Can somebody explain differences in Christian churches??

[Beaudry]

I have a good idea about Catholic and Lutheran churches. I don't know much about Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical, Prespbaterian, etc., etc. Could somebody explain the difference between all these?

I know lots of people on this board are really knowledgable about this stuff and I look forward to some good info. I only ask that it doesn't get politcal. Thanks.

[codeorama]

In short. Baptist believe that you much be "born again", ie: you make a decision to accept Jesus into your life, where as Methodist do not, Methodists and Presbaterians are similar in alot of ways to catholics.

Pentecostals are similar to Baptists, you have to make the decision to accept Jesus. Pat Robertson is on record as saying that Methodists, Episcopalians, and Presbetarians will go to hell because they don't "believe what is correct". Robertson is Pentecostal.

[gchwood]

Well I can speak for the Baptists.

We beleive in the Bible as the inpired Word of God (Inspired by God, written by men). We beleive it to be followed literally. We beleive that Alcoholism is a sin (not drinking), really anything in excess can be a sin. We beleive that Christ is the only way to heaven, and your salvation is not earned but it is by "Faith through Grace". We beleive in a personal relationship with God, predicated on reading the Bible daily and prayer. Beleive it or not we are allowed to dance, in fact David danced so we are encouraged to dance.

***note this is not all encompassing for all baptist, some factions beleive different things

[AJ_Skins]

In short. Baptist believe that you much be "born again", ie: you make a decision to accept Jesus into your life, where as Methodist do not, Methodists and Presbaterians are similar in alot of ways to catholics.

That's not accurate. All Christians believe you have to accept Jesus Christ. It's impossible to go through all the different doctrines of different denominations, but basically there are three categories you can break them down into: the traditional orthodox churches (Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox), older "mainline" Protestant denominations (Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian), and newer evangelical-type denominations or non-denominational churches.

The first group all feature a focus on ritual and ceremony, have relatively rigid and extensive heirarchies, and a systematized approach to the faith. The second group tends to be more focused on Protestant doctrine, with a lesser degree of ceremony and ritual, and very buttoned-down in style. The third group tends to be much more informal, and focused on a personal experience and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, without human intermediaries.

[Mr. Nostril]

I'm afraid this is going to turn into a thread hijack, but I'm going to ask anyways.

gchwood - I have a question about your experience with baptists and alcohol. You say that baptists believe that alcoholism is a sin, but drinking is not(which I actually wouldn't consider to be a distinctive of baptists, as this is the general christian position). My question is have you ever gone to a baptist church where drinking is accepted? Because I grew up going to various baptist churches, and even though most of them said that drinking isn't necessarily a sin(I did go to one that was completely opposed to drinking altogether), none of them really accepted it. It was just socially unacceptable in all situations where a group of baptists got together, and if you had alcohol in your house and another person from your church knew about it, you were likely to be confronted.

[Mr. Nostril]

That's not accurate. All Christians believe you have to accept Jesus Christ. It's impossible to go through all the different doctrines of different denominations, but basically there are three categories you can break them down into: the traditional orthodox churches (Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox), older "mainline" Protestant denominations (Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian), and newer evangelical-type denominations or non-denominational churches.

His wording was indeed poor. But I think he was reffering to the "moment of salvation," which tends to be more a part of the culture of evangelicals and charismatics, then other denominations. All christians believe you must accept Christ, but not all denominations have this packaged "3 step process" to become a Christian.

[twa]

I'm afraid this is going to turn into a thread hijack, but I'm going to ask anyways.

gchwood - I have a question about your experience with baptists and alcohol. You say that baptists believe that alcoholism is a sin, but drinking is not(which I actually wouldn't consider to be a distinctive of baptists, as this is the general christian position). My question is have you ever gone to a baptist church where drinking is accepted? Because I grew up going to various baptist churches, and even though most of them said that drinking isn't necessarily a sin(I did go to one that was completely opposed to drinking altogether), none of them really accepted it. It was just socially unacceptable in all situations where a group of baptists got together, and if you had alcohol in your house and another person from your church knew about it, you were likely to be confronted.

In the line of Baptists I am in, drinking ,or even participating in the selling of it is grounds for exclusion. This is part of a covenant you agree to upon joining the church. Personaly I feel drinking to excess is sinfull...one of the few things I disagree with them on :laugh:

Added: Dancing is not considered a sin,however the places you go to ,or what you are doing while dancing(wife ok :laugh: ) can create problems with your witnessing to others...is the argument I hear

[Diggs]

[techboy]

Before we can address the issue of differences, I believe it is important to understand what all orthodox Christian denominations have in common, because we have to know what Christian is, before we start talking about how Christians differ.

