What is the difference between protestant and presbyterian?

Answer 1

Actually, I go to a Baptist (born and raised there), and we do believe in infant baptism. It is called "Christening" where we either place holy oil on the infant and the family and give the child back to God or sprinkle water/ oil unto the child's head and also give the child back to God. So, some of the information below is accurate, but not all of it. Both demonations are similar but Presbyterians are more liberal and may celebrate Reformation Day which is on Halloween.

Both Denominations are extremely similar in their reformed theology. However, the effect of liberal doctrines on some denominations can change how reformed they are. The Baptist Church does not believe in infant baptism, though the Presbyterian Church believe in it. If they are not affected by liberal doctrines, some Presbyterian and Baptist Churches have almost the exact ideas on Calvinism. There's probably more to it than I know that others can tell you about.

Also, Baptists immerse, while Presbyterians might "sprinkle", "pour", or "immerse" to baptize.

Their are also political differences, ways their clergy are "called" and methods of "governance". "Presbyterian" implies a representative form of "rule" (with oversight from a larger body of connectional Presbyterian congregations). Baptists are, for the most part, "congregational" with less "oversight" from their denomination.

I am not sure I agree with the above post. Actually Christening was never part of a Baptist mind set, that word originated in the Roman Catholic and Anglican bodies.

I think what you are talking about is Baby dedication, which is entirely different than infant baptism/christening.

Also there are a ton of differences , so I beg to differ with you. Our points of doctrine are not the same. Presbyterians are a Confessional church and Baptist are not.

There are differences in Worship style, Beliefs concerning Communion and Baptism which Presbyterians consider Sacraments, Baptists call ordinances. For Baptists they are memorials ie: Communion or The Lords Supper. Presbyterians believe in the Spiritual Presence of Christ in the bread and wine. Presbyerians are Reformed and came out of the Reformation. Primiarily from John Calvin and John Knox of Scotland where the Presbyterian church in America. Canada and Scotland comes from . The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian.

Baptists believe in being Born Again and Presbytrians do not hold this fact. We come from different patterns of thought and practice. There is a group of Baptists called Reformed Baptist that would like to believe they are like us the Presbyterians and or Reformed faith.

The Baptist find it hard to digest abot the Reformed Bapist and the Presbyterians find it some what humorous. Believe what you will, we are far apart.

You have to remember that the Reformed faith ( Presbyterians) broke from the Roman Catholic church. The Baptist church does not claim that they are Protestants or Reformed anything and trace their beginnings to the Bible and John the Baptist.

Baptist Historian Bruce Gourley outlines four main views of Baptist origins: (1) The modern scholarly consensus that the denomination traces its origin to the 17th century via the English_Dissenters, (2) the view that it was an outgrowth of Anabaptist traditions, (3) the perpetuity view which assumes that the Baptist faith and practice has existed since the time of Christ, and (4) the successionist view which argues that Baptist churches actually existed in an unbroken chain since the time of Christ.Answers.com

Answer 2

Protestants are a group of religions that came out of the Catholic church after they protested some of the Catholic teachings. Martin Luther was the first to say that he did not agree and many others followed including the King of England. King Henry VIII started the Anglican Church after being denied permission to divorce his wife.

Baptists are descended from a group called Anabaptists or re baptizers who predate the Protestant Reformation. Since the time of John the Baptist during Jesus Christ ministry on earth, there have been groups of Christians who have held to the fundamental idea that only those who are regenerate should be baptized. These churches have gone by different names over the centuries but they were never a part of the Catholic church who believed that you could baptize an infant. In the Renaissance era, they were referred to as Anabaptists because they would re baptize anyone who came to their beliefs. The Catholic church and all Protestant denominations hated this idea, persecuted, and killed them. Baptist today still believe only in believer's baptism.

Answer 3

Infant Baptism... Presbyterian believe baptisim is required for salvation so the baptise infants that are "Without sin"

There are a ton of differences . There are differences in Worship style, Beliefs concerning Communion and Baptism which Presbyterians consider Sacraments, Baptists call ordinances. For Baptists they are memorials ie: Communion or The Lords Supper. Presbyterians believe in the Spiritual Presence of Christ in the bread and wine. Presbyerians are Reformed and came out of the Reformation. Primiarily from John Calvin and John Knox of Scotland where the Presbyterian church in America. Canada and Scotland comes from . The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian.

