I don't know the politics of the Presbyterian church. Sorry. Talking about that is just like talking in an alien language. That's why I said basic explanation.
Baptist vs. Presbyterian
Discussion in 'Free-For-All Archives' started by chipsgirl, Jan 17, 2005.
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That's right. I'm sorry. The degree of dampness is all that counts. My mistake. -
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Stop hijacking my thread with arguments!
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I was playing. I thought the infant decision one was funny.
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I was serious, though... I wonder if anyone "got it?" -
FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The difference between Baptists and Presbyterians is that Presbyterians drink IN FRONT of each other.
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Originally posted by dianetavegia:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by tragic_pizza:
Originally posted by chipsgirl:
[qb]I was serious, though... I wonder if anyone "got it?"Click to expand...Click to expand...
I was answering a question, not positing a theological position. -
That I understood your remark about infant baptism and the infants not being able to chose for themselves... ?
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Originally posted by chipsgirl:
Just wondering cause my Presbyterian friend is "always right"Click to expand... -
Originally posted by Monergist:
I was born and raised a Baptist (actually been baptized twice), joined a PCA church 2 years ago.Click to expand... -
padredurand Well-Known MemberSite SupporterHow can an infant decide that?Click to expand...
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Originally posted by dianetavegia:
That I understood your remark about infant baptism and the infants not being able to chose for themselves... ?Click to expand... -
FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Chipsgirl --
I will do what I can to answer your question. I have a unique view of the two denominations, having been both Baptist and Presbyterian for many years (though obviously not at the same time).
First some disclosure… I grew up and was baptized in a Baptist Church. I sat under some wonderful Baptist teachers and preachers for more than 20 years, including my own dad who was a Baptist preacher (he went home to be with our Lord just last year). I have a lot of family and friends who are Baptists (hence my Baptist Board name) and I always attend a Baptist church when I go back "home." However for close to 20 years, I have been an active member of a Presbyterian church and I am an ordained deacon within the Presbyterian Church of America.
Both Presbyterians and Baptists agree on the essentials of the Christian faith: the inspiration and the authority of the Scriptures, the Trinity, the virgin birth, the blood atonement, and that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone - just to name a few.
However, there are some differences between the two and I have listed them below in no specific order. I'm sure there are more differences, but these are the ones that come to mind. To be fair, I have attempted to simply list each view without prejudice. I would be happy to answer any questions you/others may have.
1. Church Government:
Baptist - Congregational, autonomous, no formal link to other churches
Presbyterian - Representative, ruled by elders, formal links to other churches within the denomination
2. Church Services:
Baptist - usually less formal. Most services normally end with an invitation to come forward. Think Charles Stanley.
Presbyterian - usually more formal, with creeds, confessions, responsive readings, etc. Think D. James Kennedy. However, many evangelical Presbyterian churches tend to be less formal and you might find little difference between the two church services (except for the lack of an invitation).
3. Theology:
Baptist - normally Dispensational; may be new Covenant Theology
Presbyterian - Covenant Theology
4. Eschatology:
Baptist - normally, pre-trib, pre-mil
Presbyterian - May be amillenial or historical premillenial; also, may be partial preterist as well. Not a major issue in most Presbyterian churches.
5. Baptism:
Baptist - An ordinance. Believers only by immersion only
Presbyterian - A sacrament. Believers and their children; by pouring, sprinkling or immersion
6. Lord's Table:
Baptist - an ordinance - memorial service only; normally does not happen very often and is a closed table (usually open to only those church members or other Baptists)
Presbyterian - a sacrament - a means of God's grace; normally occurs more often, though not every week and is open to all Christians present
7. View of Salvation:
Baptist - ranges from strongly Arminian to Calvinistic; from what I've experienced personally - closer to the Arminian position
Presbyterian - Calvinistic
8. Confessions:
Baptist - not a confessional church, but may refer to the London Confession (but probably not)
Presbyterian - holds to doctrines defined in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger & Shorter Catechisms
9. Social/Political Issues:
Baptist - normally more conservative
Presbyterian - normally less conservative; normally these issues are not addressed from the pulpit
10. Scholarship/Education (note: I hesitate to include this, but from what I have seen, this is true):
Baptist - varies from pastor to pastor and church to church. Some ordained pastors have considerable education, while others do not.
Presbyterian - Pastors must always have both a four-year degree plus a seminary degree before ordination.
11. Calling to Ministers:
Baptist - by the local church only
Presbyterian - by the local church, plus qualifications and doctrines are approved by the elders in other local Presbyterian churches (ie the Presbytery) -
F.O.S., the only thing I would add is that an invitation may be offered at a Presbyterian service, though admittedly it is the exception and not the rule. The PC(USA) Book of Order actually prescribes a "time of decision" be offered in the worship service.
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FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Thanks for the addition - I agree. Sometimes we do this, though not very often as most sermons are not evangelistic in nature.
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FriendofSpurgeon, that was a very complete, informative, and thought out post.
BTW, when I saw that, for "View of Salvation", you said "Presbyterian - Calvinistic", I chuckled, because I figured everyone knew that.... the Presbyterian church was founded by John Calvin!!! But, not everyone knew that.
BTW, it should be noted that mainline calvinism should not be confused with hypercalvinism. -
Thank you FriendofSpurgeon. That's what I wanted the whole time instead of an argument about the differences. Now that I know, you all can finish your arguments.
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