Mormonism has become widely spread throughout the United States and around the world. Mormons are often compared to the Baptists for their remarkable similarities in their beliefs about baptism, the atonement, and the Second Coming, which are the teachings of traditional Christianity. However, there are key differences that are clearly seen when we look into their practices and their doctrines.
Summary Table
| Baptists | Mormons |
| Read and follow only the Holy Bible | Follow the teachings of the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and scriptures written by John Smith |
| God is supernatural and all-powerful; has always been God | God was less powerful like man when he first came. Through his experiences and by living righteously, he attained “Godhood” |
| We were born human – flesh and blood | We were God’s “spirit children” and were given bodies here on earth to go through hardships and experiences |
| Baptism is done to those who accept Jesus as their Savior; symbolic but not necessary for salvation | Baptism is to be performed at eight years old and is essential to enter the kingdom of God |
Definitions
Baptists are people who belong to a denomination, or movement, of the Christian Church. They share beliefs with the Christians, such as salvation being the deliverance from sin and a free gift from God. They also believe that there is only one God which exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptists, or “Christians,” as they call themselves, practice the doctrine of the believer’s baptism, contrary to the traditional infant baptism. This means that baptism should be done only by those who profess their belief in God.
Baptists believe that every word in the Bible has been inspired or divinely breathed out by God. They also believe each Christian must read the Bible. They also believe the Bible is the only book of authority.
When it comes to Jesus, Baptists believe he was born of the Virgin Mary and that God is his father. They also believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God and that he is the redeemer and savior of all humans who accept him as the Christ (Son of God). Baptists also believe Jesus is part of the trinity of God.
Baptists believe that an individual’s soul rests when they die; their soul will rise to heaven when Jesus Christ returns or will resurrect on the Day of Judgment to face judgment.
They also believe that it’s necessary to profess faith in Jesus Christ and accept him as their personal savior. In other words, this is the only way to become a child of God and go to heaven. It’s also necessary to believe in the Bible to be saved.
How Do Baptists View Mormons?
Baptists view Mormons with skepticism and do not accept their theology. They believe Mormon doctrines are unbiblical and that Mormons are members of a religious cult. In addition, Baptists claim that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, is a false prophet and that his teachings are not concordant with biblical Christianity.
Mormons are people who follow Mormonism – a cultural and religious group founded by Joseph Smith. Individuals that are associated with this group are also called Latter-day Saints. They identify themselves as Christian because they have many of the same teachings as the Christian churches. They believe in the Bible and the importance of family. Following a strict health code, they do not drink coffee, alcohol, or tea. Also, they do not smoke. They have another doctrine, laid out by The Book of Mormon, which they believe to be the companion to the Bible. According to their founder Joseph Smith, it discloses things that have been deleted from the Bible.
Mormons believe they are the one true church and that their followers will have eternal life. They believe that upon death, a person’s soul goes to either paradise or prison, where they await judgment.
Mormons also have a distinct way of perceiving how the universe began. They believe that God was the Supreme Being but did not always hold that position. He was less powerful when he first came to earth, and through experience and living a righteous life he reached the state of Godhood. Furthermore, all individuals are “spirit children” of God and have received bodies here on earth to go through hardships, to learn, and to experience happiness. When people die, they each are meant to be accepted into different kingdoms of glory. To achieve this, one must accept Jesus Christ, repent, and be baptized.
Do Mormons See Themselves as Christian?
Mormons view themselves as Christians because they believe in Jesus and the Bible.
Baptists vs Mormons
So what is the difference between Baptists and Mormons? The major differences are seen in their doctrines and their beliefs. Baptists believe and follow the teachings of only one authority, which is the Bible. Mormons, on the other hand, read the Bible in conjunction with the Book of Mormon. They believe that only then will they find happiness in life.
While both groups believe in God, Mormons believe that God exists in three separate persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Baptists believe that there is only one God which exists in three simultaneous persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They know God to be of spirit, not of flesh and bones, while Mormons know Him to be like man, one of flesh and who lived like the rest of us. He was then exalted to “Godhood” after he lived a righteous life.
Both Mormons and Baptists practice baptism by immersion, as opposed to the Catholic practice of sprinkling with water, as in an infant baptism. However, Baptists believe that baptism can only be done to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, baptism should be voluntary. It is symbolic but is not necessary for salvation. The Mormons, on the other hand, practice the belief that individuals be baptized after the “age of accountability,” which is eight years of age. They view baptism as symbolic as well as essential for salvation. One cannot be accepted as a member of the Mormon faith unless he is baptized.
