original Christians

Et tu brute?

 

"We believe that the Baptists are the original Christians. We did not commence our existence at the reformation, we were reformers before Luther or Calvin were born; we never came from the church of Rome, for we were never in it, but we have an unbroken line up to the apostles themselves. We have always existed from the very days of Christ . . ." (C. H. S., Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 7, 1861, Pasadena, TX, Pilgrim Publ., p. 225).

 

Es yo . . .

 

During Spurgeon's time,both in England and America, Baptists overwhelmingly held to the idea of Baptist succession and perpetuity. Today, a minority of Baptists hold this view. Those who do not, not only reject it, but consider it heresy.

I'm one of those heretics. Any others out there?

 

You are a heretic?

What herecy do you believe?

 

Yea, you should read the Old Regular Baptist History.

 

Im out here too........it's a common belief in my circles.

 

Well, maybe heresy is too strong a word. I was using hyperbole to make the point that the idea of Baptist succession is not well-accepted among many modern Baptists, to the point of vehement opposition. It springs from their opposition to Landmarkism, which many do believe is heresy.

They can accept perpetuity--that is, that from the time of Christ to this day, true churches have existed, although not always known as Baptists.

But succession?--uh-uh.

Our forefathers who believed and taught this, you see, well they were just wrong.