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Post by davidswife on Dec 29, 2006 16:07:05 GMT -5
Can anyone please explain to me what Philadelphia Baptists are?
Also, can you please explain to me the difference between Baptist and "Christian" as a denomination for my dh?
Thanks, Denise
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Post by Brother Ben on Dec 29, 2006 21:18:58 GMT -5
The phrase, Philidelphia Baptist, is a reference to the Baptists that assembled in Philadelphia in September of 1742 to set forth a confession of faith for unity in the churches. There were no conventions as we know them now, back then.
Christian is the name of the catagory of all saved people of Christendom. Within the "Christian Faith" there are differences in interpretation on various issues. Throughout church history, these differences caused men to gravitate toward others who shared like convictions. Over time, groups, known as denominations, fellowships, and conferences developed representing those who help like faith.
God has used many good men thoughout church history to start movements that were often at first, very pure in their goals. Here are some examples:
Martin Luther - The Lutherns John Wesley - The Methodists Benjamin Randall - The Freewill Baptists John Knox - The Presbyterians
Baptists, however, cover a large group of believers and was not started by any certain man. When the early churches insisted that infant baptism was error and that only those capable of making a consciencious decision for Christ were qualified for baptism, they came under the scrutiny of the church of Rome and were refered to as rebaptizers, because they rejected the first (infant) baptism. This phrase (rebaptizer) in Latin is anabaptist. The indendent, bible preaching, convert baptizing brethren in this catagory have been know by many other names throughout church history. Some were called Waldenseans, Paulacians, Bogamils, Donatists, Mennonites, Moravians, etc.
Baptist (or anabaptist) is the only group that does not ultimately find its roots in the Catholic church.
I hope this was helpful.
Bro. Ben
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