General Six-Principle Baptists
The General Six Principle Baptists is a denomination that is also referred to as the Old Baptists. Their first congregation gathered in 1652 at Providence, Rhode Island and became the first Baptist Association in America.
The General Six Principle Baptists acquired their name because the majority of the denominations adhered to the atonement of Jesus Christ as being “general” in nature, which meant that Jesus Christ was for all people, rather than just for the elect or a select few. They also hold fast to the believer’s Baptism and oppose infant baptism, claiming it is not Biblical.
They embrace the six principles in (Hebrews 6:1-2) which lists Repentance, Faith, Baptisms, Laying on of hands, Resurrection, and Judgment to be considered as foundational concepts.
They also assist ministers and churches to become established and help build their foundation on the teaching of Jesus Christ.
This is the disclaimer that is published by The General Six Principle Baptists:
“The General Association of Six-Principle Baptists (GASPB) DOES NOT assume any LEGAL responsibility for its ministers. Neither the GASPB nor the individual minister is an agent for or of the other However, each minister IS answerable to the GASPB and does come under the Episcopal oversight of the General Council of the GASPB. If an investigation finds serious violations of Christian ethics, morals and values have indeed been committed, certain sanctions can and maybe applied, up to and including removal and or revocation of the minister’s credentials and/or License.
Each Six-Principle Baptist minister, ministry, church, etc. is self-supporting and the General Association of Six-Principle Baptists does not provide funds for such support.” (http://spbaptist.tripod.com/).
History
The General Six Principle Baptists began its history in Rhode Island in 1652. It came about with the split of the Providence Baptist Church. Roger Williams was their minister at the time.
The split came within the congregation of an Arminian majority within the Providence Baptist Church that held to the Six principles of (Hebrews 6:1-2) which were Repentance, Faith, Baptisms, Laying on of hands, Resurrection of the dead, and Judgment and eternal life. The laying on of hands was mandatory to be used with the Baptism and the reception of new members and represented the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There were a few Calvinistic Baptist churches who shared the Six Principled theology but they did not survive as a separate body. (Note: There were a few Calvinistic Baptist churches who shared the Six Principled theology but they did not survive as a separate body in present day.)
The General Six Principle Baptists would not commune with other Baptists who did not observe the laying on of hands. They incorporated in 1895 as the General Six Principle Baptist Conference of Rhode Island. Their Standard Confession of 1660 authorized the doctrine of laying on of hands. It wasn’t until 1954 that the Rhode Island Conference lifted the disallowance for the communion with other Christians and the broadening of the Baptist community.
Belief
The General Six Principle Baptists believe the Bible is the supreme written authority for their faith and practice. They believe in the freedom of conscience in the interpretation of the Bible and in worship. They believe the “Liberty of Conscience” is at the heart of their denomination and the basis of their fellowship with others.
The General Six Principle Baptists believe in one God, whose nature is love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ and by one Holy Spirit of Grace. They believe that Jesus came in the flesh that He died for their sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.
The General Six Principle Baptist does not have a binding creed that belongs to the Christian church. They do not believe they should require conformity to the exact words of any theological creed for membership in the church. Their statements of Faith and Principles of the Six Principle Baptists beliefs are not a binding creed, but rather the summary of testimonies of faith and the spirit of their interpretation of the Holy Scriptures and doctrine.
The General Six Principle Baptists believe in promoting faith in God, unity of the Spirit among the believers, and love and understanding among all people. They follow after righteousness, faith, and love with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. They believe in walking worthy of their calling with humility.
The General Six Principle Baptists believe their fellowship is based on the common life in Jesus Christ. They do not believe in rejecting anyone because of the organization or the denomination someone might belong to. They believe it would be wrong to withdraw from fellowship with any Christian who might be of need of help.
The General Six Principle Baptists do not believe it is important or possible for total agreement in fellowship. They believe it is more important to show love when there is a disagreement and more important to put up with the wrong rather than separate themselves for the good. They believe the Bible would never expect people to pressure other people to act in a particular way or dress in a particular way; nor would they expect people to always agree, or conform to a set of standards or rules.
The General Six Principle Baptists believe the Bible makes the laying on of hands an ordinance. They believe it is the symbol of a passing of blessing like when Isaac bestowed the blessing on Jacob, or when Jesus blessed the little children, or transferred His healing powers. They believe the Scripture records Jesus Christ laying hands on the Apostles and the Apostles laying hands on people in blessing after they were baptized, and the people receiving the Holy Spirit as a result, for witness and power for ministry.
The General Six Principle Baptists believes in the theory of the priesthood of all believers. They believe in the laying on of hands at baptism as a symbol of the entrance into the universal priesthood of believers and into the general ministry and as a witness that all believers are called to perform in the world.
Official Website: http://spbaptist.tripod.com/
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “General Six-Principle Baptists:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<General Six-Principle Baptists:,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “General Six-Principle Baptists:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from General Six-Principle Baptists:,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “General Six-Principle Baptists:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), General Six-Principle Baptists:, (accessed).
