General Six-Principle Baptists
Encyclopedia
The Six-Principle Baptists were the first Baptist association in the Americas. The "six-principles" adhered to are those listed in :
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
in 1652 when the historic Providence Baptist Church, which was once associated with Roger Williams
, split. The occasion was the development within the congregation of an Arminian majority that held to the six principles of Hebrew 6:1-2 - repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, the laying-on-of-hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Of these, the laying-on-of-hands
was the only one really distinctive to this body, and that only because it was advocated as mandatory. This rite was used at the baptism and reception of new members symbolizing the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some Calvinistic Baptist churches were also "Six-Principle," but they did not survive as a separate body. Even the influential Philadelphia Baptist Association (org. 1707) added an article concerning laying-on-of-hands to their 1742 reprint of the 1689 London Baptist Confession
. A distinguishing feature of these "General" Six-Principle Baptists was that they would not commune with other Baptists who did not observe the laying-on-of-hands. In 1656, members left the Newport, Rhode Island
church, the church of John Clarke
& Obadiah Holmes
, and formed a second Six-Principle Baptist Church.
Churches were planted and conferences rose up in Rhode Island, Massachusetts
, New York
and Pennsylvania. The Rhode Island Yearly Meeting was formed in 1670, becoming the first Baptist association in America. It was incorporated in 1895 as the General Six-Principle Baptist Conference of Rhode Island. The word "Hope" and the emblem of the anchor (both taken from Hebrews 6) on the flag and Seal of Rhode Island
attest to the historical influence of Six-Principle Baptists in that state. The New York Yearly Conference was organized around 1824. After 1865, it became known as the General Six-Principle Baptist Association of Pennsylvania. The Six-Principle Baptists of New England were called "General," distinguishing that they held the general view of Christ's atonement (making salvation possible for all men) rather than the particular view (that He atoned for the elect only).
Six-Principle Baptists also existed in England
, probably pre-dating those in America. The Standard Confession of 1660 specifies the doctrine of laying-on-of-hands. According to Henry Vedder, "In March, 1690, the churches holding these views formed an Association. This continued with varying fortunes for some years; at its strongest, numbering but eleven churches in England, though there were others in Wales when the Calvinistic Baptists withdrew, and the rest of the churches were gradually absorbed into the General body [Baptist Union, rlv]."
In 1954, the Rhode Island Conference lifted their ban on communing with other Christians, preparing the way for their assimilation into the broader Baptist community. One of the last historical churches to survive is the Stony Lane Six Principle Baptist Church in North Kingstown, Rhode Island
. According to their pastor, the Rev. John Wheeler, "We keep the name only for historical purposes and to our knowledge we are the last church to use it in our official name. We don't include it in our stationary etc., nor do we hold to the specific teaching of highlighting Hebrews 6:1-2 over other parts of Scripture." According to Albert Wardin there is also "...one church, located in Pennsylvania, which still carries Six Principle in its name, but its current pastor does not observe all the six principles." This, the Pine Grove Church of Nicholson, Pennsylvania
, and the Stony Lane Church, were the last two churches to be considered historically Six-Principle Baptist.
- Repentance
- Faith
- Baptism
- Laying on of hands
- Resurrection of the dead
- Final judgment
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
- Note: Greek kataballo, casting down or overthrow. It means, do not cast down or destroy the foundation already laid of the six fundamental principles.
History
The history of General Six-Principle Baptists in America begins in Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
in 1652 when the historic Providence Baptist Church, which was once associated with Roger Williams
Roger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
, split. The occasion was the development within the congregation of an Arminian majority that held to the six principles of Hebrew 6:1-2 - repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, the laying-on-of-hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Of these, the laying-on-of-hands
Laying on of hands
The laying on of hands is a religious ritual that accompanies certain religious practices, which are found throughout the world in varying forms....
was the only one really distinctive to this body, and that only because it was advocated as mandatory. This rite was used at the baptism and reception of new members symbolizing the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some Calvinistic Baptist churches were also "Six-Principle," but they did not survive as a separate body. Even the influential Philadelphia Baptist Association (org. 1707) added an article concerning laying-on-of-hands to their 1742 reprint of the 1689 London Baptist Confession
1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith was written by Particular Baptists, who held to a Calvinistic Soteriology in England to give a formal expression of their Christian faith from a Baptist perspective...
