What's the difference between Baptists and Catholics?

Answer 1

Baptists and Catholics are two different forms of Christianity. Baptist churches are autonomous and recognize no church hierarchy. Catholics have several layers of clerical authority/hierarchy whose teachings direct the practice of religion and worship. Baptists are strongly against idols and the devotion shown toward images and mistakenly believe that the statues in Catholic Churches are icons. Baptists usually recognize the Bible as the ultimate source of religious authority; Catholics also recognize non-Biblical traditions and clerical doctrine as directives for worship and guidelines for salvation.

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AnswerThe difference between Protestants and Roman Catholics? First and primarily, the sacraments: namely THE EUCHARIST. The Catholic Church follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. The early apostles gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel - "gospel" meaning 'Good News' / teachings of Jesus. From the earliest of scriptures and those early Church Fathers who succeeded the Apostles (Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin, Irenaeus and many more) all taught and continued the legacy of Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity. Among those teachings is the EUCHARIST; the giving of Jesus himself in the forms of bread and wine that through the mystery of "transubstantiation" become the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is what Catholics receive through the Liturgy of the Mass when they attend Church.

the founder of the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ.

the founder of the Lutheran Church is Martin Luther, 1517

the founder of the Calvinists is John Calvin, 1533

the founder of the Presbyterian church is John Knox, 1559

the founder of the Baptist Church is John Smyth, 1609

the founder of the Methodist church is John Wesley, 1739

Mormon's Adventists, Jehovah Witness etc. etc. all have human founders centuries after the time of Christ who have tried to rewrite the Good News, who claim the Catholic Church wrote it's own testament (look at the earliest writings of the apostles, early Church Fathers) The Catholic Church is the one true Church that has preserved the teachings of Jesus and through the Magisterium and the Holy Spirit has continued the legacy of love Jesus left for his disciples and followers.

Roman Catholics pledge allegiance to the Pope.

Protestants, coming from the word "protest" deny this allegiance and follow their own gospel, not the gospel according to Jesus Christ in the full extent of the gift Christ gave us.

Catholics believe in 7 sacraments. A sacrament is a 'sign' of Christ's living presence here on earth in which we receive 'grace'/blessings from. Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders. These 7 sacraments all come from scriptures and the very words of Jesus who instituted them and are signs of his love and presence today.

There is so much more in what it means to be Catholic. the more you know, the truth is revealed and true understanding of the message of Christ comes through. There are many periodicals, articles and sources of information that can help one learn of the history, teachings, and truth of the Catholic Church. May God bless you in your endeavors and spiritual journey.

Catholic AnswerCatholicism was established by Jesus Christ on the Cross, and He sent the Holy Spirit to guide it into all truth and preserve It from error until the end of the world. He guaranteed that It would remain One, Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic. In other words, the Catholic Church is the Church that God established to bring all people to salvation.

The Baptist Church was formed at the beginning of the 17th century with the Bible (minus seven books from the Old Testament that didn't agree with) as their sole rule of faith and every individual responsible for his own interpretation.

Bottom line? The Catholics are depending on God and His promises, while the Baptists are depending on their own individual interpretation of the Bible books that they thought were relevant.

Baptists are another variety of protestant faith, they, however, did not break away from the Catholic Church, but away from the Anglican Church, which itself broke away from the Catholic Church. Catholics believe in God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, who formed a visible Church on earth and appointed Bishops (the apostles) to lead it, under His Vicar, the Pope (St. Peter). They believe that we should take Christ at His Word, and be humble and submissive to Him, through His Body on earth - the church.

Baptists deny the Church (thus denying Jesus Christ, Himself, who said that those who reject you reject me), and its leadership. They deny six books of the Old Testament, and all the sacraments that Jesus established. They deny humble submission to Christ and His representatives and "vote" on everything they believe and do.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980Baptists. The name for a variety of Protestant groups originally stressing the duty of adult baptism. They were started in England by John Smyth (1554-1612), a Cambridge graduate and Anglican minister early in the seventeenth century. His nonconformism forced his flight to Holland, where under Mennonite influence he preached against infant baptism. Early divisions in Europe and America have separated the Baptists into numerous denominations, notably the General Baptists, who believed in a general redemption of all men, and the Particular Baptists, who claimed that only a few would be saved. Strongly congregational in church organization, they have no prescribed confessions of faith. The Baptists have divided mainly into the extremely liberal in matters of belief and the fundamentalists who adhere to a literal interpretation of the Bible. The latter believe in the Trinity; divinity of Christ; original sin; need for redemption; salvation through Christ; eternal heaven or hell; Scripture as divinely inspired; the Bible as the sole standard by which creed, opinion, and conduct are measured; all humankind are sinners inclined to evil, and under condemnation to eternal perdition, utterly unholy; justification is bestowed solely through faith. Doctrinally the Baptist commonly regard the visible Church as a congregation of baptized believers covenanted in faith and fellowship; observing Christ's laws and governed by them and exercising the rights and privileges assured them by his Word. Faith with baptism is required for church membership. They admit two ordinances, not sacraments; baptism, which does not remit sin; and the Lord's Supper, which is purely symbolic presence of Christ. The Church is organized by consent of the group, who agree in worshiping under a pastor of their own choice

