Do Baptists Believe They Are The Only True Religion?

[graphuto]

Acts 2:40 KJV, "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." So, Peter exhorted people to believe. Call it an altar call, or call it exhorting, call it whatever you like, except unscriptural. If you want to talk about church doctrine, then the RCC has no scriptural defense for its doctrines.
Zeke25

Is this referring to the invitational a lot of Baptist Churches close with? If so, it's not really a bad thing. It is only an opportunity to respond to the holy spirit in a public way if you are lead to. By no means is it required.

I never said it was necessarily a bad thing. I do say though that it can sometimes turn some people off. People that may have been saved if approached on a 1on1 basis.

I was simply telling the other guy, since he asked someone to back up "The Altar Call" with scripture, that there really ISN'T a scriptural backing for it.

 

[graphuto]

Hahaha , not hardly , just take each line and expound and relate to your issues with God ..

That's what I figured you meant, I just wanted clarification to see if we were on the same page.

 

[graphuto]

So, was it a tongue in cheek comment or is this a Baptist forum? I haven't been here for awhile and for good reason.

This is a baptist sub-forum, yes.

 

[GodsCheeseball]

The faith is in christ.not your churches name.you have not left faith(I hope)because you left a church to try a new one Nor are any a "true religion" (it's the attitude that makes it feel that way)the religion is christianity.the church is not an institution.his body is the bread and his blood is his testament to us.As one example think of the discord in this tradition if confused it being right or wrong teaching how we take communion when it was not even a verse given to us by god for a future generation but was said to his disciples.we do this traditionally as christians out of love.chalice or individual cup.thats all it is.its a time of remembrance.does your theology change the new testament?answer:No."I am the way"

 

[paulinemc]

Had a Baptist pastor stop by the apartment today. I guess he was making the rounds. He started questioning me on how I was saved, and made a big deal about me becoming Lutheran. He then asked if I wanted to listen to their radio station and I politely declined and then he proceeded to tell me that we will all stand in front of God on judgement day. He left when I mentioned that I do not read from the King James Bible (He had a look of disgust at that point).

To me it sounded like he was trying to get me to leave the Lutheran church without actually coming right out and saying it.

So are Baptists like Catholics in that they feel they are the one true religion and all must become Baptist to be saved?

One of the reasons that I truly love being a Lutheran is that I have yet to hear any Lutheran claim that Lutheranism is the one true religion and anyone else will not be saved.

*Note I am not trying to get anyone to leave the Baptist faith or denounce the Baptist faith. I Am just curious if this is a regular thing?

 

[4x4toy]

The "Altar Call" isn't a main, accepted, and widely practiced thing in Baptist churches.
It's completely un-scriptural.

A soul-winning, Bible believing Baptist knows that this isn't the way to lead people to the Lord. To potentially embarrass them in front of the entire congregation?

I've been in churches like this, but they definitely weren't Baptist.
"Just 15 more rounds of 'Come as You Are'!"

What is un-scriptural about preaching Jesus or responding to His call ..

 

[paulinemc]

Had a Baptist pastor stop by the apartment today. I guess he was making the rounds. He started questioning me on how I was saved, and made a big deal about me becoming Lutheran. He then asked if I wanted to listen to their radio station and I politely declined and then he proceeded to tell me that we will all stand in front of God on judgement day. He left when I mentioned that I do not read from the King James Bible (He had a look of disgust at that point).

To me it sounded like he was trying to get me to leave the Lutheran church without actually coming right out and saying it.

So are Baptists like Catholics in that they feel they are the one true religion and all must become Baptist to be saved?

One of the reasons that I truly love being a Lutheran is that I have yet to hear any Lutheran claim that Lutheranism is the one true religion and anyone else will not be saved.

*Note I am not trying to get anyone to leave the Baptist faith or denounce the Baptist faith. I Am just curious if this is a regular thing?

Had a Baptist pastor stop by the apartment today. I guess he was making the rounds. He started questioning me on how I was saved, and made a big deal about me becoming Lutheran. He then asked if I wanted to listen to their radio station and I politely declined and then he proceeded to tell me that we will all stand in front of God on judgement day. He left when I mentioned that I do not read from the King James Bible (He had a look of disgust at that point).

