United Baptist is name of several diverse Baptist groups of Christianity in the United States and Canada .
40-644: The name "United Baptist" appears to have arisen from two separate unions of Baptist groups: (1) the union of Regular Baptists and Separate Baptists in Kentucky , Virginia , and the Carolinas in the United States late in the 18th century and near the turn of the 19th century, and (2) the union of Regular Baptists and Free Baptists in the Maritime Provinces of Canada near the beginning of
80-422: A Reformed soteriology. Sovereign Grace Baptists in the broadest sense are any " Calvinistic " Baptists that accept God's sovereign grace in salvation and predestination. In the narrower sense, certain churches and groups have preferred "Sovereign Grace" in their name, rather than using the terms "Calvinism", "Calvinist", or "Reformed Baptist". This includes some who prefer the 1644 Baptist Confession of Faith to
120-701: A Regular Baptist church in the GARBC is to hold to distinctive baptistic ecclesiology and interpret the Bible literally. The term Regular Baptists developed in America from English immigrants who had been influenced by the Particular and General Baptists churches that were established in England. According to Stuart Ivison and Fred Rosser: "By 1638 there were also congregations of ‘Particular’ Baptists, who held that
160-434: A cappella vs. musical instruments). The unaffiliated United Baptist associations differ from one another in their views on the atonement, eternal security , and prerequisites of communion . They are fairly consistent in avoiding general unions and conventions, observing the ordinance of feet washing , and preferring an itinerant and non-salaried ministry, ministers may only be men and hold their own jobs for living support,
200-673: A group that broke away from the Church of England in the 17th century. They adhere to a higher degree of Reformed theology than other Calvinistic Baptist groups and usually subscribe to the London Confession of 1689 . Significant figures include John Bunyan , John Gill , and Charles Spurgeon . In the last century, the group became more popular as more Baptists identified with Puritan teachings. Groups calling themselves Strict Baptists are often differentiated from other denominations calling themselves "Reformed Baptists", sharing
240-719: A renewed interest in Reformed theology among Baptists in the UK. Peter Masters , pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, created the London Reformed Baptist Seminary in 1975. Baptist churches in the United States continued to operate under the confessional statement, the 1689 London Baptist, but they renamed it according to the local associations in which it was adopted, first
280-631: Is a modest association, the Comunhão Reformada Batista do Brasil (Baptist Reformed Communion of Brazil) sprung mostly from the work of US missionary Richard Denham at São José dos Campos, SP . As it did not correspond to expectations of dynamism and effectiveness, it is being supplanted by a newer Convention, the Convenção Batista Reformada do Brasil [ pt ] (Baptist Reformed Convention of Brazil). The Sovereign Grace Fellowship of Canada (SGF)
320-475: Is found chiefly in the southern U.S., represents the original English Baptists before the division into Particular and General Baptists, and observes closed communion and foot washing ", according to Merriam Webster. This definition describes Old Regular Baptists , not those who formed as a result of the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy . The most prominent Regular Baptist group is
360-834: Is one of several Baptists who have written in support of Calvinism. While the Southern Baptist Convention remains split on Calvinism, there are a number of explicitly Reformed Baptist groups in the United States, including the Confessional Baptist Association , the Continental Baptist Churches , the Sovereign Grace Baptist Association of Churches , and other Sovereign Grace Baptists . Such groups have had some theological influence from other Reformed denominations, such as
400-513: Is simply a form of 'works righteousness' that implies that sinners can affect their own salvation." As such, they have rejected the concept of missions. Regular Baptists adhere to a Reformed soteriology. Those who are Old Regular Baptists largely hold to the tenets of Calvinism, "but maintain that God never predestined anyone to hell and that only those who do not heed the Word of God will be lost." Certain denominations of United Baptists teach
440-636: The 1689 Confession , and who are critical of covenant theology . All of these groups generally agree with the Five Points of Calvinism – Total Depravity , Unconditional Election , Limited Atonement , Irresistible Grace , and Perseverance of the Saints . Groups calling themselves "Sovereign Grace Baptists" have been particularly influenced by the writings of John Gill in the 18th century. Among American Baptists who have revived such Calvinist ideas were Rolfe P. Barnard and Henry T. Mahan, who organised
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#1732773256551480-723: The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches . While the term Regular Baptist was originally a reference to the Particular Baptists , it came to be used more loosely as a synonym for orthodox . The Baptist Bulletin of the GARBC defines them simply as groups who believe "orthodox, Baptist doctrine " and "affirm the rule or measure of the Scripture." As compared to General Baptists or Free Baptists , Regular Baptists were strict in their beliefs, and also called Strict or Hard-shell Baptists. To be
520-632: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church . An example of this is the 1995 adaptation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Trinity Hymnal which was published for Reformed Baptist churches in America as the Trinity Hymnal (Baptist Edition) . By 2000, Reformed Baptist groups in the United States totaled about 16,000 people in 400 congregations. Several Reformed Baptist Seminaries currently operate in
