Church History

"WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE MARTYRS"
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Of the True Church of God, Its Origin, Progress, and Immovable Stability, through All Times...
Origin of the Baptist by S. H. Ford
Where Did the Baptist Come From?
* * Baptist History Homepage * *
by François Dubois
From the Musée Cantonal Des Beaux-Arts, Lausanne Switzerland
However, alarm bells began to ring at the Vatican! France was her eldest daughter and main pillar—the chief source of money and power. . . . King Pepin of the Franks (the father of Charlemagne) had given the Papal States to the Pope almost 1000 years earlier. Almost half the real estate in the country was owned by the clergy.
Meanwhile, back in Paris, the King of France and his Court spent their time drinking, reveling and carousing. The Court spiritual adviser—a Jesuit priest— urged them to massacre the Protestants—as penance for their many sins! To catch the Christians off-guard every token of peace, friendship, and ecumenical good will was offered.
Suddenly—and without warning—the devilish work commenced. Beginning at Paris, the French soldiers and the Roman Catholic clergy fell upon the unarmed people, and blood flowed like a river throughout the entire country. Men, women, and children fell in heaps before the mobs and the bloodthirsty troops. In one week, almost 100,100 Protestants perished. The rivers of France were so filled with corpses that for many months no fish were eaten. In the valley of the Loire, wolves came down from the hills to feel upon the decaying bodies of Frenchmen. The list of massacres was as endless as the list of the dead!
Many were imprisoned—many sent as slaves to row the King's ships—and some were able to escape to other countries. . . . The massacres continued for centuries. The best and brightest people fled to Germany, Switzerland, England, Ireland and eventually America and brought their incomparable manufacturing skills with them. . . . France was ruined. . . . Wars, famine, disease and poverty finally led to the French Revolution—the Guillotine—the Reign of Terror—the fall of the Roman Catholic Monarchy—atheism—communism etc., etc.
When news of the Massacre reached the Vatican there was jubilation! Cannons roared—bells rung—and a special commemorative medal was struck—to honor the occasion! The Pope commissioned Italian artist Vasari to paint a mural of the Massacre—which still hangs in the Vatican!
Of course! With Jesus Christ! The idea that an organization which is not a true church may eventually develop into a true church, or produce offspring which are true churches is contrary to Scripture. This is the operating theory behind the Protestant Reformation. Luther, Calvin, and virtually all the reformers held that the Catholic Church was a false church, and that the Pope was anti-Christ. Yet they maintained that their churches, which developed directly from Rome, were true churches. The Lord teaches us, however, that “a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matt. 7:18). The Reformation leaders all identified Rome as “the great whore” described in Revelation 17. Yet they held that their churches, which were her direct offspring, were true churches. Revelation 17, however, identifies this great whore as “the mother of harlots.” If Rome be the great whore, as both we and the Protestants maintain, then the Protestant churches are undeniably her harlot daughters. |
James Robinson Graves
![]() Distinguished editor, author, publisher, fearless advocate and faithful defender of the New Testament system of doctrines, champion of the God-given prerogatives of a New Testament church, pulpit orator. — Sketch of Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers by J. J. Burnett
Click Some of J. R. Graves Writings |
J. R. Graves A Picture of the younger
![]() [As] "extreme as the views of Dr. Graves have by many been regarded as being, there is no question but that they have powerfully contributed to the correction of a false liberalism that was current in many quarters thirty years ago." — E. T. Winkler, editor of Alabama Baptist in 1871.
Dr. Graves preached, by special invitation, to the theological students at the Seminary at Greenville, South Carolina, in 1874. Meeting John A. Broadus soon after, a friend asked his opinion of it. He replied: "Well, it may be termed a great sermon. Graves has what many of us lack, that which has marked all distinguished orators. It is called personal magnetism. The old rhetoricans called it ACTION. It is the intense concentration and mastery of all one's power in an extempore delivery." — O. L. Hailey |
While I may not agree with all the contents and philosophies of the source sites that are linked here, I am truly
thankful that these materials are made available online.
To download and view the .PDF files you will need Abode Acrobat Reader (free program).
.PDF file for download available here.
2.) A History of the English Baptists – Ivimey
3.) History of the Welsh Baptists – Davis
.PDF file for download available here.
4.) Annals of the English Bible – Anderson
5.) Baptist History – Cramp
6.) Bye-Paths of Baptist History – Goadby
7.) History of German Baptist Brethren – Brumbaugh
8.) History of the Baptists – Armitage
.PDF file for download available here.
