Baptists and Presbyterian's? Differences?

A few key differences.

1) Calvinism. ie predestination. If you come from a Calvinistic (Particular) Baptist church, then this isn't a difference at all.

2) Prebyters. Baptists use a congregational form of local independent church governance where all members vote on their individual church policy, decision making and even doctrine. Presbyterians use a hierachial system where elders and pastors are given the trust of the congregation to be the primary decision makers in the church. Elders are elected by the members and submit to the authority of a larger Presbyterian denominational body.

3) Infant Baptism. Presbyterians practice this while baptists practice a believer's baptism.

There are other differences but I think these are the main ones.

My dad was a presby, and I think they are a lot alike as far as I can tell. Of couse, presby's are having that on-going argument about gay rights, but maybe it would be good to have more Bible-believing Baptists make the switch so they can infuse more of God's word into the discussion.

The one thing my dad always wished for his church was that they would take Bible study more seriously (they only had a study for senior citizens on wednesday mornings and nothing for working folks or children), and he felt this lack of emphasis on the word of God led to the weakening of faith in God's truth.

"Presbyterian" means "governed by elders." (A minister is also considered to be an elder.) But their doctrine is "reformed," that is, they hold to Calvinism as a system of doctrine which they believe most correctly embraces all the Bible in a cohesive doctrinal system. English, American, Scottish, and some other Calvinists adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith and The Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the "Westminster Assembly of Divines," which met in London's Westminster Cathedral from 1642 to 1647.

Returning to the rule of Christ over the church through elders (where "Presbyterian" comes in), we reject independency in church government. Our reason for that is that, since the death of the Apostles, there are no infallible prophets (since God's Word was completed during the apostolic era). Therefore, the Bible requires a plurality of elders to execute the rule of Christ through His Word and Spirit. And the New Testament Church instituted this rule of elders (also called bishops or overseers) for all the distinct congregations in the New Testament era. The Epistles of Paul are evidence of that.

And Acts 15:1-35 give us the Presbyterian model for settling disputes in the churches. That is why, historically, Presbyterians reject independency, although there are some independent, Calvinistic churches who hold to the Calvinistic doctrines, yet admit no organic connection to other congregations of like faith and practice. They may govern by elders, but only on the local level.

Baptists, generally speaking (along with Congregationalists), are independent. That is, while they associate for fellowship and for missionary endeavors, they are not subject to one another, as are Presbyterians. And all decisions are made by congregational vote. Baptistic distinctives include their belief in baptism by immersion and "confessing" baptism. That is, baptism is their "confession of faith in Christ."

Some Baptists have adopted Calvinistic doctrine as to salvation. Many of these consider themselves to be "Reformed Baptists" (even though they do not follow the Protestant Reformers in their view on baptism). But by far the larger number of Baptist churches adopt Arminianism in their view of salvation and evangelism.

The rest is here: http://www.opc.org/cce/QandA/6.html

Hope that helps some...

BibleJunky said:

http://www.victorybaptist.us/show.wc?msgpentacostalism
http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/strange1.htm
http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/rootsof.htm

Pentecostalism is SATANIC! and Baptist's should avoid it!

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Ummm... I don't know what to say to this. I think there is a rule against slandering other Christian groups in this manner on Christian forums.

I would suggest not reading fundamentalist sites for balanced information about other denominations.

Pentecostalism
Charles Parham
Asuza Street Revival
William Seymour

If you feel you need to avoid Baptist churches for the sake of conscience (which you seemed to imply in your OP), you could try an independent Bible church. They are often very similar to Baptists in their doctrine and practice. Just be sure to ask for a copy of the church constitution and articles of faith. If you agree with what you read and what you hear from the pulpit, you might find a good church home. (Just a thought).

BibleJunky said:

Facts are facts, whether the Pentecostal's want to bury them or not.

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An FYI, those links were to a site that is not written by Pentecostals but is an open encyclopedia that tries to enforce NPOV (Neutral Point of View) principles in their articles. Open means anyone can edit those pages, including those on all sides of an issue. The site uses many techniques that I think are highly successful at maintaining the NPOV policy.

