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Different Protestant Denominations

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by saturneptune, Aug 10, 2009.

  1. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Knowing very little about any denomination other than Baptist and Presbyterian, I would be interested in hearing from Lutherans, Methodists, and Episcapalians on how their churches administer and view baptism, how they practice communion (ie open or closed), how they feel about Calvinism, and specifically, once saved always saved. Is there different views within your denomination?
     
  2. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    If I may brother, can request a better phrase to 'once saved always saved' or at least one that might be better understood by those 'not baptists'. Though the phrase is in fact a true one, it is misunderstood by many due to it's abuse to make allowance for sin, and for it's misrepresentation by those who really have very little understanding of it.

    I use "once saved always changed' since it implies the same meaning and is in many instances agreed upon more by others than the phrase 'once saved always saved'.
    Just a thought :)
     
  3. Matt Black

    Matt Black Well-Known Member
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    Oh, Anglicans (Episcopalians if you prefer) are even worse than Baptists when it comes to 'answers' on these subjects (eg: "if you ask two Baptists a question you'll get three different answers"; Anglicans do this too, but with extra helpings of 'fudge'). But let's take your questions:

    Baptism: officially, we don't go quite as far as Catholics in asserting baptismal regeneration (although you'll find plenty on the Anglo-Catholic wing who do), but see it rather as a sign of new birth; we do however view it as a method of incorporation into the Church. We do baptise infants. See Art 27 of the Articles of Religion:


    [/FONT]

    Communion - officially 'closed', in that only those who have been baptised (by anyone) and confirmed within the Church of England are allowed to partake. In practice, communion is open to anyone who loves the Lord and, if a visitor, who normally receives communion in their own church.

    Soteriology: officially Calvinist, at least in part, more accurately Augustinian. See arts 9 to 17 and make up your own mind:


    In practice, you'll also get Arminians and those who are much closer to the Catholic, more sacramental method of salvation, particularly at the Anglo-Catholic end of things.
    [/FONT]
     
  4. JSM17

    JSM17 New Member

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    The most important thing to know about denominations is that it is not biblical. Nowhere in N.T. scripture do you find this kind of so called "Christian" division being authorized. When it comes down to picking and choosing a church, it usually ends up being which one do I like instead of which one is biblical. If each one of us thinks anothers church os unbiblical then there can be no fellowship.

    On the day of Pentecost which denomination was present and by the time you get to the book of Revelation how many denominations can you identify?

    John 17:21 Jesus prayed that believers might all be one.

    Baptist and Episcopalians cannot be one just as much as Catholics and Baptists cannot. Presbyterians and Methodist cannot be one. So where then is the Christian unity that Christ spoke about? Where is the scripture that approves all this division?
     
  5. Darron Steele

    Darron Steele New Member

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    A decreasing number of church groups associate "denomination" with division.

    More and more denominations are turning into simply associations of congregations.

    To equate "denominations" with "divisions" is an antique left over from earlier centuries, when all but a few denominations were rivalrous factions. More and more Christians have moved on from the silly non-Scripture notion that unless we are doing everything nearly exactly alike on Sunday, we are to be aloof from each other or fight.

    With that, can we respect the thread creator's desire for this thread? Neither you nor I are in the queried church groups. S/he wants to learn about outside church groups. Let us give common courtesy and stay out of the way.
     
    #5 Darron Steele, Aug 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2009
  6. Agnus_Dei

    Agnus_Dei New Member

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    Since I'm Orthodox, we are "pre-denominational", but I'd like to chime in as well...
    We administer baptism through immersion, 3 times the person is immerse in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Infants and/or adult/teen Catechumens (who have never been scripturally baptized) are baptized and then receive Chrismation.
    Christian Baptism is the mystery of starting anew, of dying to an old way of life and being born again into a new way of life, in Christ. In the Orthodox Church, baptism is "for the remission of sins" (cf. the Nicene Creed) and for entrance into the Church; the person being baptized is cleansed of all sins and is united to Christ; through the waters of baptism he or she is mysteriously crucified and buried with Christ, and is raised with him to newness of life, having "put on" Christ (that is, having been clothed in Christ). The cleansing of sins includes the washing away of the ancestral sin.
    Our Communion is closed and is open only to baptized Orthodox who have properly prepared themselves to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
    We don't follow the teachings of Calvin.
    OSAS is not an early church teaching by the Fathers of the Church, so no, we don't adhere to a OSAS theology. We approach salvation freely and we are called to work out our own salvation in both fear and trembling. Some pick up their cross and bear it to the end and finish the race; some drop out, only to never return, while some return and finish. While some never enter the race to begin with.
    Again, we are "pre-denominational"...the Orthodox Church as a whole in communion with Constantinople is bound together by her Liturgy and her Creed.

