Part of a series on Southern Baptists

Background Christianity Protestantism Anabaptists General Baptists Particular Baptists Landmarkism The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a United States-based cooperative ministry agency serving Baptist churches around the world. ... logo of the southern baptist convention This work is copyrighted. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life, death, resurrection, and teachings as presented in the New Testament. ... Protestantism is one of three main groups currently within Christianity. ... Anabaptists (re-baptizers, from Greek ana and baptizo; in German: Wiedertäufer) are Christians of the so-called radical wing of the Protestant Reformation. ... Baptists were first identified by the name General Baptists in 17th century England. ... The name Reformed Baptist does not refer to a distinct denomination but instead is a description of the churchs theological leaning. ... Landmarkism is a ecclesiological viewpoint held by some Baptists concerning the origin and nature of the church. ...

Baptist theology London Confession, 1689 New Hampshire Confession, 1833 Baptist Faith & Message The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith was written by Calvinistic Baptists in England to give a formal expression of the Reformed and Protestant Christian faith with an obvious Baptist perspective. ... In 1833, Baptists in the United States agreed upon a confession of faith around which they could organize a missionary society under the Triennial Convention. ... The Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) is a Southern Baptist Convention confession of faith. ...

Doctrinal distinctives Biblical inerrancy Autonomy of the local church Priesthood of believers Two ordinances Individual soul liberty Separation of church and state Two offices Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position [1] that in its original form, the Bible is without error; referring to the complete accuracy of Scripture, including the historical and scientific parts. ... Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation indepedently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... The priesthood of all believers is a Protestant doctrine founded on the First Epistle of Peter, 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into... Baptist ordinances, the term for the sacraments within Baptist theology, are the Lords Supper and Believers baptism. ... Soul competency is a Christian theological perspective on the accountability of each person before God. ... Baptists only recognize two Scriptural offices, those of pastor-teacher and deacon. ...

People John Smyth John Spilsbury Charles Spurgeon Lottie Moon W.A. Criswell Billy Graham Adrian Rogers Paige Patterson Albert Mohler John Smyth (1570 - c. ... John Spilsbury was an English Baptist minister who led the Particular Baptists during the Eighteenth Century. ... Charles Spurgeon Charles Haddon Spurgeon, commonly C.H. Spurgeon, (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was Englands best-known and most-loved preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. ... Lottie Moon Lottie Moon (1840-1912) was a missionary to China who spent 40 years helping the Chinese - weighing only 50 lbs at her death having given away all she had to aid the starving Chinese. ... W.A. Criswell,Ph. ... Billy Graham, April 1966 Rev. ... Adrian Rogers Adrian Rogers,Th. ... Paige Patterson is a Southern Baptist theologian who served as the eighth president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. ... R. Albert Mohler, Jr. ...

Related organizations Cooperative Program North American Mission Board International Mission Board LifeWay Christian Resources Women's Missionary Union Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Baptist Press Cooperative education is a structured method of combining academic education with practical work experience. ... The North American Mission Board (NAMB) was founded in 1997 out of the roots of the Home Mission Board. ... The International Mission Board (or IMB) is a missionary sending agency affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention which opperates in virtually every nation except the United States and Canada (these nations are serviced by the SBCs North American Mission Board). ... LifeWays headquarters, One LifeWay Plaza, are located in Nashville, Tennessee. ... Womens Missionary Union is an auxiliary of the Southern Baptist Convention that was founded in 1888. ... The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is the political advocacy agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. ... Baptist Press (BP) is a religious news service based at the headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. ...

Seminaries Golden Gate Midwestern New Orleans Southeastern Southern Southwestern Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is one of six official seminaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) is a seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention. ... The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is located in Louisville, Kentucky and is the flagship seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention, or SBC. Southern Seminary or SBTS is the oldest of the seminaries in the SBC and was founded in Greenville, South Carolina in 1859 by James Petigru Boyce who served... Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is a private, non-profit institution of higher education, associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, whose stated mission is to provide theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. ... This box: view • talk • edit

Separation of church and state is one of the primary theological distinctions of the Baptist tradition.

