What do Baptists believe?

[Jim_Dandy]

Baptists are not instructed, by pulpit or otherwise, that Catholics worship statutes.

What is taught is that the making of graven images, such as statutes profiling the spiritual, violates the Fourth Commandment cited in Exodus.

I was born and raised Southern Baptist. My (Southern) Calvary Baptist ecclesial community (there is only one Church, the one Christ founded) taught me that Catholics worship idols (statues). In fact, I was so throughly indoctrinated against the Catholic Church (the Whore of Babylon, don’tchaknow, and the pope is the anti-Christ, etc, etc, etc,), taught to me in Sunday School and from the pulpit almost every Sunday, that when I left the SB’s, I left Christianity. I thought all of Christianity was based on Sola Scriptura, which I rejected as illogical. I never even considered looking into the “evil, abominable Catholic Church.” So I became an agnostic, and ultimately an atheist.

Years later, still mired in that black pit, the True Light of Christ, His Church, by the grace of God, came into my life.

The Commandment is against worshiping any one or any thing except Almighty God, not against making art. God commanded the Israelites to make and use art for the Arc of the Covenant and for the temple. Moses was commanded to make a likeness of something “on and under the earth” – the “graven image” of a snake – which was used to cure people of snakebite (John 3:14-15, Numbers 21:8-9).

After my “great unlearning,” which took a very looooooong time, I happily sign myself . . .

Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

 

[Curious_Seed]

I was born and raised Southern Baptist. My (Southern) Calvary Baptist ecclesial community (there is only one Church, the one Christ founded) taught me that Catholics worship idols (statues). In fact, I was so throughly indoctrinated against the Catholic Church (the Whore of Babylon, don’tchaknow, and the pope is the anti-Christ, etc, etc, etc,), taught to me in Sunday School and from the pulpit almost every Sunday, that when I left the SB’s, I left Christianity. I thought all of Christianity was based on Sola Scriptura, which I rejected as illogical. I never even considered looking into the “evil, abominable Catholic Church.” So I became an agnostic, and ultimately an atheist.

Years later, still mired in that black pit, the True Light of Christ, His Church, by the grace of God, came into my life.

The Commandment is against worshiping any one or any thing except Almighty God, not against making art. God commanded the Israelites to make and use art for the Arc of the Covenant and for the temple. Moses was commanded to make a likeness of something “on and under the earth” – the “graven image” of a snake – which was used to cure people of snakebite (John 3:14-15, Numbers 21:8-9).

After my “great unlearning,” which took a very looooooong time, I happily sign myself . . .

Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

So sad that you were taught that Catholics worship statues.

So sad there is indoctrination, whether Baptist or Catholic.

 

[Curious_Seed]

Baptists in general proseletise people who are already Christians.

Evangelism is for non-Christians.

Perhaps they think we aren’t Christians since we don’t believe in “getting saved”?

Protestants and Catholics proselytizing each other is destructive to themselves, each other, and observing non-Christians.

Evangelizing non-Christians: now there is a wonderful mission worthy of all Protestants and all Catholics !

 

[Calgar]

Baptists in general proseletise people who are already Christians.

What makes you say this?

Evangelism is for non-Christians.

How do you tell a Christian from a non-Christian walking down the street?

 

[Calgar]

Hey Calgar,

Southern Baptists are still evangelizing Catholics when they get the chance.

See a Catholic comment on the issue at this link: aboutcatholics.com/community/viewtopic.php?id=350
“I was reading the website for the Southern Baptist Convention and they actually have links and things to other Baptist websites about how to evangelize Catholics. I was kind of shocked”

Anna

Doesn’t shock me at all, Anna.

Many Southern Baptists believe that the Roman Catholic church is very worldly. And whether you agree or not, I see a lot of complaints about that from catholics on this site.

Some Southern Baptists are very zealous, but we do mean well. I mean, why is it such a big deal if we talk about Christ with other Christians? If you are know what you believe and have a strong organization what’s the harm?

