What is the difference between a Baptist and an Anglican?

Answer 1

Both Baptists and Anglicans are branches of "Christianity." However both Baptists, as well as the Anglican faith both come from very different historic and theological backgrounds.

The Baptist faith originated during the 16th century 'Radical Reformation'. Unlike other Protestant Traditions, Baptists were opposed to essentially all Catholicisity in particular the belief of infant baptism, and baptism by sprinkling rather than full immersion. The term "Baptists" comes from 'Anabaptists'meaning "re-baptizers." This is due to the fact that those of the Baptist tradition believe in baptism only after what they deem 'conversion.' Baptists do not believe in infant baptism because an infant cannot willingly choose to accept Christ as their Saviour.

For Anglicans, and a great many other Christian traditions, in infant baptism, the baptismal promises are made for them by their family or Godparents. Baptists see this as being an invalid baptism, due to the fact that the child him or herself is not making the promise and profession of belief. During the Reformation, the 'Anabaptists' as they were called during the Reformation period, preached that all who were baptized as infants needed to be 're-baptized' since they view infant baptism as not a 'real' baptism. Baptists also believe in baptism by full immersion, rather than simply sprinkling of water over the forehead as most Christian branches do.

The Baptist tradition teaches that in order to be fully and completely purified and 'born again' one must be fully immersed in water. Baptists do not view 'sprinkling' as a complete baptism, since they deem that baptism is to be an outward symbol of the transformation that has already occured when one has accepted Christ into their hearts. Thus, they feel only full immersion manifests that symbol of 're-birth'.

During the 16th century choosing to not baptize ones infant was seen as heretical by by both Catholics and Protestant Christians alike. Since infant death was so common in that time, the fear of an infant dying without being baptized was intense. Thus both Catholic Christians and the majority of Protestant Christians condemned the Anabaptist Movement.

Additionally, the Baptist teachings reject the belief in bishops and priests and the belief in 'apostolic succession' or the succession of bishops back to the apostles through the laying on of hands. The governing structure in the baptist tradition is extremely loose, and primarily each congregation governs itself the way it deems fit. There is no set 'hierarchical' system in the Baptist tradition, and the minister, is hired by the congregation to lead the congregation in worship and in it's ministries. However, the minister is seen as equal to the congregation, holding no special spiritual authority. Baptists reject the belief in the REAL PRESENCE of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and see it as simply a symbolic memorial meal. The concept of 'sacramental worship' as well as any worship involving any form of imagery, statury, iconography, paintings and most other physical symbols were and still are vehemently rejected by most Baptists. Most Baptist Churches are bare in appearance due to the fear of falling into the Old Testament trap of 'idolotry'. Thus the majority of artistic symbols or imagery are opposed by Baptists and not used in Baptist worship. The only symbol one may see in a Baptist church is a simple bare cross as a reminder of the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ as well as a small table used for when the 'Lord's Supper' is celebrated. Unlike Anglicanism, Baptists celebrate the Lord's Supper infrequently, and in some churches only once or twice a year.

The Baptist tradition is one based on the view of 'sola scriptura' or 'the bible alone' and rejects most major councils and creeds, seeing them as human based and not divinely inspired. The Baptist tradition believes in what they deem to be literal interpretation of the scriptures and 'word for word' acceptance of the Bible with little deviation from this.

The History of Anglicanism is based in the Church in England and dates back to the 5th Century when St. Augustine, who is deemed the first Archbishop of Canterbury came to England and converted the pagans to Christianity. During the Reformation in the 16th Century the Church in England under the reign of Henry VIII broke ties with the Roman Catholic Church forming the 'Church of England' or the 'Anglican Church'. However, the Anglican faith did not lose it's "Catholicisity" or catholic heritage.

Unlike most Protestant churches, The Anglican faith maintained the 3 fold ministry of deacons, priests and bishops in 'apostolic succession' (the succession of bishops traced back to the apostles through the laying on of hands and prayers) as well as the 2 primary sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist and the five optional Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, Matrimony, Unction, and of course Holy Orders (ordination). Although the optional five are considered to be inspired by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they are not seen as necessary for all Christians in the same way that Baptism and Eucharist are. Additionally, unlike the Baptist tradition, the Anglican/Episcopal faith teaches that Christ is truly present in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The REAL PRESENCE view is one that is essential to Anglicanism and is one reason why the Eucharist is celebrated every week in Anglican/Episcopal churches and in some parishes every day.

Anglicans (or Episcopalians as they are known in the United States) practice both infant baptism and adult baptism, and see both as equally valid sacramentally. Typically infants are baptised and adolescents are 'confirmed' which essentially is a re-affirmation of the baptismal covenant made for the person when he or she was an infant. For some who come to the faith later in life and have never been baptized prior, adolescent and adult baptism is performed, shortly after the newly baptized is received into the faith, he or she goes before the bishop, affirming publically again their faith in Christ, and is confirmed. In the Anglican/Episcopal faith both full immersion baptism as well as baptism by sprinkling of water of the forehead are both seen as equally and acceptable forms of the baptismal rite.

Anglicanism is comprised of hundreds of different 'provinces' or 'sister churches' based all around the globe forming the 'Anglican Communion.' It is essentially a world-wide federation of churches, each of which traces its historical, theological, spiritual, and sacramental lineage back to The Church of England, which is viewed as the 'mother church' of the 'Anglican Communion.' The Archbishop of Canterbury is viewed as the 'spiritual figurehead' of the Anglican Communion, but is not a spiritual dictator. Each province is autonomous and governs itself as it sees fit. The American province of the Anglican Communion is known as The Episcopal Church and is led by the Presiding Bishop or chief bishop. The current Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts-Schori, she is also the first female primate of any mainline Christian branch.

The Anglican Communion is the second largest Christian branch just after Roman Catholicism, and just prior to Eastern Orthodoxy which comes in third. The Anglican Communion holds strong at 80 million members world wide.

Answer 2

The Anglican Church is also known as the Church of England or the Episcopal Church. There are two main differences between the Anglican Church and Baptist Churches. First they differ on Church government, or "who makes the decisions?". Secondly they differ on the mode and subjects of baptism or "who should be baptised and how?"

Both types of church are Christian, they worship Jesus Christ as Son of God and Saviour. They also base their beliefs on the Bible.

The Anglican Church is also known as the Church of England or the Episcopal Church. There are two main differences between the Anglican Church and Baptist Churches. First they differ on Church government, or "who makes the decisions?". Secondly they differ on the mode and subjects of baptism or "who should be baptised and how?"

Both types of church are Christian, they worship Jesus Christ as Son of God and Saviour. They also base their beliefs on The Bible. hey krabil

Answer 3

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church was a clergyman in the C of E and he never

renounced his position. He never wanted to start a new church.

In 1795, the Methodist Church was formed by those who believed that the CofE had become inherently corrupt, and so they broke away. Just as CofE simplifies Catholicism, Methodist simplify the CofE it further and also chose to be less ostentatious than CofE and focus instead on the poor and the working class.