Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuff
The Presbyterian and Baptist religions are both Christian traditions, but they have some major differences. Presbyterians believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority in interpreting how to live life while Baptists believe that one must be baptized as an adult to become a member of their church. While there are many other notable theological differences between these two denominations, this article will discuss three of them: baptism, infant communion, and ordination practices.
Presbyterians are a Christian denomination that is most closely related to the Reformed tradition. The Presbyterian Church was formed in Scotland by John Knox, an ordained minister who spent time as a pastor with the English army during the Protestant Reformation of England. Presbyterians believe in Calvinism and hold to five points which they call The Five Pillars.
Baptists are also Christians but have many subdivisions within their particular branch of Christianity including Baptist General Conference, Missionary Baptists Association of America, Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches USA. Baptists don’t believe in any one set doctrine or creed; instead, they focus on preaching and teaching the Gospel message. They do not use instruments for music because some members believe that it goes against the commandment to “make a joyful noise” and is not used in the Bible as a way of praising one’s Lord.
Comparison between Presbyterian and Baptist
| Parameters of Comparison | Presbyterian | Baptist |
| Belief | Presbyterians believe in predestination | Baptists do not |
| wear | Presbyters don’t wear the white-collar | Baptist ministers do. |
| Formal | Churches are less formal | More formal |
| Baptize | Presbyterians baptize infants | Baptists only baptize adults |
| Govern | The Presbyterian Church is governed by elders | Baptist Church is governed by deacons and/or trustees |
What is Presbyterian?
Presbyterian is a form of Christianity that emphasizes the authority of scripture, God’s grace, and the priesthood of all believers. Members are called Presbyterians because they believe in presbyters (or elders). Presbyterian churches share many similarities with other branches of Protestantism but maintain some distinctions that make them unique. They believe in predestination, or that some people are saved by God before birth. This belief makes it so members can’t earn their way into Heaven through good deeds. The church has gone through many changes over its 400-year history due to disagreements on various issues such as slavery and the ordination of women ministers. These disagreements have resulted in the formation of different denominations within Presbyterianism including United Methodists, Disciples of Christ, and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
What is Baptist?
Baptists are a group of Christians who believe that the Bible is the only authoritative source for Christian doctrine. Baptists also emphasize adult baptism by immersion, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ’s atonement, and an individual’s direct relationship with God without intermediaries such as priests.
Baptist is not just one specific denomination but rather is an affiliation of churches that share similar beliefs and practices. There are many Baptist denominations including the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), National Association of Free Will Baptists (NAFWB), Union Baptist Association (UBA).
Baptists are Christians who believe that baptism is a way to show repentance for sin. They attend church services where the sermon is based on scripture reading and interpretation. Baptists do not have priests or bishops, but they elect their ministers by congregational balloting. Baptists believe in the separation of church and state, which means that they don’t want the government to interfere with religion. Baptist theology has changed over time as it’s moved through history-most notably during the Civil War period when Southern Baptists split into pro-slavery Confederate denominations and abolitionist groups like the American Baptist Home Mission Society (ABHMS).
10 Differences between Presbyterian and Baptist
1. Presbyterians believe in predestination, Baptists do not.
2. Presbyters don’t wear the white-collar; Baptist ministers do.
3. Presbyterian churches are generally less formal than Baptist churches.
4. Presbyterians baptize infants, Baptists only baptize adults.
5. Presbyterians use an open communion table with no partitions or barriers, while Baptists use a closed communion table with partitions and barriers.
6. The Presbyterian Church is governed by elders (presbyters), whereas the Baptist Church is governed by deacons and/or trustees.
7. Presbyterians use an ancient form of liturgy called “The Book of Common Order,” which is read from during worship services, while Baptists do not use liturgy at all.
8. In Presbyterian churches there is a choir that leads worship services and sings hymns throughout the service, while there is no such thing as a choir in Baptist churches.
9. In Presbyterian churches communion bread and wine are passed to congregants by an elder or minister after being blessed by prayer, whereas in Baptist churches communion bread and wine are passed around for people to take on their own without any prayer beforehand.
10. In contrast to many other Christian denominations who see homosexuality as sinful behavior punishable by eternal damnation (though some denominations disagree), both Presbyterians and Baptists don’t take any official stance on homosexuality- it’s up to individual congregations whether practicing gay individuals can.
Interesting Statistics or Facts of Presbyterian
1. Presbyterian is the third-largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
2. Presbyterians believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and Savior, but not part of a Trinity.
3. The first ordained minister was John Calvin, who started his ministry in Geneva, Switzerland.
4. There are over 2 million members worldwide with 1 million in the US alone.
5. The church has roots dating back to 16th century Scotland.
6. Women can be ordained as ministers within Presbyterian churches today- this wasn’t always allowed.
Interesting Statistics or Facts of Baptist
1. Presbyterian is the third-largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
2. Presbyterians believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and Savior, but not part of a Trinity.
3. The first ordained minister was John Calvin, who started his ministry in Geneva, Switzerland.
4. There are over 2 million members worldwide with 1 million in the US alone.
5. The church has roots dating back to 16th century Scotland.
6. Women can be ordained as ministers within Presbyterian churches today- this wasn’t always allowed.
Conclusion
The Presbyterian Church has a hierarchical form of government, with the General Assembly as its highest court. This is in contrast to Baptist churches which are congregationalist and have no higher governing body than their local congregation. -The denomination was founded by John Calvin on July 10th, 1541. The first Protestant church was established in Geneva, Switzerland where he served as a preacher for more than 20 years before moving to Strasbourg, France in 1538. -Baptists follow principles that were derived from those set forth by Englishman Thomas Helwys who published his ideas about religious liberty (the idea that every individual should be free to choose any religion) during the 1610s when Protestants were persecuted throughout England under King James I’s rule-following Anglicanism.
References:
Resource 01: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterianism
Resource 02: https://ibcnashville.org/
