Gospel Standard Strict Baptists

The Gospel Standard Strict Baptists, sometimes called Gospel Standard Baptists, or Gadsbyites, are a group of Strict Baptists who originated in the 19th century from their association with the Gospel Standard magazine. As of July 2023, there were seventy-nine chapels located in the United Kingdom, three in the United States, two in Canada, and two in Australia.

History

The Particular Baptists

The Particular Baptists emerged in 17th-century England as part of the larger Puritan movement, distinguishing themselves from General Baptists by their adherence to Calvinism, particularly the belief in particular redemption (that Christ died only for the elect). They formed as a distinct group in the 1630s and 1640s when congregations, influenced by Calvinism, began practicing believer’s baptism by immersion.

Particular Baptists were heavily influenced by Reformed theology and the separatist principles of the Puritans, emphasizing a gathered church of professing believers rather than a state church. They faced persecution under the English monarchy, especially before the English Civil War, but gained some freedom during the Commonwealth period. In 1644, they formalized their beliefs in what came to be known as the First London Baptist Confession of Faith, which laid out their distinct doctrines and defended them against charges of Anabaptism. They later adopted another confession of faith that was published in 1689, based on the Westminster Confession and Savoy Declaration. This confession came to be known as the Second London Baptist Confession.

Controversies

The Gospel Standard Baptists emerged from a series of controversies within the Particular Baptist tradition in 19th-century England. The roots of these controversies trace back to earlier debates among English Baptists over the extent of the Atonement and the participants of the Lord's Supper.

High Calvinism & Hyper-Calvinism

In the 18th century, many Particular Baptists moved toward a "High" Calvinism and, in some cases, Hyper-Calvinism. High Calvinism within this context stressed the doctrines of sovereign grace, salvation as an eternal and immanent act of God, monergistic regeneration and conversion, doctrinal antinomianism, and a denial of the free offer of the Gospel or Duty-Faith. This view often results in a cautious approach to evangelism, as High Calvinists may be reluctant to extend general gospel invitations, concerned that doing so might imply that anyone can choose to be saved. Hyper-Calvinism took this further by asserting that "evangelism was not necessary and [placed] much emphasis on introspection in order to discover whether or not one was elect". Hyper-Calvinists argued that gospel invitations should be extended only to those who showed signs of being among the elect. This stance arose partly as a reaction to the Arminian influence within broader Protestantism, which emphasized human responsibility in salvation.

The shift to Hyper-Calvinism led to a perceived decline in evangelistic efforts among some Particular Baptists, creating divisions among them. This theological stance caused some churches to distance themselves from revivalism and missionary societies. By the 19th century, figures like Andrew Fuller advocated for a more moderate Calvinism, arguing that gospel preaching should include a universal call to faith. This tension eventually led to opposition of Fullerism among the Strict Baptists, who advocated for a High Calvinism over and against the moderate Calvinism of Andrew Fuller.

Strict Communion

The controversy over Closed and Open Communion among Particular Baptists primarily centered on differing views about who could participate in the Lord's Supper. Proponents of Closed Communion argued that only baptized believers who were members of their own church or like-minded congregations should be allowed to partake. In contrast, adherents of Open Communion allowed any professing Christian, regardless of baptism status or church membership, to participate in the Lord's Supper.

The debate became particularly intense in the 18th century, as some Particular Baptists argued that Open Communion compromised Baptist ecclesiology and undermined doctrinal purity. Meanwhile, other Particular Baptists advocated for Open Communion, seeing it as an expression of Christian unity. This controversy contributed to splits within Particular Baptist circles, leading those who strongly upheld Closed Communion as part of their distinct identity to call themselves Strict & Particular Baptists or just "Strict Baptists". The term "Strict" refers to Restricted Communion, a term synonymous with Closed Communion.

The Gospel Standard

William Gadsby, a significant figure in the Strict Baptist tradition, along with his contemporaries John Warburton and John Kershaw, became known for developing a High Calvinist theology, emphasizing their denial of the Free Offer of the Gospel and Duty-Faith. These doctrinal convictions led to the establishment of the Gospel Standard magazine in 1835 by his son, John Gadsby, which aimed to propagate these convictions.

Through the Gospel Standard, Gadsby and his associates articulated positions that were controversial even within the Strict Baptist community. They rejected Duty-Faith, the belief that all people are obligated to believe in Christ, insisting instead that faith is a gift given only to the elect. This stance became a divisive issue, as some Particular Baptists felt it bordered on Hyper-Calvinism and discouraged gospel preaching to non-believers. Nevertheless, Gadsby’s views gained traction among Strict Baptist congregations who were wary of evangelical revivalism and sought a clearer distinction from more mainstream Baptists.

This tension eventually led to a formal split, as churches aligned with Gadsby’s Gospel Standard positions formally separated themselves from other Strict Baptist congregations. In 1872, the Gospel Standard Articles of Faith consisting of 31 articles was published. Articles 32-35 were added in April 1879 to make the current Gospel Standard Articles of Faith.

The Gospel Standard Trust

The Gospel Standard Baptists continued to operate somewhat autonomously until 1967, when the Gospel Standard Trust was established to provide legal, financial, and logistical support for the churches and the publication. The Trust helped formalize and sustain the infrastructure necessary for these congregations and safeguarded their commitment to the original principles articulated by Gadsby and his peers. The Trust also oversees the continuing publication of the Gospel Standard magazine, which remains central to the identity and doctrinal unity of these churches.

Gospel Standard Baptists Today

Today, the Gospel Standard Baptists are a small, distinct group primarily found in England, with some congregations in the United States and other countries. As of July 2023, there were seventy-nine chapels located in the United Kingdom, three in the United States, two in Canada, and two in Australia. They remain dedicated to the strict Calvinistic theology and practices codified in the Gospel Standard Articles of Faith. The Gospel Standard Trust continues to ensure the preservation of the Gospel Standard heritage, managing assets for the churches, supporting ministers, and publishing the Gospel Standard magazine.

Doctrine

The Gospel Standard Baptists are generally aligned with the Second London Baptist Confession (1689) and the Gospel Standard Articles of Faith.

See also

• Gospel Standard
• Gospel Standard Articles of Faith
• Primitive Baptist
• Particular Baptist
• Strict Baptists

Prominent People

• William Gadsby (1773–1844)
• John Warburton (1776–1857)
• Joseph Irons (1785–1852)
• John Kershaw (1792–1870)
• John Foreman (1792–1872)
• J.C. Philpot (1802–1869)
• James Popham (1847–1937)
• Frank Gosden (1890–1980)
• Benjamin Ramsbottom(1929–2023)

Further Reading

Primary Sources

• Gadsby, J. (1851). The Works of the Late William Gadsby, Vol. 1, Vol. 2. Accessed 11/02/2024.
• Gadsby. William (1838). A Selection of Hymns For Public Worship. Accessed 11/02/2024.

Secondary Sources

• Dix, Kenneth (2001). Strict and Particular: English Strict and Particular Baptists in the Nineteenth Century. ISBN: 978-0903166317
• Garrett, Jr., James Leo (2009). Baptist Theology: A Four-Century Study. Mercer University Press. pgs. 198–200. ISBN 978-0-88146-129-9
• Gosden, J.H. (1993). What Gospel Standard Baptists Believe. ISBN 978-0951079614.
• Ramsbottom, B.A. (1985) The History of The Gospel Standard Magazine 1835-2010. ISBN 978-0951079607
• Shaw, Ian J. (2002). High Calvinists in Action. ISBN 978-0199250776

External Links

• Official Website
• True Gospel Resources