Difference Between Methodist and Baptist

The main difference between Methodist and Baptist is that Methodist is a Christian religion that allows the baptism of infants, youth and adults, while a Baptist is a Christian religion that only baptizes to confess youth and adults.

Methodist vs. Baptist

Methodists and Baptists are two religions of Christians that have many similarities, but are also different in many views and doctrines. Methodists and Baptists believe in God, in the Bible, in the works and teachings of Jesus which they accept as Christ, the savior of mankind. They both believe that baptism and communion are basic sacraments, but it is also their difference. Methodists allow the baptism of youth, infants, and adults. They do not distinguish between the age and mental maturity of individuals. They also allow different forms of baptismal methods and that they perform them with immersion, dusting and emptying. Baptists, on the other hand, are only baptized to confess to young people and adults. Methodists practice an open communion in which the rite is open to all, while Baptists celebrate closed communions. The Methodists have a system of government of the episcopal hierarchy; on the other hand, Baptists enjoy independence from the congregation. According to Methodists, pastors can be men or women, on the other hand, according to Baptists, pastors are only men.

Comparison chart

What is a Methodist ?

The Methodist Movement grew out of Protestant Christianity. This movement was created based on the teachings of George Whitefield, John Wesley and his brother Charles. All three were important personalities in the movement that began as a revival in the Church of England in the 18th century, but split after Wesley’s death. This movement spread rapidly from the United Kingdom to the United States and throughout the world through strong missionary work. Today, the Methodist church claims to have 80 million members worldwide. For Methodists, communion is welcome to all. The Methodist Church also values ​​acts of piety, including fasting, holy communion, and healthy living, to name just a few, emphasizing the importance of social holiness, missionary work and service to the poor. Methodists participate in the creation of hospitals, schools, universities, orphanages, and soup kitchens. The Methodist Church has pastors or elders who are both men and women. A district “superintendent,” a bishop, and a cabinet member appoint pastors in various churches to ensure their believers focus on Christ, not human leaders.

What is a Baptist ?

The beginnings of the Baptist Church date back to the early 17th century. Baptists only baptize to confess young people and adults. Infant baptism is not practiced because they believe that it should be administered only to people who can understand the true meaning of the rite and can also understand the faith. Baptists also perform baptism strictly by immersion. They practice closed communion where the table is open only to baptized church members. A local Baptist church has an unfettered hand in finding and even ordaining its own pastors, who are not appointed by their church leaders. So pastors can go from one church to another and can also be fired by the local church. Baptist women think that men are better suited to be pastors or elders.

Key differences

1. A member of the largest Christian denomination of the religious revival led by John Wesley that insists on personal and social morality is known as a Methodist, while a member of a Christian denomination that baptizes believers by immersion is known as a Baptist.
2. Methodists allow the baptism of youth, infants, and adults. They do not distinguish between the age and mental maturity of individuals. Baptists, on the other hand, are only baptized to confess young people and adults.
3. Methodists practice baptism by immersion, sprinkling, and pouring, while Baptists baptize by immersion only.
4. Methodists practice an open communion in which the rite is open to all, while Baptists celebrate closed communions.
5. The Methodists have a system of government of the episcopal hierarchy; on the other hand, Baptists enjoy independence from the congregation.
6. Methodists give bishops the power to assign pastors to congregations, conversely, with Baptists, the congregation selects its own pastor.
7. Methodists believe that it is the person who chooses to be saved, on the other hand, Baptists hold that once saved, a person is always saved and cannot fall from grace.
8. Methodists are generally less fundamental while Baptists are mostly fundamentalist.
9. According to Methodists, pastors can be men or women, on the other hand, according to Baptists, pastors are only men.

Final Thought

From the above discussion it is summed up that Methodists and Baptists are two Christian religions in which Methodists are less fundamental and allow infant, youth and adult baptism while Baptists are mainly fundamentalist and only baptize to confess young people. and adults.