Strict Baptists

Template:PortalCalvinism Strict Baptists, also known as Particular Baptists, are people who believe in a strict-Calvinist interpretation of Christian theology. This article refers mostly to Gospel Standard Strict Baptists

History

General and particular

In the early 17th century, Baptists in England developed along two different theologies. The General Baptists were so-called because they held belief in a General Atonement. The General view of the atonement is that Christ in His death undertook to make possible the salvation of all men who would believe. This position is identified with Arminianism and Amyraldianism. Early General Baptist leaders included John Smyth and Thomas Helwys.

The Particular Baptists were so-called because they held the Particular Atonement. The Particular view of the atonement is that Christ in His death undertook to save particular individuals, usually referred to as the elect. This position is often identified with Calvinism. Some early Particular Baptist leaders were Benjamin Keach, Hanserd Knollys, and William Kiffin.

Present day Strict Baptists of England are descendants of the Particular Baptists, but heavily influenced by men from the Gospel Standard Strict Baptist movement such as William Gadsby (1773-1844) John Warburton (1776–1857) and John Kershaw (1792–1870). Sometimes they are referred to as Strict and Particular Baptists. The terminology "strict" refers to the strict or closed position they held on membership and communion. There are still other Baptist churches known as Grace Baptist who hold to a closed communion table restricted to baptized believers. The Grace Baptist would not accept the view held by the Gospel Standard churches regarding the offer of the gospel. The majority of early Particular Baptists rejected open membership and open communion. One notable exception was the author of Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan.

===Hyper-Calvinism===. Over the 18th century, Strict & Particular baptists believed that the General Baptists had lapsed into theological liberalism. During this same period, the Particular Baptists, under the influence of John Brine and John Gill, moved toward a doctrinal position, which some have labeled as Hyper-Calvinism and Antinomianism. Gospel Standard Baptists are generally viewed by other Christians (including many Strict and Particular Baptists) as holding hyper-Calvinist views.

Fullerites

In 1785, Andrew Fuller (1754–1815) published The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation. This would lead to eventual division among the Particular Baptists of England. The "Fullerites" are probably best represented by Fuller and William Carey (1761–1834), Baptist missionary to India, and Charles Spurgeon.

The leading spokesman for Calvinism was John Gill (1696–1771), perhaps best known for his Exposition of the Whole Bible. Among most Particular Baptists, Fuller's modified Calvinism was generally accepted. In 1891, most of the remaining General Baptists merged with the Particular Baptists in the Baptist Union of Great Britain (formed 1813). The Old Baptist Union represents General Baptists that did not participate.

Strict Baptists in the UK

Strict Baptists represent the strain of Particular Baptists that maintain the practice of strict or closed communion. They remained aloof from the Baptist Union of 1813.

Leaders among them include William Gadsby (1773–1844), whose A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship is still in use among their churches today, John Warburton (1776–1857),pastor at Zion Chapel Trowbridge from 1815 until his death 2 April, 1857. John Kershaw, Edward Mote (1797–1874), composer of 'On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All Other Ground is Sinking Sand', and J. C. Philpot (1802–69). Having no central organization or rallying point, Strict Baptists were nicknamed based on the newspapers they supported — Christian Pathway Strict Baptists, Earthen Vessel Strict Baptists, Gospel Herald Strict Baptists, and Gospel Standard Strict Baptists.

Earthen Vessel, Gospel Herald and other Strict Baptists united in what would later become the Grace Baptist Assembly (founded 1980 as a merger of the Strict Baptist Assembly and the Assembly of Baptised Churches). The Grace Baptist Assembly churches represent a modification of Strict Baptists close to the modified Calvinism of the 18th century. These churches additionally meet together in three regional associations — Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia), Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Midlands), Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East) — and one fellowship — the Fellowship of Northern Particular Baptist Churches.

The Gospel Standard Strict Baptists maintain the beliefs Fuller sought to remove. They remain opposed to Fuller's modified Calvinism, as well as to open membership and open communion. At times, Gospel Standard Strict Baptists have been called Gadsbyites after William Gadsby. They remain altogether separate from other bodies of Strict Baptists, and represent the very conservative and theological extreme conservative fringe of strict Baptist believers.

In recent times, B. A. Ramsbottom has been the most famous of the Gospel Standard Strict Baptists, serving as editor of the Gospel Standard magazine since 1971.

Modern Strict Baptists

In 1995, the Grace Baptist Assembly had over 10,000 members in about 260 churches. The Gospel Standard Strict Baptists had 6400 members in 156 churches in the British Isles, plus 3 churches in the United States and 3 more in Australia.

Order of service

Meetings in Gospel standard churches follow a non-liturgical pattern, which rarely varies. A typical service is as follows: Opening Hymn (from the Gadsby's selection, Scripture reading (King James version only), Long prayer, Hymn, Sermon, Hymn, Closing prayer.

