Denomination (Baptist)

Who are the Baptists?

Possibly holding onto the oldest of traditions, the Baptists trace themselves all the way back to the Puritans. They held the teachings of the Apostles.

No Hierarchy

Repentance and confession of sin

Baptism by immersion as a outward expression

Church was independently governed by local church leaders

The original church was simply called the “catholic” church. Do not get this confused with the “Roman Catholic Church” of today. The word “catholic” merely means “the universal church”.

In 249 A.D, Emperor Decius required all inhabitants to sacrifice to gods (supplicatio). Christians who refused this practice, were subject to torture. Before this Christian persecution was more locally orientated. This allowed it all across the Roman Empire.

During this time period, the leaders of the church of Rome began to practice “hierarchy”. This branching is where we get the what we call today, the “Puritans”, “Roman Catholics” and the “Orthodox Church”. The Puritans did not adhere to this “growing authority” presented by the RCC.

Like the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles, Puritans held to the practice of “baptism through profession”. In 325 A.D the Council of Nicea took place. The Emperor Constantine at the time, attempted to use his position to get the church to settle on one belief. This brought out the “Nicene Creed”. While the attempt was in good spirits, it ultimately did not unite the church.