If you read the articles I linked to, they do not shy away from the darker sides of Pentecostalism, including the history of Charles Parham.

BibleJunky said:

Honestly? The reason I was shying away from the Fundemental Baptist's is because of the problems found in these Churches. I mean, I grew up them, I saw it, and I saw it alot. Now, I ain't saying there isn't problems in other denominations. in fact, the Pentecostal Church is full of them too.

I guess my biggest gripe with the Baptist's are:

1. Their belief that once you say a prayer, you're saved forever. (Note, not all Baptist's believe this... case in Point, Free-Will and General Baptist's)

2. The Baptist's unwillingness to allow the laying on of hands, which is Scriptural. if someone gets cancer, it's oh well, we'll just let him die! instead of praying for him to be healed. I guess they're lack of Faith is what I cannot stand. I believe in the annointing with Oil and the laying on of hands. It's in the Bible.

3. Also... on a personal level, my thing is, My Mom's Baptist, She's into eternal security. I am not, for obvious reasons. I always viewed those Baptist's she has associations with, as problematic. I mean, Everytime my name was mentioned and the fact that I was a Pentecostal was brought up. it was..."Oh, we'll pray for the poor soul!" Grrrr. I always hated that!
Like salvation only comes from the Independant Fundemental Baptist's! NOT... Only comes from Jesus Christ.

Sorry, had to vent.

Anyhow... I'm still looking and praying about it.

-BibleJunky

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It sounds like you are looking for a non-fundamentalist baptist church or a non denominational evangelical church. I would try to find someone you trust who knows the culture of the various churches in your area.

Another consideration is to stay with your church and lovingly try to change the culture into one that is less hypocritical and judgemental. Culture changing is always a tough thing to do, but if you can find a few like-minded individuals, the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit can do amazing things!

BibleJunky said:

I guess my biggest gripe with the Baptist's are:

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Great balls of fire. I will have to check out the sign next time I am at church, because our church doesn't follow that model in any way. We lay hands on someone all the time. Well whent ehy are sick anyway, and not every one in our church believes in eternal security or say a prayer and it is done. I thin you shouldn't judge all Baptists by your experiences elsewhere.

The idea that Baptists believe "say a prayer and you're saved forever" isn't one that I've heard in exactly those words. We do not believe that salvation is in a prayer. It is what is done through the prayer... repentance, forgiveness, acceptance. There is no formula and no set "sinner's prayer". There is only man calling on God for forgiveness and accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. Then of course once you're saved, you're saved forever. Your security is eternal.

Lollard said:

Great balls of fire. I will have to check out the sign next time I am at church, because our church doesn't follow that model in any way. We lay hands on someone all the time. Well whent ehy are sick anyway, and not every one in our church believes in eternal security or say a prayer and it is done. I thin you shouldn't judge all Baptists by your experiences elsewhere.

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I grew up in Baptist churches - the son of a preacher - and I'm the pastor of one now. Laying on of hands, pastors and deacons praying over sick people, even anointing with oil if they request it - these are all things I've considered a normal part of life.

I've also seen my share of the type Biblejunky is talking about. Each church has its own personality just like individual people. Stereotyping can be dangerous game.

Gold Dragon said:

A few key differences.

1) Calvinism. ie predestination. If you come from a Calvinistic (Particular) Baptist church, then this isn't a difference at all.

2) Prebyters. Baptists use a congregational form of local independent church governance where all members vote on their individual church policy, decision making and even doctrine. Presbyterians use a hierachial system where elders and pastors are given the trust of the congregation to be the primary decision makers in the church. Elders are elected by the members and submit to the authority of a larger Presbyterian denominational body.

3) Infant Baptism. Presbyterians practice this while baptists practice a believer's baptism.

There are other differences but I think these are the main ones.

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I am so glad that you responded to this post because you seem to know quite a bit about this. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with others!