Changes

'''Baptists''' are a [[Christian]] denomination. Their largest organization, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], has 16 million members and is an influential social and political group:<ref>http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/default.asp</ref>

'''Baptists''' are a [[Christian]] denomination. Their largest association, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], is an influential social and political organization.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/default.asp</ref>

==History==

==History==

Historically, '''Baptists''' are descended primarily from the work of [[John Smyth]] (1554-1612) in [[England]]<ref>http://levellers.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/john-smyth-1570-1612-puritan-separatist-baptist-mennonite/</ref>  He fled to [[Holland]] due to persecution of the [[Anabaptists]], of which he was part.<ref>http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/anabaptists.html</ref>  Baptists arrived in the American colonies, and became especially numerous in New England and Virginia. After 1800 the denomination grew rapidly. It split in 1845 over the issue of slavery. Many slaves were Baptists and at the end of the Civil War they withdrew from white churches and set up their own network of Baptists churches.

Historically, '''Baptists''' are descended primarily from the work of [[John Smyth]] (1554-1612) in [[England]]<ref>http://levellers.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/john-smyth-1570-1612-puritan-separatist-baptist-mennonite/</ref>  He fled to [[Holland]] due to persecution of the [[Anabaptists]], of which he was part.<ref>http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/anabaptists.html</ref>  Baptists arrived in the American colonies and became especially numerous in New England and Virginia. After 1800 the denomination grew rapidly  but split in 1845 over the issue of slavery. Many slaves were Baptists and at the end of the Civil War they withdrew from white churches and set up their own network of Baptist churches.

The Baptist Bible Union was started in 1923 by prominent Fundamentalists including W. B. Riley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Minneapolis, T. T. Shields, Canadian Baptist pastor, and J. Frank Norris, of First Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Riley said the Union was founded to give "open, determined opposition to menacing modernism" in the  

The Baptist Bible Union was started in 1923 by prominent Fundamentalists including W. B. Riley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Minneapolis, T. T. Shields, Canadian Baptist pastor, and J. Frank Norris, of First Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Riley said the Union was founded to give "open, determined opposition to menacing modernism" in the  

Baptists generally lack a religious hierarchy, tradition, or texts other than the [[Bible]], and they stress [[evangelical]] work.  

Baptists generally lack a religious hierarchy, tradition, or texts other than the [[Bible]], and they stress [[evangelical]] work.  

Baptist denominations include the more [[liberal]] [[American Baptist Churches]], based in northern states, and the much larger [[conservative]] [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC). It is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., and has churches in every state.  Since its founding in 1845, the SBC has grown to over 16 million members in more than 42,000 churches in the United States.  The SBC sponsors about 5,000 home missionaries serving the United States, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean, as well as another 5,000 foreign missionaries at work in 153 countries.

Baptist denominations include the more [[liberal]] [[American Baptist Churches]], based in northern states, and the much larger [[conservative]] [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC). It is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. and has congregations in every state.  Since its founding in 1845, the SBC has grown to over 16 million members in more than 42,000 churches in the United States.  The SBC sponsors about 5,000 home missionaries serving the United States, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean, as well as another 5,000 foreign missionaries at work in 153 countries.

Most African Americans belong to the National Baptist Convention, with 7.5 million members, or to the smaller but more liberal Progressive National Baptist Convention, with over 2000 churches and a total membership of 2.5 million.

More African-Americans belong to the National Baptist Convention, with 7.5 million members, than to any other church body. Others are members of the smaller but more liberal Progressive National Baptist Convention, which has over 2000 churches and a total membership of 2.5 million.

There are numerous smaller bodies, usually with long histories, such as the Calvinistic Baptists, General Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Old Regulars, Two Seeders, Independents, Landmarkeans-named after landmarks of doctrine-, and Seventh Day Baptists.<ref> Leonard (2005)</ref>

There are numerous smaller bodies, usually with long histories, such as the Calvinistic Baptists, General Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Old Regulars, Two Seeders, Independents, Landmarkeans (named after landmarks of doctrine), and Seventh Day Baptists.<ref> Leonard (2005)</ref>

In addition many churches are independent; the independent Fundamentalist Baptists tend to be more conservative than any of these groups.  Most independent churches were created in reaction to "worldliness, modernism, apostasy and compromise," often by a charismatic leader. They generally maintain a loose confederation of local congregations, promoting and funding independent missionaries and "church-planters, periodicals and Bible schools."<ref> Leonard (1987) p. 507 </ref>

