What is the difference between presbyterians and baptists

It is a continuation of the Old Testament sign of circumcision. Thus, for a Presbyterian, it is fitting for the children of believers to receive this sacrament as a sign that they are included in the Covenant along with their families.

Most Presbyterians would also insist that, to be saved, a baptized infant will also need, when they reach an age of moral responsibility, to personally have faith in Jesus Christ.

Those baptized as infants do not need to be baptized again as believers. Presbyterians rely on passages such as Acts to support their views.

Baptists, on the other hand, insist that there is insufficient biblical support for baptizing anyone but those who themselves are trusting in Christ for salvation. Baptists view infant baptism as illegitimate and insist that those who come to faith in Christ be baptized, even if they were baptized as infants.

To support their views, they draw on various passages in Acts and the Epistles which refer to baptism in connection with faith and repentance.

They also point to the lack of passages which clearly affirm the practice of baptizing infants. Neither insist that baptism, whether paedo or credo, is necessary for salvation. Baptists hold to baptism by immersion in water.

They argue that only this mode fully represents both the biblical model of baptism and the imagery that baptism is meant to convey. Presbyterians are open to baptism by immersion in water, but more commonly practice baptism by sprinkling and pouring water over the head of the one being baptized. One of the biggest differences between Baptists and Presbyterians is their church polity or practice of church government.

Most Baptist churches are autonomous and governed by meetings of the whole congregation. This is also called congregationalism. The pastor or pastors oversees the day to day operations of the church and see to the shepherding needs of the congregation. Baptists and Presbyterians hold different views on the practice of baptism.

Baptists believe that the person being baptized must profess their faith in Christ before being immersed in water, while Presbyterians believe that people should be sprinkled with water as immersion is not scriptural. Presbyterians also believe that infants can be baptized, even though they cannot express their faith.

The Presbyterian and Pentecostal traditions are two of the most important and influential branches of Protestant Christianity. While they agree on several important biblical doctrines, they have Skip to content The Presbyterian and Baptist traditions are influential Protestant denominations that have left their mark in Europe, America, and around the world.

Continue Reading. The Trinity, the fallenness of humanity, the death of Christ as an atonement for sin, the physical resurrection of Christ, salvation is by grace through faith, the inspiration and authority of Scripture, the Second Coming. The Baptist tradition is one of the most doctrinally diverse denominations in Protestantism e. It depends on the denomination; the PCUSA welcomes liberal and progressive theological positions and social causes; the PCA maintains conservative positions on theological and social matters.

It depends on the denomination; the Southern Baptist Convention is theologically and socially conservative; others like American Baptists Churches USA welcome liberal and progressive ideas and practices. Presbyterians believe in the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Moderate-liberal churches read and teach Scripture selectively. Presbyterians believe in the Trinity; there is one God who exists in three persons.

You also keep reiterating on this Double Predestination, which again is incorrect. And are you aware that even in most mainline Presbyterian churches today we have gone away from the Predestination. Are you also aware that the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination does not believe in it at all and their stance is indentical to Methodist.

There are many things that you have written here and on other sites about the differences between Presbyterians and such which is incorrect. Once saved always saves is more of a Baptist belief. It is difficult to generalize because there are significant differences between one Baptist or Presbyterian denomination and another, as well as within denominations especially in, say, the PCUSA or Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Some Baptists also accept predestination. In a number of cases, the main differences are only regarding baptism and church government. It is false to pit presbyterians over against baptists on the Gospel and salvation by faith in Christ. All Calvinists believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, whether Baptist or Presbyterian.

You are contrasting Arminian Baptists with what you think is Presbyterian belief. This is a great very general difference as a whole. Also have all believed in predestination! The biggest division is by far infant vs believer baptism. I grew up baptist and have attended other churches as well… The church in general has changed over the years actually… But as far as this goes I have also in my church especially during communion we do read out loud some things.