To me it sounded like he was trying to get me to leave the Lutheran church without actually coming right out and saying it.

So are Baptists like Catholics in that they feel they are the one true religion and all must become Baptist to be saved?

One of the reasons that I truly love being a Lutheran is that I have yet to hear any Lutheran claim that Lutheranism is the one true religion and anyone else will not be saved.

*Note I am not trying to get anyone to leave the Baptist faith or denounce the Baptist faith. I Am just curious if this is a regular thing?

 

[SaintJoeNow]

From what I have heard Baptists believe that baptism is "necessary" for salvation which I believe is false. Then they claim that the only baptism acceptable is the one by Immersion. That belief is false too. Furthermore they reject Infant baptism and that's what further complicate things. Now the reason why he made your being a Lutheran a big deal is because pretty much every christian denomination (including lutherans) approve and practice infant baptism except for Baptists who believe it to be unbiblical which is false conclusion. Hence he would have wanted you to be Baptised once again .

You don't know much about Baptists. Do you know who the first Baptist was? Do you know the most famous person he baptized? Do you know the meaning of the word "baptize" (I'll give you a clue..."submerge"). Do you know when a person is baptized the thing that precedes baptism for them to qualify to be baptized?

 

[FreeinChrist]

Christianforums is a collection of forums, one of which is this one which is the Baptist congregational forum. Please see the
Baptist Statement of Faith for this particular forum.

 

[SaintJoeNow]

It is a bit shocking for born again believers when someone begins questioning their salvation because of their church affiliation and what Bible version they read. Around here the "independent, fundamentalist" Baptists can't just be happy you are saved, they move on to your Bible version and then either turn their noses up (very obviously) or start telling you you are blind and deceived and insinuating you are not right with God. I'm sure there are those of that persuasion who are more humble but it doesn't take too much of that to turn people off and, quite frankly, be embarrassing to others of the faith.

Why should you be shocked? It does not shock me when somebody questions my salvation....and I take no offense, I'm glad they are concerned about people being saved. Saved people still bear the family resemblance of sinners so why should I be surprised if somebody questions if I am saved or not? The more they question me about it, the more I know they are concerned that I'm not going to burn in Hell and the more I am happy to tell them how I know beyond doubt that my sins are forgiven and I am going to heaven, bought by God Himself with His own blood as God the Son sent by God the Father who lives in my by God the Spirit, Jesus Christ Himself living in me. The more people question my salvation, the more I take it as the opportunity to spread the gospel loud and clear, and maybe some poor lost sinner in danger of Hell with one foot in the grave and the other slipping on thin ice melting over the fire of Hell will see they need to be saved from Hell and God the Savior, Jesus Christ, is the way for them to be saved.

 

[SaintJoeNow]

Yes Jesus is not Yahweh of the old testament. I dont want to go off topic on this thread so if you would rather continue this conversation, you can pm me

Baptists are concerned about people being saved. Saved people still bear the family resemblance of sinners so why should I be surprised if somebody questions if I am saved or not? The more they question me about it, the more I know they are concerned that I'm not going to burn in Hell and the more I am happy to tell them how I know beyond doubt that my sins are forgiven and I am going to heaven, bought by God Himself with His own blood as God the Son sent by God the Father who lives in my by God the Spirit, Jesus Christ Himself living in me. The more people question my salvation, the more I take it as the opportunity to spread the gospel loud and clear, and maybe some poor lost sinner in danger of Hell with one foot in the grave and the other slipping on thin ice melting over the fire of Hell will see they need to be saved from Hell and God the Savior, Jesus Christ, is the way for them to be saved.

