What is the difference between confessional Lutheran beliefs and the beliefs of Baptists?
We can only answer your question in a general way. There are between thirty and forty different kinds of Baptists in the United States alone, so they do not all believe and teach precisely the same things. But they have general traits that can be mentioned here. In most Baptist doctrinal statements there are portions that are basically identical with ours, such as a high view of the authority and accuracy of the Bible, the importance and reality of Jesus Christ and his work as our substitute, and the confession of mankind’s sin and need for the Savior as well as God’s grace and saving work for us. In short, there is much to be thankful for, since fundamental Christianity is confessed here. You asked about differences. First of all they reject the sacraments (both Baptism and the Lord’s Supper) as instruments through which God graciously creates or strengthens faith in human hearts. They treat the sacraments as “ordinances” to be obeyed, and being baptized or receiving communion is an “
