What do Baptists believe?

[JustaServant]

Respectfully, what is trying to to be gained here? I thought this thread was to better understand Baptist beliefs in order to evangelize, learn the misconceptions, correct the myths and begin to bridge the gap.

The OP asked if Baptists teach that Catholics worship statues. Those of us who were once Baptist answered in the affirmative. If it ‘hurts Baptists’ I can only say it 'hurts Catholics to be told we are idol worshippers. I saw no Baptist say “you’re right many Baptist churches teach that and it is wrong”. What we got instead was “you were never in a Baptist church”.
Its like the guy caught in infidelity by his wife and asks
“Who’ya gonna believe? Me or your own lying eyes?”

 

[Carter12]

Right. But the point is, they don’t see it as a misconception.

The reason I’m making a point out of this, is assuming this thread was started as a way to understand Baptists to better be able to evangelize to them, then we need to be clear on what and why they believe certain things.

If that is not the point of the thread, then never mind.

Finally some truth–aren’t you all judging Baptists and talking about them–I thought that was not the point. Unless you have been in service every Sunday and know the Baptist faith then you cannot comment on what they believe. I am Baptist and thinking of converting but you are all doing what I am against. I have heard the lies. My sister is pentacostle and believes we pray to Mary and worship Mary. I know this is a lie but I respect my sister and yes I believe she is going to Heaven.

 

[KathleenGee]

Thank you, JustServant…I just wrote it out to my kin, as it has now come out in that emerging church, and some others elsewhere in the country, it is promoting alot of blatant sex talk, even crude from the podium…i was concerned as well as the kin was not herself, and dressing immodestly, who has always been for the most part of her life, a stylish dresser.

I tell her to avoid congregations that have to knock down my faith, and entice people with latte’s and rock bands, and all talk that indulges on carnal pleasure…after all, Christ says in the Gospel to do penance for the remission of sins, or we likewise will perish.\

It is the crucified Lord Who is the bridge to heaven.

I had attended a Baptist church with my mother by a neighbor, and when inside, the minister looked at us and said Catholics are going to hell, etc…and it really frightened me and made me happy to go back to my Pre Vatican parish at that time. I experienced Christ and His holiness in Mass at that time, but when we had the Vatican II changes, it helped me alot in reconnecting.

Since then, I have met and made Baptist friends and they do not have the attitude like that preacher.

There are Baptist churches out there that don’t have the penchant that others do. I don’t think it profitable or good for myself to even involve myself in discussions with them either…all we can do is pray for them and focus on God’s will for us.

Only Christ can judge the soul, and it is Him alone Who decides who enters heaven or not…but the part of the Gospel that speaks to me the most is where Christ is…in the naked, the suffering, the lonely, the starving, those in prison, those who are marginalized…

Professing faith in God, especially with the message of Christ, and then hating other Christians is not in the truth.

 

[coachkfan1]

Amazing how ignorance and anti-Catholicism run hand-in-hand with some of our brothers in Christ.

Yep, this sums it up quite well.

 

[stewstew03]

Finally some truth–aren’t you all judging Baptists and talking about them–I thought that was not the point. Unless you have been in service every Sunday and know the Baptist faith then you cannot comment on what they believe. I am Baptist and thinking of converting but you are all doing what I am against. I have heard the lies. My sister is pentacostle and believes we pray to Mary and worship Mary. I know this is a lie but I respect my sister and yes I believe she is going to Heaven.

If you would have read the other posts, you would have learned that many of us are former Southern Baptists. In fact, I still occasionally attend with my wife, who has not converted. We are discussing our own experiences as former Southern Baptists, that’s all…

 

[Bix]

I live in the deep South…the “Bible Belt” as it’s called, and very much in the midst of an area where there are more Baptist churches than most others and so have encountered and dialoged with them probably more than any others.

One thing I left out of my list earlier (by oversight) is that Baptists are most definitely Evangelical in an evangelistic sense and most are groomed from their earliest years to “witness” and seek to “get people saved”, and they also are trained in what to say and what scriptures to use to lead people to “accept Jesus as their personal savior” by praying with them that “sinner’s prayer”. That’s just how it is… the sky is blue, water is wet, and among devout Baptists, that’s “how they roll”. It is something one should be aware of as we encounter and dialog with them as Catholics. I might also add that most of these same Baptists that I have encountered personally were of the opinion that we Catholics are not Christians mainly because we are not a Sola Scriptura church and do not hold to their doctrines. I do know that that was something that I heard delivered to me by my Baptist pastor, during my time among them. Again, .
Who REALLY Preaches “A Different Gospel”?