 

[Calgar]

I was born and raised Southern Baptist. My (Southern) Calvary Baptist ecclesial community (there is only one Church, the one Christ founded) taught me that Catholics worship idols (statues).
Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

You were not in an SBC affiliated church. And if you were they were in direct conflict with the SBC.

The SBC and the RCC do have disagreements, but what you wrote about being taught IS NOT SBC doctrine in any shape form or fashion.

P.S. Welcom back! I was raised in an atheist family, and was an atheist until my 20’s. Christ showed me the error of my ways. I’m thankful that he did with you as well.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

You were not in an SBC affiliated church. And if you were they were in direct conflict with the SBC.

The SBC and the RCC do have disagreements, but what you wrote about being taught IS NOT SBC doctrine in any shape form or fashion.

P.S. Welcom back! I was raised in an atheist family, and was an atheist until my 20’s. Christ showed me the error of my ways. I’m thankful that he did with you as well.

My pastor was an ordained Southern Baptist minister. My “church,” as it called itself, was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. You are mistaken. These anti-Catholic beliefs may not be defined SB doctrines, but the attitudes that create and sustain these beliefs are certainly taught in Southern Baptist circles. My grandparents were also Southern Baptists, in another state, and they consumed the same anti-Catholic poison. I used to attend their ecclesial community in the summer when I visited them and heard the same anti-Catholic vitriol. I recently attended a SB funeral. Even then, the minister couldn’t resist slamming the Catholics, warning any who happened to be present that they couldn’t rely on the pope to save them. As if we did! It’s pure SB ignorance.

You can’t welcome me back to the Catholic Church. I became a Catholic only once. I would never leave this Church! But thanks for the thought.

 

[maltmom]

I grew up in a time where it was very much us vs them…Catholic vs Protestant. I for one an tired of that mentality. As a Baptist I never believed that all Catholics were going to hell. I also never believed that all Baptist or other Protestants were going to heaven. Only God knows the state of ones soul. I venture to say that most Protestants don’t realize how Christ centered the Catholic faith is and has always been. I admit that I didn’t until I really started researching the teachings of the church.

We agree on the points that matter. We are all sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. We are all born with original sin. Through Jesus’ sacrifice we are saved. We believe in His death and resurrection. We all believe in the Trinity. As for the rest, I wish we could all agree to disagree. Instead of bashing each other and sending a poor witness to non-Christians why don’t we all get along.

 

[Calgar]

My pastor was an ordained Southern Baptist minister. My “church,” as it called itself, was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. You are mistaken. These anti-Catholic beliefs may not be defined SB doctrines, but the attitudes that create and sustain these beliefs are certainly taught in Southern Baptist circles. My grandparents were also Southern Baptists, in another state, and they consumed the same anti-Catholic poison. I used to attend their ecclesial community in the summer when I visited them and heard the same anti-Catholic vitriol. I recently attended a SB funeral. Even then, the minister couldn’t resist slamming the Catholics, warning any who happened to be present that they couldn’t rely on the pope to save them. As if we did! It’s pure SB ignorance.

You can’t welcome me back to the Catholic Church. I became a Catholic only once. I would never leave this Church! But thanks for the thought.

You certainly paint with a broad brush. I wish you well.

 

[andrewstx]

What makes you say this?

How do you tell a Christian from a non-Christian walking down the street?

Over 50 years of experience also living in the south where the Souhern Baptists are in effect but not legally, or officially the state religion.

Where since S Baptists dislike liqour they vote huge areas “dry”.

Where hospitals always have Baptist preachers as the chaplain.

Where streets are closed at city exspense to give 1st Baptist churches in the cities larger parking lots.

Where Baptist preachers always give prayers at graduation ceremonies, city council meetings, despite seperation of church and state. Baptists supposedly invented seperation.

Where Baptists abstain from ministerial associations, unless they can hold the overwhelming majority.

I could go on and on…

 

[andrewstx]

Not just Baptists, but Evangelicals in general proseletise other Christians becuase they tend to assume others are not Christians.

To Baptists and Evangelicals if you haven’t “got saved”, said the sinners prayer, you are not Christian and fair game.

