Baptist News Global

Historians debate reasons for rise of Landmarkism in 19th century

WACO, Texas (ABP) — All Landmark Baptists believe in church succession, at least to some degree, but not every Baptist holding that position is — or was — a Landmarker, according to Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical…

Baptist influence on history of U.S., world a mixed bag, historians say

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists’ signal contribution to American and world history and political thought, historians almost unanimously agree, is their uncompromising emphasis on religious freedom. But, they hasten to add, the doctrine of soul freedom that grounds Baptists’ belief in…

Baptists celebrate past with an eye to the future

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — In 400 years, the Baptist movement has grown to 200,000 churches with more than 50 million members in countries around the world. But even though Baptists globally continue to show statistical growth, the largest Baptist group…

Who founded the Baptist movement– John Smyth or John the Baptist?

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Baptists who celebrate the 400th birthday of their denomination in 2009 miss the mark by about 1600 years, some Baptists insist. Since Jesus founded his church during his earthly ministry and promised “the gates of…

Historians trace beginning of Baptist movement back 400 years

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Some Christians before 1609 held what many refer to as distinctively Baptist beliefs. Baptists in 1609 practiced believer’s baptism, but they didn’t immerse. Even so, most church historians agree Baptists emerged as a distinct movement 400…

Scholars disagree on Anabaptist, Baptist connection

DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — While much writing about Baptist history in the 20th century focused on what distinguishes Baptists from other Christians, a group of contemporary scholars believes the Baptist movement now needs to reconnect to its ecumenical roots. Most…

Baptist history a continuing search for the New Testament church

WACO, Texas (ABP) — Some Baptists stress evangelism, and others emphasize the social gospel. Some believe Christ died for all people; others say Christ died only for the elect whom God predestined to salvation. Historically, some defended slavery; others championed…

CBF ministry provides refuge for Miami teens

MIAMI (ABP) — When the other youth are leaving Touching Miami with Love’s ministry center, Kevin often lingers to talk with Christy Craddock, one of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s field personnel serving at this CBF-supported urban ministry. Over several months they’ve…

CBF worker’s ministry provides refuge for teens in tough Miami neighborhood

Christy Craddock, left, is one of CBF’s field personnel serving in Miami, where she ministers to youth growing up in a neighborhood filled with challenges such as drugs, crime and violence. (PHOTO/CBF Commnunications)MIAMI (ABP) — When the other youth are leaving…

‘Don’t muzzle yourself in advance,’ trio of religion experts advises

People are dying in Africa, but the world doesn’t notice

Is this a Bonhoeffer Moment?

Trump’s dangerous closing message to his white Christian followers