1. BAPTIST HERITAGE Introduction:DistinctivesPolityFocusesOrigins Copyright 2007 NOBTS, Rex D. Butler and Lloyd A. Harsch

2. Baptist Distinctives

3. Authority of the Bible Authority of the Bible Foundational authority for all matters of faith Foundational authority for all matters of faith Regenerate church membership Regenerate church membership Membership is for believers only Membership is for believers only Baptism by immersion Baptism by immersion The local expression of one’s conversion is believer’s baptism by immersion The local expression of one’s conversion is believer’s baptism by immersion

4. Baptist Distinctives Congregational polity Congregational polity Each congregation is autonomous in choosing its leaders and stating its beliefs Each congregation is autonomous in choosing its leaders and stating its beliefs No congregation can dictate the practice or beliefs of another congregation No congregation can dictate the practice or beliefs of another congregation

5. Baptist Distinctives Priesthood of the believer (soul competency) Priesthood of the believer (soul competency) One can go directly to God without any human mediator One can go directly to God without any human mediator Religious freedom Religious freedom Faith cannot be forced and the state should not dictate matters of faith Faith cannot be forced and the state should not dictate matters of faith Lordship of Christ Lordship of Christ He rules objectively in the world and subjectively in the lives of believers He rules objectively in the world and subjectively in the lives of believers

6. Baptist Distinctives Ordinances, not sacraments Ordinances, not sacraments A sacrament is a means by which God’s grace is conveyed to you A sacrament is a means by which God’s grace is conveyed to you We follow in believer’s baptism and observe the Lord’s Supper because God has ordained that we do so, not because we receive a special measure of God’s grace through participation in these activities We follow in believer’s baptism and observe the Lord’s Supper because God has ordained that we do so, not because we receive a special measure of God’s grace through participation in these activities

7. Polity

8. Models Hierarchical Hierarchical Power and decisions flow from the top down Power and decisions flow from the top down Any decision made at a higher ecclesiastical level is binding on all levels below it Any decision made at a higher ecclesiastical level is binding on all levels below it Examples are: Episcopal & Catholic Structures Examples are: Episcopal & Catholic Structures

9. Models Representative Representative Congregation sends delegates to presbytery, which in turn chooses delegates to the synod, etc. Congregation sends delegates to presbytery, which in turn chooses delegates to the synod, etc. Any decision made at a higher ecclesiastical level is binding on all levels below it Any decision made at a higher ecclesiastical level is binding on all levels below it Example: Presbyterian Denominations Example: Presbyterian Denominations

10. Models Congregational Congregational Congregations voluntarily join together in associations Congregations voluntarily join together in associations Decisions made by associations and/or conventions are not binding on any congregation Decisions made by associations and/or conventions are not binding on any congregation Example: Baptists & Congregationalists Example: Baptists & Congregationalists

11. Society Society Made up of individuals whose membership is based solely upon their contributions to the society Made up of individuals whose membership is based solely upon their contributions to the society Organized around a single issue or mission Organized around a single issue or mission Convention Convention Made up of individuals sent by financially contributing churches Made up of individuals sent by financially contributing churches No official connection to other entities (state conventions are separate organizations from associations or SBC) No official connection to other entities (state conventions are separate organizations from associations or SBC) Cooperative Methods Among Baptists

12. Associations Associations Composed of congregations which send messengers Composed of congregations which send messengers State Conventions State Conventions Composed of messengers sent by congregations Composed of messengers sent by congregations SBC SBC Composed of messengers sent by congregations Composed of messengers sent by congregations Southern Baptist Convention

13. Focuses in Baptist Life

14. Doctrine – ultimate concern is correct belief Doctrine – ultimate concern is correct belief Experience – ultimate concern is how one lives one’s faith Experience – ultimate concern is how one lives one’s faith While both of these two areas are important to the Christian life, individuals and groups tend to emphasize one area more than the other While both of these two areas are important to the Christian life, individuals and groups tend to emphasize one area more than the other

15. Baptist Origins

16. Four Theories of Baptist Origins Succession Theories Succession Theories Baptist Successionism Baptist Successionism Spiritual Kinship Spiritual Kinship Non-succession Theories Non-succession Theories Outgrowth of English Separatism Outgrowth of English Separatism Anabaptist Influence or Dual Ancestry Anabaptist Influence or Dual Ancestry

