Today there are more than twenty (about ten major divisions) Baptist denominations. Back beyond the seventeenth Century history records neither Baptist Churches nor Baptist people. They had their beginning in the early part of the seventeenth century as a fruit of the Protestant Reformation Movement.

"The first regularly organized Baptist Church of which we possess any account is dated from 1607, and was formed in London by a Mr. Smyth, who had been a clergyman of the Church of England. It was formed on the principles of the 'General Baptist.' In the year 1633 the first Particular Baptist Church was formed in London under Mr. Spilsbury." Benedict’s History of the Baptist, p.304. "The difference was small. Smyth is regarded as the founder of the General Baptists of England, which are Amenian (sic) in doctrine and 'close,' or 'restricted,' in communion; while the Particular Baptist are, for the most part, Calvinistic in doctrine and open in communion." Story of the Baptist, by Dr. Cook, p. 2. This is Baptist History by Baptist Historians.

John Smyth, not being satisfied with his own infant baptism, baptized himself. At least he administered to himself what he considered baptism; history shows that he sprinkled water upon himself. At first Baptist were called "Anabaptists" due to the fact that they denied the validity of infant baptism and thus baptized again all who were baptized in infancy.

I have in my library a book entitled "Baptist Confessions of Faith" by W. D. McGlothlin, a former professor in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The first sentence of the "Introduction" says: "Primitive Christianity drew up no Confessions of Faith." How true that is. Early Christians had the preaching and writing of inspired men; in the New Testament we still have the same, and it is complete and sufficient. But Baptists have drawn up many confessions of faith. Among the more notable are: The First London Confession of Faith (1644), The Second London Confession of Faith (1677), the Philadelphia Confession of Faith (1742) and the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833).

Religious practices and doctrines cannot be, at the same time and both, good and bad, right and wrong. Nor can they be neutral, neither good nor bad, neither right nor wrong. Just as surely as the Bible is the word of God, it is all the word of God, authoritative and understandable. Some Baptist doctrines and practices contrary to the scriptures are these:

1. The doctrine of original sin or that infants are born depraved, inheriting the guilt of Adam's sin. Ezek. 18:20; Luke 18:15-17 refute it.

2. The doctrine of salvation by faith alone. James 2:l4-26; Gal. 5:6 refute it.

3. Denying that obedience is essential to salvation. Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9; 2 Thess. 1:8 refute it.

4. Denying that baptism is essential to salvation. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27; I Pet. 3:21 refute it.

5. The doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy (or the perseverance of the saints) or that a child of God cannot so sin as to be eternally lost. Heb. 3:1, 12; Gal. 5:2-4; 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Pet. 2:20-22; Heb. 6:4-6; Gal. 5:19-21 and many others refute it.

6. The doctrine of Premillennialism or that Christ will return to the earth, set up his kingdom and reign for a thousand years. Acts 2:36; John 18:36; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:5-6; 5:9-10 refute it.

7. Congregational approval by voting of all candidates for baptism; such baptized candidates are said to have joined that particular Baptist church. Acts 2:47; 8:35-39 refute it.

8. Congregational government of A pastor and deacons. New Testament congregations each had pastors (also called bishops and elders), not A pastor; preachers and pastors were not identical. Phil. 1:1; Acts 20:17, 28.

9. Conventions and Associations; intercongregational and intracongregational organizations; church colleges and hospitals and orphanages.

10. Church-sponsored recreation, entertainment and social meals; church-owned and operated youth camps.

11. Missionary and Benevolent societies.

12. Youth churches.

13. Choirs to sing to the congregation.

14. Instrumental music in worship.

15. Unscriptural money-raising endeavors.

16. Collections at nearly every service.

17. The Lord's Supper quarterly or monthly.

18. And many others.