Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – The Waldenses – Part 1

Thomas E Kresal Admin · 2 hrs February 15, 2020

Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – The Waldenses – Part 1

Before we proceed to apply the Baptist peculiarities to the Waldenses, it may not be amiss to state again that the same class of people who were called Waldenses in the valleys of the Alps, were called by other names in other countries. But, says Mr. Jones (Jones Church History, p.188): “All these branches, however, sprang from one common stock, and were animated by the same religious and moral principles.” We have not space in the present work to vindicate every branch of the Waldensean family from the slanderous charges which their enemies have preferred against them; but we desire to apply the Bible peculiarities to the main body of the Waldenses who inhabited the valleys of the Alps, or were in fellowship with them.

It was into these wilderness valleys, surrounded by the bulwarks of the Almighty, that the main body of the Church of Christ found a place of security from the wrath of the papal dragon.

The Waldenses regarded themselves as having been directed by prophecy in their flight to these valleys. Of this, Mr. Robinson remarks (Robs. Eccles. Research p. 510) “Let it not seem romantic if we suppose that (the) Waldenses, who, we know, studied the Revelation of John, thought themselves directed to retire , , by God himself, to sequestered places ; for, by the New Testament prophet, he said, ^ The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.’ “Thus it is seen that the Waldenses claimed no human origin; but that they. were the true church, symbolized by the woman which fled into the wilderness. We come now to the application of the peculiarities.

To Be Continued with Peculiarity One – Monday, February 17, 2020

Presented by Thomas E. Kresal from: “Baptist Succession” by D.B. Ray, 1871 Edition, pg. 347-49