Ministers are men who feel God's call to the ministry and have been affirmed by vote by church members. Ministers are not usually formally trained. Sermons are not usually written. Sermons follow a very standard pattern, quotes from Bible verses and Gadsby's hymn selection are common for most sermons. Sermons are void of humour, any form of "joke" while preaching is very taboo. Many G.S. ministers will not mention non-biblical names, not wishing to detract from scripture while preaching. Ministers rely on a "word" given to them by God prior to a worship service. Often this can lead to the view among some members that all that the minister preaches is given to them straight from God himself, although they would not go so far as to say that this is revelation.

Some chapels are pastorless and rely on visiting preachers. If a preacher is unavailable then a "reading service" will be held. This consists of a male church member reading a sermon from a book. Women are unable to hold positions of leadership. Women do not lead the congregation in prayer. Women cover their heads in public worship, and are discouraged from wearing trousers, make-up, or from having their ears pierced. Black is a common colour worn for public worship.

Musical instruments are usually restricted to an organ, and many churches sing a cappella.

Communion or "The Lord's Supper" is held once a month, usually on the first Sunday evening of the month. This meeting is reserved for persons baptised in Gospel standard churches or those who have been baptised elsewhere and have joined a Gospel Standard church. Members of other Christian denominations are not allowed to receive communion in Gospel Standard churches. This is due to an interpretation the G.S. rules of faith and practice, which state that only a person "of the same faith and practice" may partake of bread and wine. This meeting is also used to welcome into membership a newly baptised person, or someone who has transferred membership from another G.S. church.

Church meetings and church discipline

A meeting restricted only to baptised members of individual congregations is usually conducted on a three monthly cycle. This meeting is used to discuss issues of business and changes in Church practice. In many G.S. churches women are forbidden from speaking in these meetings and all matters are discussed by the Male members. All decisions are made by majority vote by the showing of a raised hand.

Church discipline is used as a last resort for church members who have transgressed a rule of the church. Such rules can vary from church to church, except where matters of faith are concerned. For instance: One G.S. church may forbid church members from owning or watching a television, whereas another may not. So matters of church disciple may vary in such circumstances. If a problem occurs with a church member that is considered minor, church disciple may first occur with something as simple as a pastor or deacon having an informal talk with the church member. Only if the "problem" continues would it be brought before all church members. The first stage of church disciple would be by a vote of church members to bar the transgressor from communion for a set number of months (usually 3). enough time for the transgressor to become penitent. This period could be lengthened or shortened on a case by case basis.

On matters of larger "sin" such as heresy (which could be as small as taking communion in a non G.S. Church) or adultery, a church member may be disfellowshipped/ excommunicated. The church member will then be barred from communion, congregational prayer (if male), and all church responsibilities indefinitely. This is rare.

If a person leaves the G.S. denomination they can not resign their membership. After a period of non-attendance of several months, a church meeting would be held where a vote would be taken and the membership of the person would be suspended indefinitely.

Personal Devotion

Strict Baptists take their personal devotion time very seriously. Other than the King James Bible and the Gadsby's hymn selection a number of publications are popular with G.S. Baptists. These include the Magazines "Gospel standard" and "friendly companion". Also popular are the two daily readings books "Through Baca's vale" and "Ears from harvested sheaves" these are a selection of daily readings taken from the sermons and writings of J.C. Philpot (1802-1869). It is common for G.S. families to have a morning devotion time at breakfast. The "Daily Light" devotional in King James Version is often used.

G.S. Young people have the opportunity to meet one a month for a meeting at Bethel Chapel in Luton. This meeting follows a similar structure to a Sunday service. The sermon is often shorter, and often is based on a subject relevant to youth. This meeting is a good time for G.S. young people from all over the country to meet and get to know people from other chapels.

Evangelism and Gospel Standard Baptists

Due to the Hyper-Calvinist doctrine of G.S. Baptists, evangelism and witnessing is somewhat of a grey area in this denomination. Because G.S. Baptists refute the free offer of the gospel (the call for all non-Christians to repent and receive the salvation of Christ), many Strict Baptists believe that Evangelism is, in essence, a fruitless exercise, because "Men are dead in trespasses and sins" and 1Co 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned". They are therefore unable to choose Christ; see hyper-calvinism. There are however a few exceptions. There have in recent years been ministers from other countries, such as the Philippines, after having read books published or written by G.S. Pastors, have contacted the denomination for help and guidance. One such church is the "Sovereign Grace Bible church" in Manila. Another example of mission support among G.S. Baptists is the Trinitarian Bible Society. Founded in 1831, the organisation publishes only Protestant versions of the Bible, and only uses the King James Bible for its English editions.

References

Historical Sketch of the Gospel Standard Baptists, by S. F. Paul
The Baptist, by Jack Hoad
Strict and Particular, by Kenneth Dix
Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
A History of the Baptists, by John T. Christian
The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness, by H. Leon McBeth
History of the English Calvinistic Baptists 1791–1892, by Robert Oliver (2006), ISBN 0-85151-920-2

External links

Gospel Standard Trust Publications
Strict and Particular Baptists (article on John Cargill's site The Faith of God's Elect)
Strict Baptist Historical Society
Strict and Particular Baptist, UK (thread on BaptistBoard)
Grace Baptist Assembly 2003
Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East)
Particular Baptist Press – publishes reprints and original works highlighting the Doctrines of Grace in historic Baptist literature