Baptist History and Info

[Armchair Apologist]

Not long after I was saved, the Trail of Blood was recommended to me, and I
recall reading how those early Christians were horribly treated when they denied
the teachings of Catholic church.

There were many independent church groups, usually known by association to
their pastors name. Were they all Baptists? Can't say, but they took a firm stand
on what they believed, and suffered terribly for it.

Do a deep dive and see what these groups actually believed and then ask whether you would want to call them your fellow "Baptists?"

Certian groups such as the Waldensians and Lollards may be regarded as "Proto-Reformers" emerging from the Church of Rome prior to the actual reformation (1517 and onward).

As I have said before, I am quite content with the historic baptist position tracing back to the congregationalists, nonconformists, and the free-church movement. One of the big Baptist distinctives is the "Separation of Church and State" meaning that they recognize no "State Church" be it Baptist or otherwise.

 

[Ben1445]

One of the big Baptist distinctives is the "Separation of Church and State" meaning that they recognize no "State Church" be it Baptist or otherwise.

I’m not one way or the other here but if separation of church and state is a big baptist distinctive, there were grounds for distinction as early as Constantine.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

I’m not one way or the other here but if separation of church and state is a big baptist distinctive, there were grounds for distinction as early as Constantine.

I'm sure there were a good number of folks who pushed back during Constantine's time. Prior to this, it was quite fashionable to lay down your life and die as a martyr but not that Christianity was "Cool" and accepted by the "Establishment," people had to find other ways to "Suffer" for their faith and prove their piety so this is where monasticism came into fashion.

During the Reformation, it was of necessity that a Church or religious movement had the backing and support of their respective governments. If it were not for Fredrick the Wise, Martin Luther would most certainly have suffered the same fate as Jan Hus and others who were martyred. I believe the best possible government to have is a secular, civil magistrate that is respectful of religious freedom and liberty of its citizens. It took a long time to get us to this place and such should never be taken for granted.

 

[Ben1445]

I believe the best possible government to have is a secular, civil magistrate that is respectful of religious freedom and liberty of its citizens. It took a long time to get us to this place and such should never be taken for granted.

Particularly when we are electing leaders with religious practices that don’t value the freedom and liberty of its citizens, especially religious freedom.