These are a series of articles to present a brief and clear comparison of what we as Baptist believe in relation to other denominations.

These articles will present a brief but clear comparison of what we as Baptists believe in relation to other Christian denominations. The purpose will be to equip us in our faith. It is vital that we know what we believe and why. Here's why.

Today's American culture is driven by consumerism. Individuals often decide what church they participate in based upon the perceived immediate benefit in the same way they decide where they shop. They ask?
"Do I like the preacher? The music?"
"Do I like the schedule? The programs?"
"Is it convenient? Is it attractive?"

While these questions have some merit, they reveal two major mistakes. First, these questions build our beliefs around our desires. We become the center of our own universe. Second, these questions do not recognize how the content of our beliefs determines the conduct of our lives. Most believers do not understand that?
teachings determine beliefs;
beliefs determine behaviors; and
behaviors determine life.

Today's church-attender needs to be careful not to say, as in the old Wendy's commercial, "Parts is Parts!" What matters most is not just how something tastes (immediate gratification) but what it is made up of (ultimate content). Just because something tastes good doesn't mean it is good! Our spiritual diet is more about fueling our faith than tickling our tongues! Be looking forward to next week's messenger for the first installment of Know What You Believe.

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Know What You Believe
A church's beliefs or doctrines reveal the direction in which individuals are taught and led. As we compare the doctrine of other Christian denominations and Baptist doctrine, we will only focus on key beliefs about (1) Scripture, (2) Christ, (3) Salvation, and other (4) Unique Emphases.

Adventists
Assemblies of God
Church of Christ
Episcopalians
Quakers
Islam
Jehovah's Witnesses
Presbyterians
Methodists
Catholics
What is a Cult?