From The Essential Doctrines of the Christian Faith (Part 1):A Historical Approach by Norman L. Geisler:

A historical approach to the topic of the essentials of the faith begins with the earliest creeds embedded in the New Testament and traces creedal development through the early forms of the Apostles’ Creed to the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. Unity among all major sections of Christendom is found in the statement: “One Bible, two testaments, three confessions, four councils, and five centuries.” From here there are divergent views, such as Eastern Orthodoxy’s acceptance of seven general church councils and Roman Catholicism’s acceptance of twenty-one. Anabaptists reject the authority of any church council but accept in general the doctrines that were declared at the first four councils, based on their belief in sola scriptura (“the Bible alone”).

The essential doctrines of the Christian faith that emerge from this historical approach are those contained in the Apostles’ Creed and unfolded in subsequent creeds of the first five centuries. These include (1) human depravity, (2) Christ’s virgin birth, (3) Christ’s sinlessness, (4) Christ’s deity, (5) Christ’s humanity, (6) God’s unity, (7) God’s triunity, (8) the necessity of God’s grace, (9) the necessity of faith, (10) Christ’s atoning death, (11) Christ’s bodily resurrection, (12) Christ’s bodily ascension, (13) Christ’s present High Priestly service, and (14) Christ’s second coming, final judgment, and reign. Heaven and hell are implied in the final judgment and are explicated in later creeds.

All orthodox Christian denominations have those 14 points in common, be they Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Methodist, Southern Baptist, Lutheran, whatever.

After that, the differences are usually minor, and far too numerous to list.

[Mooka]

Just to clear up Baptists a bit, they are kind of like Protestants as each church can be it's own congregation. Not sure if that's accurate for Southern Baptists, though.

So there can be some differences between Baptist Churches.

btw Nostril, my Grandfather was a Baptist minister and alcohol wasn't forbidden in our family. He drinks a little at dinners and special occasions. (Although he falls asleep after 1 glass of wine )

[zoony]

Baptists don't allow pre-marital sex because they're afraid it will lead to dancing.

.....

[twa]

Yes Baptists believe in a local called out body of believers,rather than a universal church...We associate we other Baptists ,but are seperate entities.

On the drinking and dancing...in my experience it is tolerated,unless it becomes a public problem...At least in my neck of the woods

[twa]

Baptists don't allow pre-marital sex because they're afraid it will lead to dancing.

.....

:laugh: I think ya got that backwards,but whatever works.

[gchwood]

I'm afraid this is going to turn into a thread hijack, but I'm going to ask anyways.

gchwood - I have a question about your experience with baptists and alcohol. You say that baptists believe that alcoholism is a sin, but drinking is not(which I actually wouldn't consider to be a distinctive of baptists, as this is the general christian position). My question is have you ever gone to a baptist church where drinking is accepted? Because I grew up going to various baptist churches, and even though most of them said that drinking isn't necessarily a sin(I did go to one that was completely opposed to drinking altogether), none of them really accepted it. It was just socially unacceptable in all situations where a group of baptists got together, and if you had alcohol in your house and another person from your church knew about it, you were likely to be confronted.

yep the last 3 churches I have been to ( all baptist) are accepting of drinking. I mean Jesus drank and he was sinless, so how could drinking be a sin. Now drinking to the point of getting drunk is considered a sin. There is a huge difference between having a few beers and getting smashed. Any Christian that beleives in a literal interpretation of the Bible can not condemn drinking as long as it is not done to excess, otherwise you can call them out on it because they are contradicting what the Bible says.

See the Bible does not contradict itself but people and what they say do.

[gchwood]

In the line of Baptists I am in, drinking ,or even participating in the selling of it is grounds for exclusion. This is part of a covenant you agree to upon joining the church. Personaly I feel drinking to excess is sinfull...one of the few things I disagree with them on :laugh:

Added: Dancing is not considered a sin,however the places you go to ,or what you are doing while dancing(wife ok :laugh: ) can create problems with your witnessing to others...is the argument I hear

As far as the witnessing goes, you shouldn't do anything around someone that would make them slip back into sin. Like you should not invite an alcoholic over and have all sorts of booze available to him. That is just dumb.

