Baptist Perpetuity Introduction
The Christian faith has a continuous line from our Lord Jesus Christ to our present day; and, it will continue throughout eternity. Counted among our brethren, though distinctive from the body known as the Church, are all the Old Testament saints from Adam and Eve to John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11), including the angels who kept their first estate (Revelation 22:8-9), the saints of Jacob's Trouble (Revelation 6:9-11; 7:9-15) and the sheep nations of the Millennial Reign (Matthew 25:32-40).
Regardless of early believers being called by regional names or the names of various leaders, they all held to the Scriptures, baptized their converts and resisted what would become the Roman Catholic Church. It seems strange to me, that so many non- Catholic writers of modern times scoff at the notion that these early followers of Christ were in any way Baptists.
Each man has his own personal motivation, whether to sympathize with Rome, who readily claims direct lineage to Peter as their first pope, or to promote the idea that all Baptists are Calvinists (thus necessitating a denial of any Baptist people prior to John Calvin), or to satisfy a resentment of Baptists being the only group not to come out of Rome, since they were never a part of Rome and, therefore, not Protestant.
We are called Baptists because we baptize. It was a slur, like the early believers being called Christian first at Antioch (Acts 11:16). We baptize because we are commanded to baptize (Matthew 28:19). We baptize to reflect what Christ has done within our hearts upon our receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ: what Scripture calls the baptism of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 12:13).
I recommend The Trail of Blood (1931), written by J. M. Carroll, as a guide for following the Christians down through the centuries. It is a history of Baptist churches from the time of Christ, the founder of our faith, to the present day.
Though some might add to the following list, which is not all-inclusive, these items are the basic, Biblical elements of our Baptist heritage.
1.) Teaching all nations... BIBLICAL AUTHORITY (The Gospel)
Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
To have an authoritative gospel, we must have an authoritative source:
A.) Our Lord
1.) He said the message of Moses was intact.
John 5:45-47 KJV
[45] Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. [46] For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. [47] But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
2.) He prophesied that the gospel would remain preserved.
John 17:20-21 KJV
[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
B.) His Word
1.) Preserved - Our source of authority
1 Peter 1:22-25 KJV
[22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. [24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
2.) Infallible - incapable of making mistakes
Matthew 26:56 KJV
[56] But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
God will move heaven and earth to make certain his Word is fulfilled. We can, and we must, trust the Scriptures!
3.) Inspired of God -
2 Peter 1:21 KJV
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Acts 10:34-43 KJV
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: [35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. [36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) [37] That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; [38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. [39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: [40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; [41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. [43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
The Gospel -- The word which God sent (v. 36)...that word...ye know (v. 37): how God anointed Jesus (v. 38). We are witnesses of all things which he did (v. 39)...whom they slew and hanged on a tree (v. 39). Him God raised up the third day and shewed him openly (v. 40)...even to us (v. 41). And he commanded us to preach unto the people that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead (v. 42). To him give all the prophets witness that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins (v. 43)
Acts 11:13-14 KJV
[13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; [14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.