Roger Williams's Role In

The Formation of the Southern Baptist Convention

Abstract3

Introduction4

Thesis Statement5

Discussion5

The Origins and Development of Baptist Thought and Practice5

Roger Williams6

Relations with the Baptists8

Church and the State10

The Wall of Separation11

Conclusion15

Bibliography16

Abstract

Roger Williams (1603 - 1683) lived considerably influence on US constitutional principle of separation of state and church. Williams' actions and life, but are enlightening to the earliest disputes of US Colonial over established government and religious liberty.

Thesis Statement: This research paper attempts to outline passionate engagement of Roger Williams with the ideals of religious freedom and his role in the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Roger Williams's Role In

The Formation of the Southern Baptist Convention

Introduction

In America, most early Baptists initially emerged from England in the 17th Century when the state church and king persecute them to hold their different views regarding religion. In 1630, Roger William and John Clarke, Baptists migrated to New England. John Smyth was one of the prominent reformers during the early 17th Century, and birthed the first English Baptist Church. John Smyth and Thomas Helwys established 50 Baptist Churches in 1644. Alike other Baptists, Williams migrated to America to escape persecution about religion. Due to his radical ideas in relation to adult baptism, he established first Baptist Church in America.

By mid of 18th Century, Baptist significantly increased because of Jonathan Edwards, the Great Awakening pioneered. By the end of 1700 and beginning of 1880 as Baptists started to expand and organize, missionary societies were formed to promote lifestyle of Christian to others. These societies ultimately resulted in organizational structures, which might define and Southern Baptists' denomination. By the 1830, the tension between Southern and Northern Baptists has been increased, and slavery was the key issue that rigorously separated the Baptist. Southern state Baptist started complaining that they were not getting funds to carry out missionary work. Due to this division, in the south, Baptist met in 1845 and formed the Southern Baptist Convention.

Thesis Statement

This research paper attempts to outline passionate engagement of Roger Williams with the ideals of religious freedom and his role in the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Discussion

The Origins and Development of Baptist Thought and Practice

Southern Baptists, American Baptists and all other Baptist bodies' scores in America and across the globe emerged out of a widespread tradition started during the early 17th century. This common tradition has laid emphasis on the Lordship and atoning Jesus sacrifice, baptism believers, all believers' competency to be directly related with God and to Scripture interpretation, the Holy Spirit influence on ministries and lives of individual, along with the need for independent congregations without any hierarchical polity and interference of government.

Baptist origins practice and thought may be viewed during the late 16th century in Congregationalism of England that refused the common structure of “punish” of church life where everybody in a certain community was a neighborhood parish's member and where offspring were baptized. Since, the initial period of Baptists exercised their liberty in selecting to hold either Arminianism or Calvinism (predestinarian) that embrace free ...