OUR BAPTIST HERITAGEOutside of the Word of God, one of the greatest areas of spiritual confusion is that concerning the history of New Testament churches over the past 2000 years.
The Roman Catholic is led to believe his is the only “Church” which began with St. Peter and has continued intact down through the centuries. All non-Catholic denominations are considered “Departed Brethren” or “Protestant.”
The average Protestant thinks true Christianity disappeared during the “Dark Ages” and was revived after the Protestant Reformation. A lot of Baptists have been duped into believing they are Protestants and had their beginnings in England in the early part of the 17th Century.
History is to be studied in the light of the Word of God. The Scriptures promise, and history confirms, the existence of true New Testament churches in every period of the last 20 centuries.
THE UNINTERRUPTED CONTINUATION OF NEW TERSTAMENT CHURCHES: By this we mean that throughout the past 20 centuries there have been true New Testament churches and believers who have remained faithful to the Word of God.
THE LORD PROMISED HIS CHURCHES CONTINUATION.
A. Examine Matthew 28:18-20. This commission was given to His churches and is for the churches to fulfill.
1. In it, the Lord promised to be “with them _____________, even unto the end of the world.”
2. If God made such a promise, then we can expect His churches to have remained throughout and to continue until the end of this present age in accordance with the promise.
B. Consider Matthew 16:18. Upon the Rock (Himself) the Lord established His Church, and He said that the gates of Hell would not ____________ against it. (Gr. Katischuo – overpower)
C. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 11:26. The Lord's Supper is an ordinance given to the Lord's churches. The Lord's Supper is to be continually observed by churches. This again pre-supposes the existence of New Testament churches at all times to observe the ordinance till Jesus comes again.
D. Study Ephesians 3:21. In a special way, God is glorified among His churches. This glory is to continue throughout ________ __________. If true churches disappeared as the apostasy that developed into the Roman Catholic Church took hold, this Scripture would be meaningless.
THE TRAIL OF BLOOD: You will need to request a PDF copy of “The Trail of Blood” to complete this lesson. There are many excellent books dealing with the subject of Baptist History. If you enjoy history and would like to read more detailed presentations, talk to the pastor. Right now, read through the booklet entitled, "The Trail of Blood" by J. M. Carroll. This is a great primer on some facts about church history which will bless your heart.
Answer the following questions:
1. List three ways many of our Baptist forefathers were dealt with (page 1).
2. List three of the eleven marks of a new testament church (page 3).
3. What is the year of the first recorded baptism of a child? (page 6)
4. What happened in the year 251 A.D.? (page 6)
5. In what year did the Dark Ages begin? (page 9)
6. What one doctrine does the Greek Orthodox reject? (page 12)
7. What action was taken in 1229 A.D. by the Council of Toulouse? (page 13)
8. What book did John Bunyan write? (page 20)
9. Why was Mr. Painter whipped? (page 22)
10. From the book, fill in the list of names given at various times to our Baptist forefathers.
C_____________ (Acts 11:26)
M____________
D_____________
N_____________
P_____________
W____________
A_____________
B_____________