness of truth to the Holy Catholic Church.

 

[MartyL]

mercygate:

Honestly, I don’t know of **any **well catechized Catholic who EVER became Baptist (or Protestant of any kind).

Perhaps you should get out more?

There are lots of them, and they go Protestant because of basic problems that they see in Catholic rules, doctrine and structure:

• Unmarried clergy who can’t really relate to the laity (no, I don’t want a thread on that topic)
• Undemocratic organization
• Uninspiring ceremonies (e.g., one of my children’s baptizing priest seemed disappointed that he couldn’t make the 1:00 NFL kickoff rather than overjoyed at a new Christian)
• The unfathomable scandals compounded by cover-ups
• General questioning of the assertion of infallibility
• Women’s roles in the church
• They find God’s love and presence in the particular Protestant congregation.
• The list can go on (95 on the original list! )

Now you might think that the Roman brand is the cat’s meow, but hundreds of thousands of Christians world-wide are Protestant or Orthodox, Liturgical or Pentecostal. For many of them, either their ancestors or they themselves left the Catholic Church despite being catechized (indoctrinated?) using that book that’s thicker than a Bible.

Oh … are Catholics Christian? Well, even Martin Luther said you guys get it right about 50% of the time! I’m not sure what Calvin said on the matter.

MartyL

 

[Jermosh]

Carole,

The only thing that will stop her from going to any denomination is to try to centralize her thoughts on the Eucharist. All other sacraments can be “kind of” real, and found in other Christian communities. But this one has to be Real and must be Valid, and it can only be found in the Holy Apostlistic Catholic Church!

I would leave my family and all my earthly goods for this gift. That is how strong it is, and it should be this strong for all Catholics.

 

[pnewton]

Difference? That sounds like a math question, so that is how I will answer it. Catholic - Baptist = 1700 years

Now if you associate the Baptist with the Anabaptists (so do and som don’t) you come up with 1500 years.

 

[Ozzie]

ahimsaman72:

When I was considering converting to Catholicism there were some problems because of it. Families usually aren’t accepting - there’s a long conversion process and there is doctrine to think about also. Switching usually isn’t easy.

I’m curious, why were you considering converting if you understood the doctrinal differences such as the Eucharist, Baptismal Regeneration, Initial Justification, Faith plus, Bible plus, Purgatory, Maianology, No assurance of eternal life, etc.? Of course the list could go on.

 

[Paul_Pignal]

The difference is fullness of truth.Is the fullness of the truth found in the Baptist sect or not. Tha Baptist sect was founded in the year 1609 by John Smyth and now has been split into many different conferences to the point where even all Baptists don’t agree with each other.We know that the Church established by Jesus was established long before that date( the year 33) and that he clearly gave the authority of his Church to Peter and the apostles. Clearly Jesus did not give the Keys of the Kingdom to John Smyth or his sect.The most efective tool for teaching people the truth about Chritianity is to have them study history.Get some books on the early Church Fathers and compare what they taught to what the Church teaches today. The continuety in teaching is amazing! I forget who said it first but it surly applies; " To study history is to cease being a Protestant." I hope this helps.Peace
Paul

 

[ahimsaman72]

carol marie:

ahimsaman72:

As a life-long baptist I can honestly say I’ve never heard anyone call a catholic a “non-Christian”. My pastors have always taught that people from all walks of life and many denominations would make it to heaven, including catholics. Unless this happened to you personally or is verifiable by someone close to you I would say this is a generalization and should not be repeated because my experience has not been so.

**Are you serious? I’ve NEVER heard a Baptist (I attended a Southern Baptist church for 3 years) admit that a Catholic WAS a Christian. Over & over again I’d hear, "Pray for my neighbors/boss/sister in law they don’t know the Lord. I’d ask, “They aren’t Christians?” Answer: “No, they are Catholic.” I also knew lots of Baptists who grew up Catholic and told me they NEVER knew about Jesus. According to them it was all about Mary & the Saints & making you feel guilty and it wasn’t until they became “Christians” (Baptist) that they realized Jesus died for their sins. I’m still friends with lots of Baptists and they know I’m thinking about becoming Catholic and they have all said the same thing… “Well, at least you’re already a Christian… maybe God wants to use you to spread the gospel in the Catholic Church.” (And yes, to Catholics reading this I know that’s very insulting - I’m sorry) **

**I’m glad that’s not the case in your church. However, I’m betting your Pastor would say something like, “Some may be Christian in spite of being Catholic - not because they are Catholic.” **Yes, I’m quite serious or else I wouldn’t have said what I did. I’m 32 years old - always belonged to Southern Baptist churches till I moved here to Iowa. All my pastors when speaking of “saved” persons has included people from all walks of life - methodists, lutherans, and even Catholics. As I said before - this is my experience. As for laypeople I’ve always heard the same.

