The Influence of the Baptists

The history of the rise of the Baptist denomination reveals some interesting events and changes in the common theological outlook among peoples of the US and those from around the world. Even at its inception, the Baptist "trend" brought with it powerful and very influential ideas that would forever shape Christianity's doctrinal landscape. The first foundation of Baptist thought that I found to be particularly important was illustrated by Helwys' emigration from Amsterdam back to England so that he could plant a Baptist church. He was motivated by the ideology that each person should be offered the opportunity to read and interpret the Scriptures for themselves, rather than depend on a Pope or any other church authority for Scriptural instruction. This is an essential element of the contemporary Baptist church which still stands firm to this day. It is vital for the Church to be saturated in Scripture, especially as it pertains to each member's unique study of the Word of God. The second element arising from the events of Baptist denominational formation that I feel is particularly important to take note of is the emphasis that was placed on foreign missions. With the rise of key figures such as Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong, organizations were birthed in order to satisfy global missions needs. Because of their influence in the Baptist denomination, the Baptist Church has experienced wide and rampant growth. Even today, Baptist churches all over the world benefit from foreign missions organizations that grew out of the Baptist movement, and in particular from a few key Baptist missionaries. The rise of the Baptist denomination has had a vast and meaningful impact on global Christianity. The most inspiring characteristic is that God continues to empower Baptist churches with this same mentality of mission-focused and Bible-reading discipleship today. To God be the glory.