Plus if you are going to dance the Lombada with some random woman while your wife is dancing with some random man, then there may be some issues, but dancing is biblical and so is drinking ( see Jesus' first miracle)

[gchwood]

Baptists don't allow pre-marital sex because they're afraid it will lead to dancing.

.....

As we always joke, no kissing cuz you know what that will lead to.....pre-marital dancing, and that is just unacceptable.

[twa]

As far as the witnessing goes, you shouldn't do anything around someone that would make them slip back into sin. Like you should not invite an alcoholic over and have all sorts of booze available to him. That is just dumb.

Plus if you are going to dance the Lombada with some random woman while your wife is dancing with some random man, then there may be some issues, but dancing is biblical and so is drinking ( see Jesus' first miracle)

Hey I agree with ya,but those hardheads at church think making a covenant together binds you to it. :laugh: ...and they DO have a point.

[gchwood]

His wording was indeed poor. But I think he was reffering to the "moment of salvation," which tends to be more a part of the culture of evangelicals and charismatics, then other denominations. All christians believe you must accept Christ, but not all denominations have this packaged "3 step process" to become a Christian.

I beleive in 2 steps, Faith in Christ as your personal savior and repentance of sins. usually the repentance leads to the acceptance.

[gchwood]

Hey I agree with ya,but those hardheads at church think making a covenant together binds you to it. :laugh: ...and they DO have a point.

yeah but their covenant is unbiblical, Jesus taught to be an outreach not a reclusive group

[twa]

yeah but their covenant is unbiblical, Jesus taught to be an outreach not a reclusive group

Getting OT ,but why is it unbiblical?

Believe me, they believe in outreach. :laugh:

[Mr. Nostril]

yep the last 3 churches I have been to ( all baptist) are accepting of drinking. I mean Jesus drank and he was sinless, so how could drinking be a sin. Now drinking to the point of getting drunk is considered a sin. There is a huge difference between having a few beers and getting smashed. Any Christian that beleives in a literal interpretation of the Bible can not condemn drinking as long as it is not done to excess, otherwise you can call them out on it because they are contradicting what the Bible says.

See the Bible does not contradict itself but people and what they say do.

You're preaching to the choir telling me that it's ridiculous and non-biblical to pretend that all drinking is a sin. I've just never seen any baptist church that truly culturally allows drinking. I think it's great that you've found some, but it's fairly abnormal.

By the way, you might have already realized this by my frequent use of the word "cultural." But I think the difference between different denominations(especially different protestant denominations), has more to do with creating and catering to different religious cultures, that it does any actual deep seeded religious differences. Although, I don't think you'll find many Christians who agree with me.

[prophet]

Religious sec's pretty much stink IMO

This is whats important!

1. Do you believe in Jesus as the Son of God.

2. Do you believe He paid the price for your sins, and you thus repent from breaking God's laws

3. Do you believe He died on a cross and was raised from the dead by God.

4. If you truly accept those things your lifestyle will change, and you will live a "sermon on the mount" lifestlye.

5. Live a lifestlye of repentance, and confession when you screw up... while continuing to pursue God.

*A person says they are "saved", yet doesn't have the lifestyle to match it is only fooling themselves.

The other differences are mostly silly arguments btw demoninations.

Peace OUT!

[SUNSTONE]

In Europe churchs go out to have a pint after church, but they frown on caffiene.

In America it's generally the opposite.

[prophet]

Pat Robertson is on record as saying that Methodists, Episcopalians, and Presbetarians will go to hell because they don't "believe what is correct".

Can you produce this record?

I do know that many baptist organizations in the past have said this against Catholics.... I don't know if this is still going on though.

[gchwood]

You're preaching to the choir telling me that it's ridiculous and non-biblical to pretend that all drinking is a sin. I've just never seen any baptist church that truly culturally allows drinking. I think it's great that you've found some, but it's fairly abnormal.

By the way, you might have already realized this by my frequent use of the word "cultural." But I think the difference between different denominations(especially different protestant denominations), has more to do with creating and catering to different religious cultures, that it does any actual deep seeded religious differences. Although, I don't think you'll find many Christians who agree with me.

My father in law is an elder at my last church (before the one I am currently attending) and he had no problem putting one or two back, kind of hard to tell you congregation not to drink when the elders do

The reason people call the church hypocritical is because of people saying things that aren't in the bible, such as drinking and dancing are sins.