What are the differences between Baptists?

[LuxPerpetua]

I was raised Southern Baptist, but I know that in the north (where I now live) there are very few SB churches and most are American Baptist. In the South (where I am originally from) there were also Missionary Baptists and Independent Baptists. So . . . how many Baptist sects are there, and what are the differences?

Just curious.

 

[BT]

Hiya Lux,

I'm a Canadian so I couldn't really tell you about the differences that you have down there in the states. Here in Canada there are some divisions as well. The three that I am familiar with are:

1) Baptist (fellowship) - groups of Baptists joined together in a somewhat official manner.

2) Reformed Baptist - Baptist churches who buy into reformed theology (Calvinism)

3) Independent Baptist (That's me ) - Baptists who remain independent of official organization (fellowship), who believe in the "Baptist Distinctives", and are not "reformed". We are very close to #1... the only difference is our independence


Hope that helps..

 

[Crazy Liz]

I was raised Southern Baptist, but I know that in the north (where I now live) there are very few SB churches and most are American Baptist.

The Southern Baptists and American Baptists split over slavery.

 

[Sinai]

The Southern Baptists and American Baptists split over slavery.

Although slavey was one of the issues that helped precipitate the split, it was not the only one. Other major issues included disagreements regarding the appointment and funding of missionaries, and the authority of denominational societies to discipline church members. Differencies over those issues still divide some Baptist denominations today.....

 

[LuxPerpetua]

So, did Southern Baptists think slavery was okay?

I really read somewhere that some American Baptist churches were gay-friendly. I don't know if this is true, but would love to know.

 

[Blackhawk]

Although slavey was one of the issues that helped precipitate the split, it was not the only one. Other major issues included disagreements regarding the appointment and funding of missionaries, and the authority of denominational societies to discipline church members. Differencies over those issues still divide some Baptist denominations today.....

Both of y'all are right. There were two things that occurred that made the split happen.

1. Georgia test case (1844)- Baptist societies took vote about slavery issue and decided to be neutral. (right!) Jesse Bushyhead was a southern slave owner and missionary from GA. He died. So the GA association decided to send James Reeves to replace him. He was a slave owner also. The Home Mission society decided to vote that he could not go because slavery was too hot of an issue. They decided to not let him go so that they would be neutral. GA then talks about succeeding from Baptists.

2. Alabama Resolutions (1844)- Alabama association asked Foreign Mission society a hypothetical question. They asked "If we ask you to appoint a slave owner to be a missionary would you send them? " Triannual convention refused to discuss it.

So on May 8th, 1845 in Augusta, GA the southern associations had a meeting.

a) 293 meesengers were sent
b) all but 20 were from GA, SC, or VA
c) 329 votes cast
D) SBC formed that day

And the rest is SBC history.

So the formation of the SBC is much like what started the civil war. Yes it had much to do about slavery but the real issue was of power. the North had the power and would not appoint the southern slave owners so the South split off and made the SBC.

 

[BT]

So, did Southern Baptists think slavery was okay?

I really read somewhere that some American Baptist churches were gay-friendly. I don't know if this is true, but would love to know.

I can't say positively, but I would HIGHLY doubt that there were any gay-friendly Baptist churches.

What I consider "gay-friendly" would be a church which allows practicing homosexuals to join. There are homosexuals who have turned away from the sin and are welcomed into Baptist churches. There are also homosexuals who practice, who are welcome to come and hear the Word (it's for everyone), but could not join the church or have fellowship (in a spiritual sense) with the congregation.


Then again, we live in a day of extreme compromise.

 

[Blackhawk]

I can't say positively, but I would HIGHLY doubt that there were any gay-friendly Baptist churches.

What I consider "gay-friendly" would be a church which allows practicing homosexuals to join. There are homosexuals who have turned away from the sin and are welcomed into Baptist churches. There are also homosexuals who practice, who are welcome to come and hear the Word (it's for everyone), but could not join the church or have fellowship (in a spiritual sense) with the congregation.


Then again, we live in a day of extreme compromise.

There is an ex-Southern Baptist church in Austin that ordained a deacon that was gay. Oh the ordaining the deacon thing made them ex.

 

[seebs]

I can't say positively, but I would HIGHLY doubt that there were any gay-friendly Baptist churches.

I know a guy who runs one. I don't think he's still SBC, but he might be; he used to be.

 

[SumTinWong]

So, did Southern Baptists think slavery was okay?

I really read somewhere that some American Baptist churches were gay-friendly. I don't know if this is true, but would love to know.

If you mean they are affirming that would be news to me, as that is not the policy of our church. But too be fair each church is allowed to set their own ules, so perhaps some of them are. I think what throws off the curve is that the UCC which is very liberal and affirming. As far as I know they are in the ABC association.

As far as I know gays are allowed to attend church services, along side the rest of us adulterers, liars, thieves, bigots, cheaters, hypocrites, etc...

 

[actionsub]

UCC (United Church of Christ) is a separate denomination in its own right, a merger of a couple of ethnic Reformed groups and the old Congregationalists. Definitely not Baptist.

The American Baptists do have some "open and affirming" congregations amongst them.
Some of the liberal spinoffs from the SBC (CBF, Alliance of Baptists) may as well, but don't quote me on that last one.

 

[actionsub]

I was raised Southern Baptist, but I know that in the north (where I now live) there are very few SB churches and most are American Baptist. In the South (where I am originally from) there were also Missionary Baptists and Independent Baptists. So . . . how many Baptist sects are there, and what are the differences?

Just curious.

There are about 30-some odd Baptist sects in the US, most of them being splits from other Baptist groups.

I'll put up kind of a tree chart here... a main historical grouping and its representatives in the US

General Baptist
Free Will Baptists
Separate Baptists

Particular (Calvinistic) Baptist
Regular Baptists
Primitive (non-missionary) Baptists
American Baptists
Southern Baptists
CBF
Conservative Baptist
GARBC
the numerous "independent" Baptist associations
Six-Principle Baptist
Baptist General Conference
North American Baptist
Landmark Baptists (ABA)

The main difference, as the chart shows, is over the issue of predestination.
The main groups, General and Particular, came over from England.

Later differences came in regard to whether or not they observed footwashing as an ordinance, how seriously they took predestination (hence the anti-mission groups), their position in the fundamentalist/liberal debates, and positions on congregational autonomy.

 

[truthful1]

Rick Warren's Saddleback Church is a Southern Baptist Church, if you can believe that!

 

[truthful1]

http://www.garbc.org/garbc.php