Trying to decide whether or not to join a Greek Orthodox Church or a Baptist Church is a difficult decision. There are several factors that must be considered before making a decision. Among these are the view of scripture, baptism, Landmarkism, and particularly, the particular Baptists.
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Orthodox view of Scripture
Among the major differences between Protestantism and the Orthodox Church is how each religion views Scripture. The Protestants see Scripture as the source of religious authority, while the Orthodox see Scripture as a part of the broader Tradition of the Church. This is not a simple issue to resolve.
The Baptists are the most radically opposed to Orthodoxy. They do not believe in Confession, Unction, or Chrismation. They also reject the sacramental nature of the seven Orthodox sacraments. They also deny the doctrine of the “age of accountability”.
The Orthodox Church, on the other hand, recognizes the significance of the sacraments, but they do not see them as being the sole source of religious authority. They also look to Scripture as one of several religious authorities.
The Orthodox Church also believes in the “Orthodox miracle” – that is, the idea that God’s Word has the power to transform us into His image and make us children of God. The Orthodox Church is also very concerned about Tradition. This is because they believe Tradition to be the true source of religious authority.
Baptism
Despite their differences, both the Greek Orthodox Church and the Baptists have one common thread – love for God. Both churches are based on Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Both believe in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world, and both affirm that the baptized are cleansed of sin and given new life in Christ.
Those baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church believe that baptism represents new life and spiritual rebirth. It is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The baptismal font is also lit by a candle. The child is led around the font three times and receives the blessing of Christ.
The baptismal liturgy reflects the belief that God re-creates each human being into a new spiritual being by bringing them into fellowship with him. All members of the community are always struggling to become more like God.
The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that baptism is necessary for infants. The candidate for baptism renounces Satan, rejects his evil nature, and commits to a new relationship with God through Christ.
Particular Baptists
Despite the apparent diversity of Baptist theology, some elements are common to most Baptist groups. These include the belief in the literal Second Coming of Christ and historic pre-millennialism. They also believe in religious freedom and separation from state and church.
Baptists are generally opposed to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. They also believe that individual soul liberty is important. They do not practice Confession or Unction, and they do not accept a sacramental nature of the Eucharist.
Baptists believe in the principle of sola Scriptura, which means that the Bible is the infallible authority. They also believe that the individual has the right to read and interpret the Bible on his own. However, they do not believe in apostolic succession. These beliefs are incompatible with Orthodox theology.
Baptists do not believe in the sacramental nature of the seven sacraments that are traditionally attributed to the Orthodox church. They also believe that the Eucharist is a symbolic act. In addition, they believe that the age of accountability does not exist.
Landmarkism
Among the various controversies in American Baptists, Landmarkism is one of the most divisive. Its origins date back to the early 1899 Landmarkism movement in the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. The controversy centered on several issues, including alien baptism, the relationship of the pulpit, closed communion, and missions governed by boards outside the local church. It also involved Anabaptists, Waldenses, and Novatians. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the movement remained a dissenting minority within the Southern Baptist Convention.
Many Baptist historians believe that the Baptist movement originated in the early New Testament era. In this view, the Baptists were a precursor of the Anabaptist movement. However, there is considerable disagreement among Baptists on how to interpret the Bible and various issues.
Baptists believe in the individual’s right to read and interpret the Bible independently of the authority of the Church. They also believe in believer’s baptism, which is performed after salvation. However, they deny the sacramental nature of the seven Orthodox sacraments.