In addition, many congregations are independent.  The independent Fundamentalist Baptists tend to be more conservative than any other of these groups.  Most independent churches were created in reaction to "worldliness, modernism, apostasy and compromise," often by a charismatic leader. They generally maintain a loose confederation of local congregations, promoting and funding independent missionaries and "church-planters, periodicals and Bible schools."<ref> Leonard (1987) p. 507 </ref>

==Beliefs==

==Beliefs==

They practice adult [[baptism]] which is done by immersion.<ref> In practice children are baptised at the age of 5 to 10; see Strategic Information and Planning Section, ''2001 Annual Church Profile Statistics:

Baptists practice adult [[baptism]] which is done by immersion.<ref> In practice children are baptised at the age of 5 to 10; see Strategic Information and Planning Section, ''2001 Annual Church Profile Statistics:

Number of Baptisms by Age Divisions'' (Nashville: LifeWay Christian Resources, April 22, 2002). </ref> With that baptism, the individual acquires authority to determine matters of religion and [[faith]] for himself, or as part of a local congregation of believers.  Many Baptists consider the [[Bible]] to be inerrant and the literal word of God. Baptists are often opposed to [[gambling]] and the use of [[tobacco]] and [[Alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]].<ref>http://www.abpnews.com/2885.article</ref>   

Number of Baptisms by Age Divisions'' (Nashville: LifeWay Christian Resources, April 22, 2002). </ref> With that baptism, the individual acquires authority to determine matters of religion and [[faith]] for himself, or as part of a local congregation of believers.  Many Baptists consider the [[Bible]] to be inerrant and the literal word of God. Baptists are often opposed to [[gambling]] and the use of [[tobacco]] and [[Alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]].<ref>http://www.abpnews.com/2885.article</ref>   

Though each Baptist is free to define his own beliefs, a revised collection of common principles held by Baptists was set forth by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/bfm/</ref>

Although each Baptist is free to define his own beliefs, a revised collection of common principles held by Baptists was set forth by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/bfm/</ref>

== Protestantism ==

== Protestantism ==

Baptists are generally grouped together with Protestants. This is used to mean that they are "non-Catholic". When used in this sense, it is true. However, Protestant Churches are limited only to Churches which separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the [[Protestant Reformation]], starting in 1517. Some Baptists (called Landmarkeans)  believe that Baptist history extends all the way back to the apostolic Church.<ref>[http://www.empirebaptistministries.org/church/articles/protestant.htm Jarrell's Baptist Perpetuity]</ref> [[Charles Haddon Spurgeon|C.H. Spurgeon]] told the story of Baptist minister, Peter of Bruys, who suffered martyrdom in 1124.<ref>[http://www.baptistbanner.net/baptist_history/baptist_history.html ''Baptists are Ancient''] by C.H. Spurgeon appeared in the August 1868 The Sword and the Trowel.</ref>[[The Waldensian Confession of Faith]] of 1120 A.D. is distinctively Baptist.<ref>[http://www.pbministries.org/History/Goodwin_&_Frazier/churches_02.htm ''Baptist Churches In All Ages'' by Paul Goodwin and Bob Frazier]</ref>  Few historians agree, and most scholars argue that Baptists originiated in England in the 17th century.

Baptists are generally considered to be Protestants. This normally means that they are "non-Catholic" Christians. When used in this sense, it is true. However, Protestant Churches are limited to Churches which separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the [[Protestant Reformation]], starting in 1517. Some Baptists (called Landmarkeans)  believe that Baptist history extends all the way back to the apostolic Church.<ref>[http://www.empirebaptistministries.org/church/articles/protestant.htm Jarrell's Baptist Perpetuity]</ref> [[Charles Haddon Spurgeon|C.H. Spurgeon]] told the story of Baptist minister, Peter of Bruys, who suffered martyrdom in 1124.<ref>[http://www.baptistbanner.net/baptist_history/baptist_history.html ''Baptists are Ancient''] by C.H. Spurgeon appeared in the August 1868 The Sword and the Trowel.</ref>[[The Waldensian Confession of Faith]] of 1120 A.D. is distinctively Baptist.<ref>[http://www.pbministries.org/History/Goodwin_&_Frazier/churches_02.htm ''Baptist Churches In All Ages'' by Paul Goodwin and Bob Frazier]</ref>  Few historians agree with this historical theory, and most scholars argue that the Baptists originiated in England during the 17th century.

