Baptist Founders And Wesley

[TheoPoet4Camp]

:groupray: Hey all, I'm new here and based on a few threads wanted to clarify some of the early Baptists' positions similar to Wesley's. While everyone agrees, we have different views of Baptism mainly in our traditions' roots---it should be noted that there are 2 different strands of Baptist thought. While some Baptists were Calvinistic, a large majority such as John Smyth and Thomas Helwys were totally Arminian in character. In fact, Helwys explicitly said that: "...God's decree is not the cause of any man's sin or condemnation: and that all men are redeemed by Christ; as also that no infants are condemned." It should also be noted that the Calvinist strand of Baptist thought practiced and some still practice pedobaptism, whereas the Arminian strand due to the influence of the Anabaptists on Smyth and Helwys went the route of credobaptism. I hope that helps add to further discussion.

[GraceSeeker]

Thanks. Good to know.

[TheoPoet4Camp]

You're welcome! Also, Baptists and Methodists flowed from the Anglican church---albeit a century apart.

[cristianna]

Thanks TheoPoet for popping in and sharing! :wave:

[DeeBishop]

Not many people make that distinction, so it's good to hear. As a pastor, I try to use the term "Calvinist" rather than "Baptist" when distinguishing between our belief systems as I know there are some variations in belief. But I had never heard this particular thing. Thanks for sharing... :)