Baptist Church
Baptist history is subject to various interpretations because Baptists themselves do not fully agree on their own origins. Most historians attribute the start of this denomination to John Smyth who organized the first known Baptist church in London, England in the year 1607. Smyth was a priest of the Church of England (Episcopal Church). After studying the Bible he renounced infant baptism and embraced what he called "believers baptism." Smyth and his followers were known at that time as "Separatists". Some attribute Smyth's doctrines concerning baptism to Dutch Mennonite (Anabaptist) influence. He was re-baptized by having water poured over his body (some even say he baptized himself). Baptist historians write immersion would not become the standard form of baptism for at least another generation. John Smyth also insisted that true worship came from the heart of man and any form of reading from a book was an invention of sinful man. This included Bible reading -- the English translations were less than the direct word of God. Prayer, singing, and preaching had to be spontaneous. Before his death, Smyth abandoned his Baptist views and began trying to bring his congregation into the Mennonite church. The Baptist denomination came to America in 1631. Roger Williams is credited for bringing it to the Rhode Island colony.
Another group of Baptists advocate that the "Baptist faith and practice have existed since the time of Christ." This is presented by those who wish to show "the validity of their faith (denomination) over and above that of other denominations." A similar view teaches "Baptist churches actually existed in an unbroken chain since the time of Christ and John the Baptist." This is referred to as the "Trail of Blook" theory of "Landmarkism". It claims that Baptist churches (although not called so at that time) stood outside the influence of Roman Catholic Church at various times in history refusing to accept infant baptism. This is a popular view among many rural Baptists in the south and western states.
In addition to the confusion over origins, a new debate has arisen in the past twenty years questioning whether or not Baptists are "historically" Calvinists. One group champions that Baptists have always been strict (5 point) Calvinists, while another group acknowledges Calvin's influences but denies strict adherence. Today, most Baptists hold a "form" of Calvinism. The Baptist denomination has seen a decline since the 1980's due to what some say is a "new fundamentalist controversy" within the Southern Baptist Convention. Critics have accused the SBC of changing its nature and direction. This has caused significant divisions among the Baptist people.
--D.S.Dow
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WHO PLANTED THE BAPTIST CHURCH? |
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Words Of Men |
Word Of God |
"The name Baptist was not at first adopted by them. They preferred...Brethren, Disciples of Christ, Christians or Believers." (A.H. Newman, History of the baptist churches in the USA, P.1)
"The name Baptist was first claimed in 1644." (W.H. Whelsitt, A Question In Baptist History, P. 93) |
"Baptist" not found in Bible. |
Members "are not required to subscribe to any creed-form, but are expected to yield substantial agreement to that which the church with which they unite has adopted." (Hiscox, Standard Manual of baptist Churches, Pg 56, ABA)
"The Bible is the supreme standard for all creed, etc." (Hiscox, pg. 58)
John Smyth took exception to the church enforcing creeds. He said: "Christ only is the king and lawgiver of the church and conscience". |
Scriptures alone tell man how to behave in the house of God, the church. (I Tim. 3:14-17)
Why should the church adopt or subscribe to a man-made creed and its members be expected to substantially agree thereto? (Matt. 15:7-9, Rev. 22:18,19) |
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Divine Election, Predestination. A person is dead in sin and cannot do one thing to rescue himself. If he is saved, it is because God elected to save him before the foundation of world. (Standard Manual, Hiscox p. 57) |
God does not want any to perish (2 Pt. 3:9).
God wants all men saved (I Tim. 2:3,4).
Christ saves all who obey (Heb. 5:9).
God is no respector of person (Col. 3?25, Acts 10:34) |
Once Saved Always Saved. Eternal Security
"Real believers...endure to the end" (Church Manual -- J.M. Pendleton p. 54)
"Such as are truly regenerate will not utterly fall away." (Hiscox. p. 67) |
Simon believed and was baptized. (Acts 8:13)
Some sin willfully. (Heb. 10:26)
Once saved, Later lost (Heb. 6:1-6)
Man can fall from the grace of God. (Gal. 5:4)
Paul warns of danger of alling (I Cor. 9:27)
Some believe and then fall away. (Luke 8:13) |
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Established during the last days of John the Baptist. (Landmarkism: What Is It? p. 121) |
"I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18) Not built yet.
Existence spoken of after Pentecost ( Acts 2)
Kingdom came with power. (Acts 1:8, Mark 9:1, Acts 2:1-4)
John the Baptist is dead. (Matt. 14:10-12, 11:11) |
Faith Alone Saves "...solely through faith". (Hiscox, p. 62)
This contradicts "wholly of grace". (Hiscox p. 61) |
Faith without works -- dead (James 2:17)
Faith shown by works (James 2:18)
Faith alone -- not enough (James 2:24, 26)
Faith and Baptism Saves (Mark 16:16) |
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Confession at Baptism -- he believes God has pardoned his sin, before baptism. |
"Jesus Chrsit is the Son of the Living God" (Matt. 16:16, 10:32, Acts 8:37, Rom. 10:9)
Baptism is "for remission of sins". (Acts 2:38) |
Baptism is immersion, but not essential for salvation. (Hiscox p. 20 Note 8)
Baptized in order to enter Baptist church -- a church ordinance. (Pendleton, P. 65, 90) |
Saves -- I Peter 3:21
Saves -- Mark 16:16
Remits Sin -- Acts 2:38
Washes Sins Away -- Acts 22:16
Enter Christ -- Gal. 3:27,/td>
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"Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be roted up. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the lbind guide the lbind, both shall fall into a pit". (Matthew 15:13,14) |
Source: Traditions of Men Versus the Word of God by ALvin Jennings
Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ
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