Baptists — a comparison of the doctrine of 17 current religions
Prepared by and presented by Rex Bennett
An overview of the beliefs of the Baptists:
- Baptists
- Atonement — Christ atoned for our personal and original sins. He opened the door to everlasting life, through which we, by our faith, may enter.
- Baptism — .Baptism is not entirely necessary for salvation. Performed by immersion only. Baptisms of other churches are accepted if done by immersion. Infants are not baptized. Candidates must first believe.
- Did Christ organize a church while on earth? — He did not organize a definite church. He organized His followers to spread the gospel, and they, in and of themselves, created a church.
- Ecclesiastical authority — There is no succession of authority. Other churches may have equal authority, as authority is acquired from within the group itself, because of their righteousness and desire to serve Christ.
- God — God is an infinite and eternal spirit. He is the source and support of all things. He has no form of body and is the same perfect spirit from the beginning.
- Heaven and Hell — Heaven is being in the presence of God. Hell is not being in the presence of God. After the final judgement, the separation will take place, and will be our final state.
- Holy Bible — The Bible is the absolute truth. Every revelation that God has given to man is recorded therein, and there are not other scriptures.
- Holy Ghost — The Holy Ghost is the Third Person, or attribute of the One, and only One God, with God meaning ‘spirit’.
- Holy Trinity — Consists of one God only, and is capable of manifesting three distinct and separate person – Father, Son, and holy Ghost. All are equal in perfection, distinct in office, but one in substance.
- Is membership in a church needed for salvation? — No. It is necessary to accept Christ, through grace, to be saved, but a church of itself has no saving power. All good will be rewarded.
- Life after death — There are degrees of exaltation according to merit, and there may be the possibility of advancement. Many believe in the fixity of character, unchanged after death.
- Marriage — Marriage is for this life only, and does not extend after death. As for marriage and family relationships after death, it is only speculation and we do not believe in such.
- Miracles — There were miracles anciently but there have not been miracles of the same nature since the time of Christ.
- Future status of non-believers in Christ — Those who reject Christ will be eternally condemned. As for any possible future opportunity to accept Christ, we do not know of such a possibility.
- Pre-existence of man — We do not believe in the pre-existence of man. Jesus Christ (God) only had such. He lived before this life.
- Purpose of life — The purpose of this life is to seek God’s will and do it. This life is the beginning of a life of eternal progression.
- Resurrection — The literal body will not be resurrected. We will always have distinct personality and identity. Must look by faith to the future as there is no known doctrine.
- Revelation — Believe in ancient revelation but all of the revelation necessary has already been given. Therefore, there is no need for modern or future prophecy.
- Sacrament — Commemorates together the remembrance of the dying love of Christ. Each church decides when the sacrament is to be taken. Wine and bread are used.
- Satan — Satan is the spiritual being that is trying to destroy all good. Is the personal head of all that is evil.
- Second Coming of Christ — Christ will return again to this earth in person just as it is believed He ascended into heaven.
- Vicarious work for the dead — We cannot help those who have died, whether they are believers or non-believers in Christ.
- Virgin birth, immaculate conception — God was born of the Virgin Mary, taking on His second character (person) as Christ, because of his desire to link himself with man.
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