Key Difference – Nazarene vs Baptist
Most people are aware of the denomination called Baptist Christians. These are believers of the faith that place great emphasis in baptism and say that one should have baptism only for the believers rather than conducting this important ritual during infancy. There is another denomination among Christians that is called the Church of Nazarenes and believers in this denomination are referred to as Nazarenes. Many people remain confused between Baptists and Nazarenes because of their similarities. Despite similarities, there are differences that will be highlighted in his article.
Who is a Nazarene?
There are many Christian denominations around the world. Nazarene is one denomination that traces its root to the Holiness movement that spread across North American in the 19th century. Today there are more than 2 million Nazarenes around the world with a significant numbers living in India and Bangladesh. The beliefs of Nazarenes reflect the teachings of John Wesley and several other preachers of 19th century. From its inception, the emphasis of the Church of Nazarenes has been on the personal holiness of the members.
The most distinguishing feature of Nazarenes is that they believe that an individual can walk away from the teachings of the Christ and, therefore, there is no assurance or guarantee of salvation. As such, one has to keep working to maintain a relationship with god.
Who is a Baptist?
Baptism is a very important ritual among Christians that is also an act of obedience. It is identification with Jesus, the death, burial, and finally resurrection of Christ. There are some who believe it is a ritual that washes away one’s sins. It is a religious ceremony where a believer is washed with water as a symbol of his purification. However, Baptists are those Christians that believe that this ritual or ceremony should be reserved only for the believers and they dismiss baptism during infancy. They also believe in Baptism by immersion and not by sprinkling of water.
Baptists are believed to be Christians under Protestant denomination. The Church of Baptists was first started by English pastor John Smyth who said that only believers should undergo baptism and rejected infant Baptism. There are more than 100 million Baptist Christians worldwide of which nearly 33 million live in North America alone.
What is the difference between Nazarene and Baptist?
Definitions of Nazarene and Baptist:
Nazarene: Nazarenes believe that one has to continue to work to maintain a relationship with God.
Baptist: Baptists are believers of Calvin, which means that once saved, a person is assured of salvation.
Characteristics of Nazarene and Baptist:
Baptism:
Nazarene: Nazarenes allow baptism of people of all ages.
Baptist: Baptists believe that baptism should be for believers only and reject infant baptism.
Beliefs:
Nazarene: Nazarenes say that one can fall from his grace by his thoughts and actions.
Baptist: Baptists say that you cannot lose salvation once you are a believer while
Image Courtesy:
1. “Feast of Black Nazarene, Quiapo, Manila” by Jsinglador – Own work. [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Commons
2. The Baptism of Christ LACMA M.90.154 by Antoine Coypel [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
You have no idea who Baptists are and what they believe. By the way, there is no thing as “Church of Baptists”.
You explain what Baptist means? I myself was raised Baptist. I attended a lot of different churches and denominations. The information I’ve read so far seems to be accurate. Though We do learn each day that goes by.
It’s according to what kind of Baptist you are to what you believe. This statement was too general.
I have been a baptist all my life, and it seems to me like you are pretty accurate yet missed some key points. 🙂
Many Baptists reject Calvinism.
If you can “fall from grace” then that means that God doesn’t really give you eternal life when you believe on His Son.
It also means that even if you aren’t good enough to earn your salvation, you can be good enough to keep your salvation.
“The most distinguishing feature of Nazarenes is that they believe that an individual can walk away from the teachings of the Christ and, therefore, there is no assurance or guarantee of salvation. As such, one has to keep working to maintain a relationship with god.”
This is not a defense of Nazarenes but a correction on your views of eternal security. To begin, that a believer can lose his or her salvation is one of the most thoroughly documented truths in God’s Word. This does not mean that believers do not have the assurance of salvation. It means that they can commit the unpardonable sin or can leave Christ through apathy or rebellion. Those who continue with Christ are very much assured of salvation; those who do not continue are not (Read Heb. 5:11-6:6). In addition, the idea that there is no work in “maintaining a relationship with God” is far removed from biblical truth. This is not, however, the same thing as doing human works to earn or maintain our relationship, which is not scriptural. There are far too many examples about works, but please read James 2:14-26.
Thank you for providing Us this information.
Saved by your believe only? Once saved always saved? What do scriptures say about salvation? Read the Book of Acts, who/what each person did/said before salvation. Also read Romans 6: 3-7. You tell me!
Definitely not all baptists are calvinists. You are wrong there.
Regardless, each person MUST workout their own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2:12
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,”
Hebrews 10:26 NIV
(Read Hebrews 10:26-39 and you decide)
I have been with the Church of the Nazarene for many years and have never experienced anyone being baptized without first making a confession of faith. I have seen infant dedications but no infant baptisms.