Baptist Info

[bostonlass]

If a person is looking to find out more about what it means to be a baptist, along with how many different types of baptist churches there are out there, where would you all suggest to start? For example, is there a certain bible that you follow, is there a book that describes everything a baptist believes in, are there stories of people who have become baptists?

I'm searching for answers and so far it looks like the Baptists are the only ones that have it down to the bare basics, which is what I think it's supposed to be. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SteveR2021]

There are so many different kinds of Baptists. In Canada there are less than there are in the US...here we have 2 major groups:

1. The Fellowship Baptists
2. The Convention Baptists

The Fellowship Baptists are a lot like the SBC in the States, whereas the Convention are more more independent - a more congregational system. Because of the congregational system there is so much variety between churches in the Convention (of which I am a part)...the Fellowship churches, however, are very similar.

Someone will have to help you with the US Baptists, but I think it is helpful to remember that they can be very different. The convention Baptist church in Canada would never do what the SBC did to the missionaries...we allow a great deal of freedom. It is important to determine how the various conventions operate...I prefer the congregational system because it protects against a top-heavy organization and it seems to prevent against some of the extremes that I have seen elsewhere...

This won't help you practically because I have given you no info re: Baptist churches in the States, however I believe you would do well to examine policies and simply be aware that there can be a great deal of variety (perhaps you are already aware of this).

Hope that helps even a little.

Stephen

 

[daveleau]

If a person is looking to find out more about what it means to be a baptist, along with how many different types of baptist churches there are out there, where would you all suggest to start? For example, is there a certain bible that you follow, is there a book that describes everything a baptist believes in, are there stories of people who have become baptists?

I'm searching for answers and so far it looks like the Baptists are the only ones that have it down to the bare basics, which is what I think it's supposed to be. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I consider myself a Bible following Christian that found a home in a Baptist church, which sounds similar to what you could associate with based on your post. There are several Baptist groups in the US, but the main ones are the Southern Baptists and Independent Baptists.

Southern: http://www.sbc.net/bfm/default.asp
Independent: http://www.baptistinfo.com/define.shtml

I hope this helps. Whatever church you decide on, keep looking to the truth in Scripture rather than in man.

God bless,
Dave

 

[scraparcs]

If a person is looking to find out more about what it means to be a baptist, along with how many different types of baptist churches there are out there, where would you all suggest to start?

I'd suggest starting by going to a Baptist church. The Baptists, no matter what group they may belong to, are in many ways so independent that one church can vary quite a bit from the next. Of course, you'll probably find adult baptism by immersion, primacy of scriptures, and an emphasis on salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus.

As for how many types of Baptist churches there are out there, the answer is LOTS!

For example, is there a certain bible that you follow,

The Holy Bible.

Generally Baptists will use the Holy Bible sans Apocrypha. There are some King James Version-onlyists present in Baptist circles, but many Baptists use a multiplicity of Bible versions.

is there a book that describes everything a baptist believes in,

The Holy Bible. (There's nothing like the Catechism of the Catholic Church or such in Baptist circles that I can think of, especially given the priesthood of the believer.)

are there stories of people who have become baptists?

Probably, but one thing I've noticed is that Baptists tend to focus more on one's individual relationship with Jesus Christ and less on history and other personages. Stories of persons becoming Baptist would probably be filed under "stories of persons being saved." Nobody really speaks of becoming Baptist; they speak mostly of being saved.

I'm searching for answers and so far it looks like the Baptists are the only ones that have it down to the bare basics, which is what I think it's supposed to be. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Best wishes! (Hope I haven't trampled on any toes here!)

 

[Sinai]

If a person is looking to find out more about what it means to be a baptist, along with how many different types of baptist churches there are out there, where would you all suggest to start?

