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American Baptist AssociationEvangelical Protestant |
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Denomination History, Practices and Beliefs HistoryThe American Baptist Association came about because of a split from a group of churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and the main body in 1950. This split resulted from a disagreement over the issue of Landmarkism. It is called Landmarkism because of their historic devotion and obedience to the old apostolic order of church policy. The American Baptist Association believed that any baptisms that were outside of the Baptist Churches were unacceptable. Only Baptists were allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper. Only Baptist ministers could preach in a Baptist Church. There was to be no recognition of any mission groups if they were not sponsored by one of the local Baptist churches. The American Baptist Churches in the United States were organized in 1924. The American Baptist Association stems from an independent “New Testament Church” movement known as Landmarkism. Landmarkism started with Roger Williams from Rhode Island in the 17th century. Northern independent and Baptist churches preached what would soon be termed Landmarkism by leaders such as James R. Graves, James M. Pendleton, and Amos C. Dayton. Founder Roger Williams Roger Williams was born December 21, 1603 in Long Lane, Middlesex near London, England. He married Mary Barnard on December 15, 1629 in Essex, England and they had six children. They then migrated to America in to Boston arriving February 5, 1631. March, 1639, Roger Williams was baptized by Ezekiel Holliman and later Williams baptized Ezekiel. This is what established the first Baptist church in America. They taught repentance from dead works and faith toward God, the doctrines of baptism or washing and the laying on of hands. Roger Williams was an Anglo American theologian. He was the founder of the City of Providence, Rhode Island and a co-founder of Rhode Island. He believed in the separation of Church and State, he was a campaigner for treating the Native Americans fairly. He believed the Native American should have dignity and be treated equality. Roger Williams denounced the Church of England and considered it as apostate. He considered any one having fellowship with the Church of England was a grievous sinner. He renounced communion with the Church of England and with anyone who joined with it. Williams disapproved of taking any unchristian oaths of any kind. Roger Williams was given a decree of banishment October 9, 1635 because of his aggressive and uncompromising hostility to the charter of the Church of England and to the theocracy. Roger Williams arrived at Providence and secured land from the native Indians and became friends and neighbors. Rhode Island passed the very first law in America to make slavery illegal in May 18, 1652. Rhode Island became a safe have for anyone who was being persecuted for their religious beliefs. The Baptist, Quakers and even the Jews were allowed to live in Rhode Island and practice their own beliefs. Rodger Williams died April 1, 1684 and was buried on his own land. Beliefs The American Baptist Association has an individual governmental structure which is different to that of the Southern Baptist church, even though they are similar. They believe in the strict separation of Church and State. The American Baptist Association focus more on the local churches. The American Baptist Association is evangelistic and supports the Landmark view of ecclesiology. The American Baptist Association is strictly fundamentalist. They stand for the verbal inspiration of the Bible, and hold that Genesis is the account of creation. They believe in the Atonement, the Trinity, and that the Bible is the inspired inerrannt Word of God. They believe in the virgin birth and deity of Christ, the suffering and death of Christ and bodily Resurrection of Christ and all His saints. They believe in the second coming of Jesus as the crowning event of the Gospel, which will be both physical and personal. They believe Baptism can only be performed by immersion by a Baptist minister. They hold a closed Communion, meaning only members of that church may participate in the Lord’s Supper. The Bible of choice is the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible for English services and study. They totally reject Calvinism in any form. |
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MLA Style Citation: About the Author
Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Philosophy student of Liberty University, and a Homeschool parent and child advocate. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. |
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