History: The Heritage of Our Baptist Faith

Since we in America have so long enjoyed religious freedom, it is difficult to believe that every one of the thirteen colonies, with the exception of Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, had state or established churches and gave some per­ secution to those who opposed this theory, Eventually, the principle of liberty took over, and even the state churches of Virginia and Massachusetts were separated from the state. Lyman Beecher, it is said, thought that "the bottom dropped out of things" when his state no longer compelled his unwilling Baptist neighbors to contribute to his support. These are days when this Baptist principle, taught in the scriptures, and inherited by us from our forefathers is again in danger of being lost. It would seem that much study should be given to present day trends in the state-church relationship in our country. What our forefathers have gained for us by a bitter struggle, we can easily lose by an indifferent attitude. Baptists are also IV. A PATRIOTIC PEOPLE Our Baptist forefathers strenuously opposed any organic relationship be­ tween the church and the state. They nonetheless believed that every Christian had a responsibility to his country. This belief is based upon such scriptures as Matthew 22:21, "Render, therefore, unto Caesar, the things which are Caesar's, and unto God, the things that are God's." Romans 13:1, "Let every soul be sub­ ject unto the higher powers for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." To illustrate this conviction of the Baptists we will cite two or three incidents from history which show loyalty to their country. It can be demonstrated that the Baptists supported the Revolution. They gave generous support to this cause for freedom. Many of the chaplains were Baptist preachers. The men of the churches joined the armies and the women sacrificed greatly for the cause. Baptist meeting houses were destroyed by the British because they knew of their loyalty to the Revolutionary cause. - 12 -