Baptist Christian Comparison

Summary

Matrix of comparisons of Christian denominations produced by Wendell Holmes Rone, Baptist

The following is a comparison of religions authored in 1952 by Wendell Holmes Rone Sr. in his book "The Baptist Faith and Roman Catholicism". At the time he wrote this, Rone was pastor at First Baptist Church in Middlesboro, Kentucky. His book was endorsed by Dr. J.D. Grey who was, at the time, the past president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Index of comparisons

Comparisons

Baptist

Founder and Date: Jesus Christ 30-33 AD. (mark 3:13-19)
Salvation: By Grace through Faith. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit and Sanctification of the Redeemed and Regenerated.
Church Membership: Only those who profess faith and are immersed.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Eternal security of all who are genuinely saved.
Form of Baptism: Immersion only
Subjects of Baptism: Professed believers only.
Design of Baptism: symbol of the believer's participation in the Gospel.
Design of Lord's Supper: Symbol of the death of Christ for the believer's sins.
Qualifications for participating in the Lord's Supper: Restricted to immersed believers walking orderly in a New Testament Church Fellowship.
Worship of the Church: Voluntary- Free Non-Liturgical. Simplicity of the New Testament.
Government of the Church: Congregational- Democratic. Autonomy of the local Church.
Officers of the Church: Pastor- Deacon
Authority: Bible Only. New Testament Only Law of Christianity.

Congregational

Founder and date: Robert Brown 1580 A.D.
Salvation: By grace through Faith. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit and Sanctification of the Redeemed and Regenerated.
Church Membership: Only those who profess faith and are sprinkled. Infant Baptism.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Possibility of total apostasy.
Form of Baptism: Sprinkling.
Subjects of Baptism: Infants, professed believers.
Design of Baptism: A sign of regeneration and profession.
Design of Lord's supper. A memorial of the death of Christ for the believer's sins.
Qualifications for Participating in the Lord's Supper: All who have been Baptized. "Open Communion."
Worship of the Church: Voluntary- Free Non-Liturgical. Simplicity of the New Testament.
Government of the Church: Congregational-Democratic. Autonomy of the local Church.
Officers of the Church: Pastor, deacons.
Authority: Bible Only

Disciples of Christ

Founder and Date: Alexander Campbell 1827 A.D.
Salvation: Belief, Repentance, and Immersion the completing act in Regeneration. Historical Faith in Christ.
Church Membership: Only those who profess faith, repent, and are immersed for the remission of sins.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Possibility of total apostasy.
Form of Baptism: Immersion only.
Subjects of Baptism: Those who have believed and repented.
Design of Baptism: For the remission of sins necessary to regeneration.
Design of Lord's Supper: Open to any and all the Baptized of all Denominations. "Open communion.".
Worship of the Church: Voluntary- Free Non-Liturgical. Simplicity of the New Testament.
Government of the Church: Semi-presbyterial. Local church is autonomous.
Officers: Pastor, Elders, Deacons.
Authority: Bible only.

Presbyterian

Founder and Date: John Calvin 1536 A.D.
Salvation: By Grace through Faith. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit and Sanctification of the Redeemed and Regenerated.
Church Membership: Infant Baptism. All who profess faith and are sprinkled.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Eternal security of all who are genuinely saved.
Form of Baptism: Sprinkling.
Subjects of Baptism: Infants, professed believers.
Design of Baptism: A sign of the death of Christ and means of grace. Mystical presence.
Qualification for participating in the Lord's Supper: All who have been baptized. "Open Communion."
Worship of the Church: Voluntary- Free Non-Liturgical. Emphasize par of "Christian year." Formal.
Government of the Church: Pastor, Ruling Elders, Deacons.
Authority: Bible, Creed Confession.

