Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi Pastor,

I was wondering what you know about Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationists and Pentecostals? Isn't their faith almost identical to that of the Baptist faith. I know that the first 4 have infant baptism, and some Presbyterians and Congregationalists believe in Calvinism, (but many Baptists are also Calvinistic). But what is the real difference?

How does the faith of these people differ from that of the Baptist Church? Can a Baptist safely go to one of these Churches for worship? If a Baptist became a member of one of these churches what is the big deal?

Are you a Calvinist Baptist, or non-Calvinist? Are you an Arminian or do you believe in eternal security? I think some Baptists are Arminians, although I've only met one.

Are Arminians Baptists also saved if they trust in Jesus for salvation and believe in salvation by grace through faith?

Thanks, Josh

ANSWER: Hi Joshua,

WOW THAT IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS!

The most important thing is to believe in Salvation by grace through faith alone.  Not all who wear those lables believe or teach that, but some do.  Not even all Baptists do.

You can safely go where people hold the Bible to be the Absolute authority.  THere are some in that long list who do not do that, and some that do.

Typically and generally speaking the Methodists, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians tend to be more liberal, not embracing the Bible as entirely inspired without error.  THen I do think that it is not wise to be under that teaching.  Penticostals and Baptists tend to be more conservative and embrace the Bible as inspired and without error.

I used to be a Calvinist, but after further study, I have rejected that doctrine.  I am not Arminean, I do not believe that salvation is kept by works.

THe main difference between Baptists and Penticostals is the belief in TOngues and the rejection of eternal security.  Baptists do not believe in the use of tongues in church and they tend to believe that once a person is saved, he is always saved.

AMerican Baptists tend to be more liberal than fundamental Baptists are.  

I hope that this helps.

In CHrist
Pastor Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

Thanks for your info. I thought that the Arminian doctrine was that if someone lost his/her faith, then they would lose their salvation. Not if they committed some big sin.

Josh

Answer
Hi again Josh,

Arminianism varies but it basically teaches that there is some kind of act whether it is a lack of faith or the commitment of a sin, that can cause someone to lose salvation.  It basically says that it is up to the individual to stay saved, once they have been saved by grace at first.

I hope that helps.

In Christ
Pastor Don