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justamoose89
Guest
I’m not converting or anything, I’m just curious. What makes someone a first baptist? Whats the difference between first and second baptist? What are the things that they make a priority?
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wanderingbaptis
Guest
First Baptists, Southern Baptists, Missionary Baptists, Freewill Baptists, etc. are all similar in the belief of Jesus being the true son of God that was born of the Virgin Mary, who died on the cross for the sins of humanity and rose from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven after time spent on Earth. Apart from that core belief, different types of Baptists differ on beliefs concerning Baptism, Communion, and Salvation. If there is a specific church that interests you, I would recommend going to their website ( or just try any first baptist church’s site for an idea) and looking for an “articles of faith” page or something similar. this way you can find out what a specific church family believes, because like I said, each church will differ just a little bit. many churches will have scripture references for specific things.
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justamoose89
Guest
I’m not looking at a Church or anything. I met a first baptist recently, and I’ll be working closely with her this year. I don’t really get what specifically makes them different from other baptists or other Protestants for that matter.
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GKC
Guest
I think you will find that the term “first” relates not to any doctrinal difference (though there are plenty of those around in the various Baptist groupings) but to the name of the actual church (that building down at the corner of Oak and Maple Street, or Hampton and RIchmond Avenue, etc, etc, etc). Generally, it means that the Baptist church so named was the chronologically first in that general area to be established. Then you might get a Second Baptist, later. But you also might get a Springfield Road Baptist, for the street it is on, or a Rosemont Baptist, for the name of the neighborhood, or even a St. John’s Baptist (rare to be named for a saint, true), or even some name that doesn’t include Baptist. And all might be members of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Back when I was a Baptist, many years ago, I attended First Baptist, named as I said. It was one of 4 major churches formed in the downtown around the same time. Another was the First Presbyterian, also so named.
GKC
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Vincent_L
Guest
There really isn’t a separate branch of baptists called “first baptists” but there is often “The First Baptist Church Sometown, USA”. And people will say they go to “First Baptist” etc.
It simply means, usually, it was the first baptist church to be established.
In general it will be a southern baptist affiliated church, just because most baptists are southern baptist, but it can equally well be affiliated with some other branch or none at all.
Thats my understanding.
As to what makes them different. The neat thing about Baptists is they don’t all agree on things which is why they split into so many smaller churches.
Just understand them as adult baptism, congregational, no formal creed, not sacramental, once saved always saved, etc.
It simply means, usually, it was the first baptist church to be established.
In general it will be a southern baptist affiliated church, just because most baptists are southern baptist, but it can equally well be affiliated with some other branch or none at all.
Thats my understanding.
As to what makes them different. The neat thing about Baptists is they don’t all agree on things which is why they split into so many smaller churches.
Just understand them as adult baptism, congregational, no formal creed, not sacramental, once saved always saved, etc.
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MarkBrown
Guest
Most of the time the First Baptist Church is just that. The first baptist church formed in the town.
Most First Baptist Churches are Southern Baptist in the South. If you call them I bet 99% would tell you they are Southern Baptist.In a metro area like here in Pensacola. We have First Baptist Pensacola, Ensley, Cantonment. All are or were Southern Baptist. Just grab the Pensacola Phone book. 12 First Baptist Churches. Not all are SBC. 1st Baptist Pensacola left for more moderate/liberal Baptist group Jimmy Carter is a part of. I think the rest are SBC.
Up north, probably another baptist association.
Fr. Mark
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GKC
Guest
Got a consensus going here.
GKC
GKC
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justamoose89
Guest
haha thanks guys 
One question though: what do they believe about the Holy Spirit? I’ve heard people say that some Baptists don’t believe the Holy Spirit works though us anymore, but I dont know if thats what they really believe…
One question though: what do they believe about the Holy Spirit? I’ve heard people say that some Baptists don’t believe the Holy Spirit works though us anymore, but I dont know if thats what they really believe…
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twopekinguys
Guest
I can’t vouch for the baptists, but i do have some familiarity with presbyterians. (My grandfather was a presbyterian minister)
The “first” part of the church name does refer to the first church in that community. In his case, there were several presbyterian churches in the last town he lived in, and he went from “1st church” to “3rd church” as he referred to them.
