The basic question, "Where did Baptists come from and why?" has two camps that offer differing explanations: (1) the English Separatist camp produced the ministries of foundational Baptists, John Smyth and Thomas Helwys, thus takes credit for Baptist origins, and (2) the Anabaptist movement is the alternative camp, understanding either a direct connection via lineage back to the infamous Swiss Brethren or an indirect connection via Anabaptist teachings. Anabaptist ecclesiology is very much akin, if not in some ways identical, to modern Baptist ecclesiology. In fact, the Baptist church, led by John Smyth and successively by Thomas Helwys, resembled both English Separatist and the Anabaptist ecclesiology with notable differences between both entities. When The Mystery of Iniquity is properly understood, as Helwys intended, the reader will grasp the logical reasons that the Baptist church in 1607 was akin to both the English Separatist and the Anabaptist and yet differed from both. In The Beginning of Baptist Ecclesiology, Marvin Jones give a fresh voice to Thomas Helwys's opinion that a Baptist church is a viable New Testament church, and provides further relevant material rationale for the conversation concerning Baptist origins.

Notwithstanding that many of the ablest Biblical expositors and theologians rightly regard the Romish church as the apocalyptic, “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth … the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus,” some church historians and some professors in Theo-logical Seminaries, treat her as the “Christian church,” and the true witnessing church as “heretics” and “heresies.” Surely, it is high time this was re-versed. Baptist churches being regarded as but one among the Reformation sects, no wonder there is so little interest in Baptist history that several of the best publications on Baptist history, by the American Baptist Publication Society, have hardly returned the financial outlay in publishing them. Regarding Baptists but one of modern sects, thinking and conscientious people naturally reject their exclusive claims and practices. Seeing this, Baptist opponents leave “unturned no stone” to teach the people that Baptist churches are in origin “but of yesterday.” In this, Baptist opponents are wiser than Baptists who are content that Baptist Church Perpetuity be presented as a trifle. Seeing that one man has as much right to originate a church as has another, ambitious and designing men, by originating new sects, are continuously adding to the babel of sectarianism. Thus the answer to Christ’s prayer — “that they may all be one … that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” — is hindered and infidelity is perpetuated. Calling on God to witness his sincerity, the author of this book gladly expresses his Christian affection for every blood-washed soul — whatever may be his or her creed. He begs that this book be taken not as an assault on any dear child of God, but as a Biblical and historical exposition and demonstration of very important practical truth — truth sorely needed for this falsely liberal and sectarian age. The book has been worded and the proof read by time snatched in revival meetings from needed rest. For any little oversights which possibly may appear in it, let this be the explanation. Nearly all quotations within this volume having been made in person by its author — excepting a very few, and they from reliable sources — the reader can use them with the greatest assurance. The author thanking the public for the generous reception given his other books, which has encouraged him to send this one out, with profound gratitude to God for the opportunity and the grace to publish this one, signs himself, A SINNER SAVED BY GRACE, DALLAS, TEXAS.

A classic history of the Baptist movement in England, tracing its roots to the early Christian church and following its development through the Reformation and beyond. Clifford explores the distinctive characteristics of Baptist theology and practice, as well as the challenges faced by Baptists in the face of persecution and opposition. This book is a valuable resource for scholars of Baptist history and theology. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Southern Baptists have a unique and colorful story. Birthed in the time of slavery controversy, their theology on this and human rights issues has changed as cultural and societal developments occurred. One thing that never changed, however, was their zeal for evangelism. They eventually grew to become the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Later, a major controversy in the late twentieth century pitted conservative Baptists against moderates. Both sides, however, wrote histories of the controversy from their own perspectives. These histories were significant for understanding how each side interpreted the events. These pages attempt to fill a missing gap. Readers will hear the Southern Baptist story from both sides. Understand from this how Southern Baptists work, think, grow, argue, and have changed over time. They have weathered the ups and downs of history to reveal an ever-growing heritage.

This study of the origins of the Baptist movement among the Hungarians examines the two attempts to establish a sustained Baptist mission in the Kingdom of Hungary during the nineteenth century: the first unsuccessful attempt begun in 1846 and the second attempt begun in 1873, which resulted in a sustained Baptist presence in Hungary. The primary question the study addresses is why the first attempt came to naught while the second attempt quickly flourished. Related to this is the question of whether any organic connection exists between the two Baptist mission endeavors. In answering these questions interesting themes concerning the intersection of Christian mission, socio-political concerns, and cultural-linguistic tensions are addressed.