This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on Baptists. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

The Baptist Tapestry

An academic exploration into the rich history, diverse doctrines, and global impact of the Baptist tradition.

Discover Baptists 👇 Explore History 📜

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Defining Baptists

A Protestant Tradition

Baptists represent a distinct Protestant Christian tradition, fundamentally characterized by their practice of baptizing only believers, and exclusively through total immersion. This practice, known as believer's baptism or credobaptism, is central to their identity, distinguishing them from denominations that practice infant baptism.[1][2][3]

Core Theological Pillars

Modern Baptist churches generally adhere to several foundational doctrines. These include soul competency, emphasizing each individual's direct accountability to God; sola fide, or justification by faith alone; and sola scriptura, asserting the Bible as the sole infallible authority for faith and practice. Furthermore, they typically embrace a congregationalist ecclesiastical polity, granting autonomy to local churches.[1][2][3]

Ordinances and Diversity

Baptists typically recognize two primary ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. While these core tenets provide a unifying framework, the Baptist tradition is marked by significant diversity. From their inception, Baptists have exhibited wide variations in beliefs, worship styles, inter-Christian relations, and interpretations of Christian discipleship.[4] This rich diversity is a hallmark of the movement, with Baptist missionaries having propagated various forms of Baptist churches across every continent.[5]

Historical Origins

Four Interpretive Views

Baptist historians generally present four main perspectives on the origins of the denomination, reflecting ongoing scholarly and theological discussions:

  1. English Dissenters View: The prevailing scholarly consensus, tracing Baptist roots to 17th-century English Dissenters with minimal Anabaptist influence.
  2. Anabaptist Influence View: A minority perspective suggesting an outgrowth from the Continental Anabaptist movement of 1525.
  3. Successionist View: Argues for an unbroken chain of Baptist churches existing outside the mainstream Church since the time of Jesus Christ.[6][8]
  4. Perpetuity View: Similar to successionism, positing that Baptist faith and practice have continuously existed since the time of Jesus.

The English Dissenters

The most widely accepted historical account places Baptist origins in 17th-century England, amidst the English Protestant Reformation. This era was characterized by significant political and religious upheaval, leading many to seek what they believed to be a more biblically accurate form of Christianity.[9][10]

Puritans, dissatisfied with the Church of England's reforms, sought further changes. Some, known as Separatists or Dissenters, ultimately left the established church.[6] Key figures like John Smyth and Thomas Helwys, sharing beliefs with Congregationalists, went into exile in Amsterdam in 1608.[17] There, guided by their interpretation of the New Testament, they rejected infant baptism and instituted baptism solely for professing believers.[5] In 1609, this group formed what is considered the first Baptist church, marking the foundation of the Baptist tradition.[19][20]

Thomas Helwys later returned to England in 1612, establishing the first General Baptist church in Spitalfields, London, and publishing the "Helwys Declaration of Faith" in 1611, a foundational Baptist confession.[25][26]

Anabaptist Connections

A less common view suggests early Baptists were influenced by or directly linked to Continental Anabaptists. This theory highlights shared practices such as believer's baptism, religious liberty, and church-state separation with groups like the Dutch Waterlander Mennonites.[27]

While John Smyth briefly associated with Mennonites, Thomas Helwys and other Baptists ultimately rejected unification, criticizing certain Anabaptist doctrines as heretical.[31] In 1624, London Baptist churches even issued an anathema against Anabaptists for perceived heresies.[30] Despite these historical tensions, some modern scholars acknowledge theological agreements between Baptists and Anabaptists in core areas.[32]

Successionist & Perpetuity

These traditional views propose that Baptist churches have existed in an unbroken lineage since the time of Christ, independent of Roman Catholicism and predating the Protestant Reformation.[33][34]

Often associated with works like James Milton Carroll's "The Trail of Blood" (1931), this perspective is characterized by an apologetic and polemical approach, sometimes without rigorous critical historical methodology.[34][35] Notable figures like Charles Spurgeon and Jesse Mercer held this view, which even led to controversies, such as William Whitsitt's resignation from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1898 for denying Baptist successionism.[37][38][39]

