Between Revival and Apostasy- poised at a crossroads … Ecclesiastes 1:9 Jude 1:3 – Why is studying Baptist History important?

Jim Curran shared a link. Admin · 14 mins

Between Revival and Apostasy- poised at a crossroads … Ecclesiastes 1:9 Jude 1:3 – Why is studying Baptist History important?

Why is studying Baptist History important? There are many reasons that could be named but I find that one of the most important things is that history repeats itself. The Bible states in Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

That is so true (and is forming the basis of a book that I am writing.) Recently I read through Robert Semple’s “History of the Baptists of Virginia” and it gave me many things to ponder in this regard. Semple wrote this in 1810 and it was revised in the 1894 by G.W. Beale. The revision did not change the text but rather added bracketed notes and footnotes in regard to what happened to many of the churches in the interim. Semples work is a snapshot of time poised at a crossroads. One of the greatest if not the greatest revivals in American history had occurred in the Separate Baptist Revival some 30-40 years before. Most of the churches mentioned by Semple were a product of this revival which planted churches all over the South reaching from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic coast. As Semple writes a manifest change is starting to occur- of so many churches he writes “nothing significant of late has occurred” or a similar comment. That is not to say that things have not happened but rather there has been no significant revival. In the later notes there are hints that many of these churches either became weak or died. They lost their zeal.

When the book was written a gathering storm was starting on the horizon. When God blesses Satan will inevitably start to counterfeit. In 1801 the Cane Ridge “Revival” had started in Kentucky. Instead of revival fires this one was a wildfire. Led by Barton Stone this revival stressed inter-communion and would lead into baptismal regeneration and what would be termed today charismatic actions (better call them fits!) Jerking, dancing and fainting were common. There was vast irregularity present in both doctrine and action. Although a few Baptists participated in the “revival” the effects would simmer for several years. We then enter Thomas and his son Alexander Campbell. They were of Presbyterian background and Thomas pastored a Presbyterian church Brush Run but were later immersed by a Baptist preacher Rev. Mathias Luce in 1812. Many of the members were then immersed. They applied for admission into the Baptist Red Stone Association and were accepted. (They even had placed their own qualifications on being admitted!) Oh that the association not proceeded with such a course of action. We ought to be wary as false doctrine has often entered in with such actions.

This action would be devastating within the course of approximately 20 years. Alexander Campbell began to publish a newspaper called the “Christian Baptist” which in reality showed itself to be neither. In that paper he began to advocate baptismal regeneration, rejection of doctrinal statements and of the Baptist name. He also created his own translation of “Scripture” the living oracles in which he advocated for the use of a critical Greek text. The effects of Campbell and his followers would be devastating. They infiltrated and divided Baptist Churches stripping them of their name and doctrine. They would demand the church building and resources and kick the Bible believing Baptists to the curb. (For a good overview and many specific instances Stott’s Indiana Baptist History is good as the churches there were much affected)

On the other side as this was happening another movement was also dividing Baptist Churches, that of hypercalvinism. Advocates such as Daniel Parker the Primitives and others were also splitting churches over the mission movement. They rejected Sunday Schools, missions, education, evangelization, and any other “modern innovations.” they also split churches. (The footnotes in the revised edition of Semple’s book note many instances) Over time the majority of the Primitive Baptist Churches slowly died off from lack of evangelism. (With some exceptions) Between the two movements it would take many years for Baptists to recover.

So Semple’s book was poised at a point between revival and apostasy. Upon examining this does any of this sound familiar? Indeed we are past where Semple’s point in history was. In the 60’s and 70’s we saw great Baptist Church planting efforts and what could be termed revival. Then we saw coldness, the fires began to cool off. Now we see the emerging movement doing exactly what the Campbellites did to churches, taking the church in a totally different unscriptural direction. On the other hand there is a resurgent Calvinism and covenant theology. Semple would write in 1828 in a letter to a Dr. Noel “I know but one preacher in Virginia who has pinned his faith to Campbell’s sleeve, and he has become very troublesome” (This was quoted from an edition of the Christian Baptist in another book- I do not know that the letter still exists- it would be interesting to get the particulars) Semple would pass away in 1831 not seeing the full impact, although it was less in Virginia than other states.

Satan is a great recycler- he uses the same tools and patterns over and over again. We have missed that many times. We are now poised past revival into apostasy. No matter what the world says stand strong and remember our Baptist history and the Scripture that it is built on. That is why we study Baptist history and Biblical Baptist doctrine.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia by Robert Baylor Semple

Jim Curran shared a link. Admin · February 18, 2020 https://www.facebook.com/groups/baptistchurchhistory/permalink/1200585526803261/