The congregations I have belonged to and families we have learned and worshipped with have always been more concerned with issues close to home that involve them and others around them. Not much energy is left to fight the mythical enemy of catholicism. This is my experience.

By the way, for all those who are claiming that all kinds of baptists are anti-catholic, I suggest you look to the Southern Baptist Convention’s website and see if you find anti-catholicism there. You won’t find it. Lately, the evangelism outreach has been focused on unbelieving Jews and Mormons.

Obviously, folks, there are bad apples everywhere. They are present in Baptist churches and in Catholic ones. Just last night watching the presidential debates I know millions of Catholics were cringing when John Kerry claimed he was born and raised a Catholic when the issue of abortion came up. Perfect example. Stray sheep in the fold.

 

[ahimsaman72]

Ozzie:

I’m curious, why were you considering converting if you understood the doctrinal differences such as the Eucharist, Baptismal Regeneration, Initial Justification, Faith plus, Bible plus, Purgatory, Maianology, No assurance of eternal life, etc.? Of course the list could go on.

I had to chuckle when I read this. I didn’t understand the differences till I dove deep into it - that’s why. I didn’t know anything about the catholic church as I grew up baptist. I started looking at this website and reading books such as, “Survey of the Catholic Faith”, by Oscar Lukefahr. This was all well and good. Everything sounded good. But then - once I delved deeper and realized that what is presented on the surface isn’t really what the church taught - I began to doubt.

I looked at the papal office, mortal and venial sins, etc. and found serious flaws. I looked deeply at the evidence for things taught and didn’t find sufficient evidence. I decided at that point to research the reformation and why the conflict. I couldn’t begin RCIA until I was sure I had the differences settled in my mind. After all, as you would agree - this is a life-long decision. I could not make it now.

I could go on and on, but that’s really beside the point of this thread.

 

[carol_marie]

Point well taken my friend. Peace CM

 

[MariaG]

Carole,

You also need to consider that your daughter is using the “programs for kids” as an excuse because she no longer believes what the Catholic Church teaches. Or as someone stated, never understood what the church teaches and is trying not to hurt your feelings or get into theology with you.

And I have personally met Baptists who think Catholics are going to hell. Not as many as the Evangelicals, but I have met them. Since each Baptist church is independent, it really depends greatly on the pastor.

God Bless,

Maria

 

[Greg_McPherran]

Hello Carole,

It is an article of Catholic faith that our beliefs, understandings of Scripture, and practices come from the Church of the apostles that includes Peter and Paul. We also believe that our Church is the direct continuation of this apostolic Church.

Our apostolic belief in the Eucharist is something that Baptists do not share.

Greg

 

[mayra_hart]

a few months ago i was invited to a bible study in my neighbor house which is baptist. i was the only catholic there, an is sad but the experience wasn’t nice. they ask me questions about everything from mary to why iam not using the bible to answer the questions on the workbook. at the beginning i was with no answers truly i felt like a sitting duck. but this open my eyes an make me find out more what is being catholic is all about. later when i answer some the question this baptist have they wasn’t happy. specially theme that eucharistic, sola scriptura and everything else. it was very odd but when i ask them to join me in a bible study done by catholics there answer was a big no, but yes there were very interested in inviting me to one of them. since them my neighbor is not the same anymore. god bless you all

 

[Lida]

I, too, once attended a Baptist small group, in which a returned missionary came to talk about his experiences in West Africa. He talked about how most of the people in Cote d’Ivoire were Muslim, but he had managed to bring a few of them to Christ.

Then, apparently wanting to include his young children in his talk, he sat his three-year-old daughter on his lap and said, “Do you remember Miss X? Was Miss X a Christian?”

The little girl shook her head no.

“That’s right! Miss X was a Catholic!”

Ouch.

 

[Ozzie]

ahimsaman72:

I had to chuckle when I read this. I didn’t understand the differences till I dove deep into it - that’s why. I didn’t know anything about the catholic church as I grew up baptist. I started looking at this website and reading books such as, “Survey of the Catholic Faith”, by Oscar Lukefahr. This was all well and good. Everything sounded good. But then - once I delved deeper and realized that what is presented on the surface isn’t really what the church taught - I began to doubt.

I looked at the papal office, mortal and venial sins, etc. and found serious flaws. I looked deeply at the evidence for things taught and didn’t find sufficient evidence. I decided at that point to research the reformation and why the conflict. I couldn’t begin RCIA until I was sure I had the differences settled in my mind. After all, as you would agree - this is a life-long decision. I could not make it now.

I could go on and on, but that’s really beside the point of this thread.

Thank you. I certainly do commend you for actually looking (and thinking) before jumping. Most leap without thinking and then simply conform. But let me ask you one more question, what is it that initially attracted you to Catholicism to even consider conversion?