Just like all other followers of Jesus Christ, Catholics and Baptists are also Christians. This is simply because the word Christian, literally means follower of Jesus Christ. It is this faith in Jesus that defines Christianity, separating it from all the other Abrahamic Religions. This doesn’t mean that all Christians are the same, or that they all share the same beliefs and practices.
In this article, we will be covering the fundamental differences between the Catholic faiths and the Baptist faiths. As there are many Baptist denominations, we will be comparing the primary Baptist principles against the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.
Contents
The Difference Between Catholics and Other Christian Faiths
We have covered the core differences between Catholics and the other Christian faiths in another article. If you would like some additional information on the what defines a Catholic from other Christians please read our article: The Differences Between Catholic and Christian.
The Similarities Between Catholics and Baptists
While both the Catholic and Baptist faiths worship the same God, have faith in Jesus Christ, and the bible. Their similarities remain rather limited when compared to other Christian faiths.
The Bible
Both Catholics and Baptist follow and believe in their Bible. Their bibles consist of the Old and New Testaments, but that is as far as the similarities go.
- Like many other Christians. The Baptists do not acknowledge the 7 Deuterocanonical books that are found in the Catholic Bible.
- For more information please read our article on the differences between the Catholic and Christian Bibles.
Baptism
Members of both Churches are baptized prior to joining their community. The Baptism is performed differently from one another’s however.
- Catholics will baptize infants, who are then raised in the light of the lord. With their Godparents and family, guiding them on the teachings of God and the Church.
- Catholics perform their Baptisms by pouring water over the heads of those being Baptized.
- Even though they are Baptized, they are not treated as full members of the church until they take their Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Baptist will only Baptize “adults” – meaning only those who are of the age of reason, which is around the age of 12 years old. This is a similar age to Catholics, who are taking their Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Baptist perform their Baptisms by fully submerging the person being Baptized under a body of water.
- This can be done using a still pool of water, or a nature body of water, still or flowing.
- Some denominations may say their prayers prior to submerging the person. Others may say their prayers while the person is fully submerged.
Life After Death and Salvation
For both churches, the existence of Heaven and Hell is very real. How one can make their way into heaven or windup in hell is where they differ.
- Catholics believe that in order to gain salvation not only do you need to have faith in God and Jesus, you also need to have belief in the Church, and the holy sacraments.
- They also believe that the works you perform in life (how you live your life) also has an impact on what awaits your when you die.
- They believe that those who die without being absolved of their sins, will either go straight to hell (for mortal sins) or end up in purgatory (for venial sins).
- They believe that those who are trapped in purgatory can be helped free, through the use of prayers like the Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great.
- They believe that only perfect things are meant for Heaven, and only outright evil people are meant for Hell.
- For everyone else, purgatory is our second chance at redemption.
- Baptist believe that a strong and devout belief in Jesus is our only salvation, in avoiding an eternity in hell.
- They do not believe in purgatory, and that only Heaven or Hell awaits us.
- They also believe that which ever fate awaits us is for all eternity and that there are no second chances.
More Differences Between The Faiths
Aside from the differing views about life, death and the Good Book. There are many other minor differences that are more easily explained in a side by side comparison. For your convenience, we have provided a quick and easy reference guide.
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How the Church Was Established |
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Religious Leaders |
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Cross/Crucifix |
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Confession |
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Saints |
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Mass |
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The Churches Authority |
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Lent |
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Lifestyles |
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Going through RCIA, I was taught that Purgatory is not a second chance as if even the unrepentant could enter into that state/place. It is only for the saved. I think saying it’s a second chance leaves it open for misinterpretation by others outside the church like it’s a get-out-of-jail-free card for all eternity. It’s not.
Catholics baptize by pouring as well as by full immersion. I have witnessed both within my lifetime.
Perhaps it has more to do with individual churches, but the Baptist churches I’d attended in my past all believe themselves to be the true church.
Agreed. Purgatory isn’t a second chance, since they can no longer merit grace for themselves (condignly). The souls in Purgatory are saved but being purified or purged of the remnants of venial sin. Those who die in the state of mortal sin by refusing to repent and presuming they are in no need of our Lord and Savior end up in Hell for their unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit.
You stated under the Lent Section:
“Catholics practice the tradition of Lent in the weeks leading up to Christmas”
This statement needs correction since Lent precedes Easter – not Christmas. It should read:
“Catholics enter into a period of fasting, reflection, almsgiving, & penance called Lent in the weeks leading up to Easter.”