9.) History of the Baptists – John Christian
.PDF file for download available here.
10.) History of the Baptists in America – Benedict
11.) History of the Baptists of New England (Vol. 1) – Backus
12.) History of the Baptists of New England (Vol. 2) – Backus
13.) Foxes Book of Martyrs
14.) History of the Christians of the Alps – Perrin
15.) History of the English General Baptists – Taylor
.PDF file for Vol 1 download available here.
.PDF file for Vol 2 download available here.
16.) History of the Inquisition in Spain – Lea
.PDF file for Vol. 1 download available here.
.PDF file for Vol. 2 download available here.
.PDF file for Vol. 3 download available here.
17.) History of the Papacy – Wylie
18.) History of the Waldenses – Wylie
.PDF file for download available here.
19.) Memorials of Baptist Martyrs – Brown
.PDF file for download available here.
20.) Miller’s Church History – Miller
21.) Story of the Baptists in all Ages – Cook
.PDF file for download available here.
22.) The Albigenses – Allix
.PDF file for download available here.
23.) The Early English Baptists – Evans (Vol. 1)
.PDF file for download available here.
24.) The Early English Baptists – Evans (Vol. 2)
.PDF file for download available here.
25.) The Origin of the Baptists – Ford
26.) The Waldenses – Allix
.PDF file for download available here.
27.) The Baptist Encyclopedia – Cathcart (Vol. 1)
28.) The Baptist Encyclopedia – Cathcart (Vol. 2)
29.) The Trail of Blood – J.M. Carroll
30.) Lectures on Baptist History by William R. Williams
.PDF file for download available here.
31.) A Martyrology of the Churches of Christ, Commonly called Baptists, During the Era of the Reformation (1850)-(Vol. 1)- Underhill
32.) A Martyrology of the Churches of Christ, Commonly called Baptists, During the Era of the Reformation (1850) -(Vol.2)- Underhill
** note ** I just recently found this work also called “Martyr’s Mirror” finding it cited by other authors in other books listed here. I am so excited to see these and am in the process of reading them myself! – Enjoy! Martyr’s Mirror also foundHERE
Download Martyr’s Mirror in .PDF format HERE.
Writings of other Famous Baptists:
1. ) Charles Hadden Spurgeon Archives:
2.) John Bunyon Writings
3.) William Tyndale: A Biography
.PDF file for download available here.
A Concise History of Baptists:
From the Time of Christ Their Founder to the 18th Century
Death of Dr. J. P. Boyce
The Baptist newspaper, 1889 Early History of the Baptists in North Carolina — No. 7 Sandy Creek Association Biblical Recorder, 1889 Early History of the Baptists in North Carolina — No. 3 Shallow Fords, Haw River Biblical Recorder, 1889 Early History of the Baptists in North Carolina — No. 2 Sandy Creek Biblical Recorder, 1889 Buell Kazee on Historians The Church and the Ordinances Joseph H. Eaton Baptist Minister and Educator by J. J. Burnett The Antecedents of Landmarkism in Georgia By Leroy B. Hogue The Practical Force of the Term "Believer's Baptism" By P. S. Whitman Baptist and Reflector, 1890 Some North Carolina Baptist History By George J. Dowell Biblical Record, 1888 The Duty of Faith By R. B. C. Howell Nashville, Tennessee The Baptist Newspaper, 1844 Two Recent Works on North Carolina Baptist History Reviewed by J. D. Hufham, D. D., 1902 Dr. John Clarke Redwood Library, Newport, RI The Emergence of the Stone-Campbell Movement Amongst the Baptist Churches of Kentucky in the 1820s By Rodrick Durst The Story of the English Baptists By John C. Carlile, 1905 An Address to North Carolina Baptists [Authorized by the Baptist State Convention, 1880.] Elder Matthew Floyd Early South-Central KY Baptist Minister By J. H. Spencer Church Letter, 1787 Georgia Baptist Association By Silas Mercer Friendly Suggestive Criticisms on the Last Southern Baptist Convention By W. A. Jarrell Western Recorder, 1917 James M. Pendleton and the Civil War by David Gregg A Visit to Stamping Ground Baptist Church Scott County, Kentucky The Elkhorn Association Meeting, 1859 By Samuel H. Ford |
Church Letter, 1786