 

[aus22]

Catholics based their belief on praying for the dead on a passage in Machabees one of seven books in the Catholic Bible but not in the Protestant Bible. 2 Mach 12:42-43.
We do not believe that non Catholics can not be saved unlike some Evangelists who think that only people with their belief will be saved

 

[SaintJoeNow]

I've been in a number of Baptist churches and have discussed Biblical matters with many from various other Baptist churches and one thing that does seem to stick out is that they are usually very well grounded in Scripture. However, I also notice a very wide array of strong beliefs that are not necessarily common to all Baptists. As I see it this is one of the most diverse denomination that exists. There are perhaps many dozens of individual Baptist churches in my area and one I have attended was by invitation from a coworker. Later he told me that his church was the only real Baptist church because they made their own communal wine....that there was only one certain way of making wine that was "handed down" so to speak. A bit odd, for sure. When I asked him about the bread they used he said "we just use crackers". I know this man quite well and I am certain if his position in Christ...he's born again, but this is just one example of how even within denominational bounderies there are deep devision. I've also been in many Lutheran churches but the differences don't seem to be as wide.
I'm not a Catholic but the Catholic churches seem to be more consistent with one another and I think the reason for that is that they get their marching orders (figure of speech, Catholics. Figure of speech) from one central voice whereas most protestant denominations enjoy more room to decide matters at home.
But all have their own oddities and, in my opinion, they are merely things of the flesh.
This is how it with always be until that day.

There are huge differences in Lutheran synods or whatever they call them. I know one, I think the Missouri synod, is not far from conservative Baptists though they would be considered liberal in my church. Other branches of the Lutheran church are very much further off to the left with Catholic resemblance and liberal/left wing political affiliations. It's true there are perhaps hundreds of different kinds of Baptists because many of them are completely independent and recognize no governing board outside of the Bible and their own choices (which can be Biblical or self-serving choices in various degrees), but the contrast between left wing Lutherans and conservative Lutherans probably is much greater, and at least equally comparable, to contrasts between Baptists. The Baptist churches that are way out there on issues become isolated from other Baptists. I believe the most unshakeable In faith and in practice are the independent fundamental, KJV only, soul-winning focused.....no offense, I'm sure some fine Baptists would debate me on that point....but I sure have seen a lot of Baptist churches, including the one where I attended Christian college, drop the "Baptist" distinction from there name and change to "community" or non-denominational and I think it's a shame when they do that. Being a Baptist and getting your head cut off for it was good enough for John the Baptist, and being baptized by a Baptist was good enough for Jesus, and being crucified was good enough for Jesus.......it's good enough for me to be baptized by a Baptist and be crucified with Jesus. Jesus promised the world would hate us if we follow Him, the same as they hated Him, and what group of Christians is the most hated today if not Baptists?

 

[SaintJoeNow]

Just thought I would share my thoughts here. I am sure Christ hates the division in the body, however, I am sure he understands it better than anyone. I have found that most people who attend one denomination or another do so because it was the denomination they were influenced with as a child. This is why it seems closer to truth to them. Not everyone of course, but most.
The fact is that there is no true denomination. Virtually every one of them have doctrinal errors.
I was fortunate as a youth to be brought up in a Baptist Church until I was 6. It was there that I first went forward and accepted Jesus into my heart.
But my parents quit going to church. I think because my dad was confused about God. But they let us kids go because a church bus passed our house every week. It took us 5o a Gospel Hall church and dropped us off later and gave us a chocolate bar. At this church we learned a lot about David and were taught that the word was important but I don't recall much mention of the Holy Ghost.
When I was 10 we moved 5 hours north close to a friend of my dad's from his youth. This guy was a Jehovah's Witness. Most of there teaching was about the love, lambs laying with lions, how bad the Catholic Church was, that the gifts of the spirit were only for the 12 apostles, Jesus was the Arch-angel Michael, etc, etc
Well by the time I was 13 I was totally confused. I quit churches and lived a life just trying to love everyone. I thought no one could really know if God existed. People would come to my door trying to get me saved and I would invite them in and try my very best to explain that they were wasting their lives.
Boy was I dumb.
When I was 33 a Pentecostal truck driver explained how the NWO was coming and was predicted in the bible. He explained how the Catholic Church fit the description of Babylon the Great and explained how they worship Mary and the saints; how they prosecuted non Catholics during the crusades; how they took poor widows money promising their drunken deadbeat relatives would be guaranteed salvation through their gifts, the list went on and on.
Well after looking in his bible and reading for myself as he lead me through prophecy of Israel and Islam and much more it wasn't long before I realized Jesus was the son of the most high God who died for my sin and rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven until God sends him back and how he sent us the Holy Ghost to comfort us, give spiritual gifts and lead us into all truth.
But one of the first realizations I was given was that though Jesus is in the hearts of millions in every believing denomination, not one of the denominations had it all right. None!
Each has some truth and some born again members, even the Catholics, though his word warns them to get out of her, but each has error as well. If we love the truth and seek her with all our hearts then we will know the truth and it will set us free.
So I challenge you Baptists and Lutherans and any others, to seek the truth and spit out the lies. It is not easy, believe me, but if you are willing the rewards are awesome. You will learn things you know not of. You will see things you have never seen. You will hear God speak to you clearer than you ever did before. And if you are willing and obedient when He tells you to do something, you will receive your reward.
You are invited to his banqueting table and the banner over you is love.