Global Reach

North American Expansion

Baptist churches in North America trace their beginnings to figures like Roger Williams and John Clarke, who established early congregations in Rhode Island in 1638.[42] The First Great Awakening significantly fueled Baptist growth, particularly in the American South, where they became the largest Christian community, including among enslaved Black populations.[5]

In Canada, Baptist missionary work began in Nova Scotia in the 1760s, with the first official church recorded in Wolfville in 1778.[44] This growth was significantly aided by New Light evangelist Henry Alline.[46]

A major schism occurred in the United States in 1845 when Southern Baptist churches seceded from the Triennial Convention over the issue of slavery, forming the Southern Baptist Convention.[48] By 2015, Baptists in the U.S. numbered 50 million, comprising about one-third of American Protestants.[50]

German Foundations

The Baptist tradition in Germany began with Johann Gerhard Oncken, who founded the first Baptist church in Hamburg in 1834, leading to the formation of the Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany.[51][52]

This union later merged with the Union of Free Church Christians in 1942. As of 2023, it reported 786 churches and over 75,000 members.[54] Other groups, such as the Evangeliumschristen-Baptisten (Evangelical Christians-Baptists), primarily of Russian-German origin, also contribute to the diverse Baptist landscape in Germany.[55]

Finnish Revival

Baptist teachings first arrived in Finland through preacher Karl Justin Mathias Möllersvärd, sparking a revival despite initial opposition.[58] The first Finnish Baptist, Johan Erik Östling, was baptized in Stockholm in 1856, leading to the establishment of the first Finnish Baptist church in Föglö, Åland, that same year.[60]

The movement spread to mainland Finland through figures like Henrik Heikel's family and pastor Adolf Herman Valén. The first Finnish-speaking Baptist churches emerged in the 1870s, culminating in the official formation of the Finnish Baptist Union in 1903.[67] By the end of 2024, Statistics Finland reported 2,305 Baptists in the country.[70]

Ukrainian Heritage

In Ukraine, Baptist churches were preceded by German Anabaptist and Mennonite communities practicing adult believer's baptism since the 16th century.[71] The first Baptist baptism in Ukraine occurred in 1864 in the Yelizavetgrad region, leading to the organization of the first Baptist churches there by 1867.

The movement rapidly expanded, with the first All-Russian Convention of Baptists held in Kyiv in 1908. Prior to its independence in 1991, Ukraine was home to the world's second-largest Baptist community after the United States, earning it the moniker "Bible Belt" of the Soviet Union.[73]

Church Structure

Independent Congregations

A fundamental aspect of Baptist polity is the autonomy of the local church. Many Baptist congregations choose to operate independently, without formal affiliation with larger church organizations. This "Independent Baptist" model emphasizes self-governance and direct accountability to Christ, free from external hierarchical control.[74]

Denominational Cooperation

While valuing local autonomy, many Baptist churches opt to join national or international Baptist denominations, associations, or cooperative groups. This cooperative relationship enables shared efforts in missions, humanitarian aid, education (including theological institutes and schools), and the establishment of hospitals.[78] These affiliations allow for broader impact while generally preserving the congregationalist polity of individual churches.[75][76][77]

The Baptist World Alliance

The largest Baptist communion globally is the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), established in 1905. It unites 266 participating fellowships from 134 countries, representing 178,000 churches and 51 million baptized members as of 2024.[90] The BWA's mission includes caring for the needy, leading in world evangelism, and advocating for human rights and religious freedom.[79][80][81]

Membership & Demographics

Believer's Baptism

Membership in a Baptist church is generally attained through believer's baptism. This involves a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ, followed by immersion baptism.[86] It is important to note that most Baptists do not consider baptism a prerequisite for salvation, but rather a symbolic public declaration of an individual's inner repentance and faith.[9] While there isn't a strict age restriction, the requirement for a free and earnest profession of faith implies a level of maturity and understanding.[87]

Global Statistics

The Baptist movement boasts a significant global presence. In 2010, an estimated 100 million Christians identified as Baptist or belonged to a Baptist-type church.[88] By 2020, researcher Sébastien Fath estimated the global Baptist movement to encompass approximately 170 million believers.[89] The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) reported 51 million baptized members across 178,000 churches in 134 countries in 2024.[90]