. A distinguishing feature of these "General" Six-Principle Baptists was that they would not commune with other Baptists who did not observe the laying-on-of-hands. In 1656, members left the Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
church, the church of John Clarke
John Clarke (1609-1676)
John Clarke was a medical doctor, Baptist minister, co-founder of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, author of its influential charter, and a leading advocate of religious freedom in the Americas....
& Obadiah Holmes
Obadiah Holmes
Obadiah Holmes was an early Rhode Island clergyman and a victim of religious persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was pivotal in the establishment of the Baptist church in America.- Ancestry and Vital Facts :...
, and formed a second Six-Principle Baptist Church.
Churches were planted and conferences rose up in Rhode Island, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Pennsylvania. The Rhode Island Yearly Meeting was formed in 1670, becoming the first Baptist association in America. It was incorporated in 1895 as the General Six-Principle Baptist Conference of Rhode Island. The word "Hope" and the emblem of the anchor (both taken from Hebrews 6) on the flag and Seal of Rhode Island
Seal of Rhode Island
The Seal of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations features a blue field with a golden maritime anchor as its central image below the phrase "HOPE." The anchor has been used as a symbol for Rhode Island since the colony's founding in 1636, well before the region claimed...
attest to the historical influence of Six-Principle Baptists in that state. The New York Yearly Conference was organized around 1824. After 1865, it became known as the General Six-Principle Baptist Association of Pennsylvania. The Six-Principle Baptists of New England were called "General," distinguishing that they held the general view of Christ's atonement (making salvation possible for all men) rather than the particular view (that He atoned for the elect only).
Six-Principle Baptists also existed in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, probably pre-dating those in America. The Standard Confession of 1660 specifies the doctrine of laying-on-of-hands. According to Henry Vedder, "In March, 1690, the churches holding these views formed an Association. This continued with varying fortunes for some years; at its strongest, numbering but eleven churches in England, though there were others in Wales when the Calvinistic Baptists withdrew, and the rest of the churches were gradually absorbed into the General body [Baptist Union, rlv]."
In 1954, the Rhode Island Conference lifted their ban on communing with other Christians, preparing the way for their assimilation into the broader Baptist community. One of the last historical churches to survive is the Stony Lane Six Principle Baptist Church in North Kingstown, Rhode Island
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
North Kingstown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 26,486 at the 2010 census. The famous American portraitist Gilbert Stuart was born in the village of Saunderstown, located in the southern region of North Kingstown....
. According to their pastor, the Rev. John Wheeler, "We keep the name only for historical purposes and to our knowledge we are the last church to use it in our official name. We don't include it in our stationary etc., nor do we hold to the specific teaching of highlighting Hebrews 6:1-2 over other parts of Scripture." According to Albert Wardin there is also "...one church, located in Pennsylvania, which still carries Six Principle in its name, but its current pastor does not observe all the six principles." This, the Pine Grove Church of Nicholson, Pennsylvania
Nicholson, Pennsylvania
Nicholson is a borough in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 713 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nicholson is located at ....
, and the Stony Lane Church, were the last two churches to be considered historically Six-Principle Baptist.
Current status
In 2001, a small group of ministers decided to use the name General Association of Six-Principle Baptists, Inc. The General Directors make all policy decisions with guidance from the Council of Elders. State Directors are appointed and foreign citizens are extended ministerial licenses. There is a very detailed and in-depth process to be ordained by the General Association of Six-Principle Baptists, Inc. The connection between the Six-Principle Baptist denomination and the "General Association of Six-Principle Baptists, Inc." is not historic but is based on the distinctives of the historic denomination.External links
- Denominational Home
- New Beginnings Baptist Church
- Philadelphia Confession of Faith Article 31
- The Standard Confession 1660
- Rhode Island State Flag
Sources
- Annual Reports, Rhode Island Conference
- History of The General or Six Principle Baptists in Europe and America, by Richard Knight
- A Short History of Baptists, by Henry Vedder
- Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
- Dictionary of Baptists in America, Bill J. Leonard, editor
- Doing Diversity Baptist Style, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
- The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness, by H. Leon McBeth