Baptists

Major differences:

1. Justification by faith alone
2. Jesus Christ is not really present in the Eucharist
3. Reject transubstantiation and real presence

Other differences:

1. Operate on a Congregationalist Governance system in which every local church has sutonomy - therefore there are differences from one congregation to another
2. Officers are the elders or bishops and the deacons who are elected by members of the congregation
3. Reject infant baptism - only those become members who make a profession of faith
4. Baptism by immersion is the only mode accepted
5. No creeds
6. "Priesthood of all believers"...that every Christian has direct access to God and the truths found in the Bible without help
7. Only two ordinances {sacraments): Baptism and the Lord's Supper...both are mere symbols
8. Tend to be fundamentalist (especially Southern Baptists)
9. Ministers may marry
10. In some congregations women may be ordained

Baptists believe in:

1. The divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit
2. The Trinity
3. Literal Second Coming of Christ

Their worship services consist of the proclamation of the Word of God through the weekly sermon.

Catechesis required:

1. Ecclesiology including:
   • justification by faith and good works
   • Scripture, Church tradition and reason form
   • the foundation of our faith and practice
   • church as Body of Christ
   • church as community
   • church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic
   • hierarchical structure of the Church ... and authority in the Church
   • infallibility
   • Communion of Saints, Mary and the Saints, prayers for the dead
2. Eucharistic theology ...our understanding of
   • Transubstantiation
   • Real Presence
   • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
3. Sacramental theology and our understanding of Holy Orders and Marriage, Infant baptism
4. Introduction into liturgical worship
5. Deutero-canonical Books of the Bible

Also necessary for them to become part of the community and to participate with the community in its missionary activities.