Regional Membership Highlights (2023)

The following table illustrates the largest Baptist associations by membership in various global regions, based on 2023 censuses:

Region Association Churches Members
North America Southern Baptist Convention 46,876 12,722,266
National Baptist Convention, USA 21,145 8,415,100
South America Brazilian Baptist Convention 9,288 1,809,230
Evangelical Baptist Convention of Argentina 1,216 85,000
Africa Nigerian Baptist Convention 14,523 8,925,000
Baptist Convention of Tanzania 1,391 2,690,730
Baptist Community of the Congo River 2,685 1,765,836
Asia Myanmar Baptist Convention 5,337 1,013,499
Nagaland Baptist Church Council 1,724 716,495
Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches 1,079 600,000
Europe All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists 2,192 105,189
Baptist Union of Great Britain 1,875 100,103
Union of Christian Baptist Churches in Romania 1,697 83,853
Oceania Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea 493 84,700
Australian Baptist Ministries 1,029 78,416

Note: Some churches may have dual or triple national Baptist affiliation, potentially leading to overlapping counts in these statistics.[91][92]

Core Beliefs

Confessions & Theology

Baptist theology is a branch of evangelical theology, rooted in the "believers' Church" doctrine.[98][99] While each local church maintains autonomy, various associations have adopted confessions of faith to articulate shared doctrinal positions and facilitate cooperative endeavors.[97] These confessions, though not considered "creeds" in the traditional sense, serve to express distinct Baptist beliefs compared to other Christian traditions and even other Baptist groups.[101]

Historically significant doctrinal documents for Reformed Baptists include the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, the 1742 Philadelphia Baptist Confession, and the 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith. For General Baptists (Freewill Baptists), the Orthodox Creed and the Treatise on the Faith and Practice of the Free Will Baptists are foundational. Some individual Independent Baptist congregations also adopt written church covenants as statements of their faith.[97]

Shared Christian Doctrines

Like many orthodox and evangelical Christian groups, Baptists affirm a set of core beliefs:

  • Belief in one God, the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
  • The virgin birth, miracles, and substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ.
  • The death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus.
  • The necessity of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • The concept of grace and the Kingdom of God.
  • Eschatology, including the literal Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the Last Judgment.
  • A strong emphasis on evangelism and missions.

Distinctive Baptist Principles

Beyond shared Christian doctrines, Baptists hold several principles that define their unique identity:

  • Supremacy of Canonical Scriptures: The Bible is the ultimate norm for faith and practice. Any practice must be explicitly commanded or exemplified in Scripture, not merely consistent with it. This is the primary reason for rejecting infant baptism.[107]
  • Soul Competency: Faith is a personal matter between God and the individual, advocating for absolute liberty of conscience.[107]
  • Immersion Believer's Baptism: This is the only recognized mode of baptism, understood as an ordinance (a symbolic act) rather than a sacrament (imparting saving grace), as salvation is not dependent on it.[107]

Varied Interpretations

Due to the congregational governance system, significant doctrinal differences exist among Baptist churches and associations. These variations cover a broad spectrum of theological and practical issues:

  • Number of Ordinances: Some include Feetwashing and Headcovering alongside Baptism and the Lord's Supper.[1][2][3]
  • Eschatology: Views range from amillennialism to dispensational and historic premillennialism, with some support for postmillennialism and preterism.[106]
  • Soteriology: The long-standing debate between Arminianism (General Baptists) and Calvinism (Particular Baptists).[7]
  • Separation from "the World": Varying degrees of adherence to doctrines of separation.
  • Second Work of Grace: Belief in entire sanctification, particularly among Holiness Baptists.[102]
  • Charismatic Gifts: Differences in the acceptance and practice of speaking-in-tongues and other charismatic gifts.[109]
  • Hermeneutics: Diverse approaches to biblical interpretation.
  • Missionary Support: Disagreements on the extent of support for missionary boards.
  • Communion: Practices regarding open versus closed communion.
  • Bible Translations: Debates over preferred translations, including the King James Only movement.[110]
  • Theology Systems: Dispensationalism versus Covenant theology.
  • Women's Roles: Varying views on women in marriage and the ordination of women as deacons or pastors.[111]
  • Ecumenism: Attitudes toward and involvement in the ecumenical movement.
  • Salvation Perseverance: Debates surrounding the role of repentance and perseverance in salvation (Lordship salvation controversy).[112][113][114][115]
  • Trinitarianism: Social versus classical trinitarianism.[116]