So every denomination has errors and you got it all right and you invite us to join you and agree with your teaching so we can be happy like you are?

 

[SaintJoeNow]

I want to use you as an example, if you don't mind. I hope you take this in the spirit it is intended.
What you have said is exactly the reasoning I warn against. And I believe it is of God. It should not matter a hill of beens what your pastor thinks. It just happens I agree with him, but what if he erred? How do you know the KJV is the closest to original? What if the NIV was closer because the translators were closer to the Lord? Then you would be following the error of your pastor.
The scriptures tell us to prove all things, hold on to that which is good. Have you proved the KJV is more accurate? Did you know that there was no James in Jesus time? King James wanted his name in the bible so it was changed because his pride influenced the scribes.
Thank God for the internet. It makes searching so easy. But we have to be willing to search.
You can search for errors in the Baptist Church or errors in the Lutheran church.
Just how wicked is the apostate church, for example. Did you know they do child sacrifice beneath the Vatican? God has good reason for destroying her with fire.
We know in part and we see in part.
There are truths hidden in scripture that have been lost for hundreds of years. They cannot be found unless you seek truth through Christ and refuse answers that don't make sense even if from a pastor.
Some truths are meant for the last day saints because knowledge beforehand would have changed the outcome.
For example, where is the bottomless pit?

So God gifted you to teach the real truth to the Baptists? Are you like a prophet, apostle, specially chosen for special truth to be revealed through you?

 

[SaintJoeNow]

Catholics based their belief on praying for the dead on a passage in Machabees one of seven books in the Catholic Bible but not in the Protestant Bible. 2 Mach 12:42-43.
We do not believe that non Catholics can not be saved unlike some Evangelists who think that only people with their belief will be saved

I want to use you as an example, if you don't mind. I hope you take this in the spirit it is intended.
What you have said is exactly the reasoning I warn against. And I believe it is of God. It should not matter a hill of beens what your pastor thinks. It just happens I agree with him, but what if he erred? How do you know the KJV is the closest to original? What if the NIV was closer because the translators were closer to the Lord? Then you would be following the error of your pastor.
The scriptures tell us to prove all things, hold on to that which is good. Have you proved the KJV is more accurate? Did you know that there was no James in Jesus time? King James wanted his name in the bible so it was changed because his pride influenced the scribes.
Thank God for the internet. It makes searching so easy. But we have to be willing to search.
You can search for errors in the Baptist Church or errors in the Lutheran church.
Just how wicked is the apostate church, for example. Did you know they do child sacrifice beneath the Vatican? God has good reason for destroying her with fire.
We know in part and we see in part.
There are truths hidden in scripture that have been lost for hundreds of years. They cannot be found unless you seek truth through Christ and refuse answers that don't make sense even if from a pastor.
Some truths are meant for the last day saints because knowledge beforehand would have changed the outcome.
For example, where is the bottomless pit?

