So, what's the dif between a Baptist and a Catholic anyway?

I noticed that there are quite a few who don't know the difference between the two (or at least don't seem to care.) Well, thought I'd throw a few enlighting points in there to stir the pot a bit.

Baptism

Baptist: Believer's baptism. This reflects the outward expression for an inward work. In other words, it is a reflection of circumcision of the heart.

Roman Catholic: Infant baptism and adult baptism. This reflects the inclusion into the covenant of the church and is thus an equivelant to circumcision of the flesh (old covenant)

The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion

Baptist: As Christ instituted, it is a celebration in remembrance of His death and resurrection. It is also a remembrance of our deliverance from sin into His everlasting covenant where we sup with Him in heavenly places. The importance is stated in 1 Cor 11.

Roman Catholic: Christ is the eternal sacrifice, celebrated and sacrificed every time the priest holds up the host and cup of wine and the sanctus bells are rung. The "elements" are actually and vicariously changed into the actual body and blood of Christ, sacrificed once again and worthy to be adored and worshipped.

Salvation by grace through faith alone

Baptist: Eph 2:4-10, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are save and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Roman Catholic: Salvation is a mixture of faith and works, whereby we must show ourselves worthy to be accepted. It is the process of mediation through the priesthood, church tradition and Christ's mediatoral work. The church is the only channel of the grace of God. This grace is transmitted through the sacraments of the church. While this has been the "official" position of the RC, the second vatican council has recognized a wider sense of the "spiritual and moral goods" found among adherents of other religions. Thus saying, other religions (including the larger Christendom) can indeed know God, yet they insist upon the exclusiveness of the church's role in salvation. The traditional Catholic position has been that union with the church is necessary for salvation to take place, because the church possesses the means of salvation. If actual union is not possible, God will accept in its stead a sincere desire for it. Thusly, the people of God are divided into three categories in accordance with their degree of involvement with the church:

1. Catholics, who are "incorporated" into the church.
2. Non-Catholic Christians, who are "linked" to the church. While their situation is naot as secure as that of Roman Catholics, they have genuine churches and are not completely separated from God.
3. Non-Christians, who are "related" to the church.(Those who find themselves outside of the pale of the visible church, yet call upon the name of Christ).

Thus the RC is split in its definition of the recipients of the grace of God.

("Christian Theology," by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, 1985, pp 902-903)

A recommended reading:
Christian Theology by Millard Erickson
Justification by Faith Alone by R. C. Sproul

[ February 25, 2002, 02:49 AM: Message edited by: PreacherDave ]

 

Thank you gentlemen for the support. It was quite alarming to find a post to "inform" redirected to be a post to "debate!"
It my hope that this post would invoke biblical discussion for the purpose of finding the truth.

Catholic doctrine is insidious. It denies original sin and teaches a works based righteousness. As is all of our righteousness outside of the Savior, IT STINKS!

 

Thanks Barnabas for the suggestion. I'll have to do it little by little though because of my schedule.

Here's another:

Catholic doctrine teaches "baptismal regeneration." That is, baptism gains entrance into the Kingdom of God. The avenue is through the Catholic Church. In fact this is a point that John Calvin did not reject. Like circumcision in the old covenant gained entrance into national Israel (the land), baptism has gained entrance into physical body of Christ, the Church. The statement, "There is no salvation outside of the Church," applies. Because of the interpretations of Catholic Theologians, Popes and Edicts, the Church has the only true understanding of doctrine and its traditions secure its position.

Baptists truly believe that it is Christ, and the Circumcision of the Heart that ensures our position in salvation. The regenerating power of the Holy Spirit is the only source of entrance into the Kingdom of God, thus baptism is the command of Christ for the believer only.