 

===Europe===

===Europe===

European Baptist Federation (EBF) is a regional arm of the Baptist World Alliance.  EBF has more than 800,000 Baptist members in 51 unions or conventions from Portugal to Russia. In 2009 it sponsored "Amsterdam 400,"  celebratting 400 years of Basptist history in Europe.

European Baptist Federation (EBF) is a regional arm of the Baptist World Alliance.  EBF has more than 800,000 Baptist members in 51 unions or conventions from Portugal to Russia. In 2009 it sponsored "Amsterdam 400,"  celebratting 400 years of Basptist history in Europe.

* "This Little Light of Mine"

* "This Little Light of Mine"

The most common instrumentation is piano and organ, often placed on either side of the church at the front, so that each play may see the other and the choir director at the same time.  If the organ console is not facing the place where the choir director stands, then a mirror will be installed so that the organist can see.  Occasionally, for special events, other instruments will be brought in.  These are usually classical instruments like strings, woodwinds, or brass (especially trumpet).  Electric guitars, basses, and drum sets are rare.  Larger churches, like First Baptist Dallas, will regularly include a small symphony orchestra with the piano and organ, but smaller churches simply use the two [[Keyboard Instruments|keyboard instruments]].

The most common instrumentation is piano and organ, often placed on either side of the church at the front, so that each play may see the other and the choir director at the same time.  If the organ console is not facing the place where the choir director stands, then a mirror will be installed so that the organist can see.  Occasionally, for special events, other instruments will be brought in.  These are usually classical instruments like strings, woodwinds, or brass (especially trumpet).  Electric guitars, basses, and drum sets are rare.  Larger churches, like First Baptist Dallas, will regularly include a small symphony orchestra with the piano and organ, but smaller churches simply use the two [[Keyboard Instruments|keyboard instruments]].

==Controversies==

==Controversies==

When [[Harvard University|Harvard's]] first president Henry Dunster abandoned Puritanism in favor of the Baptist faith in 1653, he provoked a controversy that highlighted two distinct approaches to dealing with dissent in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The colony's Puritan leaders, whose own religion was born of dissent from mainstream Church of England, generally worked for reconciliation with members who questioned matters of Puritan theology but responded much more harshly to outright rejection of Puritanism. Dunster's conflict with the colony's magistrates began when he failed to have his infant son baptized, believing, as a newly converted Baptist, that only adults should be baptized. Efforts to restore Dunster to Puritan orthodoxy failed, and his apostasy proved untenable to colony leaders who had entrusted him, in his job as Harvard's president, to uphold the colony's religious mission. Thus, he represented a threat to the stability of society. Dunster exiled himself in 1654 and moved to nearby Plymouth Colony, where he died in 1658.<ref> Timothy L. Wood, "'I Spake the Truth in the Feare of God': the Puritan Management of Dissent During the Henry Dunster Controversy," ''Historical Journal of Massachusetts'' 2005 33(1): 1-19, </ref>

When [[Harvard University|Harvard's]] first president Henry Dunster abandoned Puritanism in favor of the Baptist faith in 1653, he provoked a controversy that highlighted two distinct approaches to dealing with dissent in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The colony's Puritan leaders, whose own religion was born of dissent from mainstream Church of England, generally worked for reconciliation with members who questioned matters of Puritan theology but responded much more harshly to outright rejection of Puritanism. Dunster's conflict with the colony's magistrates began when he failed to have his infant son baptized, believing, as a newly converted Baptist, that only adults should be baptized. Efforts to restore Dunster to Puritan orthodoxy failed, and his apostasy proved untenable to colony leaders who had entrusted him, in his job as Harvard's president, to uphold the colony's religious mission. Thus, he represented a threat to the stability of society. Dunster exiled himself in 1654 and moved to nearby Plymouth Colony, where he died in 1658.<ref> Timothy L. Wood, "'I Spake the Truth in the Feare of God': the Puritan Management of Dissent During the Henry Dunster Controversy," ''Historical Journal of Massachusetts'' 2005 33(1): 1-19, </ref>