What is the difference between Greek Orthodox Vs. Baptist?
What is the differ Greek Orthodox Christian and Baptist. I am Ethiopian/Eritrean Orthodox christian but their are some Ethiopian/Eritreans that are Baptist. The government doesn’t approve of it. What is the difference.
What Is The Difference Between Greek Orthodox Christian Vs. Baptist Christian?
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1. Blind Didymus
August 5, 2009
Peace be with you Ronny,
I was a Baptist.
I converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church which makes us brothers in the Faith.
I am under His Grace Bishop Anba Daniel, Coptic Orthodox Diocesan Bishop of Sydney and affiliated regions.
If I may please ask, are you Ethiopian Orthodox or Eritrean Orthodox?
Who is your bishop and what is his relationship to the Patriarch of your Church?
I have a friend in England who is an Ethiopian Orthodox priest and am well aware of the troubles your Church is facing in our days.
You would be aware that the Greek Orthodox Church is an Eastern Orthodox Church whereas the Coptic, Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches are Oriental Orthodox.
In brief, the Greek Orthodox Church is quite similar to our own or other Orthodox Churches only they have their own traditions and cultural differences. They also have a more complex theological system which seeks to explain some of the mysteries of the Faith. The Greek Church generally considers St Andrew to have founded the Church in Byzantium which became Constantinople however it is well known that St Paul also founded several of the bishoprics around Greece.
Baptists are one of the numerous Protestant denominations. They began when John Smyth (a former Anglican priest) took a bucket of water and tipped it over his head then declared that he had baptised himself. This happened in 1609.
You asked why your government does not approve of Baptists. If you are Ethiopian then (if I recall correctly), your government recognises 4 religions:
1) The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (the indigenous Church).
2) The Roman Catholic Church (established by the Portuguese).
3) The Lutherans (the first of the Protestants).
4) Islam.
In brief, the government does not recognise the Baptists because they are Protestants. So in the government’s view, if they wish to be Protestants then they should be Lutherans as the unordained ex-Roman Catholic monk Martin Luther was the founder of Protestantism.
Also, Baptists believe that St Peter the Apostle taught heresy on the Day of Pentecost when he said that baptism remits sin (Acts 2:38). They have been known to exclude people who believe this verse literally.
[For more information on this please see this Protestant article: http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVa… ]
There are many other differences as well. For example, Baptists deny that the Holy Communion is the literal Body and Blood of Jesus Christ as He taught in St John chapter 6 and as is repeatedly taught throughout the New Testament and by the early Church Fathers.
Baptists say that they hold the New Testament as their sole basis for doctrine and worship but in fact they hold to their own interpretation of the New Testament which disagrees with that of the Church and is so condemned by the New Testament itself (2nd Peter 1:20, 1st Timothy 3:15, et al.). Baptists believe that all Christians are priests and deny the specific priesthood. Pope Shenouda has written about this if you would like me to find this article for you?
If it means anything to you, as a former Baptist I went through catechumenate classes three times before I was willing to accept the truth of the Orthodox Faith. There are MANY differences and I have only mentioned a few of the more major ones here.
Hope that helped and pray for me please and for the unity of all in the True Faith of God.
~~~
ATT: any Baptists,
Please see also my reply to this question by the same asker:http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind…
Thank you and pray for me please.
2. theone78
August 5, 2009
Culturally, the Greek East has always tended to be more philosophical, abstract and mystical in its thinking, whereas the Latin West tends toward a more pragmatic and legal-minded approach. (According to an old saying, “the Greeks built metaphysical systems; the Romans built roads.”)
The difference between you and them is the silly war that was had
3. paula p(born again)
August 5, 2009
I just looked up Greek Orthodox and wow,there are huge differences between them and Baptist.
I am a Baptist and we believe the bible to be without error and the guide for our lives.
we do not believe in praying to saints ,we do not believe a lot of what the Orthodox church teaches,they are almost Catholic in their doctrine and we are so far apart on our beliefs.
you should look it up.
(IFB)
4. Marakey
August 5, 2009
Greek Orthodox bishops wear big black hats. Baptists don’t even have bishops.
But seriously, Baptists are protestants, Greek Orthodox are Eastern Orthodox. You need to do some research on those two forms of Christianity.
5. clusium1
August 5, 2009
Orthodox Christianity–like Catholic Christiantiy–has Apostolic Succession.
Baptist Christianity is a Protestant Christian denomination, & therefore, has not Apostolic Succession.
6. Jim The Baptist
August 5, 2009
Baptist translate the Bible literally and follow the Bible better.
7. kh
March 30, 2010
may god lead you too the truth and god alone judges but i have too say even though i see good works and miraculous things in all religions we are all one but not one yet. religion and religioous history can get quite confusing especialy when questioned and asked too prove beliefes practises and theoreys so i believe ill stay with the original church and practices and beliefs and customs jesus set up and said it would prevail till the end and too me thats either catholic orthadox coptic ect if i must be protestant than one of there churches not some new age private run bussiness that anyone with a bible starts. claim all you have too do is be born again. some are in it mainly for the moneygod bless
8. Jeff Hollis
January 27, 2011
Baptists are NOT protestants. This is a common misperception. The Baptist faith was founded by the apostles in the Upper Room shortly after Jesus’ death…not in the 1600′s as many people think. You should read “A Glorious Church” by Mike Gass if you want to know the real truth about Baptists. Having said that, we’re all Christian brothers and sisters and we do not have to quibble about the minutae in order to be saved.