560-708: The 20th century. Many Baptists in the southern United States were called United Baptists, while most in the north were called Regular Baptists. Missionary Baptist bodies such as the Southern Baptist Convention , the American Baptist Association (ABA) and even some American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) are descendants of the United Baptists . Churches in the ABCUSA retaining the name United Baptist are primarily in
600-721: The Afrikaanse Baptiste Kerke's 34 churches follow reformed doctrine, as opposed to the mainly English speaking Baptist Union of Southern Africa , which does not. There is a small but growing network of Reformed Baptist churches in Europe. The Italian churches are organized in the Evangelical Reformed Baptist Churches in Italy association; several French speaking churches sprung from the work of English missionary Stuart Olyott at
640-464: The Atonement was of particular application, i.e., for the sake of the elect only." The General, also known as Free Baptists , however, believed that all people could reap the benefits of atonement. This meant, particularly for the western pioneers, that individuals that were baptized were allowed to become church members and take communion . The number of Regular Baptists began to increase over
680-635: The Baptist Denomination in America . He found that the greatest number of Baptist churches at that time were Regular Baptist churches. In the 1800s, the term Regular Baptist came to describe the Free Baptists . This was a surprising change as the term regular initially described the opposing position to the Free Baptists (i.e., particular atonement). This happened as a result of the strict view of communion they took which held that individuals must be baptized prior to partaking of
720-636: The Constitution and Articles of Faith. There are 12 member churches, half of which are located in Michigan . The association is recognised as an endorsing agent for United States military chaplains . Notable Reformed Baptist figures in Africa include Conrad Mbewe in Zambia , who has been compared to Spurgeon; Kenneth Mbugua and John Musyimi of Emmanuel Baptist Church Nairobi, Kenya. In South Africa ,
760-526: The Executive Committee to screen candidates and recommend them to the churches for support. They currently (2009) are supporting one missionary endeavour. The Publication Committee reviews and approves submissions, and supplies literature to the churches. Grace News is published quarterly. A Confession of Faith was adopted in 1991. Membership in the SGBA is open to any Baptist church subscribing to
800-632: The Lord's Table. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Northern Baptist Convention was polluted by individuals who were adopting the higher-critical theories of German theologians. This caused many to separate from the convention and to form several groups of conservative, fundamental baptists. During this, the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches was born. Their designation as Regular Baptists
840-717: The Philadelphia Confession (1742, which includes two new chapters), then the Charleston Confession (1761, adopted from the London without changes). When the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was founded, its governing confession, the abstract of principles, was summarized form of the 1689 London Baptist Confession, and its founding president, James P. Boyce wrote his "Abstract of Systematic Theology" from an evident Calvinist position. The first major shift at
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#1732773256551880-579: The UK go back to the 1630s. Notable early pastors include the author John Bunyan (1628–88), Benjamin Keach (1640–1704), the theologian John Gill (1697–1771), John Brine (1703–64), Andrew Fuller , and the missionary William Carey (1761–1834). Charles Spurgeon (1834–92), pastor to the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle ) in London , has been called "by far
920-554: The US; International Reformed Baptist Seminary (IRBS) , Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary , Grace Bible Theological Seminary, & Reformed Baptist Seminary are four that each subscribe to the 1689 London Baptist Confession in some form. The Sovereign Grace Baptist Association of Churches (SGBA), which was organized in 1984, sponsors an annual national conference and churches cooperate in missions, publications, retreats, camps and other activities. The Missionary Committee serves under
960-408: The church is supported by free will offerings and give to the minister free will offerings from church service. A majority of the churches tend to primitivism, including women remaining silent during business of the church and not wearing pants (though some of the women wear pants outside the church), rejecting a seminary trained ministry, and even instrumental music, (though some have pianos). They hold
1000-492: The denomination, Calvinistic Baptists adhere to varying degrees of Reformed theology, ranging from simply embracing the Five Points of Calvinism , to accepting a modified form of federalism ; all Calvinistic Baptists reject the classical Reformed teaching on infant baptism . While the Reformed Baptist confessions affirm views of the nature of baptism similar to those of the classical Reformed, they reject infants as
1040-521: The doctrine of particular redemption , while the term "strict" refers to the practice of closed communion . Their religious beliefs continue in the Gospel Standard Strict Baptist denomination. Primitive Baptists adhere to a Reformed soteriology. Primitive Baptists emphasize the teaching that "God alone is the author of salvation and therefore any effort by human beings to make salvation happen or compel others to conversion
1080-726: The first Sovereign Grace Bible Conference in Ashland, Kentucky , in 1954, though groups designated as Sovereign Grace are not necessarily connected to them. Calvinistic Baptist groups presently using the term Sovereign Grace include the Sovereign Grace Baptist Association, the Sovereign Grace Fellowship of Canada , and some among the growing Calvinist strand of Independent Baptists , including several hundred Landmark Independent Baptist churches. Reformed Baptist churches in