AnswerThere are numerous differences between the Catholic and Baptist denominations. Many Catholic churches emphasize sacraments (taking communion, saying "Hail Mary"s, etc.) as being a necessary part of salvation - Baptist churches tend to deemphasize the importance of such things in regard to salvation, emphasizing instead the role of faith in God alone.

Catholics often honor Mary very highly, while Baptists generally do not esteem her so highly. Catholics sometimes pray to saints who have gone before them, asking these saints to pray to God for them - Baptists generally only pray directly to God, not to saints. The Catholic denomination has priests, while the Baptist denomination has a reverend or pastor ( similar to a priest).

There are more differences, but these are some of the major places where the religions differ.

Catholic priests cannot get married - Baptist ministers can.

The core difference of accepting Christ as Savior is totally different. Catholics believe you become saved by obeying Christ and the traditions and sacraments that He stipulated, Baptists believe you become saved by faith in Jesus Christ when your baptized and believe strongly in God and ask him to forgive your sins. They do not believe that God forgives sins through His appointed priests.

Baptist believe Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Catholics do not believe in proof texting.

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, commonly believed, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

Catholic AnswerThe basic difference is that the Catholic Church is the mystical Body of Our Blessed Lord and was founded by Him to save all men bringing them to God. It is God's dispensation for man's salvation. The Baptist religion is an heretical breakaway from Catholicsm which started over fifteen centuries after Our Blessed Lord left us the Catholic Church and is based on individual's who disagreed with how Our Blessed Lord went about trying to save us. The Baptist religion thus redefines everything that Our Blessed Lord left us, including denying books of the Bible and all the traditions which were not written down in the books of the Bible that they do accept. Catholics Christians believe that you only have one choice in life, whether to follow Our Blessed Lord or not. You have to make that choice over and over again until you die, but it is your only choice. Baptists believe that you can decided HOW you want to follow Our Blessed Lord.

Traditional Catholics believe that a newborn child has inherited a sinful nature (because of Eve & Adam's Original Sin which has corrupted all humanity). Catholics believe that infant baptism erases the stains of Original Sin and restores a newly baptized child to a morally neutral condition, without carrying the guilt of Eve or Adam.

BaptistTraditional Baptists do not believe in infant baptism (and many don't believe that children are born carrying the guilt and condemnation associated with Original Sin). Baptists believe that infants do not need to be baptized. Traditional Baptists contend that baptism is a sign of personal faith in Christ, and should not be administered until a child is older and willing turn from his/her personal sins and us trusting in Christ for forgiveness.

Even in the Baptist church the temptation to have a second hand experience exists. The danger with the priesthood is that of being content with accepting the beliefs of the Priest/ Elder's spiritual level of growth as the limit of one's own experience. Jesus asks us to have a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. The church, so often tries to interpret scripture to the advantage of those who seek power and authority within religion. THIS danger exists in all denominations and sects. I have met spiritual Catholics and protestants' THEY are the people who have a personal relationship with the Lord. Piety is not the answer, a daily walk with the lord is. Yes Baptists do believe in adult immersion as the result of a mature decision by the person who is mature enough to take a decision to commit to Christ. My advice is to commit a part of your self to love God as you do to your child. ALL actions after that will consider the welfare of that relationship in the same way one considers the well-being of that child It will influence your sub conscious I like the Moffett translation of Romans 7 verse 15 " I wood do right but wrong is all I can manage" Thus we throw ourselves on the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. We do our best to honour him, but cannot win our own redemption

Answer 2

Differences:

