#1 How Do Baptists Worship?
Baptists worship through the praise and reverence of their Lord, God. Worship is usually conducted in a community-based congregation, which is separated by local areas. As worship is seen as a methodology for speaking with God directly, this dialog can be seen as non-liturgical, able to be done in privacy or silence.
Church services may include a spontaneous prayer or unscripted verse based on scriptures from the bible. This Scripture or idea can create an entire theme for a meeting, leading a great discussion amongst the congregation on a single notion. A minister or leader will guide the service and often close in another prayer, asking God to forgive their sins.
As a considerably less structured form of worship than that of Roman Catholics or Anglicans – The Baptist style of worship is more human and community-focused, less ritualistic, and more heavily based on Scripture than many other Christian denominations.
A unique characteristic of Baptism that designates who can minister and teach the word of God – is that everyone has the right to teach and minister to people. Baptists do not feel that only ordained ministers have this right, but all Baptist disciples have this right. This is why you will commonly hear Baptists promoting, preaching, and sharing the word of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Related Scripture(s):
- “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24.
- “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” – Psalm 95:6.
- “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” – John 4:23.
Related Video(s):
- Places of Worship – Baptist Church; Published September 18th, 2010.
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#2 How Do Baptists Baptize?
Baptist church members believe in a baptism that abides by these procedures and principles:
- Baptism by immersion (entirely going underwater as Jesus did; not being sprinkled with water)
- There is a repeating of their confession of faith
- A blessing ensues
- The Baptizer will say ‘I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of your sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit’ upon which they will be immersed
Baptists are opposed to infant baptism, and they will not baptize a child under the age of eight. Only by reaching this age of childhood that they deem ‘maturity’ can a child determine if he/she is ready to be baptized in the name of God.
Baptists feel that Baptism is not the only way to be saved, but it is essential to be saved. Even if someone is baptized, they could reject the spirit of the Lord and not prove themselves worthy of salvation, so Baptism without a lifestyle adaptation is moot. Baptisms must also be combined with a lifetime of service and worship for God, or it is meaningless in the eyes of God.
Related Scripture(s):
- “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” – Acts 22:16.
- “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5.
Related Video(s):
- Full Immersion Baptism – Baptismal Service Baptisms; Published March 3rd, 2011.
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#3 How Do Baptists Celebrate Easter?
Certain denominations do not celebrate the Lenten season, such as Southern Baptists – However, they will celebrate Easter.
The ways in which Baptists celebrate Easter include:
- A holy respect throughout the week of Easter
- Observance of Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter)
- Observance of Ash Wednesday
- Observance of Good Friday
- Observance of Easter Sunday with meetings
- An exchange of Easter eggs for children
- A feast amongst the congregation, friends, and family
Some Baptists will take the Easter holiday to be very fun and light; while others may find it a very sobering and reflective time to consider Jesus’ sacrifice. This will vary from person to person.
- did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” – Luke 24:1-12.
Related Video(s):
- Why We Can Celebrate Easter Every day; Berean Baptist Church; Published April 16th, 2020.
#4 How Do Presbyterians Differ from Baptists?
There are many distinctions between Presbyterians and Baptists, one of the most predominant being that Presbyterians are linked to Protestantism through Calvinism (the movement of Reformation). In contrast, Baptists are descended from Reformers that separated from the Church of England.
Some of the main differences between these two Christian denominations are:
| Presbyterianism | Baptism | |
| Population | 75 million globally | 40 million globally |
| Infant Baptisms | Yes | No |
| Covenantal Baptisms | Yes | No |
| Immersion Baptisms | Sometimes, often sprinkling | Yes, strictly |
| One Baptism per Lifetime | Yes – A person may only be permitted one Baptism in their entire life | No – A person can be rebaptized if entering the Baptist denomination |
| Structure | Led by church governance of elders. More layers to their governance than Baptisms | Led by ministers and the whole congregation as equal communicators of God’s will. |
| Autonomy of Chur ch | Less so | More so |
| Reformed Theology | Yes | Left up to their discretion; Each congregation is independent |
| Communion | No | Yes |
| Confessions | Yes | No |
| Scripture is Central to Life | Yes | Yes |
Related Scripture(s):
- “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:25.
- “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16.
- “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” – Acts 16:31.
Related Video(s):
- Independent Baptists Versus Presbyterian – What’s the Difference?; Published February 12th, 2019.
#5 How Do Methodists Differ from Baptists?
