The Baptist Church

While researching the history of the Baptist church, it became rather evident that there is no definitive starting point as to when they arrived on the scene. Many Baptists claim that Adam was the first Baptist. Other credit John the Baptist with the title of first Baptist. According to the Baptist History and Historical Journal, their historical evidence points to the church coming into existence in the early 17th century when emerging out of the Puritan-Separatist movement in the Church of England.

Since no one can accurately pin point who was responsible for the Baptist movement, the institution is only left to speculate who in the New Testament was responsible for the influence of the church. Many scholars believe that Paul may have preached in Britian and his words had great bearing on the English people in the 17th century. Most were Roman Catholic at the time but in following centuries evangalical Christian groups were formed which opposed the Romanism. In the 16th century there were several English Christians that were demanding reform in the church. Rooted in the belief that the current Roman Church had become corrupt and had abandoned the messages in the Scripture, many men including those who had been led by reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin rallied for a new church rooted in simple biblical principles. At this time, a new English Translation of the Bible allowed common people to share in the word of God. Political and social changes of the time encouraged more people to attend church.

John Calvin's desire to work from within the Church of England and reform its current state led to the emergence of the "Puritans", a new group of church goers who insisted on more purity in their church. These puritans insisted on educating themselves through the teachings of the New Testament within the Church of England. Many frustrated Puritans felt overwhelmed by the process of reformation within the church and separated themselves from the Church of England altogether. This group called themselves "Seperatists" and built new independent churches. By 1600 several of these independant churches at blossomed throughout Europe creating a diverse group of independent groups with different biblical views such as
Quakers, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and assorted independents and nonconformists.

The Baptist were one of the many blossoming independant churches. Their mission was built on studying the Bible and stressing the importance of full immersion Baptism which led to their name.

Their are many different types of Baptists which makes it difficult to describe their belief system since they vary greatly depending on the type of Baptist church you attend. Add that to the fact that Baptists can not even agree on the origins of their own faith, and one can become awfully confused when learning about their heritage and belief system.

Baptists do not adhere to any CREED specifically. They claim that the Bible is their creed. However, there are many rules and regulation for each independant church even though they don't have one massive creed that all of the Baptists adhere to. I assume the reason the Baptist denomination is so divided is because they don't have much to unite them. I don't say that in a negative way but without a mission and basis for belief system, its hard to have a group this large get on the same page when discussing the major influences that create and sustain the church.

Baptists believe that is up to every believer on an individual basis to interpret the Bible. They feel that through Jesus Christ, we have a direct connection to God the Father which enables us to find Truth without the institute of church. They belong to a denomination because they find it beneficial to have a group of believers with similar values to share in their ministry, but it is up to each church independently to direct it's flock.