The “first” part of the church name does refer to the first church in that community. In his case, there were several presbyterian churches in the last town he lived in, and he went from “1st church” to “3rd church” as he referred to them.
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wanderingbaptis
Guest
i can’t speak for all baptists, but for my church, the presence of the holy spirit is a very special part of our worship. matthew 18:20 says “for where two come together in My name, I am with them.” and for many, its a deeply moving and emotional experience to realize and feel the holy spirit with them. some times, its more noticeable than others however.
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Izdaari
Guest
I used to attend First Baptist Church in Seattle. It wasn’t distinct doctrinally from any other Baptists. It was just the oldest Baptist church in Seattle, kind of a historical landmark. It happened to be affiliated with ABC (the American Baptist Church), the most liberal major branch. Other than being kinda liberal, just standard Baptist doctrine.
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justamoose89
Guest
What about the “once saved, always saved” concept?
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Contarini
Guest
This is usually a Pentecostal/Charismatic criticism. While there are some charismatic Baptists, Baptists generally don’t believe in miraculous gifts of the Spirit, and tend to argue that our knowledge of God comes exclusively through Scripture. They wouldn’t see this as sidelining the Holy Spirit, because of course the Spirit is active in Scripture.haha thanks guys
One question though: what do they believe about the Holy Spirit? I’ve heard people say that some Baptists don’t believe the Holy Spirit works though us anymore, but I dont know if thats what they really believe…
Edwin
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theoldman
Guest
Our church is the only Baptist Church in town but it is still the First Baptist Church of Ourtown. The thing I can think it is first of, is that it is first in truth
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Izdaari
Guest
That is common to most (not all) Baptists.
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Church_Militant
Guest
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Contarini
Guest
It’s a relic of Calvinism. Most Baptist groups in the U.S. derive from the “Particular Baptist” tradition, which is Calvinist. But most of them moved away from strict Calvinism in the 19th century, keeping only “eternal security.” I think this is one of the dumber doctrinal developments in Christian history (even in Calvinism, the “perseverance of the saints” is one of the most questionable elements in terms of Christian tradition, though not in terms of humane sentiment and just plain charity–and IMHO the doctrine makes no sense at all when divorced from the doctrine of predestination). It’s not confined to the Baptists, nor (as Izdaari pointed out) do all Baptists believe it. But the Baptists are its strongest proponents on the whole, and the Southern Baptists (the largest Baptist, and indeed Protestant denomination in the U.S.) pretty much all believe it.
Edwin
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peary
Guest
I don’t think it matters. They believe that they are always right and we are always wrong. Period.
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justamoose89
Guest
I’m asking these questions because I’m working with a girl who goes to a baptist church, and recently she has been very interested in what Catholics believe. So I’m trying to get as much knowledge as I can about what she believes that is contrary to what is Church teaching, so when she has questions, I can answer them.
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MarkBrown
Guest
Then you must go to the Baptist Mecca. Lifeway…I’m asking these questions because I’m working with a girl who goes to a baptist church, and recently she has been very interested in what Catholics believe. So I’m trying to get as much knowledge as I can about what she believes that is contrary to what is Church teaching, so when she has questions, I can answer them.
Especially if she is Southern Baptist.A decent start would be Baptist Beliefs by Edgar Mullins. Or you could go into the store and browse the theology section. You will find many books on what the baptist believe.
Under the cults section, at least in my area, a comparison or discussion of Catholicism is found under the cults section with the LDS and JW’s.
If you are having difficulty finding something, ask the manager or one of the employees. Or maybe two or three. That way you will get 3-4 suggestions of books to read on it.
I use to be a SBC pastor.
Fr. Mark
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