• "Mormons" refers almost exclusively to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (break-offs and independents generally do not use that title); while "Baptists" is more general and can refer to members of several different denominational groups (Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Freewill Baptist, etc) or to independent Baptist congregations.
• Mormons use the King James Version of The Bible, as well as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as scripture. Baptists use only the Bible - many prefer the King James but some use other translations.
• Baptists believe the Bible is infallible. Mormons believe that since it was translated by mortal men, our modern Bibles contain mistakes - some deliberate and some accidental.
• Mormons believe that God has a modern prophet on earth today through whom God leads His church by revelation. Baptists rely strictly on the Bible, although they do believe that God has inspired various wise men and pastors when necessary.
• Baptists believe in the traditional Christian Trinity as described by the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, etc. That is - a triune God that consists of three manifestations (Father, Son, and Spirit). Mormons reject the Trinity and instead believe that the Father, Son, and Spirit are three individuals united in purpose, the Father and Son both having glorified bodies of flesh and bone.
• Many Baptists believe in a rapture shortly before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Mormons do not believe in a rapture and believe that the righteous will suffer through the tribulation prior to Christ's return.
• Mormons believe that the spirits of all mankind lived with God prior to coming to earth, most Baptists do not believe in a pre-mortal existence of spirits.
• Many Baptists believe in a doctrine referred to as "Perseverance of the Saints" or "once saved always saved" which teaches that once someone has accepted Jesus Christ, they are saved and cannot lose that salvation. Mormons believe that one can loose their salvation if they decide to leave the faith, and that those who leave the faith are worse off than those who never accepted it.
• Both believe that salvation comes through the grace of God. However, Mormons believe in a more 'conditional' salvation than Baptists. Most baptists believe that a person must only confess Christ to be saved. Mormons believe that after confession of Christ, an individual must reject their sins, be baptized, and continue in the faith in order to receive salvation, with God's grace continuing to provide forgiveness for future sins when the individual repents.
• Baptists believe in a traditional heaven or hell afterlife - the saved who go to heaven are those who accepted Jesus Christ, and those who do not accept Jesus go to hell. Mormons believe that the afterlife contains many 'kingdoms' (levels or grades), with nearly all people being assigned to one of three heavens based on their personal level of commitment to God.
• Mormons believe that the gospel of Christ continues to be taught among the dead, and that the deceased have the opportunity to accept salvation through Jesus Christ in the afterlife. For this reason, they perform baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors so that those not baptized during mortality may still receive salvation. Baptists have no such belief or practice.
• Mormons believe that families are the primary units in society, in the church, and in heaven. They also believe that families may be 'sealed' together in a sacred Temple ceremony, which will ensure that they will be together eternally in heaven. While most Baptists believe in strong families and promote traditional family values, they have no doctrine of 'sealing' or eternal families.
• Those Baptists wishing to be pastors or clergy members generally attend a Bible college or seminary where they can receive ordination or authority to teach through their denomination. Baptist pastors usually run a church for their profession and are paid to do so. Mormons have a lay clergy - Bishops are not paid and receive no professional training. Rather, nearly all Mormon men are ordained to the priesthood and rotate responsibilities within the congregation, working together to operate the church.
• As an effect of the above point, most Baptist worship services have the same preacher each week - the pastor. Mormons rotate speaking responsibilities throughout the entire congregation (often including teens and children). A worship service may have from one to four speakers, and different speakers each week.
• Mormons have a highly structured organization, with a central headquarters operating everything from building construction to curriculum materials. Every Mormon congregation uses the same church-produced books and materials and follows the same lessons each week as well as having the same organization and policies as every other congregation. Baptists are much looser in their organization, with many independent churches and slight differences in doctrine, organization, belief, and tradition.

Similarities:

• Belief in salvation through Jesus Christ
• Believe the Bible is the word of God and regard it as holy scripture
• Belief that they are the original New Testament Christian church, rather than a break-off or split from a different Christian faith (Baptists believe that their faith has continued since that time, while Mormons believe that it was lost, then restored to them in modern times)
• Tend to have more conservative political and moral ideals and believe it is important for moral standards to be Biblically based
• Worship at church on Sundays in similar ways - through congregational hymns and prayers and listening to sermons

Answer 3

Mormons have extra scripture like the Book of Mormon. Some different beliefs are: 1.Catholics believe that there is 1 heaven,Mormons believe that there are 3 heavens. 2.Catholics believe that Jesus will not return until the end of the world,Mormons believe that Jesus came to the Americas around 34 AD. 3.Caholics believe that no one can be like God,Mormons believe that there are many gods and they can also become a god.(They only worship the God of this world.) 4. Catholics and Mormons both believe in pre-existence but Mormons believe that in this way:God has at least 1 wife in heaven,(Heavenly Mother)That wife gave birth to spirit beings (us) and sent the spirit beings to Earth in physical bodies. These are just some differences.There are more.

Answer 4

There are many similarities and differences between Baptists and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called Mormons). Bear in mind that many Baptist Churches have slightly differing beliefs, so this will be general.

Baptists and Mormons both use the Bible and scripture, although Baptists believe the Bible is "inerrant and all-sufficient", while Mormons use the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as additional scripture.

Baptists and Mormons both worship God the Father and Jesus Christ, however Baptists believe that God is the "Co-equal, co-eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit", while Mormons believe that God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are separate and distict beings.

Baptists believe that "by Adam's sin all men were plunged into a state of condemnation", but Mormons believe that "men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression".

