Origins Edit

Baptist affiliations Edit

Many Baptist churches choose to affiliate with organizational groups that provide fellowship without control.[3] The largest such group in the US is the Southern Baptist Convention. There also are a substantial number of smaller cooperative groups. Finally, there are Independent Baptist churches that choose to remain independent of any denomination, organization, or association.[41] It has been suggested that a primary Baptist principle is that local Baptist Churches are independent and self-governing,[42] and if so the term 'Baptist denomination' may be considered somewhat incongruous. In 1925, Baptists worldwide formed the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). The BWA now counts 218 Baptist conventions and unions worldwide with over 41 million members.[43] The BWA's goals include caring for the needy, leading in world evangelism and defending human rights and religious freedom. Though it played a role in the founding of the BWA, the Southern Baptist Convention severed its affiliation with BWA in 2004.[44]

Membership Edit

Baptist beliefs and principles Edit

Controversies that have shaped Baptists Edit

See also Edit

References Edit

Bibliography Edit

Bumstead, JM (1984), Henry Alline, 1748–1784 , Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press .

. Christian, John T (1926), History of the Baptists , 2 , Nashville: Broadman Press .

. Kidd, Thomas S. and Barry Hankins, Baptists in America: A History (2015)

(2015) Leonard, Bill J (2003), Baptist Ways: A History , Judson Press, ISBN 978-0-8170-1231-1 , comprehensive international History.

, comprehensive international History. Torbet, Robert G (1975) [1950], A History of the Baptists , Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, ISBN 978-0-8170-0074-5 .

. Wright, Stephen (2004), Early English Baptists 1603–49 .

Further reading Edit