I commend your very (too) fair view of Baptists. I write as one who was a Baptist Pastor in the UK for almost 18 years. When in 1987 I announced that I was becoming an Anglican I was immediately deprived of my pulpit. Some of the congregation never spoke to me again. The deacons called a special church meeting and told the congregation that I had had a mental breakdown.
Move on to 2014 and after 27 years as an Anglican minister my wife and I were received into the Catholic Church.
My late mother (in her late 80`s) said to me one day, speaking of the Baptist Church,”son we were brainwashed very subtlety”.
As young people we had been systematically taught that the Catholic Church was a perversion of the Gospel and no Catholic would ever reach Heaven. As a young minister I said in the pulpit and at that time believed it that “the Catholic Church is paganism with a veneer of Christianity” A view widely held.
My wife and I rejoice in our Home Coming to the Church.
I noticed the date suggested that Baptists started in “1609 AD in Amsterdam;” but it is in our Scriptures, Matthew 3:16 that Jesus did ask John the Baptist to baptize Him. Anyone baptized by John the Baptist would then be Baptists, born again in the Holy Spirit, and commiting their lives to God.
Baptists do not believe in John Smythe, that is a morman belief
Some of the items ascribed to Baptists are a little too broad. Due to their independence from one another locally, and , even where there are associations, practises vary depending upon the Pastor. Some are ok with moderate drink -social, or smoking -while recognizing that they have greater social/health implications. As far as chewing – that is a new one and the author has never been in a Baptist church when it’s time for a potluck, Christmas,Thanksgiving, or church picnic event.. Chewing without intent is decidedly NOT on the Pastor or congregations mind. I disagree with a lot of the theology but if one is going to compare and contrast you may want to cite more contemporary literature on what is or is not Baptist lifestyle.
Great website!!!!
Okay I am personally only 15 and have only been in one church, so I don’t know how other Baptist churches operate, but I never knew that someone would be shunned for indulgence or anything chewing that isn’t for food, is there some meaning I am missing here?
Yes. Lent is the time prior to/leading up to Easter.
Many people forget that Advent (prior to Christmas) is also a time of almsgiving, self reflection, prayer, and preparation for our Lord’s birth. We’ve started to delay the celebration of Christmas until Christmas Eve. We are very, very slow in putting out decorations, and we spend the time thinking of others.
So many people spend Advent stressing over Christmas, and (might) feel like all the Christmas goodness needs to be done prior to Christmas day. This is the secular world rushing us. We’ve been so blessed to have realized the wonder, beauty and joy of living a more liturgical life.
God bless you all ??
“It begins on Christmas Eve and ends on the Sunday celebrating the Baptism of the Lord. This usually gives us a Christmas season of around 20 days or so. In the older tradition, before the Second Vatican Council, the Christmas season lasted a whole 40 days, echoing the 40 days of Lent.
I was raised as the daughter of a Fundamental Baptist preacher. I agree with what is written above, that regarding the Baptist Church, we were brainwashed very subtly. My father would only use the original King James Version of the Bible. This version “I” believe was translated by King James who became the ruler of England after the death of his Aunt – Queen Elizabeth 1. Baptists also believe they are the only religion who will be in heaven. I do not agree. I too was raised as if the Nuns and the Catholic religion was almost a type of “occult” religion. I also do not agree. Only as I have become much older and made my own thoughts and decisions, I do not agree with the Baptist religion I was raised within.
Being a Baptist I can see many irregularities in these writings…I can also tell this was probably written by someone who observes Catholicism :
“As per scripture, Baptists believe that a saint is anyone who is born again.” This is completely incorrect. Baptists believe that only God or Jesus can dictate who are Saints.
“Most Baptists do not practice mainstream Christian traditions including Lent”. No Baptists do not practice the tradition of Lent, but we do observe the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Birth of our Savior, we also observe the sacrament of the Last Supper.
“Even the act of chewing without the intention of consuming is not allowed”. This one I really can’t even define where this came from. As a Baptist/Christian I have never heard of this one.
I am not one to shun any Religion, however, Catholicism has had many, many bad marks on their Religion over the last 300 or more years, and every decade or so, the Catholicism hierarchy commits another atrocity and all is forgiven by the Pope or the Roman Catholic Diocese. However; those who believe in worshiping in Catholicism are I believe true believers in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
I recently posted a comment to this website depicting the wrong information put forth regarding Baptist Religion in this article and I see that it has been removed. Nothing in my comment was derogatory or untrue…however, I believe the administrators have removed my comments, for reasons unknown.
Baptists do baptize those younger than 12 years old.. this is the first time I have heard or seen this mentioned…