Baptists believe that God has "chosen a people and predestinated them to be conformed to the image of His Son", but Mormons believe that everyone has an equal chance for salvation, God is no respector of persons, and that they must be sure that every soul, living and dead, has had the opportunity to come to Christ.

Many Baptists also believe that salvation comes by the grace of God alone and that no ordinances or good works are needed. Mormons believe that baptism is a requirement for salvation and that a man must live a good life, striving to conform to the image of Jesus Christ to be saved.

Answer 5

There is no difference Mormons are Christians. The true name of the Mormon church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

ADDITION:

Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) are not a separate religion. To say otherwise would be like saying Catholics aren't Christian.

Answer 6

Mormonism is a Christian sect which was founded in the USA, by Joseph Smith. Mormonism rejects many accepted Christian doctrines, such as the Holy Trinity, etc. In addition, they have a scripture called 'The Book of Mormon,' as well as the Holy Bible.

Answer 7

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) are Christian - they believe the Bible is the sacred word of God, that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer, and devote their lives to living the teachings and example set forth by Jesus in the New Testament. However, Mormons do not claim to be Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant Christians, and in fact set themselves apart from mainstream groups. Mormons claim to be Restorationist Christians, believing that true New Testament Christianity was restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith by Jesus, Peter, James, John the Beloved, John the Baptist, and other scriptural figures.
Mormons are different from most other mainstream Christian groups because they:

-Believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit are three individual beings perfectly united in purpose. Mormons reject the traditional Christian Trinity, believing it to be an unbiblical invention of 3rd and 4th century leaders.

-Believe that the Father and Son have glorified, resurrected, and deified bodies, rather than being personages of spirit.

-Believe that although the Bible is Holy Scripture, it is fallible, given it's being re-translated over thousands of years by well-meaning but imperfect people.

-Believe in scripture in addition to the Bible (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price), and have an open scriptural canon (God still reveals His word today).

-Believe that God calls Prophets and Apostles today, as in ancient times. The Mormon Church is headed by a Prophet, Twelve Apostles, and Seventies, whom, it is believed, receive revelation from God in behalf of the whole church and the world.

-Believe in a lay priesthood. Nearly all men and teenage boys are ordained to the priesthood. Men and women rotate teaching and preaching responsibilities. All local clergy is unpaid and not professionally trained. Individuals are encouraged to seek personal revelation from God for their own lives.

-Believe in a nearly universal salvation: All people who have lived or will ever live will be resurrected and given the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ before they are judged. For this reason, Mormons perform baptisms in behalf of the deceased, believing they are extending the gift of salvation to those in the afterlife.

-Believe that eternal damnation in Hell is reserved only for those who commit the unpardonable sin - blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matt 12:31)

-Believe in a 'graded' heaven: Mormons believe that there are three levels of heaven, and that God will judge each person based on the faithfulness of their hearts. Even those who refused Christ and were liars, adulterers, thieves, etc will be saved in the lowest kingdom.

-Believe in an eternal progression: Those attaining the highest levels of heaven will be able to learn and progress eternally under the tutelage of deity, and therefore may eventually attain a level of knowledge and power equal with their Teacher - God.

Answer 8

Obviously this is a matter of opinion. Most Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and Baptists wouldn't say that one religion is 'better' than the other, just that one is true and the other is not. Mormons are Mormons because they think that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is better. Baptists are Baptists because they believe that the Baptist Church is better.

Answer 9

While Methodists and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) have similar beliefs, and both believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the way to salvation, they also have some very different beliefs. Here are some of the more basic differences:

Methodists are a reformation of the Anglican Church based on the teachings of Charles Wesley.

Mormons claim to be a restoration of New Testament Christianity based on revelations given to Joseph Smith, Jr.

Methodists believe in the traditional Christian Trinity, that God is three persons in one, without a body, as defined in the Nicene and Apostles Creeds.

Mormons believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate beings united in one purpose. The Father and the Son have bodies and look just like men do.

Methodists believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, and most use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Mormons believe that the Bible is the Word of God, but since it was translated by men it is not infallible. They use the King James Version. They also use the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

Methodists believe that men are justified and proved righteous by faith alone.

Mormons believe that faith and good works as evidence of that faith are essential.

Methodists believe that baptism is important but not essential to salvation. They baptize babies, children, and adults by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.

Mormons believe that baptism is essential for salvation. They will not baptize children under age eight and baptize only by immersion.

Methodists have both male and female clergy, most of whom are professional.

Mormons have only male clergy, all of which are unpaid laypeople.

Mormons also have many doctrines and traditions which are not found in Methodism, such as the belief that families are an eternal unit that will be together in the afterlife, the dead can receive salvation through proxy baptism, modern prophets and revelation, and a high standard of living through a health and moral code.

Check out the "Related Links" below to learn more about Methodists and Mormons.