Excommunication or disfellowship may be employed as a final measure for members or congregations whose beliefs or behaviors diverge significantly from the community's confession of faith.[117]

Diverse Baptist Types

General Baptists

General Baptists adhere to the doctrine of general atonement, believing that Jesus Christ's atoning death was for all humanity, not exclusively for a select "elect." They were the earliest credobaptists in England and Wales, seeking further reformation within the Church of England. Historically, they produced confessions like the Standard Confession of Faith (1660) and the Orthodox Creed (1679). Over time, General Baptists became more ecumenical, particularly with the Anglican Church, and embraced Classical Arminian soteriology under Thomas Grantham's influence. Free Will Baptists in the United States are a prominent subgroup within the General Baptist tradition.[118][119][120]

Reformed Baptists (Particular)

Also known as Particular Baptists or Calvinistic Baptists, this group embraces a Calvinistic view of salvation. They adhere to varying degrees of Reformed theology, from the Five Points of Calvinism to modified federalism, but critically reject the classical Reformed teaching on infant baptism. While sharing similar views on the nature of baptism with classical Reformed traditions, they differ on the proper subjects of baptism.[121][122] In contrast to General Baptists, many Particular Baptists historically sought greater ecumenism.[123]

Primitive Baptists

Primitive Baptists are a type of Calvinist Baptists who emerged from controversies in the 19th century regarding the use of mission boards, tract societies, and temperance societies. They hold to Reformed beliefs but generally avoid the term "Calvinist" and reject some elements of classical Reformed theology, such as infant baptism. Characterized by an "intense conservatism," they strongly affirm the Five Points of Calvinism while explicitly rejecting Arminianism.[124][125][126][127]

Missionary Baptists

Missionary Baptists arose from a distinct controversy in the United States concerning the role of missionaries. Unlike some other Baptist groups that opposed organized missionary efforts, Missionary Baptists strongly supported and actively engaged in the use of missionaries to spread the Christian faith globally.[129]

Independent Baptists

Independent Baptists emerged from local Baptist congregations concerned about the rise of theological liberalism within national Baptist conventions. They are primarily fundamentalist in their orientation, emphasizing strict adherence to biblical principles. While they may differ on certain issues like soteriology or dress standards, they generally share a homogenous stance against homosexuality, the ordination of women, the charismatic movement, evolution, and abortion.[130][131][132][133]

New Independent Baptists

The New Independent Fundamental Baptist (New IFB) movement originated in the 21st century from the Independent Baptist movement, founded by Steven Anderson, who perceived liberalism in existing Independent Baptist churches. This movement has faced significant criticism from other Independent Baptists and has been accused by some former pastors and other Baptists of exhibiting cult-like characteristics due to its radical exclusivism and rejection of major historical Christian creeds.[134][135][136]

Seventh Day Baptists

Seventh Day Baptists are distinguished by their practice of seventh-day Sabbatarianism, observing the Sabbath on Saturday rather than Sunday. The exact denominational formation date is not definitively known, and they do not claim an unbroken organizational succession from before the Reformation.[137]

Landmark Baptists

Originating in the 19th-century United States with leaders like J. R. Graves, J. M. Pendleton, and A. C. Dayton, Landmark Baptists assert that the term "church" should be exclusively applied to Baptist churches. They contend that other Protestant groups, such as Methodists or Presbyterians, are merely "religious societies" and not true churches. This movement also posits an unbroken line of succession for Baptists from the early church.[138]

Worship Practices

The Worship Service

In Baptist churches, the worship service is a central component of church life. It typically includes elements of praise, worship through music, prayers to God, a sermon based on biblical teachings, and the collection of offerings. The Lord's Supper is also observed periodically.[139][140]