What is wrong with them witnessing and seeking others to be saved? What is wrong with them using sctpriptures to lead people to accept Jesus??? This is what we, as Christians, are ALL called to do.

You say Catholics need to be aware like they they are some kind of cult. I’m sorry you had bad a bad experience, but I am from the Bible Belt too and have never felt cornered by a Christian. If we are strong with our own faith, we have a nice discussion and maybe learn something about one another.

 

[Bix]

The OP asked if Baptists teach that Catholics worship statues. Those of us who were once Baptist answered in the affirmative. If it ‘hurts Baptists’ I can only say it 'hurts Catholics to be told we are idol worshippers. I saw no Baptist say “you’re right many Baptist churches teach that and it is wrong”. What we got instead was “you were never in a Baptist church”.
Its like the guy caught in infidelity by his wife and asks
“Who’ya gonna believe? Me or your own lying eyes?”

I live in the Bible belt and was raised as a Southern Baptist. Attended and taught as an adult. I never encountered these things, not even when visiting many friend’s churches. All I’m saying is not all Baptisits believe what the op encountered.

You can’t judge a group by a handful of exeriences and the Catholic Church certainly wouldn’t want that either.

 

[stewstew03]

I live in the Bible belt and was raised as a Southern Baptist. Attended and taught as an adult. I never encountered these things, not even when visiting many friend’s churches. All I’m saying is not all Baptisits believe what the op encountered.

You can’t judge a group by a handful of exeriences and the Catholic Church certainly wouldn’t want that either.

Bix,

Can you judge by what they teach in their seminars?

Specifically, do you find Guideline #6 offensive?

Don’t ask: “Are you a (Christian?)” (Catholics consider themselves Christians) or “Are you saved?)” Your question should be: “What is your (personal) relationship with Jesus Christ?” source: 4truth.net/fourtruthpbdenominations.aspx?pageid=8589952985

Catholics “consider” themselves Christian? Really??

 

[russtoo]

Hello;
I guess a Catholic could say Baptists believe in , literally, in all ways, “Sola Scriptura”.

Sunday afternoon a good friend came by with her daughter whom I had not seen for about 4 yrs. We were talking about our gardens when all of a sudden her daughter 40 yrs. old…asked me “do Catholics worship statues?”.

I hadn’t been asked such a thing in years & I truly thought that idea had been put to rest. I really don’t think my friend or her daughter are what you would call ‘devout Baptists’, but I can"t help but wonder if this false belief… that we pray to statues…is taught from the pulpit?

I’ve never posted on the non-Catholic forum before & I’m not being confrontational. I’m just wondering if this came from her great-Grandmother or if it’s Baptist belief.

 

[Maryann_C]

Do the Baptists think about us more than we think about them? I’ve never heard a homily that even mentioned the Baptists, yet I’ve read (anecdotally) that Baptists are often preaching about & against Catholics.

Amazing how ignorance and anti-Catholicism run hand-in-hand with some of our brothers in Christ.

Prayer for the Unity of Christians
(Pro christianorum unitate oratio)

Almighty and eternal God,
you gather the scattered sheep
and watch over those you have gathered.
Look kindly on all who follow Jesus, your Son.
You have marked them with the seal of one baptism;
now make them one in the fullness of faith
and unite them in the bond of love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

*The Handbook of Indulgences, #44 (1991) *

Amen , Amen

 

[Bix]

Bix,

Can you judge by what they teach in their seminars?

Specifically, do you find Guideline #6 offensive?

Catholics “consider” themselves Christian? Really??

I’m not fond of judging others… That’s how many misunderstandings start to unfold.

Sorry, but I don’t click on links. If you’re referring to another denomination stating that Catholics consider themselves Christians- no, I’m not offended. I’m fine with people knowing Catholics consider themselves Christians.

The percentage of Catholics in my area is 3%. Sometimes people who are unfamiliar with Catholicism are concerned they will offend by not referring to them as Catholic. Some people are simply not exposed.

 

[andrewstx]

What is wrong with them witnessing and seeking others to be saved? What is wrong with them using sctpriptures to lead people to accept Jesus??? This is what we, as Christians, are ALL called to do.

