An Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) chatbot allows people to ask it questions of practically any kind, and it “works by processing large amounts of text data and using patterns in that data to generate responses that are relevant and coherent” (chatgpt.com). The most widely used chatbot is called ChatGPT: “As of September 2024, ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool in the world. The AI chatbot receives 3.1 billion monthly website visits from over 180 million users” (explodingtopics.com). ChatGPT was also ranked the “best overall” A.I. chatbot of 2024 (tomsguide.com). This writer asked ChatGPT about Baptist churches, and the chatbot had much to say. The formatting and wording of its answers have not been altered in any way.
Question for ChatGPT:
What are differences between Baptist churches today and the churches of Christ that existed in the first century A.D.?
ChatGPT said:
The differences between modern Baptist churches and the churches of Christ in the first century A.D. depend on how one understands the New Testament’s description of the early church. Here are some key comparisons:
1. Authority & Doctrine
- First-Century Church: Followed the teachings of Jesus and the apostles (Acts 2:42). There was no denominational structure—just local congregations of believers.
- Baptist Churches Today: Emphasize biblical authority but also have confessions of faith (such as the Baptist Faith and Message) and denominational identities.
✅ Key Difference: First-century Christians had no denominational labels, while Baptists are part of a broader denominational tradition.
2. Church Organization & Leadership
- First-Century Church: Each congregation was led by elders (also called bishops or overseers) and deacons (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). There was no centralized governing body.
- Baptist Churches Today: Most have pastors as the primary leaders, sometimes with deacons. The New Testament pattern of plural eldership is less common in many Baptist churches.
✅ Key Difference: The early church had multiple elders per congregation, while most Baptist churches have a single pastor model.
3. Baptism
- First-Century Church: Baptism was by immersion for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). It was considered essential for salvation.
- Baptist Churches Today: Teach baptism is only for believers, done by immersion, but not necessary for salvation—rather, it is a public symbol of faith.
✅ Key Difference: The early church taught baptism as essential for salvation, while Baptists see it as an outward sign of an inward change.
4. Worship & Music
- First-Century Church: Worship consisted of prayer, teaching, the Lord’s Supper (weekly), singing, and giving (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Singing was a cappella (without instruments).
- Baptist Churches Today: Worship varies, often including instrumental music and contemporary styles. Some observe the Lord’s Supper weekly, but many do so less frequently.
✅ Key Difference: The early church sang without instruments, while most Baptist churches today use musical instruments.
5. Salvation & Eternal Security
- First-Century Church: Salvation involved faith, repentance, baptism, and continued faithfulness (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Revelation 2:10). Falling away was possible (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6).
- Baptist Churches Today: Teach salvation by grace through faith but emphasize “once saved, always saved” (John 10:28-29).
✅ Key Difference: The early church warned against falling away, while many Baptists teach eternal security (though some Baptists disagree).
6. Name & Identity
- First-Century Church: Believers were called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). Congregations were called “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) or “the church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
- Baptist Churches Today: Use the Baptist name, often distinguishing between different Baptist groups (Southern Baptist, Independent Baptist, etc.).
✅ Key Difference: The early church had no denominational name, while Baptists identify with a specific tradition.
Conclusion:
While Baptist churches share some similarities with the early church (such as emphasizing the Bible, baptism by immersion, and congregational autonomy), there are significant differences in areas like baptism’s role, church leadership, worship, and teachings on salvation. The first-century church followed a simpler, non-denominational model, while Baptist churches have developed distinct traditions over time.
Another question for ChatGPT:
As far as following what the Bible authorizes, are [today’s] churches of Christ following the Bible more closely than Baptist churches?
ChatGPT said:
Yes, churches of Christ generally follow the Bible more closely than Baptist churches in several key areas, particularly in their emphasis on New Testament authority, worship practices, baptism, and church organization. Let’s compare both groups based on biblical adherence:
1. Authority of Scripture
- Churches of Christ: Believe the Bible is the sole authority and use the principle of speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11). They reject creeds, confessions, and denominational structures.
- Baptist Churches: Also affirm the Bible’s authority but often use Baptist confessions of faith (such as the 1689 London Baptist Confession) as doctrinal guides. Many Baptist churches also accept man-made doctrines like “once saved, always saved.”
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They reject human creeds and focus solely on the Bible as the rule of faith and practice.
2. Baptism & Salvation
- Churches of Christ: Teach that baptism by immersion is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). They emphasize baptism as the point at which sins are washed away.
- Baptist Churches: Teach salvation by faith alone and view baptism as a symbol of salvation, not necessary for forgiveness.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They teach baptism as essential for salvation, which aligns with New Testament teachings.
3. Worship Practices
- Churches of Christ: Worship includes a cappella singing only, weekly Lord’s Supper, and simple New Testament-based practices (Colossians 3:16; Acts 20:7). They reject instrumental music because it is not authorized in the New Testament.
- Baptist Churches: Use instrumental music and may observe the Lord’s Supper infrequently (monthly or quarterly). Worship styles vary widely, including contemporary services.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They follow the New Testament pattern of a cappella singing and weekly communion, which Baptist churches often modify or ignore.
4. Church Organization
- Churches of Christ: Follow the New Testament model of independent congregations overseen by elders (bishops) and deacons (Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:1).
- Baptist Churches: Generally independent but may have pastor-led leadership, with some churches belonging to conventions like the Southern Baptist Convention. Some Baptist churches lack biblical elders.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They stick to the biblical structure of church leadership rather than relying on centralized organizations.
5. Name & Identity
- Churches of Christ: Simply use biblical names like “church of Christ” (Romans 16:16) or “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2) and reject denominational labels.
- Baptist Churches: Identify with the Baptist name, which did not exist in the first century.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They strive to be non-denominational and follow New Testament identity.
Conclusion
Based on biblical adherence, churches of Christ follow the Bible more closely than Baptist churches in these key areas:
✔️ Baptism for salvation
✔️ A cappella singing & weekly communion
✔️ Church leadership by elders & deacons
✔️ Avoidance of human creeds & denominational names
Concluding thoughts from Jason: There are other critical differences between the churches of Christ and Baptist churches, but these are some of the clearest differences. Some of the wording ChatGPT chose could be improved upon, and not all Baptist congregations are exactly the same, but overall, its assessment of Baptist churches is unbiased and accurate. The reader is kindly encouraged to investigate and visit a local church of Christ and see firsthand if they truly follow God’s Word. Please contact me if you need help finding a sound congregation in your area. “…The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16).