: Early Baptists divided into two theological streams:
: Proponents argue that Baptist-like churches have existed continuously since the time of Christ, often identifying groups like the Anabaptists, Waldensians, and Lollards as their spiritual ancestors. baptist history
: Emerged in the 1630s with a Calvinist perspective, believing Christ died only for the elect ("particular" atonement). : Early Baptists divided into two theological streams:
: Followed Arminian theology, believing Christ died for all people ("general" atonement). : Most modern scholars view this as a
: Most modern scholars view this as a theological rather than a strictly historical claim, noting that many of these early groups held diverse beliefs that do not perfectly align with modern Baptist doctrine. Growth in the New World
: In 1609, John Smyth , an English Separatist in Amsterdam, became convinced that infant baptism was unscriptural. He baptized himself and then his followers, forming the first identifiable Baptist congregation.
Baptists became a major force in American religious life through their focus on religious liberty and evangelism. Why Am I A Southern Baptist? - For the Church