Strict & Particular BaptistsCa
The Strict & Particular Baptists are Christians who have a long and orthodox history. Strict & Particular Baptists are conservative evangelical Christians who have a lot in common with many other believers. They are Believers of Lord Jesus Christ. They consider themselves as His Followers, or Disciples. They are known as Baptists because they believe that the New Testament teaches that believers, after conversion, are immersed in water as part of their profession of faith. They are known as Particular Baptists because they believe, preach, and teach the principles contained in the Doctrines of Grace, set out in five points.
Strict & Particular Baptists who are called to the Ministry of the Word do not use non-Scriptural titles, such as ‘Reverend’, nor wear any items of religious clothing, such as a ‘clerical collar’. Such ministers are not ordained by any denominational organization, for there is none, and have no authority other than their calling by God and that of their own gathering.
There is no centralized denominational Strict & Particular Baptist Headquarters, nor is there any governing committee, nor president, nor moderator, nor any other human head or leader. They meet in buildings which are normally known as a Chapel or a Meeting House.
History:
Their roots go back Charles I in England where the first particular Baptist church was formed. They adhere to the Calvinistic doctrines of free and sovereign grace, “particular” referring to the extent of the atonement. The Reformation took place when the Church of England emerged from the darkness and death of Roman Catholicism in 1688. This was the state church, practicing infant baptism but for the most part Calvinistic in doctrine.
In the seventeenth century all Baptists in England were persecuted by the state for refusing to submit to the state church, the Church of England or the Anglican Church. They enjoyed some respite in the time of the Civil War and under the government of Cromwell, but when Charles II was invited back at the restoration of the monarchy, the persecution resumed. It was not until the end of the Stuart dynasty in 1688 that Baptists had the right to practice their faith freely.
The Roman Catholic King James II had to flee the country, and William of Orange came over from Holland to become king. This brought an immense charge for the English Baptists as an Act of Toleration was not passed, and so they were able to worship freely according to their conscience. The days of cruel persecution had come to an end.
The Strict Baptist Mission was set up because the Baptist Missionary Society in 1861. The Baptist Missionary Society was founded in 1792 by William Carey (1761-1834). They no longer emphasized the Particular Baptist view of God’s work in salvation. A group of Baptist churches, generally Calvinist in theology, which denied that saving faith is the duty of unbelievers. Saving faith was “not a legal duty, but the sovereign and gracious gift of God.”
Communion is restricted to “baptized believers” in the New Testament sense of those words, and the rule of life for believers is the Gospel, not the moral law. Early emphasis was placed on itinerant preaching, and recent efforts have failed to establish a more settled type of ministry. Strict Baptists withdrew their support, on theological grounds, from the Baptist Missionary Society, and founded in 1861 the Strict Baptist Mission. They maintain an aloofness from public affairs and show little interest in the social implications of the Christian faith. (Baptist Historical Society. July 2008).
Today each church remains an individual entity. Belief and practice is regulated by the consensus of the individual congregation, so probably no two churches are exactly alike, though most would accept the 1689 Confession or 1966 Affirmation which is a rewriting of the 1689 Confession. (Baptist Historical Society. July 2008).
Belief:
Strict & Particular Baptists believes with all other Christian traditions belief in fundamental doctrines such as the Trinity, the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, atoning death, resurrection and return in glory.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes the Bible is regarded as the inspired and infallible word of God, the only final authority for matters of Christian faith and practice.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes that a person is not justified by the works of the Law, but only by faith in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the Law; for by works of the Law no flesh shill be justified.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes that the Gospel, and not the Law, is the believers rule and this differentiates S&P Baptists from those Brethren who seek to re-deploy the Laws of Moses as a rule of conduct for Christians.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes in the resurrection of the dead and in the imminent, glorious and eternal, return of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, they do not, generally, get involved in the various disputes between the advocates of the several, competing, and millennial theories.
Strict & Particular Baptists do not consider themselves superior to other Christians. They simply believe that they are unworthy sinners who have been shown unmerited, divine, grace and mercy.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes they should collectively support trust funds for the help of those who are in need, particularly the elderly and poor of the household of faith. Also there are funds to help with property, publishing, and a library. This is done without any official denominational oversight, thus preserving the autonomy of the local gatherings.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes that the Lord’s Supper is a Divine Ordinance which is celebrated within a Congregation comprised of saved, immersed, believers seeking to live, and serve God, in a manner that is set out in the New Testament.
Strict & Particular Baptists baptize by immersing completely in water the person being baptized. They do not baptize babies but only those who are able to profess their repentance and faith in Jesus.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes and practice the principle that each gathering is directly responsible to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Head of the Assembly, which is His Body.
Strict & Particular Baptists believes the rite of baptism does not save, but it is a testimony to salvation already received and a declaration that the candidate wishes from that moment to be identified with the people of God, the church.
Reference:
Baptist Historical Society. (July 2008).Who are the Strict Baptist? Strict Baptist Historical Society.
Official wedsite for the Strict & Particular Baptists http://www.strictbaptisthistory.org.uk/_private/strictbapt.htm
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Strict & Particular Baptists:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2013.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2486 ,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2013, October) “Strict & Particular Baptists:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2486 ,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2013) “Strict & Particular Baptists:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2486 , (accessed).
