Why Are You A Baptist?

[DiscipleOfIAm]

This may have been discussed infinte times already, and if so, I apologize.

1.Why are you a Baptist?
2.What makes you Baptist?
3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?
4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?

Just curious as to everyone's thoughts or comments.

God Bless

 

[Cright]

This may have been discussed infinte times already, and if so, I apologize.

1.Why are you a Baptist?
2.What makes you Baptist?
3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?
4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?

Just curious as to everyone's thoughts or comments.

God Bless

1. I am a Christian who attends a Baptist Church. I attend this church because I read their faith statement, studied it for a year, went with my fiance to meet with the pastor and asked a few tough questions we needed to know the reason they worded the statements the way they did. The pastor cleared up confusion (to an acceptable point). After that we decided to get baptized and we became members a few weeks later.

2. I guess what makes me Baptist is that I agree with their doctrine... as close as I can tell through all my studies, their faith statement is completely from the bible and all biblical, nothing added, nothing taken away. Our only teacher is the bible (God/Jesus) NOT a church of corrupt leaders to give us rules, not an additional author with a seperate book that we 'must read in order to intrepret the bible correctly' or anything like that.. just the bible in it's plain black and white the way it was written.. if we use anything 'extra' it would be Greek and Hebrew schlors to help us understand the orginial text better.

3. I did not grow up Baptist, I grew up Catholic, leaving the Catholic church was one of the hardest things I've done. I felt guilt over unkept promises.. and I felt the disappointment from my family who all felt that I was 'making a mistake'. My grandma and my mom had a hard time with it and it really makes me feel badly to do something that disappoints them. All in all it was really hard. However, I feel a huge freedom that I never knew existed. I now have a personal relationship with God. Something that is extreamly hard to achieve in the Catholic church. I was not drawn to the Baptist church at all... I actually tried to avoid it at all costs (because of my cuz's grandma who used to tell my family we we were going to Hell because we were Catholic, and she was Baptist). I had actually attended a Bible church for some time (www.woodsidebible.org) and loved it. I was impressed by how lovingly they would express the truth of the Word. Then.... I realised that they were one of the 'dredded' churches that were Baptist!! Ugh! hahaha I'm now a member of this church. I guess you could say I wasn't raised there, wasn't drawn there.. but God put me there!

4. Please remember this is just to answer the OP, not to upset any other groups out there. But I feel the difference between Baptists is that they put things out there clear and simple.. good is good, bad is bad. We all sin, lets do our best to put it behind us.. the longer we are Christians the less we should sin (although sin will always be in our lives the less the better), we should learn from each other. No rose color glasses. We praise God for the good and the bad. For Baptists the most important message is the one of Jesus Christ and the salvation he freely gives us... for others they put so much emphasis on (insert word). It could be speaking in toungs - traditions - dress - how happy people are ect.. which I think all should be secondary to the salvation message.

Hope you don't mind me typing a novel.. I'm sure there are others that can answer more concise for you!

God Bless,
Carina

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

The novel was great! I prefer detailed answers instead of one liners!

I forgot to answer my own OP. Duh!

1. I'm a Baptist because I agree with the beliefs of the Baptist. I always try to follow what I feel God is telling me is true and Baptist beliefs align with what I believe to be the truth.

2. The distinct beliefs and doctrine that I hold true through the Baptist church. I tend to lean towards Fundamentalism and believe that you can't go wrong following exactly what the Bible says. I hold true the basic fundamentals of Chritianity and believe strongly in them. I like the Independent churches so that a group of men a thousand miles away isn't deciding how to run my local church. The church relies on the Bible to direct them and guide them.

3. I did not grow up Baptist. I grew up in a church more closely related to Disciples of Christ. Actually, growing up I don't think I was aware that there were diffent denominations other than Catholic and everybody else. And still didn't know the differences between Catholics and everybody else. After becoming an adult with my own family and in search of a home church, I decided to research the different denominations and found my beliefs align closely with Baptist. I didn't grow up Baptist, but was led to Baptist through my study and search for God. This realization of Baptist being the closest to my beliefs occurred recently. About the time I joined this board. My wife grew up Assembly of God and it is a hard transition for her, but she accepts that we are being led by God.

4. I think the difference is the basic practices or traditions. Example: Pentecostals speak in tounges, Baptists don't. Episcopals have a traditional Eucharist service, etc. Different methods of practices in our Christian faith and different interpretations of Scripture. Also, some denominations have a lot of man-made doctrine and traditions that do not align with the Baptist way of following exactly what the Bible tells us.

God Bless

 

[Matthan]

I am a Christian child of God, first and foremost. That is the most important fact in my life. I was born into a wonderful, loving, Southern Baptist family, so hense my membership in a Baptist Church was a natural extension of that humble beginning.

However, as an adult I felt it was my Christian duty to learn more about what God expects of us as Christians. Careful Bible study gave me His guidelines, which are quite clear and distinct. Then, I compared as many of the current denominations as I could. Guess what? Of all of them, only one routinely and carefully follows the original Christian Church tenets. Just one! And that is various the "Baptist" congregations. No other so-called Christian organization can claim so close a relationship to the original Christian Churches.

But it is the statement of faith of the particular congregation that makes or breaks its Christian charter. Therefore, the most important "research" anyone can do is studying the individual statements of faith by individual congregations. Ask questions whenever confusion occurs, and look for Christian clarity in every entry.

Matthan <J><

 

[aReformedPatriot]

1.Why are you a Baptist?

