Why Study Baptist History (Part 8) – To Save People from Doctrinal Peril

Dan Nelson July 9, 2020

Why Study Baptist History (Part 8) – To Save People from Doctrinal Peril

God’s hand has been on Baptists through the centuries or we would have disappeared in the ash heap of other groups who have come and gone had it not been so. There has been a constant strain of truth we have stood for that we have taught and refused agreement with doctrinal error for centuries. We have lamented the fact that many can not say why they are Baptists. There may even be some pastors who may not make it their favorite aspect of their ministry to enunciate Baptist doctrine. You will never know why you are Baptists though if we do not teach why we are Baptists! The reasons why we are Baptists are illustrated over and over again through Baptist History.

There is so much pressure today to join up, cooperate with other groups for they say, “the unity of the body of Christ” which often causes us to compromise what we believe as Baptists.

History verifies that Baptists have never been a part of any State Church and have been on the receiving end of persecution and violence toward those seeking to practice their faith outside the bounds of an official denomination in a country.

History also teaches that Baptists have never been part of Catholicism. It as a religious body has been responsible for more deaths for those who would not be ruled by its brutal league with civil rulers who have lowered the boom on Baptists and other dissenting groups.

History also teaches us that Baptists did not begin with the Protestant Reformation. If they did there probably would not be believer’s baptism by immersion and all State churches and denominations dominant throughout the world. Baptists part in the independence of congregations outside of civil government in our country cannot be forgotten due to the efforts primarily of Baptist pastor John Leland, in this country getting the freedom of religion clauses into the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of our country.

Beyond these obvious historical verifications, there is also an imperative need incumbent on all Baptist churches to teach why we are Baptists and not leave people guessing. People are in doctrinal peril if we do not unveil our heritage and let people see why we are Baptists.

However, there is a reluctance from many quarters to teach Baptist Doctrine in our churches. We are pushed, cajoled, and looked on as being uncooperative if we don’t join up with every cause locally or nationally that we are confronted with on a regular basis. It is considered divisive, boring, and to be quite frankly: “hard work” to research and explain what we believe and why we believe it. It is crucial we do so though if we are to be true to the Scriptural pattern. People are deserting sound doctrine today which is the plain teaching of what the Bible says. We are exhorted to teach it: II Tim. 4: 1 6 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee

Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace…

I Tim. 4: 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine

II Tim. 4:6 Put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith of good doctrine, that you have attained

We must remember that while men slept that men came in and sowed tares among the wheat Matt. 13:25.

A proper understanding of the church is crucial today. The church is not universal, it is not all believers, it is not a denomination, it is not authorized and maintained by the civil government. Many have fallen for these definitions that our Baptist forefathers have never taught. You wind upcoming short on what Baptists are and what church authority to minister the ordinances is with a lack of understanding in this area.

Baptists have taught individual conversion and not sponsorship salvation as is most fully seen in infant sprinkling.

Baptists have believed in accountability to a local congregation of baptized believers joined together for the faith of the gospel. Call it church membership if you want, but it is a place to minister and be a part of a New Testament church that practices sound doctrine.

The fact that many do not baptize with the correct purpose, mode, and authority disqualifies them to be a part of a New Testament church.

There are not two churches: A universal and local one. If you are not in a church practicing New Testament doctrine you are not an obedient Christian and are missing God’s will for your life.

To not teach these truths plus others that Baptists have stood for through the age’s leaves people in doctrinal peril. Our identity will be erased in future generations if we do not teach Baptist doctrine verified in history. It’s not a matter of preference but of necessity. Teach Baptist doctrine if you love the Lord and be obedient to His calling in your life. We dare not suffer the consequences of failure to do so.