Music and Engagement

Musical styles in Baptist services can vary widely, with some churches favoring traditional Christian hymns, others embracing contemporary Christian music, and some offering separate services to accommodate both preferences.[141] Many churches also provide age-appropriate services and programs for children and teenagers, fostering engagement across all generations.[142] Beyond Sunday services, prayer meetings are commonly held throughout the week.[143]

Architecture and Symbolism

Baptist church architecture is generally characterized by its sobriety and simplicity. The Latin cross is one of the few spiritual symbols commonly displayed on Baptist church buildings, serving as a clear identifier of their Christian affiliation.[144] This understated aesthetic often reflects a focus on the spiritual content of worship rather than elaborate visual displays.

Educational Endeavors

Establishing Institutions

Baptist churches have a long history of establishing educational institutions. As early as the 1680s in England, they founded elementary and secondary schools, Bible colleges, and universities. This commitment to education has since spread to various countries worldwide.[145][146]

International Collaboration

To foster collaboration and uphold academic standards, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities was founded in the United States in 2006.[147] As of 2023, this association comprised 42 member universities, demonstrating a robust network dedicated to Baptist-informed higher education.[148] These institutions play a vital role in theological training, leadership development, and broader academic pursuits within the Baptist tradition.

Views on Sexuality

Marriage and Abstinence

Many Baptist churches actively promote virginity pledges among young Christians, encouraging a public commitment to sexual abstinence until Christian marriage.[149] This commitment is often symbolized by a purity ring.[150] Programs such as "True Love Waits," initiated by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1993, have been developed to support these pledges.[151]

Diverse Stances on Marriage

The majority of Baptist associations worldwide uphold the belief in marriage exclusively between a man and a woman.[152] However, due to the principle of congregationalism, some Baptist associations do not include official beliefs about marriage in their confessions of faith, thereby allowing individual churches to determine their own stance on the matter.[153][154]

Examples of associations that either allow congregational choice or explicitly support same-sex marriage include:

  • American Baptist Churches USA
  • Progressive National Baptist Convention (USA)
  • Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (USA)
  • National Baptist Convention, USA
  • Baptist Union of Great Britain
  • Alliance of Baptists (USA)[155]
  • Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms[156]
  • Aliança de Batistas do Brasil[157]
  • Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas de Cuba[158]
  • Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (international)[96]

Historical Controversies

The Missions Crisis

The early 19th century witnessed a significant "missions crisis" among American Baptists. The emergence of the modern missions movement sparked widespread and often bitter controversy. This era saw a division between "missionary" and "anti-missionary" Baptists, leading to substantial secessions, including a movement led by Alexander Campbell advocating for a return to a more fundamental church structure.[160][161]

The Slavery Crisis

Leading up to the American Civil War, Baptists in the United States became deeply entangled in the controversy over slavery. While early Methodist and Baptist preachers had opposed slavery, over time, many made accommodations with the institution, particularly in the Southern states. They worked with slaveholders to promote a paternalistic view of slavery and actively sought conversions among enslaved and free Black populations, allowing them active roles in congregations.

However, northern Baptists increasingly opposed slavery. In 1844, the Home Mission Society refused to appoint a slaveholder as a missionary, citing concerns about condoning slavery.[162] This refusal precipitated a major schism in 1845, with pro-slavery churches in the South forming the Southern Baptist Convention, believing the Bible sanctioned slavery and that Christians could own slaves.[163]

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "Baptists" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about baptists while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