17. Background Heated debate in mid-19 th century Heated debate in mid-19 th century Church of Christ claimed that it was the only true church Church of Christ claimed that it was the only true church Many Baptists defected to Church of Christ, which was becoming fastest growing Protestant denomination in America Many Baptists defected to Church of Christ, which was becoming fastest growing Protestant denomination in America Landmarkists Landmarkists Countered with claims that Baptists originated in first century – even before Pentecost Countered with claims that Baptists originated in first century – even before Pentecost There was an unbroken chain of organic succession from 1 st - century church to modern Baptist churches There was an unbroken chain of organic succession from 1 st - century church to modern Baptist churches W.H. Whitsitt W.H. Whitsitt President of Southern Seminary & church historian President of Southern Seminary & church historian Refuted Landmarkist claims; developed theory of Baptist descent from English Separatism & was fired Refuted Landmarkist claims; developed theory of Baptist descent from English Separatism & was fired

18. Baptist Successionism Theory Theory There has been unbroken succession of organized Baptist churches from NT to present There has been unbroken succession of organized Baptist churches from NT to present Affirms that earlier Dissenters were Baptists under other names Affirms that earlier Dissenters were Baptists under other names Donatists (4 th century) Donatists (4 th century) Cathari (11 th century) Cathari (11 th century) Waldensians (12 th century) Waldensians (12 th century) Anabaptists (16 th century) Anabaptists (16 th century) Called “JJJ” Theory Called “JJJ” Theory “Jesus-Jordan-John” “Jesus-Jordan-John” Baptists originated with John the Baptist; Jesus was baptized in the Jordan; Jesus formed the first Baptist church & promised that it would never vanish (Matt. 16:18) Baptists originated with John the Baptist; Jesus was baptized in the Jordan; Jesus formed the first Baptist church & promised that it would never vanish (Matt. 16:18)

19. Baptist Successionism Advocates Advocates Adam Taylor: 1818, The History of the English General Baptists, identified John the Baptist as founder of Baptist denomination Adam Taylor: 1818, The History of the English General Baptists, identified John the Baptist as founder of Baptist denomination G.H. Orchard: 1838, insisted that unbroken successionism of Baptist churches is essential to their validity today G.H. Orchard: 1838, insisted that unbroken successionism of Baptist churches is essential to their validity today J.R. Graves (1823-93), leader of Landmarkism: adopted this theory as hallmark of this movement that portrayed Baptist church as only true denomination J.R. Graves (1823-93), leader of Landmarkism: adopted this theory as hallmark of this movement that portrayed Baptist church as only true denomination J.M. Carroll (brother of B.H. Carroll, founder of SWBTS): 1931, Trail of Blood popularized this theory J.M. Carroll (brother of B.H. Carroll, founder of SWBTS): 1931, Trail of Blood popularized this theory

21. Baptist Successionism Problems Problems No evidence to support it No evidence to support it Highly polemical; developed during intense competition between denominations Highly polemical; developed during intense competition between denominations Claimed succession from groups that advocated similar doctrines but differed in significant ways; some groups were heretical Claimed succession from groups that advocated similar doctrines but differed in significant ways; some groups were heretical No major contemporary historian supports this theory No major contemporary historian supports this theory

22. Spiritual Kinship Theory Theory There has been a continuity of Baptist forms of faith through the centuries There has been a continuity of Baptist forms of faith through the centuries Not an unbroken succession of organized Baptist churches, but a continuity of Baptist teachings Not an unbroken succession of organized Baptist churches, but a continuity of Baptist teachings Dissenting groups outside the Roman Catholic Church maintained teachings of New Testament in an unbroken chain Dissenting groups outside the Roman Catholic Church maintained teachings of New Testament in an unbroken chain These teachings have always been similar to modern Baptist faith and practice These teachings have always been similar to modern Baptist faith and practice

23. Spiritual Kinship Advocates Advocates Thomas Crosby: 1738-40, History of the English Baptists, 4 vols. Thomas Crosby: 1738-40, History of the English Baptists, 4 vols. Traced Baptist lineage through Celtic church, John Wycliffe & Lollards Traced Baptist lineage through Celtic church, John Wycliffe & Lollards Joseph Ivimey in England; David Benedict in America (both early 19 th century) Joseph Ivimey in England; David Benedict in America (both early 19 th century) A.H. Newman of SWBTS A.H. Newman of SWBTS

24. Spiritual Kinship Critique Critique These historians are on more solid ground than successionists: Evangelicals did arise intermittently through history of church These historians are on more solid ground than successionists: Evangelicals did arise intermittently through history of church However, supporters of both organic & spiritual successionism “have wattled together twigs of any kind to fill up remote chasms” (Robert Robertson, Ecclesiastical Researches, 1792) However, supporters of both organic & spiritual successionism “have wattled together twigs of any kind to fill up remote chasms” (Robert Robertson, Ecclesiastical Researches, 1792) The dissenting groups cited as Baptist churches demonstrate little or no connection to Baptist faith and practice The dissenting groups cited as Baptist churches demonstrate little or no connection to Baptist faith and practice

