Oak Hill Baptist Church
Oak Hill, West Virginia
Baptist History
A Moment in History
Listed below are the inserts that have been placed in the bulletin each Sunday here at OHBC. Feel to read and share information about
Baptist Beginnings.
Written by: David Sneed
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Please note: This page can only be seen on the computer-
A MOMENT IN OAK HILL
BAPTIST HISTORY
BAPTIST ROOTS IN EUROPE
The 125th Anniversary of Oak Hill Baptist Church will be December 22nd, 2017. As we begin several events to celebrate, let us be guided by Deuteronomy 32:7 “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elder, and they will tell thee.”
While approaching this milestone, remember that what brought about the birth of Oak Hill Baptist Church had roots that date back hundreds of years. The name, BAPTIST, likely has its beginning with John the Baptist of Scripture.
The denominations known as Baptists can find a historical path, at least partially, back to the WALDENSIANS who broke step in the 12th century with the Roman Catholic Church. They, sometimes called the grandparents of Baptists, had some who repudiated infant baptisms as unscriptural and admitting into the church persons who had not made a personal commitment of their lives to Jesus Christ.
Baptists might be considered a child of Brethren (now known as Mennonites) also called ANABAPTISTS who also rejected infant baptism and insisted that believers should be baptized at conversion. They were a part of the PROTESTANT REFORMATION which celebrates it’s 500th Anniversary this year.
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In 1517 Martin Luther, a German Augustinian Monk, posted 95 thesis on the church door in the University town of Wittenberg, Germany. By doing so he challenged some portions of Roman Catholic doctrine and practices. He argued that the Bible, not the Pope, was the central means to discern Gods will and argued that salvation was by faith alone, not by good works.
Finally, about 1609 in Amsterdam Holland, JOHN SMYTH, a Separatist Minister from England, seeking to
preach the pure Word of God baptized himself and 40 members of his congregation. Thus an English
congregation was established on Dutch soil under his leadership and that of his associate, THOMAS HELWYS.
Next week we will review Baptist beliefs.
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May 7, 2017 [No.1]
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A MOMENT IN OAK HILL
BAPTIST HISTORY
Baptist Beliefs
I. IN COMMMON WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS
1. The HOLY BIBLE is the INSPIRED WORD OF GOD to ALL MANKIND.
Psalm 119: 11,105; John 1: 1
2. THE OLD TESTAMENT
Tells of CREATION and God’s dealing with men through HIS LAW.
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3. THE NEW TESTAMENT
Tells of GOD’S LOVE in sending His only Son into the world through the
VIRGIN BIRTH of Christ to provide SALVATION for all who believe in Him.
John 3:16; Matthew 1: 23
4. CHRIST died on the CROSS to provide SALVATION AND ROSE AGAIN
to assure it giving ETERNAL LIFE to all BELIEVERS.
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5. SALVATION COMES ONLY THROUGH CHRIST
John 14:6
6. Christ has prepared HEAVEN for all His Children
John 14:2
7. All who reject His love and salvation are bound for an
ETERNAL HELL!
Mathew 18: 8,9
8. THE HOLY SPIRIT is to be our GUIDE in living a Christian Life.
John 14: 16, 26
9. CHRISTIANS are to GO into all the WORLD and PREACH HIS GOSPEL baptizing believers.
Matthew 28:19
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10. CHRIST WILL RETURN to the earth for His Church which includes all Christians.
John 14: 3
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II. BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
1. Loyalty to the Scriptures as our Final Authority concerning salvation
and Christian life.
2. Baptism is by Immersion, and for Believers only. Note: The
meaning of baptism in Scripture “is to plunge or immerse.”
3. The Independence of the Local Church to make its own decisions.
4. The Pastor and Laymen having equal power to work together within
the Church.
5. Complete Separation of Church and State.
6. Lay People have the authority to Interpret the Scripture as they feel
led by the Holy Spirit. This has been called “The Priesthood of all
Believers”.
May 14, 2017 [No.2]
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A MOMENT IN OAK HILL
BAPTIST HISTORY
Baptist Beginnings in America
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ROGER WILLIAMS, born in 1603 in England, was trained in Cambridge earning a degree in 1627. He was an individualist in the midst of a generation building creeds. He and his wife, Mary Barnard, sailing 36 days, arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, February 5, 1631.
After serving as an associate minister at a Church of England (Episcopal) Church in Salem Massachusetts and later another church in Plymouth, Roger Williams was ordained to the full pastorate in Salem, August, 1624.
Roger Williams
Proclaiming the doctrine of SOUL LIBERTY openly and frequently resulted in his being banished to England toward the close of 1635.
He fled alone to escape into the forest suffering 14 weeks but established a friendship with Indians of the area to whom he ministered.
Under Roger Williams leadership land was purchased and the Providence Plantations (Later Rhode Island) was established giving its inhabitants ABSOLUTE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY TO ALL COMERS. In this settlement he
led in organizing THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF AMERICA IN 1638 or1639. Roger Williams died in 1683 becoming a pioneer and hero of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
Several Baptist congregations followed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1640’s thru 1680. In 1683 the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA was organized and made up of refugees from Boston. Beginning in 1684 and continuing through 1706, Baptist churches sprang up in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The First Baptist Association was organized in Philadelphia, July 27, 1707 with five churches. By this time the Baptist constituency in America had grown to about 20 churches and about 500 members.
The first educational institution established by the Baptists was the Hopewell Academy in Hopewell, New Jersey in 1756. In February or March 1764 Rhode Island College (later Brown University) was established under Baptist influence with the first teacher being pastor James Manning.
James Manning
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May 21, 2017 [No.3]
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