The Four Views of Baptist Origin

 

List and summarize the 4 views of Baptist origin. Which view is most convincing? Why? Give specific reasons in your response.

The four views of Baptist origin are:

1.)    The outgrowth of English Separatism.

According to McBeth, Baptists had its beginnings out of English separatism in the 17^th century in England and Holland.[1] There was a distaste for the workings within the Church of England for the Puritans desired to have a pure church and dissenting groups such as the Baptists emerged.[2] They held on to the beliefs of reformers such as Ulrich Zwingli, the Bible, and believed in baptism through the process of immersion for believers only which earned them the name of “Baptist.”[3] There were two prominent groups that derived from the Baptists – General and Particular who views differed when it came to the workings of the church organization and their beliefs concerning the atonement.[4]

2.)    The influence of biblical Anabaptists.

Some scholars have debated rather Anabaptists had any influence on the origins of Baptists. Those who believe that there was such and influence believe that the Anabaptists had more influence on the General Baptists than the Particular Baptists.[5] Scholars such a William R. Estep believed that Anabaptists helped to influence the Baptist’s separatism.[6] There is also the belief that the Anabaptist had an influence on the Baptist’s belief of believer’s baptism.[7]

3.)    The continuation of biblical teachings through the ages.

Many scholars believe that the Baptist teaching and beliefs did not start with the Separatist movement nor the Anabaptists but can be traced back to the teachings of Jesus Christ or at least predates them.[8] Not all scholars agree, however, and they consider Baptists to be a newer belief system that may have in not doubt had a huge influence stemming from both the Separatist movement and the Anabaptists.[9] Some scholars just maintained the view that it was not as important rather the Baptist history could be traced to the apostolic times, but rather the truths of the Bible were being adhered to from Baptist’s beginnings to the present time.[10]

4.)    The succession of organized Baptist churches through the ages.

This view is similar to the previous but was more recognized in the 19^th century and that was regarding the Baptist’s origin being one that began during the New Testament.[11] Many scholars believe that there were various names used throughout the ages that held the beliefs of what came to be known as Baptist which provided a continuity of the faith.[12] This belief system is known as the “Jesus-Jordan-John (JJJ)” view originating when John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.[13]

I believe that there is more evidence to the view that the Baptists came to be as part of the Separatist Movement based on the historical account of what was taking place during the reign of Henry VIII, his son, Charles VI, and the daughters who ruled. There was a lot of persecution that was taking place especially for those who were opposed to the Catholic Church and the Church of England. Many groups formed out of being in opposition to such governmental rule as what took place with Martin Luther and the Reformation era. Such groups such as the Protestants came out of wanting reform. Therefore, I believe that out of wanting change, as with other movements of the day, the Baptist were one of many denominations that came as a result, but aligned their beliefs in Biblical teachings.

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[1] H. Leon McBeth, Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Pub, 2016), 19-21.

[2] Ibid., 19-20.

[3] Ibid., 21.

[4] Ibid., 21-22.

[5] Ibid., 55.

[6] Ibid., 54-55.

[7] Ibid., 52-55.

[8] Ibid., 56.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid., 58.

[11] Ibid., 58.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.