tyne and wear
    
principality of montenegro
    
carvel boat building
    
new york jets
    
the bodyguard soundtrack
    
performing arts
    
southern hip-hop
    
the globe pequot publishing group
    
bbc news
    
acantharia
    

References

References

  1.  J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, US, 2010, p. 298
  2.  Olivier Favre, Les églises évangéliques de Suisse: origines et identités, Labor et Fides, Genève, 2006, p. 328
  3.  Robert Andrew Baker, John M. Landers, A Summary of Christian History, B&H Publishing Group, US, 2005, p. 258
  4.  Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 33
  5.  Michael Edward Williams, Walter B. Shurden, Turning Points in Baptist History, Mercer University Press, US, 2008, p. 36
  6.  John H. Y. Briggs, A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought, Wipf and Stock Publishers, US, 2009, p. 467
  7.  Sébastien Fath, Une autre manière d'être chrétien en France: socio-histoire de l'implantation baptiste, 1810–1950, Editions Labor et Fides, Genève, 2001, p. 81
  8.  Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023
  9.  John H. Y. Briggs, A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2009, p. 144
  10.  Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 192
  11.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 217
  12.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, US, 2020, p. 173–174
  13.  Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 238
  14.  Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 99
  15.  J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, US, 2010, p. 292
  16.  George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5, Rowman & Littlefield, US, 2016, p. 63
  17.  George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5, Rowman & Littlefield, US, 2016, p. 1206
  18.  J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p.299
  19.  Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 361
  20.  Paul Finkelman, Cary D. Wintz, Encyclopedia of African American History, 1896 to the Present: From the Age of Segregation to the Twenty-first Century Five-volume Set, Oxford University Press, US, 2009, p. 193
  21.  Roger E. Olson, The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology, Westminster John Knox Press , UK, 2004, p. 172
  22.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 603
  23.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, US, 2020, p. 160–161
  24.  James Leo Garrett, Baptist Theology: A Four-century Study, Mercer University Press, US, 2009, p. 515
  25.  Michael Edward Williams, Walter B. Shurden, Turning Points in Baptist History, Mercer University Press, US, 2008, p. 17
  26.  Crowley 2006, p. 158.
  27.  Crowley 1998, p. xi.
  28.  Bill J. Leonard, Jill Y. Crainshaw, Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States, Volume 1, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 387
  29.  Geoffrey Wainwright, The Oxford History of Christian Worship, Oxford University Press, US, 2006, p. 560
  30.  David W. Music, Paul Akers Richardson, "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story": A History of Baptist Hymnody in North America, Mercer University Press, USA, 2008, p. 479-480
  31.  John H. Y. Briggs, A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought, Wipf and Stock Publishers, US, 2009, p. 81
  32.  John H. Y. Briggs, A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought, Wipf and Stock Publishers, US, 2009, p. 399
  33.  William H. Brackney, Congregation and Campus: Baptists in Higher Education, Mercer University Press, US, 2008, p. IX
  34.  William H. Brackney, Congregation and Campus: Baptists in Higher Education, Mercer University Press, US, 2008, p. 43
  35.  Anne Bolin, Patricia Whelehan, Human Sexuality: Biological, Psychological, and Cultural Perspectives, Routledge, UK, 2009, p. 248
  36.  Sara Moslener, Virgin Nation: Sexual Purity and American Adolescence, Oxford University Press, US, 2015, p. 144
  37.  Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, US, 2004, p. 587
  38.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 519
  39.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 503
  40.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2021, p. 14
  41.  William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2021, p. 628
  42.  Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 150
  43.  Samuel S. Hill, Charles H. Lippy, Charles Reagan Wilson, Encyclopedia of Religion in the South, Mercer University Press, US, 2005, p. 796
  44.  Wilson Fallin Jr., Uplifting the People: Three Centuries of Black Baptists in Alabama (2007) pp. 52–53
  45.  "SBC renounces racist past – Southern Baptist Convention", The Christian Century. 5 July 1995
  46.  James, Rob B. The Fundamentalist Takeover in the Southern Baptist Convention, 4th ed., Wilkes Publishing, Washington, Georgia.
  47.  Lewis Baldwin, The Voice of Conscience: The Church in the Mind of Martin Luther King, Jr., Oxford University Press, US, 2010, p. 16
  48.  Ken Camp, BWA resolutions condemn racism, commend reparations, baptiststandard.com, USA, July 16, 2022
A full list of references for this article are available at the Baptists Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not religious or theological advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting theological scholars, religious leaders, or official denominational resources for specific doctrinal understanding or spiritual guidance. Always refer to authoritative religious texts and consult with qualified religious professionals for specific faith-related inquiries. Never disregard professional religious counsel because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.