Some of the main differences between these two Christian denominations are:
| – | Methodists | Baptists |
| Population | 80 million globally | 40 million globally |
| Believe in God | Yes | Yes |
| Trinitarian | Yes | Yes |
| Authority | Tradition | Scripture |
| Which form of Scripture? | Prima | Sola |
| Arminian? | Yes | Sometimes |
| Infant Baptisms | Yes | No |
| Baptism is a New Birth | Yes | No |
| Sprinkling Baptisms | Yes (more common) | No |
| Immersion Baptisms | Yes | Yes (Immersion only) |
| Communion | Open | Closed |
| Sacraments | Yes | No |
| Sanctification | Entire | Entire only in eternity |
| Church View | Universal | Local |
| Government | Episcopal | Congregational |
| Women in Leadership | Yes | No |
| High or Low Church regarding Ritualism? | High | Low |
Related Scripture(s):
- “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” – Mark 6:7.
- “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1.
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#6 How Do Baptists Pray?
Baptists will each pray in their own unique manner, but some of the commonalities you will notice include:
- Saying ‘Amen’ at the end of a prayer
- Possibly saying ‘In Jesus’ name, Amen’
- Praying in a way that is communicating directly to God
- Putting their head down respectfully
- Taking off any hats
- Closing their eyes
- Putting their hands together or down at their sides
- Speaking earnestly and humbly to God
- Addressing others that may be struggling
- Addressing the homeless, needy, or those in illness/dire states within the congregation
- Addressing the world and praying for all of humanity
- Using spontaneous prayers
- Using the Lord’s prayer
- Use hymns and songs to enhance the message
- Sometimes holding each other, hugging, and conducting a shared prayer as a group
Related Scripture(s):
- “And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42.
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6.
- “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” – Luke 18:1.
Related Video(s):
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#7 How Do Lutherans Differ from Baptists?
Some of the main differences between these two Christian denominations are:
| Lutheranism | Baptism | |
| Population | 80 million globally | 40 million globally |
| Established | The 1520s | 1612 |
| Justification of Faith alone | Yes | Yes |
| Baptism as Salvation | Yes | No |
| Infant Baptisms | Yes | No |
| Age restriction on Baptisms | No | Yes |
| Communion | Yes | |
| Communion as Symbolic | No – literally seen as the body and blood of Christ | Yes – Symbolic |
| Free Will | No – More about the will of God | Yes – Free Will is central to Baptism’s theology |
Related Scripture(s):
- “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s Church?” – 1 Timothy 3:1-16.
Related Video(s):
- Differences Between Baptists and Lutherans – Ask The Pastor; Published January 3rd, 2018.
- Independent Baptists Versus Confessional Lutherans; Published January 8th, 2019.
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#8 How Do Baptists Feel About Cremation?
Baptists do not have explicit rules against cremation but there are a few smaller Baptist subsects that may be opposed to it.
Some of the more common funeral preparations used by Baptists are:
- Embalming
- Organ donation
- Standard burials
Cremation can take place before or after the funeral service. A traditional Baptist funeral service would include a wake or viewing before the funeral, so this period of grief and respect may occur before the cremation.
The religions that are against cremation include:
- Aboriginal Spiritualists
- Anglicanism
- Buddhism
- Catholicism
- Eastern Orthodox
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Judaism
- Methodism
- Some Baptist denominations and subsects
Related Scripture(s):
- “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19.
Related Video(s):
- James Gregory – Baptist Cremation; September 21st, 2019.
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#9 How Do Baptists Observe Lent?
Many Baptists do not observe the Lenten season or see it as unnecessary. Although Baptists, like Catholics and other Christian denominations, tend to celebrate the major religious holidays (such as Christmas and Easter), they do not all celebrate the minor religious holidays, such as Lent.
The Hampton Baptist Church writes about their Church’s calendar:
“As a Church, we don’t usually plan specific events during Lent but leave it up to individuals to identify ways in which they would like to mark this season.”
This is common amongst the Baptist community – The belief in autonomy, the sovereignty of free will, and the separation of Church and state. Baptist Churches are independent and able to make their own decisions, just as individual Baptist members have autonomy in their optional recognition of Lent.
Certain denominations have urged Baptists to participate in Lent more fervently, but this is left up to each congregation’s discretion. Some Baptists may choose to fast and honor the more sobering aspects of this season, while others may ignore it completely. Either is acceptable in the eyes of the Baptist Church.
Related Scripture(s):
- “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18.
Related Video(s):
- HamptonBaptistChurch.org – Lent & Easter; Published May 5th, 2015.
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