Crumbs from the Table

The origins of Baptist churches go back to the 1600s.  The very first Baptist church began in 1609 and was for English speaking Christians based in the Netherlands, relocating to London in 1611 (Thomas Helwys). These churches were known as "General Baptists" and followed the theology of Arminius and the Anabaptists.  A second genesis of Baptist churches was in London in about 1638 (John Spilsbury). These churches followed the Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Synod of Dordt. In 1644, the First London Baptist Confession was signed by seven Baptist churches in the capital.  Baptist churches later spread from London outwards.  During the time of the English Civil War (1642-1651), there were Baptist Christians in the New Model Army of Oliver Cromwell. In 1648 the New Model Army campaigned in Lancashire during the Second Civil War.  From about 1649/50, John Wigan (d. 1665) was pastor of a Baptist church meeting in Chetham's hospital which is now part Chet...

The first Baptist church in Bury (Greater Manchester) was Providence Strict and Particular Baptist church which started in March 1835 (with a building from 1836). In 1845, Ebenezer Baptist church started (with a building on Knowsley Street from 1853, relocating to Tenterden Street in 1898). Later, there were Baptist churches on Rochdale Road (from 1860), and on Chesham Avenue (from 1881).  These historic churches are now represented by Bury Baptist Church (Baptist Union) on the Manchester Road, and Radcliffe Road Baptist Church (Grace Baptist Assembly). There is also a Bury Bible Baptist Church whose origins go back to missionary work by pastors from the USA in the 1970s. Anyway, until 1835, there were no Baptist churches in Bury .  The origins of Baptist churches go back to the 1600s.  In 1669, the vicar of Bury parish complained of various conventicles "constantly kept at private houses of Independents, Presbyterians, Dippers and other such like jointly, of the best ...

 Baptist churches first emerged in the English-speaking world around 1609 (General Baptists), and 1640 (Particular Baptists) respectively. The Particular Baptists are so called not because of some inate "pickiness" but because of their (our) belief, along with most other reformed Christians at the time, in Christ's particular redemption. The saving work of Christ on the cross and in the resurrection actually saved particular people. This is sometimes referred to as "limited atonement".   The Particular Baptist churches in the English-speaking world emerged from existing independent congregations, which had sprung up in England from the late 16th century onwards. What made them "Baptist" was their conviction that baptism should be administered on profession of faith, and therefore should not be given to infants too young to profess faith. The practice of delaying baptism until the serious commitment could be made in an informed way was certainly a commo...