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Gospel Standard Strict Baptists: Difference between revisions
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=== The Particular Baptists === | === The Particular Baptists === | ||
The [[Particular Baptists]] emerged in 17th-century England as part of the larger [[Puritanism|Puritan]] movement, distinguishing themselves from [[General Baptists]] by their adherence to [[Calvinism]], particularly the belief in [[Limited Atonement|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 [[Credobaptism|believer’s baptism by immersion]]. | The [[Particular Baptist|Particular Baptists]] emerged in 17th-century England as part of the larger [[Puritanism|Puritan]] movement, distinguishing themselves from [[General Baptists]] by their adherence to [[Calvinism]], particularly the belief in [[Limited Atonement|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 [[Credobaptism|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 (1647)|Westminster Confession]] and [[Savoy Declaration (1658)|Savoy Declaration]]. This confession came to be known as the [[Second London Baptist Confession (1689)|Second London Baptist Confession]]. | 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 (1647)|Westminster Confession]] and [[Savoy Declaration (1658)|Savoy Declaration]]. This confession came to be known as the [[Second London Baptist Confession (1689)|Second London Baptist Confession]]. | ||
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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 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 [[Congregationalist polity|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 Baptists|Strict & Particular Baptists]] or just "[[Strict Baptists]]". The term "Strict" refers to Restricted Communion, a term synonymous with Closed Communion. | The debate became particularly intense in the 18th century, as some Particular Baptists argued that Open Communion compromised [[Congregationalist polity|Baptist ecclesiology]] and undermined doctrinal purity. Meanwhile, other [[Particular Baptist|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 Baptists|Strict & Particular Baptists]] or just "[[Strict Baptists]]". The term "Strict" refers to Restricted Communion, a term synonymous with Closed Communion. | ||
=== The Gospel Standard === | === 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. | [[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. | 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 Baptist|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|''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|''Gospel Standard'' Articles of Faith]].<ref>Matrunola, K.F.T. et al. (2011). ''[https://www.gospelstandard.org.uk/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=2c8aa701-379b-4e3b-b9df-9dea82a0fe94&chset=b8533568-1430-4756-b64e-205e84399952 Articles of Faith: Why and where from?]''. pg. 14</ref> | 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|''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|''Gospel Standard'' Articles of Faith]].<ref>Matrunola, K.F.T. et al. (2011). ''[https://www.gospelstandard.org.uk/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=2c8aa701-379b-4e3b-b9df-9dea82a0fe94&chset=b8533568-1430-4756-b64e-205e84399952 Articles of Faith: Why and where from?]''. pg. 14. Accessed 11/02/2024.</ref> | ||
=== The Gospel Standard Trust === | === The Gospel Standard Trust === | ||
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* [[Gospel Standard]] | * [[Gospel Standard]] | ||
* [[Gospel Standard Articles of Faith]] | |||
* [[Primitive Baptists|Primitive Baptist]] | |||
* [[Particular Baptist]] | |||
* [[Strict Baptists]] | * [[Strict Baptists]] | ||