Fishing Creek Baptist Church Georgia Baptist Association By Jeremiah Walker Is it Discourteous to Call a Child by the Name of his Father? By Elder W. F. Lowe, First Moderator Graves County (KY) Baptist Association The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History By Steve Weaver A Deeper Spiritual Life Imperative By Buell H. Kazee, 1940 Morehead [KY] Baptist Church Holiness of Christian Doctrine By Spencer H. Cone, Pastor First Baptist Church, NYC The Antecedents of Landmarkism in the Philadelphia Baptist Association By Leroy B. Hogue In the Land of the Giants By Buell H. Kazee, 1941 Morehead [KY] Baptist Church The Antecedents of Landmarkism in Tennessee By Leroy B. Hogue, 1966 Circular Letter, 1870 Elkhorn [KY] Baptist Association "Home Labor" by A. S. Worrell First Baptist Church, Lexington Salvation By Grace A Tract by L. W. Carlin What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Buell H. Kazee Morehead (KY) Baptist Church Western Recorder, 1941 A Standard For Sunday School Teachers By Buell H. Kazee Morehead (KY) Baptist Church Western Recorder, 1940 Preservation of the Scriptures By A. D. Gillette Editor of the Minutes of the Philadelphia Baptist Association from 1707 to 1807 A Concise History of Baptists: From the Time of Christ Their Founder to the 18th Century By G. H. Orchard, 1838 (American Edition, 1855) "Introductory Essay" By J. R. Graves Are You in the Wilderness or Across Jordan? By Buell H. Kazee Western Recorder, 1940 How to Make the Surrender By Buell H. Kazee Western Recorder, 1941 John M. Peck meets Daniel Parker, 1822 Frontier Missionary vs. Anti-Missionary Leonard Verduin on "Historical Bias" |
Baptist History Notebook From Berlin Hisel,
Chapter 3 Persecution by The Roman Empire 20 Reasons for the Persecution 20 Different Emperors 22 How True Churches Fared 22 Nero, 54-68 B.C. 23 Trajan, 98-117 B.C. 25 Septimus Severus 193-211 26 Decius Trajan, 249-251 28 Diocletian, 284-316 30 Terrible Days (Many Martyrs' Crowns) 33 Days of Strength (Strength through Adversity) 33
Chapter 4 The Montanists 35 A Word of Caution, (not all who are called Baptist are Baptist) 35
False charges against them, (most of their history written by their enemies) 35 Eusebius, Historical Renderings 36 Montanists, Origin and Beliefs 38 Other Historians' accounts: D. Benedict 39 J. T. Christian 40 H. C. Vedder 41 T. Armitage 42 W. A. Jarrel 43 Final Notes on the Montanists 43 Chapter 5 The Novatianists 45 Novatian Rupture 46 Historical Renderings: Kurtz 46 C. L. Gieseler 47 Origin of Novatianism 48 Historical Renderings: Robert Robinson 48 J. M. Cramp 50 Their Doctrines 51 Their Persecutions 52 Historical Renderings: W. M. Nevins 52 van Braght 53 C. H. Spurgeon 54
Chapter 6 Constantine The Great 55 Leo I and Boniface III 55 Flavius Valerius Constantinus, A.D. 306-337 56 His Early Life 57 His Supposed Conversion 57 Religion United to the State 59 Edict of Milan 60 Changes in the False Churches 63 Money from the State 63 Privileges and Immunities of Clergy 64
Unity Among all Churches 65 Constantino's Life 68 Constantine's Baptism 68 Conclusion 69 Chapter 7 The Donatists 71 Quote by J. M. Cramp 72 Identified with Novatians 73 The Church, Its Structure 73 Separation of Church and State 74 Baptism 75 Donatist Persecution 76 The Donatists on Persecution 79 Conclusion 79
Chapter 8 Paterins, Puritans, Cathari 81 Paterins, (Patarenes) 81 Etymology of the Name 84 Paterines were Baptist 85 Puritans 86 Cathari 86 Name Widely Applied 87 The Catharist Doctrine 88 The Cathari were Baptists 89
Chapter 9 The Paulicians 91 Photius (witness of) 91 Siculus (witness of) 92 Origin, Doctrine, Persecution 93 Paulicians were Baptists 97 Persecuted 98
Chapter 10 Development in the Hierarchy, (Roman Catholic)100 The Sign of the Cross 100 Wax Candles 101 Mother of God 102
Purgatory 103 Origin of Purgatory 104 Chapter 11 Further Development in the Hierarchy, (Roman Catholic) 106 List of Heresies (45 Listed) 106 Extreme Unction 109 Baptism of Bells 109 Transubstantiation 110 A Roman Miracle? 110 Catholic Church Councils Listed 112 Roman Catholic & Greek Orthodox 114
Chapter 12 Petrobrusians 116 Peter de Bruys 116 Their Doctrine 117 Augustus Neander, (Quoted) 117 Peter de Bruys was a Baptist 118 Information Source 119 Persecution 120
