Does the Baptist Church believe Mormons are Christian?

Answer 1

Answer From a Mormon:There are many different Baptist groups and denominations. While not all Baptists think alike, it is safe to say that most Baptist churches and denominations do not consider Mormons to be Christian. This is because while Mormons believe that Jesus is their Savior and the Bible is the Word of God, they do not believe in the traditional Christian creeds (such as the Nicene Creed).

Mormons are also sometimes not considered Christian because they are not Protestant Christians. Mormons are restorationist Christians, which means they believe true New Testament Christianity had to be restored to mankind by Jesus Christ, not reformed from existing denominations.

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Answer From a Baptist:Baptist do not believe any polytheistic religion is Christian. In Mormonism every good Mormon feels they can become a god.....thus there are many gods. Orthodox Christianity believes that there is one God. That God is triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one. Humans can not become gods and this is taught in Mormonism thus it is considered a cult despite believing in Jesus. they believe Jesus and Lucifer were brothers and Jesus came up with a different plan of salvation for our world. This is not orthodox Christianity.

Historic Christianity: The one God is a Spirit who is the personal, eternal, infinite Creator of all that exists. He is the only God and necessary for all other things to exist. He exists eternally as a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (see Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6-8; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 17:3)

Mormonism: God (Heavenly Father) is an exalted man with a physical body of flesh and bone. LDS founder Joseph Smith said, "If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible-I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). The trinity is denied with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost seen as three separate entities. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us" (Doctrine and Covenants [D&C] 130:22).

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ:

Historic Christianity: Jesus Christ was the virgin born God incarnate who existed in all time with the Father and Holy Spirit in the eternal Trinity. As a man He possessed two natures -human and divine. He lived a sinless life and willingly died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sin of all humanity. (see John 1:1-18; 8:56-59; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:13-22; Heb.1:3; 13:8)

Mormonism: Jesus was the spiritual "first born" Son of God in the preexistence. "Every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The first spirit born to our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ, so he is literally our elder brother" (Gospel Principles [GP], p. 11)."And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn" (D&C 93:21). He is also the "only begotten" physical offspring of God by procreation on earth. "Jesus is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal father. That is why he is called the Only Begotten Son" (GP, p. 64). His atonement (death and resurrection) provides immortality for all people regardless of their faith. "Christ thus overcame physical death. Because of his atonement, everyone born on this earth will be resurrected . . . This condition is called immortality. All people who ever lived will be resurrected, 'both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous' (The Book of Mormon [BOM], Alma 11:44)" (GP, p. 74). (See GP, pp. 11, 17-19, 61-77.)

The Doctrine of Salvation:

Historic Christianity Salvation is release from the guilt and power of sin through God's gift of grace. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. (see Rom. 3:20; 10:9- 10; Eph. 2:8-10)

MormonismJesus' atonement provided immortality for all people. Exaltation (godhood) is available only to Mormons through obedience to LDS teachings: faith, baptism, endowments, celestial marriage, and tithing. "Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God-Wherefore, all things are theirs" (D&C, 76:58-59).

These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C, 76).

2. They will become gods.

3. They will have their righteous family members with them and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.

4. They will receive a fullness of joy.

5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have - all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge (See GP, p. 302).

Baptism for the dead provides post-mortem salvation for non-Mormons, and is "by immersion performed by a living person for one who is dead. This ordinance is performed in temples" (GP, p. 375). (See also GP, chapters 18-23.)

According to orthodox Christianity as well as Baptist that are orthodox . Mormons are not orthodox Christians

Answer 2

When Jesus was on the earth, there were many who mis-understood his teachings. Jesus' teachings were a little different from what they interpreted from the scripture. Some of the things He taught were blasphemous in their eyes. After all, who is this person who claimed He could forgive sin? He healed the sick on the Sabbath of all days! Many of these people were so filled with hatred and disgust for Jesus, that they persecuted them at all costs. They feared Him. They thought he sought to be the physical King of the land. The fought against Him, and eventually had Him crucified.

There were others, however, who opened their hearts to the message Jesus brought. They were sincere in their search for truth, and the Holy Ghost testified to them of the divinity of the Savior and their lives were richly blessed spiritually.

When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) was organized, there were many people of all faiths, including Baptists, who mis-understood the teachings of the restored church of Jesus Christ. Some of the teachings, although aligned with the Bible, seemed different than their interpretation.

However, there were many people of all faiths, who upon sincere study and learning of the teaching of the Mormon church, decided to convert and join with the Mormons. This caused much fear in the eyes of pastors who saw many in their congregations leave. The cause for persecution of the Mormon church, even in current times, is not entirely unlike the persecution the Savior received during His ministry. Christ was persecuted out of fear and misunderstanding of what His true teachings were. Those who persecuted Him, took not thought to understand, study, ponder, and pray about His teachings.

The Mormon church is grateful for their Baptist friends and neighbors and we rejoice in the commonality we have together in the knowledge of the Atonement thorough our Savior Jesus Christ. Baptists who live the Saviors teachings also recognize the good things the Mormons have in common with them, and cherish their friendship. In the fight against the wicked things of this earth, we are on the same team.