Baptist Evolution: 6 Key Events for Protestant Christian Denomination Since It Began

The Baptist Christian denomination can trace its origins to the Protestant Reformation and the English Reformation of the 16th century. The Baptist church developed from two Protestant groups, the Puritans and the Separatists and by some accounts, Baptist membership exceeds 100 million worldwide.

Here are six key events in the evolution of the Baptist Christian denomination since it began:

ALERT: When Do You Think Christ Is Returning? Vote Now

1. In 1638, members from the General Baptists and Particular Baptists had members who sailed to America as pilgrims to avoid religious persecution of Protestants. The groups formed churches in the early colonies beginning in the mid-17th century. The first church was started by Roger Williams, a former member of the Church of England, in Providence, Rhode Island in 1639. Baptist minister John Clark also established a church in Newport, Rhode Island.

2. In 1689 the Second London Baptist Confession, also known as the "Baptist Confession of Faith" was published as a formal statement of the Baptist Christian faith. Baptist Preacher Charles Spurgeon states, "This ancient document is the most excellent epitome of the things most surely believed among us. It is not issued as an authoritative rule or code of faith, whereby you may be fettered, but as a means of edification in righteousness. It is an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of those Holy Scriptures by which all confessions are to be measured. We hold to the humbling truths of God's sovereign grace in the salvation of lost sinners. Salvation is through Christ alone and by faith alone."

3. In 1707, the Philadelphia Baptist Association was founded. In 1742, the association adopted the London Baptist Confession as it founding confession and renamed it "The Philadelphia Confession of Faith." In 1770, they helped found Rhode Island College, now known as Brown University and began to send missionaries across America.

VOTE NOW: Is Christ Returning?

4. In 1792, the Baptist Missionary Society was formed. Originally named the Particular Baptist Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Amongst the Heathen, today BMS sends missionaries around the world. "BMS personnel are mainly involved in church planting, development, disaster relief, education, health, and media and advocacy."

5. In 1891, the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists came together to form the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Founded on a three-part "declaration of Principle that states belief in Jesus Christ, baptism and a goal of worldwide evangelism, the Union was renamed in 2013 as "Baptists Together" and holds a membership of approximate 140,000.

6. In 1905, the Baptist World Alliance was formed during the first Baptist World Conference in London. A Constitution was adopted which states, "Whereas, in the providence of God, the time has come when it seems fitting more fully to manifest the essential oneness in the Lord Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour of the Churches of the Baptist order and faith throughout the world, and to promote the spirit of fellowship, service and co-operation among them, while recognizing the independence of each particular church and not assuming the functions of any existing organization, it is agreed to form a Baptist World Alliance, extending over every part of the world." Today the organization is a fellowship of 42 million members in 177,000 churches.

URGENT: When Do You Think Christ Will Return? Vote Here Now!

Related Stories:

• Baptists Rule in Kentucky's Legislature

• Southern Baptist Leaders Call for Integrated Churches