Baptist History

The Baptist denomination is one of the oldest churches in the world. The denomination started in the early sixteen hundreds and now has branches all over the world. In this blog we will be looking at some important date to remember in the history of the Baptist church. We will also discuss key people who played important part in bringing the denomination into existence.

Anabaptist movement (1525 – 1527)

This is the period of the Anabaptist movement. Anabaptism is about rebaptism. Anabaptist is a Greek word that means “re-baptister” simply “the one who baptizes again”. The word was used in English from the 1530s. This movement started on 21st January 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland. During this period the leaders and people of the movement were advocating for re-baptism of the congregation in the then church. They believed baptism should be by immersion and only believers can be baptized. The key leaders in this movement are Huldrych Zwingli, Felix Mantz – (Baptism of some believers took place in his house in Zurich, Switzerland), Conrad Grebel and Georg Blaurock (Former Catholic priest). The Anabaptists were heavily persecuted by the state churches both Magisterial Protestants and the Roman Catholics. The movements died out around 1527 and 1529 because many of the leaders and people who held and advocated for re-baptism and baptism by immersion were drown and killed.

Felix Mantz was drown on 5th January 1527
Conrad Grebel was imprisoned and died in 1526
Georg Blaurock was burnt in 1529

By 1535 the Anabaptist movement was nonexistent in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1528 the movement was forbidden in both ecclesiastical and civil law. The penalty for forming or belonging to such movement was death. However some of the followers of the movement spread to neighboring cities.

Key Position of the Movement

1. Sola Scriptura: The Anabaptist movement insisted on biblical authority. That is the word of God must be the only material that should be used in matters of church polity, practice and worship.
2. Separation of Church and State
3. Freedom of Conscience
4. Believers Baptism: The Anabaptist opposed the practice of infant baptism because a infant can’t make their own decision.
5. Holiness of Life: the founding fathers of the Anabaptist movement placed much emphasis on spiritual experience, practical righteousness and obedience. They believe faith without works is dead (James 2:20). They opposed the idea that a person can be only justified by faith alone and can live in ungodliness.

Baptist as a Denomination (1609)

The first Baptist Church in the world was planted in 1609 in Amsterdam, Holland (Netherland) under the leadership of John Smythe (Se-Baptist). He baptized himself by immersion and thirty-seven other believers by immersion to form the first Baptist church in the world. It was in this year that the first meeting of members was held.

Baptist Church in England (1611)

The first Baptist congregation on English soil was established in 1611, Spitalfields outside the city of London. Between 1640 and 1641 the practice of baptism by immersion was introduced in the English Baptist Churches. This introduction was led by Richard Blunt and Samuel Blackelocke. Richard Blunt baptized himself; he and Samuel Blackelocke baptized fifty-three people by immersion on the profession of their faith.

Baptist Church in America (1639)

The first Baptist church in America was formed in 1639 in the Providence, Rhode Island. The key leader of the church was Roger Williams and twelve other members. This group emphasized on the separation between the church and the state and the freedom of conscience.

Baptist Church in France (1820)

The first Baptist Church in Nomain France was formed on 1820.

First Danish Baptist Church (1839)

The first Baptist church in Danish was form on 1839 in Copenhagen. The key leaders of this church were Johann Oncken and Julius Kobner. They baptized eleven other people to form the first Baptist church.

Baptist Church in Africa (1850)

The first Baptist church in Africa was established in Nigeria in 1850 led by Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen from the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen first made a stop in the Gold Coast (Ghana) but met Rev. Thomas B. Freeman who had started Methodist work in the country. So he continued to Nigeria to start his missionary work, leading to the planting of the first Baptist church on Africa soil (Nigeria).

Baptist work in Ghana (1904 – 1935)

The first known Baptist church in Ghana was believed to have been started by Rev. Mark C. Hayford. He was ordained in Nigeria around 1898. He returned to Cape Coast his hometown to start Baptist work. In 1904 he was able to complete his first church building in Cape Coast. Apart from Cape Coast his headquarters, Rev. Mark C. Hayford established church in Accra, Elmina, Saltpond, Axim, Tarkwa, Obuasi and Kumasi. He extended his work outside the Gold Coast to the Ivory Coast. It is believed that Rev. Mark C. Hayford was able to plant over forty-five churches in the Gold Coast by 1926. Rev. Mark C. Hayford died in 1935, after his death the churches he had established begun to die out.

Baptist work in Ghana (1935 – 1992)

1935 – Formation of Yoruba Baptist Association in the Gold Coast (Ghana): The Ghana Baptist Convention traces her root to the Nigeria Baptist Convention. Due to trade many Yoruba people travelled to the Gold Coast to trade with the people of the Gold Coast. As time goes on many Yoruba who were Baptist started meeting in their homes, garages or shelters. As the numbers grow the Yoruba Baptist Association under the Nigeria Baptist Convention was formed in 1935.

1947 – Changed Yoruba Baptist Association to Gold Coast Baptist Conference: The church under the Yoruba Baptist Association was not attractive to the local indigenes because of language barrier. The churches used the Yoruba language at service. With the advice from Rev. Homer R. Littleton and Rev. J. A. Idowu, the name Yoruba Baptist Association was changed to Gold Coast Baptist Conference.

In 1952 the first indigenous Baptist Church was established in Boamang. The key leaders are Rev. Littleton and Mr. J. Y. Tandoh. The Church was organized in 1956.

In 1957 the name Gold Coast Baptist Conference was changed to Ghana Baptist Conference. This change was because the Gold Coast had gained her independence from the British and as such the name of the country has changed to Ghana.

1963 and 1964 – In 1963 the Ghana Baptist Conference gained her independence from the Nigeria Baptist Convention. However, the name Ghana Baptist Conference was officially changed to Ghana Baptist Convention in 1964.

1969 – Implementation of Aliens Compliance Order: this order requires all foreigners in the country without resident permit to return to their native countries. This affected the membership of the Church. Before its implementation many of the leaders of the convention were Yorubas. The first Ghanaian to take up leadership position in the Convention was Rev. J. A. Boadi (1967-1969).

1986 – Was the split between the Ghana Baptist Mission and the Ghana Baptist Convention. The Missions were made-up of only the missionary whiles the convention was made-up of both the locals and the missionaries.

1989 – Setting up of the reconciliation Committee

1992 – Reconciliation: by the grace of God the Ghana Baptist Missions and the Ghana Baptist Convention was able to come together. New leaders were elected; they are Rev. Fred Deegde as the President and Rev. Frank Adams as the General Secretary. The Ghana Baptist Convention has grown from that time on. The Convention has many vibrant churches throughout the country.

Conclusion

From a humble beginning in Amsterdam, Holland, the Baptist denomination has been growing in terms of branches, congregation and the power of the Holy Spirit. The denomination can boast of many branches. We invite you to join this great family. Thank you. SHALOM.

Diana Efua Duodu aka Dnash

God bless you

Date: 2024-09-20 18:59:55

Daniel

Thanks rev for give us this history. God bless you sir

Date: 2024-06-13 21:52:47

James Otoo

Great Job. I have being looking for this. Thanks man

Date: 2024-05-04 01:31:29