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The 1st Baptist Christians in the 17th Century (Ep. 42)
Do you know who arguably were the most influential group in English and American history for the popularization and legislation of religious freedom? The answer is the Baptists. Surprisingly, they were one of the most persecuted religious groups in 17th century England and America, and did the most to advocate and call for religious liberty through their suffering at the hands of fellow Protestants. Further, the Baptists were the first Protestants to make major efforts to fund, equip, and send missionaries to non-European lands, beginning with the Baptist Missionary Society and the preacher William Carey in the late 1700s. Today, Baptists make up the largest official Protestant group in the U.S., and are make up a large percentage of global Christians.
But how did the Baptist sect begin? They didn’t come directly out of the Reformation, like Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Anglicans. Rather, they were set on their course of more consistent Christianity through the influence of the Dutch Anabaptists, and began in the early 1600s, while the Puritan revival of England was going on. Throughout this century, they suffered cruel persecution, zealously preached the Gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and grew to become one of most influential Protestant sects in England by the end of the century. Among them, godly and courageous leaders promoted and defended their cause, such as Thomas Helwys, John Spilsbury, William Kiffin, Hanserd Knollys, and Benjamin Coxe. In this episode, you’ll learn how the Baptists went from a small sect returning from exile, to a major Christian group in England that helped to lead the way to bring freedom of conscience to Great Britain, and to the American colonies. The story of the first Baptists is one that should encourage you to seek the greatest understanding of, and faithfulness to, the teachings of the New Testament, and to live them out with love and courage.
The major source used on this topic was:
The Early Baptists: A Comparative Study of the Anabaptist and English Baptist Movements by Dan Nelson
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By Christopher VanDusen and Casey HustDo you know who arguably were the most influential group in English and American history for the popularization and legislation of religious freedom? The answer is the Baptists. Surprisingly, they were one of the most persecuted religious groups in 17th century England and America, and did the most to advocate and call for religious liberty through their suffering at the hands of fellow Protestants. Further, the Baptists were the first Protestants to make major efforts to fund, equip, and send missionaries to non-European lands, beginning with the Baptist Missionary Society and the preacher William Carey in the late 1700s. Today, Baptists make up the largest official Protestant group in the U.S., and are make up a large percentage of global Christians.
But how did the Baptist sect begin? They didn’t come directly out of the Reformation, like Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Anglicans. Rather, they were set on their course of more consistent Christianity through the influence of the Dutch Anabaptists, and began in the early 1600s, while the Puritan revival of England was going on. Throughout this century, they suffered cruel persecution, zealously preached the Gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and grew to become one of most influential Protestant sects in England by the end of the century. Among them, godly and courageous leaders promoted and defended their cause, such as Thomas Helwys, John Spilsbury, William Kiffin, Hanserd Knollys, and Benjamin Coxe. In this episode, you’ll learn how the Baptists went from a small sect returning from exile, to a major Christian group in England that helped to lead the way to bring freedom of conscience to Great Britain, and to the American colonies. The story of the first Baptists is one that should encourage you to seek the greatest understanding of, and faithfulness to, the teachings of the New Testament, and to live them out with love and courage.
The major source used on this topic was:
The Early Baptists: A Comparative Study of the Anabaptist and English Baptist Movements by Dan Nelson