Featured First English Baptists

It seems to me, taking their own words, John Smyth could be considered Pelagian -- rejecting the doctrine of original sin -- while Thomas Helwys could be considered Arminian -- holding original sin, but denying points of Calvinism, such as irresistible call.
In his Short Confession of Faith in 20 Articles of 1609, John Smyth:

In A Short Confession of Faith of 1610, John Smyth:

In Propositions and Conclusions concerning True Christian Religion, followers of Smyth after his death:

A Declaration of Faith of English People Remaining Amsterdam Holland of 1611, Thomas Helwys:

Setting aside arguments over how to label these beliefs, the above sets forth the beliefs of Smyth & his followers, and Helwys & his followers, in their own words.

 

I thought it was pretty generally known that Smyth and Hellwys were the originators of the first General Baptists. However, these fell into Quakerism and Unitarianism during the early 18th Century and disappeared for a time.

The Particular ('Calvinistic,' 'Reformed') Baptists developed quite separately and survive to this day. We know that there were seven congregations in London by 1644. I occasionally preach at a church that dates its foundation to 1653.

 

I couldn't say re Cedarholm, but best I can remember Brother Rice disagreed with all flavors of Calvinism. He did print Spurgeon's sermons, but seems like he edited them. I have a book by his successor, Curtis Hutson, on Why I Disagree with All Five Points of Calvinism.

 

Martin, I understand that was the general consequences for the English General Baptists, but weren't their a few who survived this? Is this Old Baptist Union a part of this remnant?

Thanks.

 

I'm unable to say that no General Baptist churches whatsoever survived into the mid-17th Century, but certainly most of them disappeared. Although there had been a General Baptist Statement of Faith issued in 1678, it seems not to have had any great following among the churches and many of them followed Mathew Caffyn, their leading spokesman at this time, into Unitarianism.
Dan Taylor was a Methodist who espoused Believers' baptism later on the 18th Century, and revived the General Baptist cause. He wrote of his predecessors, ”They degraded Jesus Christ and He degraded them.” It was his successors who founded the Baptist Union in the next century, which many Particular Baptists also came to join (unfortunately), and out of which Spurgeon led his church.

Today, the B.U. is largely apostate. There are a few good churches that remain, but some of these are now seeking to come out. Unfortunately, as with Brexit it is easier to decide to leave the B.U. than actually to leave it.

I heard just yesterday that most of the deacons have resigned from the largest B.U. church in South West England because of the B.U. stance on homosexuality. I await further developments.

 

I'd like to have a few more details before getting specific. I'll get back in a day or two.

 

Sorry! That should say, "mid-18th Century:" i.e. mid 1700s.

 

I thought it was the opposite way around -- that the Particular Baptists organized the Baptist Union in 1813, and then later reorganized in order to allow for General Baptist membership.

Re the "Old Baptist Union," I have a document from them that is probably about 20 years old. I'll have to find it, but I'm pretty sure they are/were a small body of General Baptists -- maybe no more than 2 dozen churches.

 

You are absolutely right. That will teach me to rely on my memory! Sorry!

I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

 

Martin, I decided to create a separate thread on this group, Old Baptist Union in the UK.

 

I just compiled some Baptist History from: Tracing Jesus' Churches in Baptist History's Invisible Spiritual War will record Visible Martyrs;
8. 5.1: Tracing Jesus' Churches in Baptist History's Invisible Spiritual War will record Visible Martyrs - 8. THE GODHEAD in HIS CHURCHES.

THE WELSH BAPTISTS; 8.5.28: The 1st Century- 21st Century: The LORD'S BAPTIST BELIEVING CHURCHES, know as THE WELSH BAPTISTS - 8. THE GODHEAD in HIS CHURCHES.

Baptist Churches in England
The 1st - The 21st Centuries; 8.5.29: 1st-21st Centuries: The LORD'S Welsh Baptists of Wales & other BAPTIST BELIEVING CHURCHES in England - 8. THE GODHEAD in HIS CHURCHES.

 

Alan, welcome to the Baptist Board.