Bible Study: History of Baptists

History of Baptists

Baptists are a denomination of Protestant Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers (believer's baptism) and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul competency (the responsibility and accountability of every person before God), sola fide (salvation by faith alone), sola scriptura (the Bible is the sole infallible authority, as the rule of faith and practice) and congregationalist church government. Baptists recognize generally two ordinances: baptism and communion. Diverse from their beginning, those identifying as Baptists today may differ widely from one another in what they believe, how they worship, their attitudes toward other Christians, and their understanding of what is important in Christian discipleship. Baptist missionaries have spread various Baptist churches to every continent. The largest group of Baptist churches is the Baptist World Alliance, and there are many different groupings of Baptist churches and Baptist congregations. Baptists became the largest Christian community in many southern states, including among the enslaved Black population.

The Three Largest Baptist Denominations

1.    American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA)

Origin:  The ABCUSA began in 1845 as a direct response to the issue of slavery.  Formerly, baptist congregations organized in 1814 (Triennial Convention) for the purpose of raising money to send missionaries worldwide.  Then, in the mid 1800s, a dispute arose between the Northeastern and Southeastern churches as to whether slavery is acceptable.  The Southern states split from the Triennial Convention to become the Southern Baptist Convention (below); and later, the Triennial Convention renamed itself - eventially becoming the ABCUSA.  

Main Distinctions:  In regard to social issues, they tend to be more liberal and more involved with other denominations. They are members of the Baptist World Alliance.  They are also members of the World Council of Churches, whose main goal is to be a visible representation of inter-church unity even when orthodox beliefs don't align.

Organizational Framework:  Decisions made and positions taken by the general council are communicated to individual churches, and then each church decides via congregational voting what they will adopt.

2.    Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)

Origin:  Sadly, the SBC organized in 1845 in response to a decision by the Triennial Convention to formally reject slavery (above).  As seen in the Resolution On Racial Reconciliation, they have since apologized for their historical involvement in this crime against humanity, writing, "we apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime."

Main Distinctions:  In regard to social issues, they are conservative and vocal.  They are primarily focused on spreading the Gospel message so that as many people as possible will be converted to Christianity and, thereby receive salvation through Jesus Christ and eternal life.  They are exponentially bigger than any other Baptist association; and they are the largest Protestant denomination.

Organizational Framework:  Like the ABCUSA, they are a cooperation of like-minded churches who each are autonomous; they do not enforce rules or provide discipline to individual congregations. They will not, however, allow any church to remain a member of SBC that condones homosexuality, racial discrimination, or sexual abuse.

3.    National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA)

Origin:  The NBCUSA incorporated in 1895 when three conventions, going back as early as 1880, merged.  (The three conventions were:  Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, National Baptist Convention of America, and National Baptist Education Convention.)  Their website reports they are the "nation's oldest and largest African American religious convention."

Main Distinctions:  One of their primary purposes is to promote Christian education; and they do this through their Sunday School Publishing Board, one of the largest African-American owned publishing companies in the USA, and the American Baptist College which, interestingly, was started in partnership with the SBC. Like the ABCUSA, they are members of the Baptist World Alliance and the World Council of Churches.  They are also very active in social issues, like affordable housing, voting, criminal justice, and disaster relief.

Organizational Framework: Like the aforementioned conventions, the NBCUSA is an organization of churches uniting for the purpose of maximizing their impact in fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ both locally and throughout the world.

Missionary Baptists: Missionary Baptists are a group of Baptists that grew out of the missionary / anti-missionary controversy that divided Baptists in the United States in the early part of the 19th century, with Missionary Baptists following the pro-missions movement position. Those who opposed the innovations became known as anti-missions or Primitive Baptists. Since arising in the 19th century, the influence of Primitive Baptists waned as "Missionary Baptists became the mainstream". Missionary Baptists do not constitute a distinct denomination, and many affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention.[citation needed] Missionary Baptist is also a term used by adherents of many African American and Landmark Baptist churches belonging to the American Baptist Association, the Baptist Missionary Association of America and the Interstate and Foreign Landmark Missionary Baptist Association.