Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 3/8/2009

Question
My family is military and we were recently stationed down south where there is an abundance of baptist churches and not many catholic. I have not been to church since i was in my early teens and am now 23 years old. I have a 6 year old son who recently became curious about god and Jesus and has allot of questions that he wants answered and i don't have those answers for him. We have recently been invited by a friend to join them one Sunday morning at their church, which is baptist. I am more than willing to go, and check it out, but am curious as of what to expect. Do baptists have communion? Is there a bunch of singing and dancing? Do we have some of the same prayers like our father, hail Mary or the apostles creed? And what really are the biggest differences between the two? I have sort of read up on it and it doesn't seem like much.

Answer
Dear Valerie,
     Thank you for writing and I will try to help you with this.    I think you will find that most Baptist churches are conservative in their services and that you would not be uncomfortable or embarrassed to attend.    Of course there are some exceptions to this, as some Baptist are leaving the traditions of the past and also biblical teaching and practices for what they call modern non-traditional services.   These churches vary in how the conduct their services.   
     There will be singing in all Baptist churches, but not dancing.   There will not be reciting of the Lord’s prayer, doing hail Mary’s or the apostles creed.   There will be reading of the Bible, God word,  by the pastor as he preaches God’s word and explains biblical truths.    If you have your Bible with you, you will be invited to follow the scripture reading as it is read.
      I would ask your friend if their church has traditional or non traditional service.   Non traditional service are also called contemporary services.     I would not advise anyone to attend contemporary services because they are not biblical.  I wish I did not have to say that, but it is true.   
     The main difference between Baptists and Catholics is that the Baptists base their faith and practice solely on the Bible which is God’s word.  Baptists to not have popes, cardinals and church officials outside of their local congregation.     Baptist believe the Bible and base their practices on what God tells us.    The Bible says that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ who is God’s Son and salvation is not something we can earn by our works such as church membership, baptism, doing rituals and sacraments.
     We believe this because God’s word makes it very clear how a person is saved by having their sins forgiven and receiving eternal life.   God states this in Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9)    God says that all men are sinners.   “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:23-24)   
     The basic difference in the biblical faith of Baptist and the faith of Roman Catholicism is that Baptist are not trying to work their way to heaven or earn it by doing religious acts as the RC s do.  
     God plainly states that salvation is His free gift to all who will believe and put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   (Romans 6:23)
      The RC church teaches that a person can earn their salvation by first joining the RCC.  Then being sprinkled as an infant, and going to confession, taking the mass, doing the sacraments of the church and doing penance.       Yet, God says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)     Salvation and forgiveness of sins is God free gift to those who will believe.
      That is what true Baptists teach, preach, believe and live.   Yes, we do good works and obey the Lord, but not to be saved, but rather to honor our Lord and Savior and to be a witness and testimony to others.
       I know I have gone beyond your question about what the services in a Baptist church are like and of Baptist beliefs.  However, no church nor work can save anyone.   God says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
       I am sure your friend really cares for you and your soul and wants to help you find the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.    It is a wonderful thing to know that God loves us and freely offers His forgiveness for all our sins.   It is a wonderful thing to believe and know absolutely that when we die we will go to heaven.    You have great friend....first in Jesus Christ and in the one who has invited you to go to church with them.   Please go and do not be concerned about being uncomfortable....you will hear the Good News...the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ who can change your life and give you the best life you could never even imagine.   I know....I believed and God saved me and gave me a new and wonderful life.  God bless you as you seek the Lord and I prayed for you this morning and your family.
     If you would like to read about how a person can be saved and go to heaven when they die I have an article at http://bible-truth.org/gospel.html that will explain it to you.  Take your Bible and read the passages for yourself and see what God says.
    Thank you also for serving our country in the military.   As a Vietnam veteran and one who served for seven years I know your sacrifices and wish for you God’s best.
Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2