Chapter 13 The Henricians 121 Description of Henry 121 Henry in Mans 122 St. Bernard's Account of Henry's Influence 123 Henry was a Baptist 124 Historians say Henricians were Baptists 126 Persecution 126
Chapter 14 The Arnoldists 128 Orchard's Sketch of Arnold of Brescia 128 Was Arnold a Baptist? 130 Persecuted, Arnold's Martyrdom and Doctrine 131
Chapter 15 The Waldenses 134 Their Name 134
Their Antiquity 134 Historical Testimony 136 Waldenses by Various Names 137 Another Word on their Origin 138 Conclusion 140 Chapter 16 The Waldenses Continued 142 Waldenses Not Protestants 142 Their View on "Antichrist" 143 A Confession of Their Faith, (14 Articles) 144 What the Historians Say 148
Chapter 17 The Waldenses Concluded 150 Milton's Poem 150 Loss of Houses and Goods 151 Everywhere Persecuted 151 Persecuted by the Crusaders 152
Chapter 18 The Albigenses 157 Origin 157 Their Doctrine 157 Their Persecutions 160 A Bright Light in Dark Times 162
Chapter 19 The Ana-Baptists 166 Mosheim's Account 166 Depths of Their Antiquity 168 Ana-Baptist Ancestors 169 Waldenses were Ana-Baptists 170 Ana-Baptist Beliefs 171
Chapter 20 The Bogomils 173 Their Locations 173 Agreed with the Cathari 174
Antiquity of the Bogomils 175 Charges Against Them 176 Quote from J. T. Christian 177 Their Persecution 178 Chapter 21 The Lollards 179 Origin of the Lollards 179 Walter Lollard 180 Spurgeon in Connection with the Lollards 181 Their Doctrines 183 Their Persecutions 184
Chapter 22 The Bohemian & Moravian Brethren 188 Description of the Land 188 The Gospel in Bohemia 188 Peter Waldo 189 Called "Waldensians" 190 John Huss 190 Robert Robinson 192 Two Classes of Brethren 192 Their Persecution 192
Chapter 23 The Picards & Beghards 195 Picards or Pickard 195 Bohemia 196 Maximillian II 196 Doctrine of the Picards 196 The Beghards 198 The Name 199 Conclusion 199
Chapter 24 Ana-Baptists and the Reformation 201 God's Overruling Providence 202 The Good Doesn't Last 202 Illustrations of Reform Doctrine 203 Ana-Baptist Doctrine, Its Antiquity 204
Church Truth 205 Conclusion 206 Chapter 25 Ana-Baptists and the Reformation Continued 209 Christianity not a Culture 209 Constantine 210 The Reformation Continues 210 Same Problems 210 Religious Force 211 Luther's Choice 212 Church Requirements 212 Salvation by Faith Alone 213 Non-Public Worship 214
Chapter 26 Ana-Baptist and the Reformation Concluded 216 The Peace between Catholics and Reformers 216 The Peace of Augsburg (1555) 216 The Peace of Westphalia (1648) 217 Lutheran Persecution 217 Luther, A Persecutor 218 Death Warrants 219 John Calvin, A Persecutor 220 The Reformers all Alike 221 Conclusion 222
Chapter 27 The Ana-Baptists of Munster 223 W. A. Jarrel, Quote of their Diversity 223 The Munster Disorders 224 Common Sense, (not Ana-Baptist of the Ordinary Sort) 226 Ana-Baptists Denial 226 Martyr's Testimony, (Condemnation of the Acts Committed at Munster) 227 Non-Baptist Vindication 228 Conclusion 229
Chapter 28 The Welsh Baptists 231 The Gospel of Wales 231 Concerning Paul 231 Claudia, (Princess of Wales, Convert of Paul?)232 Baptists Alone 233 Were Ancient World Christians Baptist? 235 David Benedict's Quote concerning 236 Conclusion 237 Bibliography 239 Waldensian Confessions of Faith Confession of 1120 247
How each of the Apostles were martyred
King Herod Agrippa wanted to stop Christianity by attacking the leaders. He had James arrested and sentenced to death on the basis of one man's testimony. However, when the accuser saw Jame's unfaltering joy, despite the sentencing the accuser immediately made the decision for Christ. On the way to be executed, the accuser dropped at the feet of James and said "I am so sorry for what I have done. The blood of an innocent man is on my hands. Please, please, before you die, please forgive me." James replied, "Peace be to you, brother." and gave him a holy kiss. The man, moved more by this, said, "You should not recieve the crown of martyrdom alone. I will die with you." he was immediately sentenced to death and they were both beheaded at the site of the execution.