Baptists believe in being Born Again and Presbytrians do not hold this fact. We come from different patterns of thought and practice. There is a group of Baptists called Reformed Baptist that would like to believe they are like us.

Answer 4

Baptist Church
Presbyterian Church
- Believe that only professing believers should be baptized ( Adults and adolescents who actively believe in the Holy Trinity as opposed to unaware infants)
- Baptisms are 'full submersion' where a person will don a special robe and be tipped back entirely in a body of water by a pastor.
- Do not believe baptism is required to attain Salvation (less ceremony involved)
- Advocate for the separation of church and state and feel that ones relationship with God is entirely ones own
- Predominantly evangelical in nature
- Take a very literal approach to interpreting scripture and do not allow any deviation
( Are strongly opposed to homosexuality, pre-marrital sex, divorce etc.)
- Believe in importance of public declarations of faith as opposed to baptism "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour..."

- Will often baptize and bless infants in a ceremonial fashion with parents and god- parents present
- Baptism involves using holy water on the ministers thumb to form a cross on the forehead
- Confessions of Faith are very important (Not as in the Catholic church behind a screen telling the "Father" your sins- these confessions are group recitations asking forgiveness and salvation)
- Have adopted a variety of texts as additional rules and church doctrine. None of these are equal in status to The Bible; but are still referred to during ethical questions among church officials
- Take a very forgiving approach to scripture focusing on Christs love and his willingness to forgive all things to those who believe.
Baptist Worship Service
Presbyterian Worship Service
- Often more passionate and inciting
- Sometimes more black and white/controversial sermons
- More contemporary worship style in most churches (praise band, power points presentations, dramas, plays etc.)
- Frequently extremely youth friendly and youth oriented in their programming and financial expenditures. (Mission is extremely important in the Baptist sect)
- Many young/ younger families in attendance as a result of more contemporary approach
- Often very calm
- Grey area sermons dealing with broad topics that can be applied to daily life
- Often more traditional service style but growing numbers of praise bands and power point
- Youth oriented for sustainability of the church body, less radical in 'recruitment' methods
- Less young families as many people are raised in this sect: many churches are craving new members

Answer 5

Like Baptists and other Protestant denominations, Presbyterian churches do not have statues of any saints or relics or statues. Protestants don't really believe in the intervention of saints in the same way as Roman Catholics.

Answer 6

Both the Presbyterian denominations and the many different types of Baptist churches belong to the larger category of Protestant Christianity. But they are different in many ways. All Presbyterian denominations are rooted in Reformed Christianity reaching back historically to John Knox and John Calvin. Reformed doctrine emphasizes the sovereignty of God and election of saints (believers.) In very brief summary, these doctrines mean that God is entirely and utterly in charge of all things, including whether or not any individual ultimately receives salvation. Through the 20th Century, the main body of Presbyterians, now the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has moved toward an inclusive interpretation of this doctrine, holding that it is God's Sovereign choice that all people and every individual is included in the Elect. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) takes bold stands in promoting issues of justice, equality, human rights, peacemaking and stewardship of the earth.

Although some Baptist churches (notably the General Assembly of Regular Baptist) also adhere to Reformed Theology, Baptists are more generally known for emphasizing individual choice and enthusiastic evangelism. Individuals are urged, by every available means, to confess and repent of their sin and to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Theologically, only those who are called by God can make that choice, but in effect, the emphasis is placed on personal decision leading to a life-altering conversion experience.

Another important difference between Baptists and Presbyterians is the form of church government. Baptist congregations are proud of being independent and self-governing. Broader associations or denominational offices have varying levels of authority over local congregations. In contrast, Presbyterians are "connectional." Although each congregation elects its own elders who run that local church through a committee call the Session, the Session is accountable to the Presbytery, which consists of elders representing all the congregations in a geographical area. The next level is the state or regional Synod, with representatives from all Presbyteries and Synods making up the national General Assembly.

Answer 7

Some of the major differences are in the form of worship. The Presbyterian is structured, usually following a bulletin, and the Pentecostals have a free form style of worship. Core beliefs in Jesus Christ are basically the same.

Answer 8

Presbyterians are just one type of Protestant denomination. So, all Presbyterians are Protestant, but not all Protestants are Presbyterian.

Answer 9

They have different beliefs.