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'''Free Will Baptist''' is the name of several [[Baptist]] denominations, mainly located in [[Tennessee]] and [[North Carolina]], which differ from traditional Baptist doctrine and practice in two main areas:

'''Free Will Baptist''' is the name of several [[Baptist]] denominations, mainly located in [[Tennessee]] and [[North Carolina]], which differ from traditional Baptist doctrine and practice in two main areas:

*The main area of difference is their strong holding to [[Arminian]] doctrine (thus the name "Free Will") and their rejection of the doctrine of [[Eternal security]].

*The main area of difference is their strong holding to [[Arminian]] doctrine (thus the name "Free Will") and their rejection of the doctrine of [[Eternal security (salvation)|eternal security]].

*A secondary, though notable, difference is their practice of foot washing as a third ordinance (along with baptism and the Lord's Supper).

*A secondary, though notable, difference is their practice of foot washing as a third ordinance (along with baptism and the Lord's Supper).

Originating from the General Baptist movement in England, the American development of Free Will Baptists came about through two different groups: the "Randall" line (originating in New England through the work of Benjamin Randall) and the southern "Palmer" line (originating in North Carolina through the work of Paul Palmer).  The Randall line was the much stronger of the two (ironic given the denomination's current strength in what was Palmer's area). In 1935 representatives of the lines met to create the '''National Association of Free Will Baptists''', which is the largest Free Will Baptist group.  A split in 1961 would see nearly all of the North Carolina congregations create their own group, the '''Original Free Will Baptist Convention'''.  Other minor groups exist, including two which are predominantly comprised of black congregations and a handful of congregations which are not affiliated with any national group.

Originating from the General Baptist movement in England, the American development of Free Will Baptists came about through two different groups: the "Randall" line (originating in New England through the work of Benjamin Randall) and the southern "Palmer" line (originating in North Carolina through the work of Paul Palmer).  The Randall line was the much stronger of the two (ironic given the denomination's current strength in what was Palmer's area).

 

In 1935 representatives of the lines met to create the '''[[National Association of Free Will Baptists]]''', which is the largest Free Will Baptist group.  A split in 1961 would see nearly all of the North Carolina congregations create their own group, the '''[[Original Free Will Baptist Convention]]'''.  Two black Free Will Baptist denominations exist: the '''[[United American Free Will Baptist Church]]''' (organized in 1901) and the '''[[United American Free Will Baptist Conference]]''' which split from the former in 1968.

 

Other minor groups exist, along with a handful of congregations which are not affiliated with any national group.