Phillip, martyred in 51 AD.
Phillip did much work in Samaria, Turkey, and Syria. When he went to Hierapolis in Phrygia, the idol worshippers would not listen to him despite the miracles that occured of the Spirit there. Some historians say he was then whipped, imprisoned and then crucified, while other historians say he was tied to a pillar and stoned.
Matthew, martyred in 66 AD.
At the dividing of countries among disciples, Matthew drew Ethiopia. He accomplished many things until King Hytacus took the throne. Matthew was arrested while he stood teaching in his church and was nailed to the ground with short spears and beheaded.
Jude, brother of James, martyred in 68 AD
is, the pagan priests notiHe traveled through Mesopotamia, Syria, Arabia, and Persia accomplishing much. Until that ced their loss of members (and money) due to his teachings so they beat him to death with clubs and sticks.
Simon, the Zealot, martyred in 70 AD
Some historians say Simon was crucified in Great Britain in 70 AD while others claim that he left Britain and went to Persia until Jude's death in 68 AD. and in the same year was tortured (notably painfully) and crucified by the governor of Syria.
James, martyred in 63 AD
During passover, when Jews from all over the world had gathered in the Holy City, James was taken to the highest point of the temple in an attempt to force him to deny Jesus. Instead of denying Christ as the priests had intended, James used his podium to preach bolder than he ever had before. When the crowd began to praise God at James' words the priests shoved him off the edge. Surprisingly, this did not kill him, but only broke his legs. The Pharisees, the Scribes, and the priests then began to stone James. He was kneeling on his broken legs praying, "Lord, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Upon hearing this, one of the priests begged the others to stop, "What are we doing? 'The Just' is praying for us. Stop the stoning! Stop the stoning!" But as the priest was shouting a man ran up behind James with a large stick and struck him in the back of the head, killing him instantly in prayer.
Peter, martyred in 65 AD
In Rome, Peter was ministering in his old age when he learned that Nero was determined to have him put to death. Peter was convinced to flee the city, but on his way out he saw Jesus walking in the other direction. He fell to his knees and asked Jesus what he was doing. Jesus replied, "I've come to be crucified again. Peter took this to mean that it was his time to die. So he returned and was sentenced to be crucified, but, claiming himself unworthy of the same death as Jesus asked to be hung upside down on the cross. This request was honored.
Andrew, martyred in 66 AD
Andrew came to face Aegaeas (a governor in Greece) of his own accord in an attempt to convince him not to persecute the Christians. The conversation angered Aegaeas and he sentenced Andrew to be crucified. Andrew rejoiced more and more as he neared the cross. Shouting joyfully that he was going to God. He hung on the cross for three days witnessing boldly to the ones around the cross. On the third day people requested that he be taken down and set free. Upon hearing this, Andrew protested loudly and asked God to recieve his spirit. So God did.
Thomas, martyred in 70 AD
Went to India and destroyed the sun god's images, ending idolatry. The sun god's priests were furious and sentenced him to be tortured with burning hot metal rods and thrown into a furnace. But, to everyone's amazement the fire did not harm him and he lived in the furnace. So they threw javelins into the furnace, one struck him in the side and killed him.
Bartholomew, martyred in 70 AD
Bartholomew, in my opinion died the worst possible death. He was sentenced to die in Armenia. He was beaten with rods and hung upside down on a cross. He witness the whole time, he was then flayed... GAH, and when he still wouldn't shut up he was beheaded. Such pain would make any normal man pass out. But the Spirit was on him, had to have been, for him to go on bodly professing Jesus as Lord.
Indestructable John, died in 95 AD
John was not martyred, attempts to kill him failed every time. The most notable was when the Roman Emperor attempted to kill him in front of a large crowd. They made a vat of boiling oil and lowered him in it. He raised his hands and was praying all the while. When they realised he was unharmed the Emperor instead banished him to the island of Patmos where he recieved the revelation for the book of Revelation. He outlived the other apostles by at least thirty years and died in peace at 101.
Paul, Saul of Tarsus, martyred in 65 AD
Paul was beheaded in Rome at the age of 64. Because he was a roman citizen he was thankfully not tortured. But martyred nontheless. He wrote 2 Timothy 4:6-8 about his upcoming death.