You say Catholics need to be aware like they they are some kind of cult. I’m sorry you had bad a bad experience, but I am from the Bible Belt too and have never felt cornered by a Christian. If we are strong with our own faith, we have a nice discussion and maybe learn something about one another.

 

[andrewstx]

When I was a teen, my mother brought home a book published by the WMU an official Baptist organisation.

In that book it told about a place in South America, where the Catholics repaired a statue of Our Lady with cow dung so it could be worshipped and procesed.

That was an official publication of the SBC.

Don’t try and say Baptists don’t teach we worship “images”.

I don’t buy it.

 

[stewstew03]

I’m not fond of judging others… That’s how many misunderstandings start to unfold.

Sorry, but I don’t click on links. If you’re referring to another denomination stating that Catholics consider themselves Christians- no, I’m not offended. I’m fine with people knowing Catholics consider themselves Christians.

The percentage of Catholics in my area is 3%. Sometimes people who are unfamiliar with Catholicism are concerned they will offend by not referring to them as Catholic. Some people are simply not exposed.

So when a Baptist says, “can you believe that Catholic considers himself a Christian…?”
This doesn’t move you to want to defend your Faith?

It is Baptists who condemn Catholics, not the reverse.

 

[Bix]

So when a Baptist says, “can you believe that Catholic considers himself a Christian…?”
This doesn’t move you to want to defend your Faith?

Only if that Catholic is behaving in an unChristian manner.

Most people don’t say these things if the other person’s love of the Lord is seen through his actions. Their actions say all.

 

[stewstew03]

Only if that Catholic is behaving in an unChristian manner.

Oh, so… judging a Catholic is okay. I see.

 

[Bix]

Oh, so… judging a Catholic is okay. I see.

No.

If you read my earlier reply to you- I stated, “I’m not fond of judging others… That’s how many misunderstandings start to unfold.”

I’m not certain if you’re aware of this, but you come across argumentative as if you have a personal ax to grind. Surely, that isn’t the case… I hope and pray you are able to overcome these personal obstacles that you are dealing with.

God Bless You~

 

[Calgar]

I’m not certain if you’re aware of this, but you come across argumentative as if you have a personal ax to grind.

Stewstew doesn’t seem like an ax person to me. I’d say gladius perchance?

Stewstew,

As to your “Catholics “consider” themselves Christian? Really??” comment.

Yeah, there are Southern Baptists who seem to question everybody. I mean, if you search you can probably find tips on sharing the gospel with left-handed flute players (ministry opportunity? ).

And as Anna pointed out, we also spend a lot of time turning the microscope on ourselves. Everyone should do that from time to time.

 

[stewstew03]

“I’m not fond of judging others… That’s how many misunderstandings start to unfold.”

You obviously mean, “I don’t like judgmental people, but sometimes it’s okay for me to judge others.”

And here is the evidence:

I’m not certain if you’re aware of this, but you come across argumentative as if you have a personal ax to grind. Surely, that isn’t the case… I hope and pray you are able to overcome these personal obstacles that you are dealing with.

A couple of postscripts, Bix:

1. You’re missing the point and seem quite willing to dismiss other people’s opinions on this thread while placing a high value on your own.
2. The fact is that (in response to the OP), Southern Baptists make a concerted effort to convert Catholics. It has nothing to do with Catholic behavior, per se. It has everything to do with lies and myths about Catholic doctrine that are perpetuated by evangelical protestants.
3. While you are praying for me to “overcome these personal obstacles I’m dealing with” please send up a prayer for yourself. My prayer is that you will come to appreciate the viewpoints of your Catholic brethren - in the same way that you appreciate the anti-Catholic viewpoint.

[BIBLEDRB]Matt 7:5[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[stewstew03]

Stewstew doesn’t seem like an ax person to me. I’d say gladius perchance?

As to your “Catholics “consider” themselves Christian? Really??” comment.

Yeah, there are Southern Baptists who seem to question everybody. I mean, if you search you can probably find tips on sharing the gospel with left-handed flute players (ministry opportunity? ).

And as Anna pointed out, we also spend a lot of time turning the microscope on ourselves. Everyone should do that from time to time.

No disagreement on those points, Calgar. However, I’ve yet to find the seminar on converting left-handed flute players…