What is the difference between a Baptist and a Methodist church?

Answer

One of the biggest differences between these two denominations is, to put it succinctly, "how wet you get" at baptism. Baptists accept only baptism by immersion, while Methodists tend towards the "sprinkling" method of baptism.
Both Baptist and Methodist denominations have similar governing organizations and methods of worship.  

Answer

Often Methodists will hold their beliefs more loosely than Baptists. Also, some Methodists believe that one can lose their salvation. The largest group, the United Methodists, do not. This is an idea which some baptists believe is not supported by the Bible and that is a problem. They believe--once saved, always saved. However you will find that a small number of Methodists do not hold to this belief .
 

Answer

I asked that question to a Methodist pastor and scholar and he said, "the quantity of water... Or like the other responder said, how wet do you want to get? The answer is they are similar. Having experienced both, the body we usually call Methodists are United Methodists, the largest group of Methodists in the US. We usually refer to Southern Baptists---which are both national and international---when we speak of "Baptists". The United Methodist Church is organized both nationally and regionally with centralization through area conferences. Baptists are largely independent churches affiliated through the Southern Baptist Convention. They have independence in their own governance. They hire and fire pastors and make decisions concerning their church at the local church level. Methodists have a hierarchy and pastors are given appointments, usually according to their experience. Big urban churches go to senior pastors, typically. Small, country churches go to new/younger preachers. Here are what I believe are the main differences: 1. Methodists may be baptized through sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Sprinkling is the most common form. Baptists believe in immersion. Both believe this is symbolic and does not grant you a pardon or entrance into heaven. It is simply a gesture of faith. Profound for some, not so much for others. But it is a public profession of your faith and belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Methodists baptize infants and young people. Baptists only baptize adults or young "believers" . Thet have to be at an age that they understand what they are doing and its meaning 2. Methodists ordain women. Baptists typically, do not. 3.Methodists have a more formal, ritualistic form of worship in traditional services. Baptists tend to be less stringent and a bit more casual in worship style (NOT IN SCRIPTURE). 4.Methodists accept the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds as core tenets of the faith, often reciting these creeds at their worship service. Baptists tend to shy away from such statements of faith as well as liturgical elements of worship. No processionals, acolytes, cross bearers or other formal acts of worship; typically, no wearing of robes/vestments by the clergy, etc. There is "The Baptist Faith and Message" which for Southern Baptists is generally accepted by members of the Convention.5. Most Methodist churches recite the Lord's prayer during services ;most Baptist churches do not. 6.Methodists come forward to the altar to receive communion. Baptists are usually served in their seats. Methodists call the Eucharist "communion". Baptists call it the Lord's Supper.7. Methodists have an altar. Baptist churches typically have no formal altar. The reason, I am told, is because it was traditionally viewed as a place of sacrifice and was a Catholic church feature representing Christ's sacrifice for us. Its use was not adopted by the Baptists. 8. Methodist churches observe Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Lent, Pentecost, Advent and every Holy season and day imaginable. Baptists typically do not. 9. Methodists use communion as a sort of "altar call" to get people to come up front and become part of the service and the church. Baptists have an "altar call" in which they invite people to come forward and confess publicly their need for Christ and invite him to become part of their lives(part?). Sometimes they may confess publicly their sins or give a testimony.10. Methodists worship in a style that is historically more quiet, subdued and contemplative. Baptists are louder, tend to sing louder, praise louder and close their bibles louder than Methodists. Maybe a little livelier in STYLE. those are the differences I have experienced. Here are the similarities: BOTH pray. Both praise and sing.. Both love the Bible..Both encourage missions. Both Evangelize. Both help the poor. Both believe in a democratic, full and open salvation for EVERYONE. Both believe in the TRINITY. Both believe in a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST. Both believe in faith. Both believe in GRACE. And Both meet several times a week---especially on Sundays.


A good friend of mine who grew up in the Methodist Church told me that the difference between a Methodist and Baptist is that Methodists are Baptist with brains!!! My parents are life-long Methodists and I am an Episcopalian but I do know there are far more differences between Southern Baptists then the UMC.
American Baptists are much more moderate and have been openly courted by the UMC since the SBC grew increasingly more conservative and fundamentalist.
The UMC has historically aligned itself with the other great liberal mainline denominations like the Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church and the the Evangelical Lutherans. The Southern Baptists, unlike the Methodists do not recognize any sacraments, adhere to the Apostolic Succession, liturgical worship, rituals, Nicene and Apostles Creeds, ecumenicalism or ordination of deacons, elders and bishops, like the UMC.
The Methodists are much more apt to be socially more progressive, open-minded about theological matters and doctrine, and better educated. The Methodists like my church, are certainly not fundamentalists when it comes to the Bible. The UMC does not believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible like the Baptists. In the Baptist churches, they call their sanctuaries auditoriums. When it comes to abortion rights the United Methodist Church has been a strong defender and advocate of allowing women to make that private decision. The SBC is fervently pro-life and condemns abortion with o exceptions whatsoever! When it comes to sexual orientation the UMC despite its unwillingness to approve of gay ordination and marriage, is still more accepting than the Southern Baptists. Most of the Bishops and clergy in the UMC are supportive of allowing gays to serve openly as ministers and to perform marriages. You won't find that in the SBC at all.

 

As for me, spring has sprung, and the birds are singing.