? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

[Kenneth Brown]

I've been raised Baptist all my life. Not a real religous person so I don't do the church thing much, although I am strong in my beliefs, daily prayers,etc. Not looking for arguements form anyone, or to troll, I'm seeking understanding. What is the difference between Baptists and Pentecostal? What about B vs Methodist or Luthern?

 

[DJ]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

I'll butt in here.<br /><br />"Faith" and "religion" are not necessarily connected.<br /><br />Religion is the control of the populace.<br /><br />Faith is personal. If you feel that you are saved, you're fine.<br /><br />I would suggest that you get into a true "Bible" based church and glean from the people/teachings there.<br /><br />A "true" Bible based church will never ask you to judge.<br /><br />Remember, Jesus fought religion (Pharisees) not the government, or anything else.<br /><br />Read John: 1-6 and then make up your own mind.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

KB,<br />I am a Southern Baptist Deacon (age 35) who started attending church at age 15.<br /><br />I don't know the exact similarities or differences; however, I'll try to highlight some of them. I apologize in advance to any misinformation I provide to anyone Pentecostal or Methodist or Lutheran. I tend to study my Bible more than learn about other denominations.<br /><br />I'll start off by saying that I'd probably feel pretty comfortable in all of the churches you listed as far as their "basic" beliefs other than the Pentecostal church.<br /><br />Baptist - Most believers who attend a Baptist fellowship believe that once a person has been "saved" (forgiven from the penalty of their sins due to their trusting in the finished work of Christ), they are saved "forever" and can't lose their salvation. They didn't earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9), they can't lose it. People cannot save themselves by their good works or restore themselves to a right relationship with God. Once a person gets "saved" they want to express that salvation and identify with other believers by being baptized. John the Baptizer and Jesus himself baptized people by them being submerged in water and then coming out. This is purely a symbolic (but also a form of obedience) picture of someone dying (buried in water) to themselves (their selfish, evil ways) and resurrecting (as did Christ) and serving Him. Baptist typically don’t drink alcohol (not necessarily a sin) because if they don’t they don’t risk the possibility of becoming drunk (which is a sin) and acting a “fool”. Baptist believe in the Holy Trinity. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. He is both true God and true man. He lived to fulfill God’s law for us, died on the cross to pay the penalty our sins deserved, and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of The Father to intercede for us. Christians are called to tell others that the only way of salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, and to show their faith by their deeds of love towards others.<br /><br />Methodist – Have similar basic fundamental beliefs as Baptists; however, many believe that a person can “lose” their salvation if they “fall away” and don’t serve the Lord. They also do not necessarily follow through with Baptism exactly as did Jesus (through immersion) but will "sprinkle" the believer instead. I believe they don’t mind a glass of wine from time to time.<br /><br />Pentecostals – Again, similar core beliefs as Baptists; however, some differences would be that (1) they don’t exactly believe in the Trinity, (2) in order to be saved one must be baptized in the name of Jesus only, and (3) you must speak in tongues in order to be saved.<br /><br />Lutheran - Very similar to Baptist as far as I know.<br /><br />I look forward to others responses.

 

[Link]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

DJ <br />

"Faith" and "religion" are not necessarily connected.<br /><br />Religion is the control of the populace.<br /><br />Faith is personal.

I thought your whole answer was very good, but picked this part out because most people don't ever understand that.<br />KB<br />I can not answer your questions but I have seen people of "Faith" here on iboats discus religion before and have been blown away by thier depth of understanding and knowledge. Better than reading a book. I'm sure you will get your answers.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

well when I used to attend the babtist church I attended had mostly drunk deacons,cept on sunday morn, and we could not dance. the methodist churh however could dance . the nazarine churh I belonged to got a bit spooky from time to time. but mostly I gave up on "organized" religion as seems to many attepmted to walk on water.<br /> but I did have a cool nazarine preacher in Cleburne TX, when he came over for visitation we would have a beer together instead of coffee. used to really cheese the ex wife .

 

[brother chris]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

James Coste...I disagree with a couple comments.<br />Regarding Pentecostals:<br />One does not HAVE to speak in tongues to be saved.<br />As well, pentecostals believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That, to me, is the trinity. <br /><br />If I was to define my beliefs, the denomination would be Pentecostal.

 

[brother chris]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

James Coste. <br />I was not arguing with you, I was just stateing my opinion of what I think as a Pentecostal.<br /><br /><br />KB:<br />When I have more time tomorrow, I will state my opinion of what I think Pentecostals believe. <br /><br />It might be easier if we had a couple posts from different denominations explain about their beliefs. Then all posts/opinions could be examined...and you can take your own answer from that. <br /><br />I am quite interested in this post.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

Originally posted by brother chris:<br /> James Coste...I disagree with a couple comments.<br />Regarding Pentecostals:<br />One does not HAVE to speak in tongues to be saved.<br />As well, pentecostals believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That, to me, is the trinity. <br /><br />If I was to define my beliefs, the denomination would be Pentecostal.

Brother Chris,<br />I based my comments about the Pentecostal church partly due to past conversations with Pentecostal preachers who told me that I was not saved because I had not spoken in tongues. As I think I mentioned in my first post, there are many different "branches" of mainline denominations. His might have been one that disagreed with the mainline. I also researched this link: Pentecostal Church beliefs page. where they claim those two things.<br /><br />I won't stand by the comments on the website because I don't know the source. It was just the first one or two when I googled the text "pentecostal beliefs". I will stand by my experience with that Pentecostal preacher though. He had me shaking in my boots until I better understood God's Word that disagreed with his comments.<br /><br />I appreciate you stating your opinion in a kind fashion. I certainly am no expert on the Pentecostal denomination and could be wrong on some points no doubt.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: ? for James Coste, Soul Winner, and others

Thanks for the help guys. As I said I have always been Baptist. During my teen years I went to Pentecostal church with the GF for a while. The speaking in tongues really scared the chit out of me cause some of it was real, while others was obviously fake. What brings my desire towards Pentecostal was the music. We started singing as we walked in the door and never quit till we were out the door. Sang through prayer and all. I really enjoyed church. For a horny 16 yo that was something special. I intially only went because the GF was there, but in the end I kept going, even when she didn't, I really enjoyed it. My wife's family is all German, although they have been in the states for about 90 years. They all stayed German by marrying German. Her grandmother and further back are Luthern. Seems to be most all Germans are. I have a strong German background myself, hence the interest. Methodist is just something I have never done before. Church of Christ I did as a kid and it was ok also, just the word as far as I remember. I have studied the Koran some, along woth Latterday Saints/Seventh Adventist. <br /><br /><br />I guess what it boils down to is curiousity. I don't attend church regulary but my kids go every Weds night and most Sunday school. I am the one who makes sure that they are exposed to religon, my wife is kinda moot on any of it.