Well, I just have no Idea. I consider the title "baptist" a tag that identifies which group of people i fellowship with.

2.What makes you Baptist?

I like to eat, does that count?

3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?

What drew me to the baptists was their self control. I attended pentecostal churches before and some (not all) just got to crazy and in my opinion caused for a disorderly service. Another thing was I like singing about the blood, i like hymns. In pentecostal circles I dont think i ever picked up a hymnal. Some of the contemporary pieces are to flippant to sing in praise of our Lord. Not to mention baptist doctrine (SBC) seems to me, the best route. I dont agree with everything, but then again--youd be hard to pressed to find someone who does.

4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?

See above. The UMC is too liberal for my blood, and a little to liturgical. Pentecostals are famous for saying 'dont hinder the spirit.' I agree with that statement to an essence, but I just dont feel the spirit of God in emotionalism sometimes. We can choose to follow God's lead or not. I think the Baptists are smack in the middle of the Charismatics and UMC.

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

2.What makes you Baptist?

I like to eat, does that count?

Yeah, that counts!! We all like to eat and what better way to fellowship?!?!?

 

[aReformedPatriot]

Yeah, that counts!! We all like to eat and what better way to fellowship?!?!?

haha, AMEN. Amen Brother! A google image search for "baptist meal" =

 

[SumTinWong]

1.Why are you a Baptist?

I tend to think of myself as a Christian that attends a Baptist church. I am not a Baptist.

2.What makes you Baptist?

If anything I would say it was membership in the church. Other than that, I am fringe at best.

3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?

Nope did not like the Baptist faith, was led here by God. Still don't like some of it, but od aint led me elsewhere

4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?

I have no idea. I can tell you what I believe and you can ask them what they believe, but I aint getting into the whole denom squabbles.

 

[eutychus]

1.Why are you a Baptist?
I applaud all aspects of its doctrine and missiology.

2.What makes you Baptist?
Doctrine.

3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?
No. I was drawn to Baptists because of their conservative stance on Scripture and their love for sharing the Gospel.

4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?
You either have denominations that are grounded in liturgy or fanaticism. I believe Baptists strike a good balance between the two, while taking a conservative position on Scripture. All others either have no balance, or are liberal theologically.

 

[jcright]

1.Why are you a Baptist?
I would also say that I'm Christian. I attend a Baptist church because, after the research I've done, the visiting of other churches, I feel that the Baptists are the closests to following the bible than any other denomination.

2.What makes you Baptist?
Do you mean why do I sport the label Baptist? Because I agree with them.

3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?
I grew up as a Christian Scientist. A few years back I decided to learn what the Christian's believe. I spent an entire year studying and visiting churches before I realized that my church, as good intentioned as they were, was full of lies and that I needed Jesus in my life.

4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?
Like I said before, I think the Baptists follow the scriptures more so than any other denom.

 

[C.I. Scofield]

This may have been discussed infinte times already, and if so, I apologize.

you're forgiven

1.Why are you a Baptist?

Well, I was saved Baptist back in 1982. and then got involved in the Pentecostal Church (A/G) for 21 years. I've out of that Church since Easter 2004. and am now looking for a KJV Baptist Church here in the area.

2.What makes you Baptist?

Doctrine. Any Church that puts a emphsis on anything out of the Bible is out of Balance. and I wanted to be in a Church with Doctrinal Balance.

3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?

See Above.

4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?

Well, attempting to taper my speech here, to avoid the wrath of the Moderators. see this site to see why I left the Pentecostal Church...:

http://baptistbibleman.home.comcast.net

In Short, I felt some of the things that the Pentecostal Church was teaching was flat out wrong. so, I went back to what I knew as a Child. Simple Gospel, without all this Emotionally based nonsense.

Hope this answers your questions!

Just curious as to everyone's thoughts or comments.
God Bless

No Harm in asking....

CIS

 

[rural_preacher]

This may have been discussed infinte times already, and if so, I apologize.

1.Why are you a Baptist?
2.What makes you Baptist?
3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?
4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?

Just curious as to everyone's thoughts or comments.

God Bless

1. Agreement with the doctrine and administration of the church.
2. Being a member of a Baptist church is what makes me a baptist.
3. I grew up in the home of a baptist pastor/preacher. I have remained in baptist churches because I agree with the doctrine and administration (polity).
4. The differences are in various matters of the doctrine & polity of the local church. Although I may agree with some other groups on matters of doctrine, it is matters of polity that differentiate us.

Here is an excellent book regarding this issue:

http://www.rbpstore.org/productView/showprod.cfm?prodnum=5030


--

 

[pressingon]

1.Why are you a Baptist?
As others have said, I'm a Christian that happens to attend a Baptist church.

2.What makes you Baptist?
I agree with their doctrines and beliefs... can't go wrong following Biblical teaching!

3.Did you grow up Baptist and just stick to what you knew or were you drawn to Baptist?
Now this is gonna sound bad.... I ended up Baptist because I wanted to marry my fiance, and she insisted we go to church. I went with her to a nice little Baptist church (kicking and screaming, no less), and the rest is history...

I grew up Catholic, fell away for a variety of reasons, considered myself an atheist at one point... eventually, God worked on my heart and drew me to Him.

4.What do you think is the difference between you (Baptist) and other denominations, such as Pentecostal or UMC?
Doctrinal differences, primarily, although worship styles and church "governance" (for lack of a better term) also differ.