To them it does not matter if you have faith, have been baptised and had all the sacraments it does not matter, if you haven’t “got saved” and don’t “accept Jesus as your personal saviour” it is all for naught and will go to hell.

I was raised and brought up Southern Baptist by Baptist Mother. When she moved to other congregations in other towns she was re-dunked sice at the time Southern Baptists did not recognise the baptism done in other Baptist churches.

 

[JustaServant]

Not just Baptists, but Evangelicals in general proseletise other Christians becuase they tend to assume others are not Christians.

To Baptists and Evangelicals if you haven’t “got saved”, said the sinners prayer, you are not Christian and fair game.

To them it does not matter if you have faith, have been baptised and had all the sacraments it does not matter, if you haven’t “got saved” and don’t “accept Jesus as your personal saviour” it is all for naught and will go to hell.

I was raised and brought up Southern Baptist by Baptist Mother. When she moved to other congregations in other towns she was re-dunked sice at the time Southern Baptists did not recognise the baptism done in other Baptist churches.

I know an Baptist pastor once told my wife she needed to be re-baptized because the denomination she was baptized in was ‘liberal’.
He backed off pretty quickly when she gave him that ‘do you REALLY wanna go there? look’.
Still scares me.

 

[JustaServant]

You certainly paint with a broad brush. I wish you well.

You are aware many here are former Baptists…right?

 

[Calgar]

You are aware many here are former Baptists…right?

Oh yes. How could one not be aware?

 

[JustaServant]

Oh yes. How could one not be aware?

Are you calling us liars in terms of what we experienced when we were part of your denomination?

 

[Calgar]

Are you calling us liars in terms of what we experienced when we were part of your denomination?

Excuse me? No.

That would be very offensive, almost as offensive as you taking the worst view possible of what I said.

Through my lenses I see some individuals who have anger directed at a certain group of Christians and they seem to believe negatively about all of them.

 

[JustaServant]

Excuse me? No.

That would be very offensive, almost as offensive as you taking the worst view possible of what I said.

Through my lenses I see some individuals who have anger directed at a certain group of Christians and they seem to believe negatively about all of them.

No anger. Just stating the truth of what we experienced many years ago. Man-centered churches with puffed-up individuals who demand re-Baptism to every new member walking into ‘thier flock’.
No anger. Just pity toward sincere Chrisitans with a simple desire for truth who find themselves in the middle of a battlefield when walk into a church.
No anger. Just confusion as to how preachers can claim to ‘Bible experts’ with no clue as to how the Bible they have in thier hands came about.
No anger. Just people who are a little embarrased they believed the lies told to them that Catholics worship Mary, worship statues, work our way to Heaven…shall I go on?
We didn’t imagine it, we were not in an alternate universe. It was real, it happened. And we will continue to affirm the truth of it no matter how much you try to infer it is a ‘minority’ of Baptists who do and believe these things.
We know better.

 

[Calgar]

No anger. Just stating the truth of what we experienced many years ago. Man-centered churches with puffed-up individuals who demand re-Baptism to every new member walking into ‘thier flock’.
No anger. Just pity toward sincere Chrisitans with a simple desire for truth who find themselves in the middle of a battlefield when walk into a church.
No anger. Just confusion as to how preachers can claim to ‘Bible experts’ with no clue as to how the Bible they have in thier hands came about.
No anger. Just people who are a little embarrased they believed the lies told to them that Catholics worship Mary, worship statues, work our way to Heaven…shall I go on?
We didn’t imagine it, we were not in an alternate universe. It was real, it happened. And we will continue to affirm the truth of it no matter how much you try to infer it is a ‘minority’ of Baptists who do and believe these things.
We know better.

I’m sorry you feel that way. I pity you just as much as I pity the ex-roman catholics who hold nothing but contempt for people who should still be brothers and sisters.

 

[JustaServant]

The above made me go back and re-post this from a couple years ago. I have yet to identify who the author of this is, but it speaks to everything I felt when I re-crossed the Tiber. Edited slightly to make it relevant to the thread.