I suggest that you go to a local Baptist church that has a good church library. Look at the books they have on church doctrine and on comparative doctrines. You may also go to your local library and get a book such as Beliefs Important to Baptists. You might also get a copy of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message. Although it was put out by the Southern Baptist Convention, it gives a good synopsis of the major doctrines followed by most Baptists. The major point of difference between it and what some of the smaller Baptist denominations believe would probably be regarding cooperation between various Baptist churches and associations and the funding for missionaries. The SBC adopted having a "cooperative program" by which churches collectively funded major expense items--such as training and sending missionaries, while some other groups of Baptists considered that to be non-biblical. If you attend a SBC church, you may also want to get a copy of the 2000 BF&M, since it is what they currently follow--but be aware that it differs from basic Baptist doctrines in several important areas (which is why it was so controversial).

For example, is there a certain bible that you follow, is there a book that describes everything a baptist believes in, are there stories of people who have become baptists?

See my earlier comments above regarding books. Each Baptist is generally free to use whatever Bible he considers to be most accurate and helpful for his Bible study. Many Baptists will have an entire library shelf of different Bibles and study aids. There are a number of threads in this forum which discuss some of the relative merits of different translations.

 

[bostonlass]

I consider myself a Bible following Christian that found a home in a Baptist church, which sounds similar to what you could associate with based on your post. There are several Baptist groups in the US, but the main ones are the Southern Baptists and Independent Baptists.

Southern: http://www.sbc.net/bfm/default.asp
Independent: http://www.baptistinfo.com/define.shtml

I hope this helps. Whatever church you decide on, keep looking to the truth in Scripture rather than in man.

God bless,
Dave

I don't know why I'm giggling but I think it's funny that there are so many southern baptist churches here in Boston!!!

 

[Stinker]

The Southern Baptists (of which I am now a member) are extremely missionary oriented. I don't know if the culture up in the Northeastern U.S. will have any negative effect, but the Southern Baptists I have always heard about (and which I have found to be true) is that they are also a very friendly church.

 

[bostonlass]

The Southern Baptists (of which I am now a member) are extremely missionary oriented. I don't know if the culture up in the Northeastern U.S. will have any negative effect, but the Southern Baptists I have always heard about (and which I have found to be true) is that they are also a very friendly church.

Why would you think that the Northeastern culture would have a negative effect?

 

[daveleau]

It's named southern only because of its origins. But, it is funny to see some of the southern influences in the north take hold. I'd get into it, but that's for another thread.

 

[mesue]

I have to say, much to my ignorance , I have no idea what the differences are between a Southern, Convention and Fellowship Baptist church are. I did know the differences, sorta', when we were looking for a church to attend, but have forgotten them over the years.

I go to an independent KJV only church that calls itself Baptist. We are not affiliated with any organization and govern ourselves. I like that in a church

 

[Conservative Mennonite]

Well, you've got your Southern, General, Regular, Reformed, Primitive, Missionary, Particular, Landmark, Northern, American Baptists, as well as the Independent Baptists. Baptists are a mixture of Calvinistic and Anabaptistic beliefs. Probably the greatest influence on their early practices was the Anabaptists, while the greatest influence on theology came from the Calvinists.

 

[daveleau]

Interesting post Cons. Mennonite. Thanks. I would like to add that Baptist is not synonymous with Calvinism...or at least strict 5-point Calvinism. Most Baptist denominations believe in only part of Calvinism from what I have seen.

 

[Conservative Mennonite]

Interesting post Cons. Mennonite. Thanks. I would like to add that Baptist is not synonymous with Calvinism...or at least strict 5-point Calvinism. Most Baptist denominations believe in only part of Calvinism from what I have seen.

Not many Baptists really are Calvinists. Reformed Baptists 99.5% of the time(I made that figure up) are Calvinists, some Southern Baptists are, and you're pretty likely to find Primitive Baptists to be Calvinists. Some Independent, Fundamental Baptists(IFB's, I used to be one) are Calvinists. But overall, Baptists tend to be a mix of Calvinism and Arminianism(Which I like to call 'Calminianism'). You do have your Free Will Baptists(I forgot about them) which are Arminian in their soteirology(sp?).