In Whomever He Wills, Dr. Matthew Barrett writes in his chapter entitled, “The Scriptural Affirmation of Monergism” concerning the doctrinal significance of what has become known as regeneration precedes faith–or, in short, monergism. He writes: “For some, such a debate [i.e. synergism vs. monergism] may appear insignificant. To the contrary, God’s glory hangs in the […]
Early Baptist disputes over Limited Atonement in Post-Colonial America
Baptist historian, Robert Baylor Semple (1769-1831), published the minutes of the first Separate Baptist Association held May, 1771 in Orange county, Virginia.1 Samuel Harriss was chosen moderator, and John Waller, Jr. was elected clerk, both ministers of whom, according to Semple, were strong advocates of the “Arminian” stream flowing into the Baptist river of theology. In the […]
Reformers stained with Baptists’ blood
There was not a Reformer of any prominence who did not stain his hands with the blood of his Baptist brethren; Luther, Melancthon, Zwingli, Bucer, Bullinger, Calvin, Knox, Cramner, Latimer, Ridley, and many others, who endorsed these cruelties and in the face of whose opposition they would not have been committed. Some of these in turn were burned at the […]
H. Wheeler Robinson on Baptists and Religious Liberty
In one respect, Baptists can claim to be pioneers. They were the first to claim full religious liberty, a conception to which their fellow-Separatists had not yet attained. John Smyth held that the magistrate must confine himself to civil transgressions, and must not meddle with religion at all. Thomas Helwys printed in 1612 the first […]
The Baptist General Tract Society (1835)– “infants dying in infancy saved by the blood of Jesus”
In 1835, the Baptist General Tract Society compiled various pamphlets it had published into a single volume entitled The Baptist Manual: A selection from the Series of Publications of the Baptist General Tract Society.1 In tract number 45, “The Scripture Guide to Baptism,” a series of questions are posed concerning infant baptism to which the […]
Baptist scholar George Clark on infant salvation
According to William Cathcart, George Whitefield Clark was born at South Orange, N.J., in 1831. He was converted and baptized at twelve years of age, joining the Northfield Baptist church. Graduating from Amherst College in 1853, Clark completed his theological course at Rochester in 1855 and was ordained pastor of the Baptist church at New […]
19th century Baptist scholars Albert Arnold and David Ford on infants dying in infancy–“grace in Christ secures salvation of all with no personal sins to answer for”
A few words in regard to the future condition of those dying in infancy. We scarcely need an apostle to tell us that a condemnation and death has been visited upon them on account of sin not their own; hence on account of Adam’s transgression. A part of this penalty they, in common with us […]
Baptist theologian Alvah Hovey — “all infants dying in infancy regenerated”
At this point it may be proper to notice the relation of the propitiatory death of Christ to children who die in infancy. So far as now appears, such children are put in no practical relation to the atonement, unless it be by the secret and renewing work of the Spirit. Assuming, as we must, […]
Baptist theologian E. H. Johnson–“Scripture does not state dying infants are saved but justifies such an inference”
E. H. Johnson was a well-known Baptist pastor and theologian in the latter quarter of the 19th century. According to one archived newspaper report, Johnson pastored churches in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. He also served successfully as interim pastor, once following his friend and colleague, James M. Pendleton at the historic Upland Baptist Church […]
Influential 19th Century Baptist Andrew Broaddus–“infants saved by virtue of the death of Christ”
According to J.B. Jeter, Andrew Broaddus (1770-1848) remained a Baptist legend in 19th century Virginia. Broaddus’ rhetorical skills and keen intellect apparently made him a theological “genius” of sorts (p.45). Jeter’s description of Broaddus surely places him in the position of being one of the most influential Baptists during the first half of the 19th […]
Southern Baptist Publication Society–“The human being that dies in infancy will be saved but not through faith”
–Through Abraham the blessing descends upon all who have Abraham’s faith, and upon no others. All who die in infancy, we have reason to believe, are saved; but as infants have no faith, they are not entitled to membership in visible churches” (italics original here and below p.22) –If one asks, Who are the children […]
George W. Purefoy–“that infants are incapable must be obvious to every unprejudiced and reflecting mind”
Reflecting upon the Great Commission from our Lord in Mark 16:15-16 and Matthew 28:19-20, Baptist pastor and historian George W. Purefoy wrote: Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” &c. Here the baptism of none is recognized but of those […]
Millard Erickson on infants dying in infancy–“difficult to maintain them as sinful, condemned, and lost”
While the status of infants and those who never reach moral competence is a difficult question, it appears that our Lord did not regard them as under condemnation. Indeed, he held them up as an example of the type of person who will inherit the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:3; 19:14). David had confidence that […]
John Broadus on infants dying in infancy–“No question those dying in infancy are saved”
John Broadus (1827–1895), second president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, unequivocally asserted his view of all infants dying in infancy in his classic commentary on Matthew’s gospel amidst his exposition of 19:14–“But Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such […]
Baptist Confession of 1679–“all little children dying in infancy saved by the grace of God”
The following statements are taken from An Orthodox Creed, a confession of faith composed by British Baptists in 1679. The confession can be read in its entirety on the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary website (//link). Neither do we believe, that Infants dying in Infancy without Baptism, go to Purgatory or Limbus Infantum, as they erroneously […]
English Baptist Charles Spurgeon on infants dying in infancy–“a wicked calumny that we hold the damnation of little infants”
Among the gross falsehoods which have been uttered against the Calvinists proper, is the wicked calumny that we hold the damnation of little infants. A baser lie was never uttered. There may have existed somewhere, in some corner of the earth, a miscreant who would dare to say that there were infants in hell, but I […]
Joseph W.D. Creath–“Baptist position since days of Christ is all infants dying in infancy are saved”
Cathcart’s Baptist encyclopedia describes J. W. D. Creath as “the most apostolic man in Texas.”1 Born in Virginia in 1809, educated at Virginia Baptist Seminary (at the time of Cathcart’s writing, it was Richmond College), and after pastoring for several years in his home state, was appointed by the Domestic Mission Board of the Southern […]
E.Y. Mullins–“denominations generally–except Baptists–much perplexed over salvation of infants dying in infancy until recent years”
…Baptists have been the only adequate interpreters of the Reformation. The denominations generally, except Baptists, have been much perplexed over the salvation of infants dying in infancy, until recent years. Our Confession of 1660 contains a distinct article declaring that all infants dying in infancy are saved. I quote Article 10, p. 112: ‘That all […]
R.B.C. Howell–“all children dying in infancy are saved with an everlasting salvation”
We repudiate the doctrine of infant baptism, and of infant damnation. We denounce all their accompaniments, and consequences. If God is just and good, if reason deserves respect, if the Gospel is true, if the merits of Christ are efficacious, if the Holy Spirit is not bound by the control of men, and tied down to forms […]
“frightful dogma…abominable heresy”–Richard Fuller on infant damnation
A fourth reason why infant baptism ought to cease. It reflects injuriously upon God, and tarnishes the glory of the atonement. It originated in the frightful dogma of infant damnation; and still connives at and fosters that abominable heresy. It nourishes, also, that other heresy to which men are so prone, which detracts from the […]