Last day saints? you mean Mormons? Isn't that the cult started by a guy who assembled twelve known thieves and con artists to be his witnesses to say he found golden tablets making him a prophet, then they lost the tablets and the twelve founders of the Mormon church had to get thrown out one by one for fraud and theft?

 

[graphuto]

What is un-scriptural about preaching Jesus or responding to His call ..

Why are people making this more difficult to understand than it is?

Un-scriptural and against scripture mean two entirely different things.
All I'm saying is that there is no model laid out in the Bible for the specific event of "The Altar Call."

What we do see are people going door to door, and city to city, preaching the Gospel.

 

[SaintJoeNow]

While they can be saved and taught great and deep truths from other versions it would be wise to search out why the KJV is preferred by many. There are whole chapters left out, names of Jesus and Satan confused, words like seed or midst changed removing the meaning and anointing of some verses. I defended all versions until I heard a comparison that proved the devil is slowly influencing scriptural translations. Wisdom is a tree of life for those who find her.

Well you got that right. How in the world people fail to see there is only one Bible and all modern versions make the changes and deletions you mention proving they are perversions, twists, fraudulent, devilish...amazing. I knew within weeks of being saved that the King James Bible is God's word in English and all other English versions are imposters with devil inspired insertions, changes, and deletions.

 

[ValorWoman4Jesus]

Had a Baptist pastor stop by the apartment today. I guess he was making the rounds. He started questioning me on how I was saved, and made a big deal about me becoming Lutheran. He then asked if I wanted to listen to their radio station and I politely declined and then he proceeded to tell me that we will all stand in front of God on judgement day. He left when I mentioned that I do not read from the King James Bible (He had a look of disgust at that point).

To me it sounded like he was trying to get me to leave the Lutheran church without actually coming right out and saying it.

So are Baptists like Catholics in that they feel they are the one true religion and all must become Baptist to be saved?

One of the reasons that I truly love being a Lutheran is that I have yet to hear any Lutheran claim that Lutheranism is the one true religion and anyone else will not be saved.

*Note I am not trying to get anyone to leave the Baptist faith or denounce the Baptist faith. I Am just curious if this is a regular thing?

I am a member of a Baptist church, and no I do not believe Baptist is the only true religion. I don't believe in religion. I believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I joined a Baptist church because in my humble opinion their beliefs come closest to what I believe is the truth.

 

[SaintJoeNow]

Man, Quest, I agree. The Christian forum idea is a good one, but Dudes, we've got to remember - same team! Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, etc... The foundation is still Christ. Check out 1 Corinthians 1:12-15 (or so). Is Christ divided? Heck no... Everybody think we can go back to adopting the label of "Christian" before branding ourselves (and most often overshadowing the foundation) with "Baptist," etc...? Just my personal vendetta...

Baptists may not admit to believing that they have a monopoly on salvation but that kind of belief is very common among them.

Now for the truth. Christ set up his church using an episcopal polity based on that of the Serapis cult. Christianity is the celebration of Christ's life throughout the year and the continuation of his work in healing and charity. It is a religion and it does involve membership in an organization. The ELCA is a good group. It is also perfectly okay to refer to your religion by the name of it's patriarch since that practice goes back to the earliest days of Christianity.

Christianity is not historically proveable. Neither is the plan of salvation, the existence of hell nor the monopoly that puritans claim to have on knowledge of it. THe early Christians did not use a Bible but were issued a Didache instructing them how to live. Christianity got by for nearly four centuries without a Bible. Christ taught his disciples and they took notes. They taught others who also took notes. This scholarship produced the doctrine of the Trinity, the dual nature of Christ and the idea of salvation by grace. There was no requirement for rebaptism unless you were a Donatist nor unforgiveable sin unless you were a Novation.

The Apostolic Church compiled the Bible as a reference book for clergy not an instruction maunal for believers and certainly did not view it as infallible. Biblical infallibility is called Bibliolatry and it is a form of idolatry.

There are a lot of people who will not believe Hell exists until they find themselves unable to get out of it. It is foolish to say the existence of Hell cannot be proven.