Chapter 3     Early Baptist Practices

Dr. McBeth concludes with an extended treatment of early Baptist customs and usages.

“Believer’s Baptism by Immersion. English Baptists recovered the practice of believer’s baptism in two steps. By 1608/09, the General Baptists insisted that baptism was for believers only, and by 1638 the Particular Baptists reached the same conclusion. At first, English Baptists baptized by sprinkling or pouring. Immersion came a few years later. Some of the General Baptists may have immersed as early as 1614, but if so it was not yet customary . . . . By 1640, there were at least two Particular Baptist churches, and both became convinced that baptism should be by immersion . . . . Immersion was a new practice, for their old records speak of ‘none having then so practiced it in England to professed Believers.’ . . . The First London Confession of Particular Baptists, adopted in 1644, says of baptism, ‘The way and manner of the dispensing of this Ordinance the Scripture holds out to be dipping or plunging the whole body under the water.’ The General Baptists were probably practicing immersion by 1650, but their first confession specifically calling for baptism by immersion only appeared in 1660.”

“The Baptist Name. Many people assume that Baptists got their name from John the Baptist. This is not the case. Like most religious groups, Baptists were named by their opponents. The name comes from the Baptist practice of immersion [baptizo in Greek].

“The first known reference to these believers in England as ‘Baptists’ was in 1644. They did not like the name and did not use it of themselves until years later. The early Baptists preferred to be called ‘Brethren’ or ‘Brethren of the Baptized Way .’ Sometimes they called themselves the ‘Baptized Churches.’ Early opponents of the Baptists often called them Anabaptists [re-baptizers] or other less complimentary names . . . .

“Perhaps the most startling practice of early English Baptists was their practice of total immersion for baptism after 1640. Crowds would often gather to witness a Baptist immersion service. Some ridiculed, as did Daniel Featley, describing the Baptists as people who ‘plung’d over head and eares.’ The nickname ‘Baptist’ was given to describe the people who practiced this strange form of baptism.”

“Baptist Worship. Baptist styles of worship have changed considerably since 1609 . . . . The earliest Baptist worship was lengthy and dealt primarily with Bible exposition. There was no singing, and Baptists put great value on spontaneity and audience participation.

“By the 1670s, some Baptist churches were singing both the Psalms and ‘man-made’ songs. This was quite controversial, and many churches split over the ‘singing controversy.’ Benjamin Keach, a London pastor, led his church to sing a hymn after the Lord’s Supper, and within a few years they were also singing during regular worship services. In 1691, Keach published the first Baptist hymnal, Spiritual Melody, a collection of over three hundred hymns.”

“Baptists Organized for Witness.  An observer today may find it hard to imagine Baptists before they were organized! However, the Baptist structure or denomination evolved gradually over a period of years to meet needs as they arose.

“The Association. The oldest form of organization, beyond the local church, was the association, and it remains a vital part of Baptist denominational structure today.

“From the first, Baptists entered into fellowship and common cause with other believers who shared their faith. As early as 1624 and again in 1630, several General Baptist churches in London acted together in discussing doctrine and in corresponding with other believers. Though they had no formal association, they showed a sense of cooperation and common identity.

“By 1650, the Baptist association was well established. The name and geographical concept probably were adaptations of a civil unit in England , much like a county. During the English Civil War (1642-45), much of the country was divided into ‘associations’ for political purposes. After the war Baptists continued to use this concept and name for their regional fellowship of churches.

“The associations were extremely important to early Baptists. They provided Christian fellowship, a forum for discussion of Baptist concerns, a means to propagate Baptist teachings, and an effective way to monitor and maintain correct Baptist doctrine among the churches. Associations also participated together in common causes, such as issuing confessions of faith and working for religious liberty.

“The General Assembly. Each branch of English Baptists called its national organization the General Assembly. Composed of representatives from the various churches and associations, these General Assemblies usually met in London . General Baptists were first to develop this national organization, with evidence of such a body by 1653. This would correspond roughly to a national convention to-day . . . .

“Baptists New and Old. The story of Baptist beginnings forms a paradox. On one hand, Baptists are deeply convinced that theirs is a Bible faith, rooted in the message of Jesus Christ and the apostles. To that extent, Baptists can be called a New Testament church.

“On the other hand, the historical evidence clearly states that Baptists originated, as a distinct denomination, in the early seventeenth century. How does one harmonize the sense of continuity from Bible times with the factual reality of more recent beginnings?

“Some have so emphasized the sense of continuity from Bible times that they find it difficult to face up to historical facts about Baptist origins. Some have even erected elaborate schemes, or ‘Trails of Blood,’ seeking to trace Baptists through all the centuries from Christ to the present. These theories are based upon assumptions, unreliable or nonexistent historical data, or faulty interpretation of Jesus’ promise that the gates of death should never prevail against his church. A Baptist today can have a real sense of identification with the teachings of Christ without trying to prove historical succession.

“Other Baptists, however, may so emphasize the recent origin of Baptists that they lose the sense of continuity in faith and practice from Jesus himself. The earliest Baptists recovered and proclaimed anew the old faith that has come down the centuries from the Lord and his apostles. The Baptist denomination dates from the seventeenth century; the Baptist faith, we believe, dates from the first century.

“Conclusion. Baptists originated in England in a time of intense religious reform. They sought to recover and proclaim the faith of the New Testament as first given by Jesus and his apostles. Since then they have spread their teachings and churches in many lands and many cultures. They have never wavered from that original desire to hold and proclaim the simple faith of the New Testament church.”  

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