1120-553: The most famous and influential preacher the Baptists had." The Metropolitan Tabernacle itself has been particularly influential in the Reformed Baptist movement in the UK. Benjamin Keach, John Gill, John Rippon (1751–1836), Charles Spurgeon, and Peter Masters (mentioned below) have all pastored this same congregation. Their characteristic traits may be the founder (Keach, signer of the 1689), theologian (Gill), hymnist (Rippon), preacher (Spurgeon), and restorer (Masters). The 1950s saw
1160-685: The northeast, especially Maine , and are products of the Regular/Free Baptist union. One local association of churches in the ABA maintained the "United Baptist" name into the mid-1990s. A number of churches in the United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces (now Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches ) continue to use the name United Baptist . The most prominently recognizable United Baptists are
1200-611: The number of General or Free Baptists after the 1707 formation of the Philadelphia Baptist Association (PBA), which in 1742 developed a Confession of Faith . The influence and mission program of the Philadelphia Baptists shifted many of the Free Baptists to Regular Baptists. John Asplund traveled the United States and created the first comprehensive list of Baptist denominations in the United States in 1790 entitled Annual Register of
1240-799: The old time ways in salvation, that people must be first convicted of their sins through old time preaching and be born again through repentance. They do not believe in the practice of "accepting" the Lord as personal Savior, since they salvation comes from God during repentance to his satisfaction—when God is fully satisfied he will give deliverance from sin (salvation) (e.g., Green River, Kentucky Association). True United Baptist only use natural water baptisms . Associations promote fellowship by "corresponding" with (sending representatives to) other associations that they deem to be of "like faith and order". "Baptists, United" . Encyclopedia Americana . 1920. Regular Baptist Regular Baptists are "a moderately Calvinistic Baptist denomination that
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1280-552: The other four going into Paint Union. Union Bethlehem dissolved after a split occurred in Tri-State Zion and Union Bethlehem. Five churches from TSZ and two from Union Bethlehem formed Zion(Tris-State Zion). Union Bethlem was left with only four churches, so they dissolved that association, and went into Paint Union. These three sub-groups of United Baptists reflect differences in benevolences, (i.e. Sunday School) historical affiliations (i.e. Landmark) and worship styles (i.e.
1320-424: The proper subjects of baptism. The first Calvinistic Baptist church was formed in the 1630s. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith is a significant summary of the beliefs of Reformed Baptists. The name "Reformed Baptist" dates from the latter part of the 20th century to denote Baptists who retained Baptist ecclesiology, and reaffirmed Reformed biblical theology, such as Covenant theology . Particular Baptists are
1360-466: The resurgence of Calvinism in the United States, Time listed several Baptists among current Calvinist leaders. Albert Mohler , president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , is a strong advocate of Calvinism, although his stand has received opposition from inside the Southern Baptist Convention . John Piper , who was pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis for 33 years,
1400-500: The same Calvinist doctrine, but differing on ecclesiastical polity ; "Strict Baptists" generally prefer a congregationalist polity . The group of Strict Baptists called Strict and Particular Baptists are Baptists who believe in a Calvinist interpretation of Christian salvation . The Particular Baptists arose in England in the 17th century, led by a radical travelling minister named William Gadsby , and took their name from
1440-580: The seminary away from Calvinism came at the leadership of E. Y. Mullins , president from 1899 to 1928. Many of the developments in the U.K. mentioned above during the 1950s and following also made an impact on Baptists in America, seen especially in the Founders Movement (which was connected to the so-called "Conservative Resurgence" in the SBC) and in the works of men such as Walter Chantry, Roger Nicole , and Ernest Reisinger . In March 2009, noting
1480-519: The unaffiliated local associations of churches that have remained separate and distinct from affiliation with any national or general organizations. The Churches and Church Membership in the United States 1990 survey found over 54,000 members in 436 churches and 24 associations. Approximately 27 such associations exist in the United States, and fall roughly into three groups: The following associations are believed to exist in 2003: Old Paint Union dissolved, with two churches going into Tri-State Zion, and
1520-665: The Église réformée baptiste de Lausanne , VD , CH , started in the 1960s. There is a growing network of Reformed Baptist Churches in Ukraine. There are few small communities churches in Germany, where the largest is in Frankfurt am Main . In March 2023, a new national association of churches formed in the United Kingdom, organized as the "Association of Confessional Baptist Churches in the United Kingdom". In Brazil there
1560-502: Was succeeded in 1957 by the Association of Regular Baptist Churches of Ontario, Canada, which continues to uphold closed communion teaching and practice. Informational notes Citations Further reading Particular Baptist Christianity • Protestantism Reformed Baptists , Particular Baptists and Calvinistic Baptists , are Baptists that hold to a Calvinist soteriology (salvation belief). Depending on
1600-533: Was unrelated to the dispute over general and particular atonement. There are still a number of organizations that are considered Regular Baptists, but the degree of strictness regarding atonement beliefs may vary across Regular Baptists churches today. The term Regular Baptists denotes churches with strict, orthodox Baptist beliefs. In 1928, the Union of Regular Baptist Churches was formed in Hamilton, Ontario. It
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