How do Methodists differ from Baptists?

[BryanW92]

It is a flaw for Baptists who insist on using the technical term "inerrant" to talk about the Bible. It forces them into a position of being unwilling to bring the other elements of tradition, experience, and reason.

That's always the root of the problem. Once you assume inerrancy, you really trap yourself into treating each verse of scripture as some free-standing commandment.

 

[circuitrider]

That's always the root of the problem. Once you assume inerrancy, you really trap yourself into treating each verse of scripture as some free-standing commandment.

Yes, while forgetting that verse and chapter numbers aren't inspired. So snipping out stand alone scripture is an easy way to take things out of context and misinterpret the text.

 

[BryanW92]

Yes, while forgetting that verse and chapter numbers aren't inspired. So snipping out stand alone scripture is an easy way to take things out of context and misinterpret the text.

That is a VERY good point!!

 

[FriendOfJesus916]

Going to a UMC this sunday. What to expect?

 

[Joykins]

My Pastor (also a former baptist) says that the difference is that Methodists sing all the verses to hymns.

We sing all the verses to hymns because Charles Wesley

 

[Joykins]

Going to a UMC this sunday. What to expect?

Expect people to be very nice (and if they aren't nice, don't go back! ). There may be a bit more candle-lighting or ritual than a Baptist church and the sermon may be shorter but IME the worship differences aren't really that big.

 

[circuitrider]

Do you know if you will be attending a traditional service or a contemporary service or something else?

 

[Maid Marie]

Its good to be Wesleyan because we can relax in the scriptures and use our God-given intellect to understand them.

 

[Holyroller125]

I hate to disagree with a fellow United Methodist Elder. But I have to say that I'm not sure a couple of your points jive with the doctrine of our Church as in the Book of Discipline.

You seem to suggest that United Methodists believe that conversion has to be instantaneous. Am I reading you correctly?

In Paragraph 102 Book of Discipline 2012 under the heading "Justification and Assurance" it says, "This process of justification and new birth is often referred to as conversion. Such change may be sudden and dramatic, or gradual and cumulative."

As to apostasy, that is someone walking away from their faith. No we don't believe you can "lose" your salvation like a quarter lost out of your pocket. But United Methodists does teach free will and the ability to walk away from your faith if you so choose.

Read paragraph 104 Book of Discipline 2012 under the title "Justification and Regeneration."
"We believe, although we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to depart from grace and fall into sin; and we may even then, by the grace of God, be renewed in righteousness.

In the overall 'big picture' of what God does - is saved, being saved, going to be saved - it is a process. Conversion being a changed behavior. That has to happen over time in a process.

In the context of (becoming a Christian), the Biblical fact that 'justification' is often an instantaneous action by God - Yes! However, as we grow in Christ, that is also can be called conversion. For growing in Christ, yes, it is a process.

However, for that (becoming a Christian), that time of assurance - assurance can be instantaneous. If assurance is not instantaneous - that means we have to Earn our acceptance with God. So in the context of becoming a Christian for assurance conversion is instantaneous.

I would say Yes and No - Yes it is instantaneous in the context of (becoming a Christian) and for assurance. No, it is not instantaneous in the context of discipleship, growing in Christ (e.g., Matt. chs. 5-7), growing in our Christ-like behavior. I think I've answered your question, but did I answer your question.

PS: My early comments dealt with becoming a Christian. I was not dealing with the 'big picture' what God does in our 'whole' life sort of thing. I came from a huge works based and cultic group that even told me: "You cannot be sure in this lifetime where you would go to heaven." I found it disturbing, but it was the Methodist that helped me come into the grip of God's grace.
To God Be the Glory!

 

[circuitrider]

Hollyroller,

I agree that assurance can be instantaneous but it doesn't have to be. Wesley argued that you can have an assurance of salvation but the fact that someone doubts or doesn't always feel sure doesn't mean they aren't a Christian.

I came from the opposite kind of church. I came from a church with a Calvinist background in which once you had your conversion experience sanctification and growing as a Christian was seldom talked about. Once you "got saved" it didn't matter if you lived like the Devil, you were going to heaven.

I find that the UMC has a good balance of grace and works. I appreciate Wesley's emphasis that there is no personal holiness without social holiness.