    In XC
    -
     
  7. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I like it. May I steal it and use it?
     
  8. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    This totally misses the point of the op. If you want to start a thread on why we had one unified church in Acts, and managed to split into thousands of groups in 2000 years, then we can start one. I merely want to get first hand posts about how different groups worship. This is not a I am right and you are wrong thread.
     
  9. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Then you are not really a Baptist...:laugh::laugh:
     
  10. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    >Nowhere in N.T. scripture do you find this kind of so called "Christian" division being authorized.

    Try reading Acts. Anyone who can't see the theological difference between the Jerusalem Synod and Paul's denomination . . . .
     
  11. Alive in Christ

    Alive in Christ New Member

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    Allan,

    I'm curious regarding what is the problem with the phrase "Once saved, always saved"?

    It is a 100% true statement. God saves a person one time, and they are forever saved. It is an impossibility to ever be lost again, irregardless of any sin problems that might come up after being saved.

    Why should we not proclaim that glorious truth?

    Once saved always "changed" could give a born again person person the erroneous idea that they were not really saved if they fall into some inconsistant sinful behaviors, when in fact that has nothing to do with their standing as a child of God.
     
  12. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Read post 8. It addresses your post. If you want to start a thread on our understanding of Acts, start a thread.
     
  13. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    SN, you didn't ask about Church of Christ but I will volunteer this one. I am not a member of the C of C, but I have many close relatives who are. Besides JSM17 won't provide an answer because he doesn't believe the C of C is a denomination. Rather, he believes it is the only true church, i.e., the only church that is true to the New Testament. However, if I make a mistake here, he will probably jump in and correct it. :thumbs:

    Baptism
    . The C of C administers baptism only to believers and only by immersion. The minister (what they call the pastor) and elders are qualified to baptize. There may be other men qualified to do this as well but I can't say for sure. They have a somewhat sacramental view of baptism, but deny any belief in sacraments. Rather, they believe baptism is necessary for salvation because we are told in the N.T. to be baptized. If we do not obey the scriptures, we are not saved. Obedience is a word you will hear often among C of C people.

    Communion. Communion is observed every Sunday without exception. The bread is passed through the congregation, just as Baptists do. The cup (individual small containers of grape juice) is then passed. However, in the C of C, when one takes a piece of bread or a cup of juice, he or she eats or drinks it immediately. There is no waiting for the entire congration to be served and no statement by the minister such as, "This is my body that is broken for you, do this in memory of me." They reject the concepts of transubstantiation and consubstantiation. They reject the idea that communion is a sacrafice. Rather, they "do it in memory of Me." They also do it in obedience to Christ's command. I would assume they practice open communion because I have visited them many times, it was always offered to me, and I have always received it. However, I doubt that you would find this in all congregations.

    Calvinism is not even remotely related to C of C beliefs. They don't even talk about it but if they did, it would be to spurn the very idea.

    Once saved always saved, like Calvinism, is not even on their radar. I think you would find complete unanimity in the belief that Christians can fall from grace and be completely lost.

    Different views. Different views are held but they aren't as wide as the differing views of Baptists. I think you will mostly find some C of C people who are willing to cooperate and fellowship with other churches while others refuse to do so. Another area where you will find differences is music. Some Churches of Christ will permit musical instruments for weddings. Others will not all a musical instrument in the building. They all agree that musical instruments should not be a part of Christian worship.
     
    #13 Zenas, Aug 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2009
  14. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Zenas,
    I did not mean to leave out any group. Those just came to mind. I appreciate the response. Say, where do you live in KY?
     
  15. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    No Prob :thumbs: :)

    I use it as a short paraphrase for 2 Cor 5:15.
     
    #15 Allan, Aug 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2009
  16. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    I have already stated 'why' as seen below from my post.

    Of course, but let us make statements in such a way that not only conveys the truth but also corrects the misunderstandings that have become associated with it.

    I have been using it for over 10 years now, speaking, teaching and preaching and even in my conversations with the some the most argumentative religious people, not one has ever made such a correlation to it. In fact it is the best one liner I have found that clears up a lot or maybe I should say 'clears away' such arguments and lets me tell them more about the life of Christ is different from the world and other religious people.
     
  17. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    I'd rather not say but drive I-24 quite a bit and have noticed your and Tom Butler's church near Husband Road. It must be a pretty good church with a couple of level headed guys like you as members.
     
  18. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I understand. Actually Tom is much more level headed than me. I can be a loose cannon at times. Yes, it is a good church. You are welcome anytime you are driving by. Church starts at 10:45 Sunday morning and 6 Sunday night. Thanks for your kind words.
     
  19. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Actually, saturneptune and I complement each other quite well. He fires me up, I calm him down.
     
  20. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Christian denominations remind me that we live in a broken world.
     
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