When Did the Baptists Originate?

Baptist origins is not a matter of majority vote, but a matter of historical fact coupled with bible promises. "The faith which was once delivered to the saints" is still with us, and has been since Christ promised "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

 

Point taken, Dr. Cassidy, but I interpret the poll to be more of a nature of the origins of those of us who call themselves "Baptist." We know little of John Smyth's and Thomas Helwys' actions when they left England. Did Helwys found our denomination there or are we so closely aligned with the Anabaptist movement that Helwys' church merely adapted those previously established priciples.

I'm pretty sure no one can point to a church before the return of Helwys to England that calls itself "Baptist" but I think it IS subjective to opinion and conjecture as to whether "Baptistic" churches existed.

I think that this is the nature of Dr. Griffin's poll. I apologize if I am in error.

May God bless you

- Clint

[ February 24, 2002, 02:25 PM: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]

 

I think that to say there are two views of Baptist origins is a little oversimplified, but at least the way the poll is set up, most views will fit fairly well into the two views represented in Dr. Bob's poll. New members and visitors might wish to see a little more discussion of Views of Baptist Origins.

[ April 22, 2002, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: rlvaughn ]

 

Totally loved the poll. Would love to see more! Jan

 

My brother has told me that Baptist aren't considered to be protestant. Because we didn't branch off of the RC. Could someone help me understand this. If we're not protestant then what are we?

 

Hi there n2ChristJ!

I believe what your brother is referring to is the notion that the "Protestants" were those who protested against the Roman Catholic Church and thus seperated themselves from them. These would be groups such as the Lutherans and the Episcopalians (the Church of England).

Baptist are "Seperatist" (at least by some opinions, hence Dr. Griffin's poll) in that they seperated themselves from the established Protestant churches. We did not "protest" the RCC but rather "seperated" from churches that did. Some other classic examples of this would be the Quakers, the Presbyterians, and the Methodist, to name a few.

Of course, many on this board take to the view that we are descendant of the Anabaptist line. If this is so, we are actually Landmarkers. Even this view has variances among our members! Some believe Landmarkism refers to Apostolic succession, that is to say descends from the churches established at the time of the New Testament writings. Others view Landmarkism as a creed that sets forth principles of the Baptist faith.

Hope this clears it up. Browse this forum for a while and you will find all of these views expressed in various threads.

May God bless you

- Clint

[ March 09, 2002, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]