Letter from an ex-Baptist

This is a letter to all the pastors, evangelists, and other assorted leaders in Baptist churches whom I listened to at one time:

Dear _________ :

I just want to write you to tell you that I think you should be ashamed of yourself for giving your people only half (or even less) of the truth of the Bible regarding the Christian Faith and how that Faith is lived out. As a professing follower of Christ, the TRUTH should be very important to you. But the things you have said and the way you have said them have not been truthful at all:

1. You talked about your denomination as if it went back all the way to the days that Jesus walked the earth. You act as if Jesus Himself was a Baptist Himself.
   I didn’t know any better and I trusted you!
2. You never told me about the writings of the Early Fathers. You never encouraged me to examine them for myself to see what the disciples of the apostles believed. You acted as if they were all Protestants back then.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
3. You taught me that the Church was taken over by a false gospel sometime in the fourth century and the Gospel all but disappeared from the earth until the Reformation. It never occurred to me to connect 2 + 2 and realize that this is exactly what the JW’s and the Mormons teach.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
4. You never taught me about a covenant, even though the Bible speaks of the New Covenant and Jesus said “This is the New Covenant in my Blood”. Since we live in a covenant relationship now (like the Jews did in the Old Covenant) and since the word “covenant” appears over 280 times in the scriptures, I would think that concept would be very important for a Christian to learn about.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
5. What you did tell me about was something called a “dispensation” which appears only 4 times in the scriptures and that only in the NT. But you acted like this is the way God deals with people.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
6. You never once told me that the Catholic Church, which you despise, was the Body which gave us the Holy Scriptures. To hear you talk, the Bible just dropped out of thin air one day. Some of you act as if the Reformers invented the Bible after years of pagan ignorance and superstition.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
7. You never told me that anything orthodox I believe about the natures of Jesus, the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus the Christ, and all other understandings necessary to salvation, came from the councils of the Catholic Church. Why? Were you afraid that I would realize that perhaps the Church is not the demonic institution you have painted it to be? Or were you afraid that I would realize that any truth you Baptists have is only that which the Church defined in Her councils.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
8. You never once took the time to really talk about the teachings of the Catholic Church. You simply made your accusations from your pulpit and either told or inferred to everyone that ALL Catholics are going straight to hell, with the pope in the front row seat.
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.
9. You told me that the Church was some sort of “invisible Church” that no one could see because it is made up of all “true believers” from everywhere and every denomination (even though you also taught that only “we” really had everything “right”).
   I didn’t know any better, and I trusted you.

You better think a long time about what you are doing and what you are teaching. It is bad enough that you make false accusations (which the Lord hates) against our Lord’s Church, but you are out there aggressively stealing His sheep from His flock which He put on earth. You seem to think think that since you “accept Jesus”, you won’t have to answer for anything at all because you are “covered by the Blood of Jesus”.

Well, I have news for you, it took me a while (too long, actually), but I finally had my eyes opened, and that is not what the Holy Scriptures teach. They teach that at the Resurrection, Jesus will judge ALL MEN (you get that? – ALL!) BY THEIR DEEDS, and based on what they have done, they will either live or die eternally!! That is what Jesus taught in John 5: 28 - 29 and guess what, that is what the Catholic Faith teaches us also, because the Catholic Faith teaches what Jesus taught!!

I would gladly sit down with you and show you what I have learned from both my own studies and Catholics who really know the Faith.

Sincerely yours,

Your former member

 

[Stilldreamn]

Maybe it’s the difference between what is “taught” and what is “believed.” It seems quite believable that Baptist preachers would teach that we should love our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter if their church home is called differently - but it’s equally believable that there is a repository of ill will handed down from generation to generation due to the religious wars in Europe, on both the Protestant and Catholic sides. Down here, the Civil War demonstrates the same problem - on one hand, you have what the schoolbooks say; on the other, family tradition of “d-- yankees” is held fervently.

My mother-in-law (Southern Baptist) loved me dearly, but dismissed my beliefs as “Catholic without a Pope.”