If someone were to say, "I want to be a Christian but I don't want to do anything God commands me to do" then I would doubt that they understand what it means to be a Christian. A disciple of Christ is not just one who professes with his lips but also one who seeks to grow in grace. As the scripture says, not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

[FriendOfJesus916]

Going back to my youth belief because I was convinced from my family

 

[WiredSpirit]

Does anybody know anything about the General Baptist Church? They're not huge around here but they are more common than Southern Baptists and they seem to be mostly in the rural areas all around us. They have a small college nearby, Oakland City University, and I have a friend studying elementary education out there. I found a website, but I'm not even sure if it's the correct denomination. I don't think it is the GARBC circuitrider talks about because I get the impression this group is a little more sensible than Southern Baptists.

 

[circuitrider]

Does anybody know anything about the General Baptist Church? They're not huge around here but they are more common than Southern Baptists and they seem to be mostly in the rural areas all around us. They have a small college nearby, Oakland City University, and I have a friend studying elementary education out there. I found a website, but I'm not even sure if it's the correct denomination. I don't think it is the GARBC circuitrider talks about because I get the impression this group is a little more sensible than Southern Baptists.

You are right that they aren't like the GARBC. The GARBC is quite Calvinist. I pastored not too far from Oakland City University long ago. The General Baptists are similar to the Free Will Baptists. Their theology is Arminian and, as you've suggested, less strident than the SBC.

The have the unusual feature of having a presbytery that oversees clergy orders similar to the Presbyterian Church.

 

[Maid Marie]

You are right that they aren't like the GARBC. The GARBC is quite Calvinist. I pastored not too far from Oakland City University long ago. The General Baptists are similar to the Free Will Baptists. Their theology is Arminian and, as you've suggested, less strident than the SBC.

The have the unusual feature of having a presbytery that oversees clergy orders similar to the Presbyterian Church.

Where I grew up in northern PA, one or both groups were popular. I always thought they were the same but guess not. I knew mostly GARBC guess since the Baptists I knew were very Calvinistic.

 

[circuitrider]

Where I grew up in northern PA, one or both groups were popular. I always thought they were the same but guess not. I knew mostly GARBC guess since the Baptists I knew were very Calvinistic.

It is easy to confuse when there are so many kinds of Baptists. Historically Baptists in England were divided into "General" and "Particular/Regular" Baptists. General is Arminian and Particular is Calvinist.

Southern Baptists are a melding of some of both groups from England so there is kind of a modified Calvinism in the SBC. But General Baptist Churches do exist. The GARBC is a split off of the Northern Baptist Convention (Now known as the American Baptist Churches, USA) during the fundamentalist/modernist controversies in the early 20th century.

Technically speaking the SBC is a split off of the American Baptist Churches, USA which was originally the Triennial Baptist Convention and then the Northern Baptist Convention, and then the American Baptist Convention, and finally the American Baptist Churches, USA.

 

[GraceSeeker]

I'm surprised that no one has yet shared the most obvious answer:

The difference is that while both Methodists and Baptists eventually get to heaven based on the grace of God, once there Baptists are given a set of rooms for themselves, complete with an Olympic-size pool. And Methodists have a spot reserved for them in the throne room underneath the sprinkler system.

 

[Maid Marie]

I'm surprised that no one has yet shared the most obvious answer:

The difference is that while both Methodists and Baptists eventually get to heaven based on the grace of God, once there Baptists are given a set of rooms for themselves, complete with an Olympic-size pool. And Methodists have a spot reserved for them in the throne room underneath the sprinkler system.

Huh????

 

[GraceSeeker]

Huh????

How do Methodists differ from Baptists? If one has to explain it, it isn't funny. Or, maybe it wasn't in the first place, then it isn't worth explaining.

 

[WiredSpirit]

Huh????

I think it is because Baptists typically baptize in pools whereas Methodist typically sprinkle, though I've seen about every variation possible in my own church.

 

[Maid Marie]

How do Methodists differ from Baptists? If one has to explain it, it isn't funny. Or, maybe it wasn't in the first place, then it isn't worth explaining.

Ooookkkkaayyyyyyy......