Methodist

Founder and date: John Wesley 1739 A.D.
Salvation: Gift to all of sufficient Grace. Final salvation to those who improve and cooperate with sufficient Grace.
Church Membership: Infant Baptism. All who desire to be saved and purpose to lead an upright life. Probationers. Baptism by sprinkling.
Final Perseverance: Possibility of total apostasy.
Form of Baptism: Sprinkling.
Subjects of Baptism: Infants, professed believers.
Design of Baptism: A sign of regeneration and profession.
Design of Lord's Super: A sign of the death of Christ and a means of grace. Mystical presence.
Qualifications for Participating in the Lord's Supper: All who have been baptized. "Open communion".
Worship of the Church: Voluntary -- Free non-Liturgical. Emphasize part of the "Christian Year."
Government of the Church: Episcopacy. Judicial and legislative powers in governing bodies. Semi-hierarchical in practice.
Officers of the church: Stewards, Pastors, Superintendents, Bishops.
Authority: Bible Creed Discipline.

Lutheran

Founder and date: Martin Luther 1520 A.D.
Salvation: Sacramental Efficacy of Baptism and Lord's Supper. Nourished through means of Grace.
Church Membership: Infant Baptism. Confirmation, profession of Faith and Baptism by sprinkling.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Possibility of total apostasy.
Form of Baptism: Sprinkling (Form considered unimportant).
Subjects of Baptism: Infants, professed believers.
Design of Baptism: Necessary to regeneration.
Design of Lord's Supper: A channel through which grace is actually conferred. Consubstantiation.
Qualifications for Participating in the Lord's Supper: All who have been Baptized and confirmed. "Open Communion."
Worship of the Church: Liturgical t some extent. Formal. Emphasize much of the "Christian Year."
Government of the Church: Modified Episcopacy. Judicial and legislative powers in governing bodies.
Officers of the Church: Pastors, Deacons, Trustees in U. S. A. and Bishops in Europe.
Authority: Bible, Creeds, Confession.

Episcopalian

Founder: Henry VIII 1534A.D
Salvation: Sacramental Efficacy of Baptism. Nourished through Eucharist. Baptismal Regeneration.
Church Membership: Infant Baptism. Confirmation. Acceptance of Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. Baptism by sprinkling.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Possibility of total apostasy.
Form of Baptism: Sprinkling (Immersion allowed).
Subjects of Baptism: Infants, professed believers.
Design of Baptism: Necessary to regeneration.
Design of Lord's Supper: A channel through which grace is actually conferred. Consubstantiation.
Qualifications for Participating in the Lord's Supper: All who have been Baptized and Confirmed. "Open Communion".
Worship of the Church: Ritualistic, Liturgical. Very formal. Emphasize much of "Christian Year."
Government of the Church: Episcopacy. Judicial and legislative powers in governing bodies. Governed by General Canons.
Officers in the Church: Vestrymen, Deacons, Priests (Rectors), Bishops, Archbishops.
Authority: Bible, Creeds, confession.

Roman Catholic

Founder and Date: Gradual Development from 3rd Century to Gregory the Great 590-604 A.D.
Salvation: Through Church and Sacraments. Nourished through Holy Eucharist. Baptismal Regeneration.
Church Membership: Infant Baptism. Confirmation. All who partake of the sacraments and accept authority of church.
Final Perseverance of the Saints: Possibility of total apostasy.
Form of Baptism: Sprinkling.
Subjects of Baptism: Infants, all who profess the Catholic Faith.
Design of Baptism: To effect regeneration.
Design of Lord's Supper: Instrument of conveying grace. Transubstantiation.
Qualifications for Participating in the Lord's Supper: Baptism, Confirmation, Confession. Penance. Restricted to members of Catholic Church.
Worship of the Church: Ritualistic, Liturgical. Mass and confession prescribed. Follow "Christian Year" rigidly.
Government of the Church: Hierarchy. Immense religio-political machine. Absolute authority in hands of Pope.
Officers of the Church: Deacons, Priests, Bishops, Archbishops. Cardinals. The Pope.
Authority: General Canons Creeds, Councils, Tradition, Canon Laws, an "Infallible" Church and Pope.

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