25. Outgrowth of English Separatism Theory Theory Modern Baptists emerged from English Separatism in early 1600s Modern Baptists emerged from English Separatism in early 1600s Separatists became Baptists as a result of reading the English Bible & taking Separatist views to their logical conclusion Separatists became Baptists as a result of reading the English Bible & taking Separatist views to their logical conclusion Founders of both General & Particular Baptists (John Smyth & John Spilsbury) came from Separatism Founders of both General & Particular Baptists (John Smyth & John Spilsbury) came from Separatism

26. Outgrowth of English Separatism Theory Theory This theory highlights differences with Anabaptists & minimizes their influence This theory highlights differences with Anabaptists & minimizes their influence Anabaptist influence/presence in England before 1600 was minimal Anabaptist influence/presence in England before 1600 was minimal Early Baptist leaders denied that they were Anabaptists, rejecting their pacifism, opposition to government service & their Christology Early Baptist leaders denied that they were Anabaptists, rejecting their pacifism, opposition to government service & their Christology It can be acknowledged that there was a connection between Anabaptists & General Baptists, but General Baptists did not constitute majority of early English Baptists It can be acknowledged that there was a connection between Anabaptists & General Baptists, but General Baptists did not constitute majority of early English Baptists

27. Outgrowth of English Separatism Advocates Advocates W.H. Whitsitt (1841-1911) stirred up “Whitsitt Controversy” with his discovery that English Baptists began immersion in 1641; was fired as president of Southern Seminary W.H. Whitsitt (1841-1911) stirred up “Whitsitt Controversy” with his discovery that English Baptists began immersion in 1641; was fired as president of Southern Seminary W.W. Whitley & Winthrop Hudson developed this theory further W.W. Whitley & Winthrop Hudson developed this theory further Barry R. White & Robert A. Baker are more recent advocates Barry R. White & Robert A. Baker are more recent advocates

28. Anabaptist Influence or Dual Ancestry Theory Theory Supporters agree that Baptists emerged from English Separatism Supporters agree that Baptists emerged from English Separatism But they also believe that Anabaptism prepared the way for Separatism both in England and on the continent But they also believe that Anabaptism prepared the way for Separatism both in England and on the continent Anabaptist refugees settled in London as evidenced by persecution under Henry VIII & “Bloody Mary” Anabaptist refugees settled in London as evidenced by persecution under Henry VIII & “Bloody Mary” Anabaptists influenced English Separatists by input into teachings of Henry Barrow & Robert Browne Anabaptists influenced English Separatists by input into teachings of Henry Barrow & Robert Browne

29. Anabaptist Influence or Dual Ancestry Theory Theory John Smyth did not adopt believer’s baptism until 1609, after he came into contact with Mennonites in Amsterdam John Smyth did not adopt believer’s baptism until 1609, after he came into contact with Mennonites in Amsterdam Richard Blunt went to Netherlands in 1641 to recover baptism by immersion from Mennonites Richard Blunt went to Netherlands in 1641 to recover baptism by immersion from Mennonites Mainly, Anabaptists influenced General Baptists directly & Particular Baptists only indirectly Mainly, Anabaptists influenced General Baptists directly & Particular Baptists only indirectly

30. Anabaptist Influence or Dual Ancestry Advocates Advocates A.C. Underwood: 1947, A History of the English Baptists, said General Baptists represent sober Mennonite form of Anabaptism A.C. Underwood: 1947, A History of the English Baptists, said General Baptists represent sober Mennonite form of Anabaptism Ernest A. Payne (1902-80), former General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain Ernest A. Payne (1902-80), former General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain William R. Estep (1920-80), SWBTS William R. Estep (1920-80), SWBTS

31. Two Non-Succession Theories Critique Critique These two theories are very similar, disagreeing only on the extent of Anabaptist influence on Baptist origins These two theories are very similar, disagreeing only on the extent of Anabaptist influence on Baptist origins Barry White & William Estep agree that English Baptists descended from English Separatism Barry White & William Estep agree that English Baptists descended from English Separatism They disagree on the extent of Anabaptists’ presence & influence in England after the 16 th century They disagree on the extent of Anabaptists’ presence & influence in England after the 16 th century