American Baptist Churches in the USA
Introduction
The American Baptists Church in the USA is centered upon Jesus Christ and His Word, striving for an uncompromising personal discipleship to Christ Jesus and a firm commitment to the community of faith. They are proud of their accomplishments regarding the social issues over the centuries. They have been involved in encouraging changes within society by being a good witness in the promotion of freeing the slaves during the Civil War, their contributions with the Civil Rights Movement, their sponsorship in advancing the issues of women in the church, and their important focus on responsible stewardship of the Creations of the LORD GOD.
History
The American Baptists Church in the USA shares a common tradition that goes back as far as the 17th century. The earliest Baptist church implemented their religious freedom of choosing to embrace either the strict predestination belief of Calvinism or Arminianism, the belief in free will as the fundamental determination for salvation.
The Calvinistic Baptists were among the first congregations to form within the Baptist faith. In contrast, the more modern Baptists were and are motivated by the Arminian theology that insists on free will and emphasizes evangelism and discipleship.
The American Baptists Church in the USA rejected the practice of the Church of England and the parish type structure of their church life. The Baptist religion was created out of a need of people seeking the opportunity to worship God as individual members.
The common tradition of the Baptist Church put emphasis on the Lordship and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Baptism, and the belief that all believers have the capacity to have a direct relationship with God and to interpret Scripture. They believe in the influence of the Holy Spirit on the lives of individuals, on church ministries, and independence between church and state. They strive for freedom from any government interference in their religious belief and practice.
Roger Williams was a member of the Church of England and held a clerical office in Massachusetts. When the Massachusetts Bay Colony failed to separate the church from the civil functions, Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in 1638 Rhode Island. Rhode Island was not a colonized colony at this time and Williams made it the first government to be established on the principle of absolute religious freedom. Another Englishman, John Clarke, who was frustrated with the religious tradition in Massachusetts, founded a Baptist church in Newport, Rhode Island. Together John Clarke and Roger Williams acquired a charter from King Charles II in 1663which guaranteed the separation of religious freedom and civil functions in Rhode Island.
There was a prolonged intolerance of religious freedom by the Puritans in the New England colonies as well as New Jersey and Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Baptist Association was formed in 1707 and encompassed five congregations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Thomas Jefferson passed a religious freedom bill in Virginia in 1786. A Virginia minister, John Leland, objected to the religious freedom bill because there were not enough stipulations for religious liberties. It was his belief no law should be passed with regards to religion unless it allowed the freedom to exercise that religion. This helped to influence the passing of the Bill of Rights, which are the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The principle of the separation of church and state and complete religious liberties was signed into the constitution by 1833.
American Baptist Churches USA of today are the most ethnically wide-ranging body within the Protestant faith. The social and traditional outreach and ministry of social reform is based on the Gospel. It is believed that Jesus Christ’s specific direction, at His ascension, was to call for a worldwide ministry as stated in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. The American Baptist Churches USA are actively engaged in the ecumenical ministry, both locally and in such bodies as the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches and Baptist World Alliance.
Belief
The American Baptists Church in the USA believes in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Full immersion baptism is mandatory by all believers if they are to have a direct relationship with God. They believe Jesus Christ guarantees salvation and eternal fellowship with God. The American Baptists Church in the USA believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. They believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and serves as the final written authority for living the Christian faith. Their faith allows them to approach God directly, believing all who truly seek God can develop a relationship. They believe God can use anyone in His ministry. They reject any creed or statement that could compromise the obligation of a believer to interpret Scripture using the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The American Baptists Church in the USA has two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Communion represents the Resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. The Bread and cup symbolize the broken body and the shed blood which was offered by Jesus Christ.
The American Baptists Church in the USA still support religious freedom and they respect the right of other religious denominations to express their faith. They preach for more tolerance in American and around the world. They spread the ideal of separation of church and state, and advocate that people everywhere should be guaranteed the right to have religious freedom free from any discrimination.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “American Baptist Churches in the USA:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2568,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “American Baptist Churches in the USA:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2568,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “American Baptist Churches in the USA: .” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2568, (accessed).
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