History

Originally, Baptists supported separation of church and state in England and America. Some important Baptist figures in the struggle were John Smyth, Thomas Helwys, Edward Wightman, Leonard Busher, Roger Williams (who was a Baptist for a short period but became a seeker), John Clarke, Isaac Backus, and John Leland. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... // America usually means either: The Americas, the lands and regions of the Western hemisphere, usually divided into North America and South America The United States of America America, Netherlands América, Buenos Aires in Argentina America (band), a rock and roll band America Pavilion at Epcot in the Walt Disney... John Smyth (1570 - c. ... Thomas Helwys, born c. ... Edward Wightman (December 20, 1566 - April 11, 1612), a Baptist, was the last person to be executed for heresy in England by burning at the stake. ... Roger Williams (December 21, 1603–April 1, 1684) was an English theologian, a notable proponent of the separation of Church and State, an advocate for fair dealings with Native Americans, founder of the City of Providence, Rhode Island and co-founder of the colony of Rhode Island. ... For the physicist (winner of 2004 Hughes Medal) see John Clarke (physicist) John Clarke (1609–1676) was a medical doctor, Baptist minister, co-founder of the colony of Rhode Island, and a leading advocate of religious freedom in the Americas. ... Thomas Jefferson I know, and Roger Williams I have heard of, but who is Isaac Backus? Thus might the secular spirit of our age answer to the invocation of this name in the conflict over religious liberty. ... John Leland (September 13, 1502–April 18, 1552) was an English antiquary. ...

In modern day United Kingdom, of the four constituent countries, only England still has a state faith. The Church of England, is officially endorsed by the state. Although an established church, it does not receive any direct government support. The British monarch (at present, Elizabeth II), has the constitutional title of "Supreme Governor of the Church of England." Nations with state religions:  Roman Catholic Church  Protestantism  Orthodox Christianity  Islam  Sunni Islam  Shia Islam  Buddhism A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... In English history, the Established Church is the Church of England, the church which is established by the Government, supported by it, and of which the monarch is the titular head; until 1920 it also held the same position in Wales. ... Elizabeth II in an official portrait as Queen of Canada (on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, wearing the Sovereigns badges of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) (born 21 April 1926), styled HM The... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

In modern day America, There are a vocal minority of Babtist who believe the United States was formed as a christian nation by the founding fathers and only christian politicians and judges should be allowed to take office. They see the current goverment supporting the religion of atheism. They also believe in compulsory organized christian prayer and Bible reading in the public schools during regular school hours. Many Baptists, especially members who are also Freemasons, still strongly support the separation of church and state although, believe there should be more freedom in society and goverment to express personal religious beliefs, even if non-Christian. In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Founding Fathers are persons instrumental in the establishment of an institution, usually a political institution, especially those connected to the origination of its ideals. ... Judges may refer to the Book of Judges in the Bible more than one judge. ... The 18th-century French author Baron dHolbach was one of the first self-described atheists; he did not believe in the existence of any deities. ... Mary Magdalene in prayer. ... American Square & Compasses Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organization. ... Human relationships within an ethnically diverse society. ... Belief is assent to a proposition. ...

English Baptists

In 1612 John Smyth wrote, "the magistrate is not by virtue of his office to meddle with religion, or matters of conscience". That same year, Thomas Helwys wrote that the King of England could "command what of man he will, and wee are to obey it," but concerning the church -- "with this Kingdom, our lord the King hath nothing to do." In 1614, Leonard Busher wrote what is believed to be the earliest Baptist treatise dealing exclusively with the subject of religious liberty. Events January 20 - Mathias becomes Holy Roman Emperor. ... John Smyth (1570 - c. ... Thomas Helwys, born c. ... Events April 5 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. ...

American Baptists

The Danbury Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut sent a letter, dated October 7, 1801, to the newly elected President Thomas Jefferson, expressing concern over the lack in their state constitution of explicit protection of religious liberty, and against government establishment of religion. Nickname: The Hat City Located in Fairfield County, Connecticut Coordinates: NECTA Danbury Region Housatonic Valley Incorporated (town) 1702 Incorporated (city) 1889 Consolidated 1965 Government type Mayor-council Mayor Mark D. Boughton (R) Area    - City 44. ... Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 N.S. – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and an influential founder of the United States. ...

As a religious minority in Connecticut, the Danbury Baptists were concerned that a religious majority might "reproach their chief Magistrate... because he will not, dare not assume the prerogatives of Jehovah and make Laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ," thus establishing a state religion at the cost of the liberties of religious minorities. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In their letter to the President, the Danbury Baptists also affirmed that "Our Sentiments are uniformly on the side of Religious Liberty — That Religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals — That no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious Opinions - That the legitimate Power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor..."^[1]

Wall of separation

Thomas Jefferson's response, dated January 1, 1802, concurs with the Danbury Baptists' views on religious liberty, and the accompanying separation of civil government from concerns of religious doctrine and practice. Quoting the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, he writes: "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."^[2] The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. ... The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. ...

See also

• Baptists
• Separation of church and state
• Soul competency

Baptist churches are part of a Christian movement often regarded as an Evangelical, Protestant denomination. ... The separation of church and state is a political doctrine which states that the institutions of the state or national government should be kept separate from those of religious institutions. ... Soul competency is a Christian theological perspective on the accountability of each person before God. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/dba_jefferson.html
2. ^ http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html