![]() ![]() This stands in contrast with a "particular" view of the atonement, according to which Jesus Christ died only for those who are elect, or chosen, by God. ![]() This view is associated with Arminian theology. Only those who trust in Christ for salvation are in fact saved, but his death, nonetheless, was made for all people. That is, they believed that Jesus Christ died for all (thus the label "general") people. This name is reflective of the fact that Smyth, Helwys, and the members of their congregations believed in a "general" view of the atonement of Jesus Christ. John Smyth and Thomas Helwys are representative of the General Baptists. The following year, Helwys returned to England and established a Baptist congregation at Spitalfields, near London. Thomas Helwys led a congregation that emerged from Smyth's around 1610, drafting its own confession of faith in 1611. This affirmation of baptism for believers only defined the group as the first Baptist congregation. Approximately two years later, in 1609, Smyth baptized himself (sometimes referred to as "se-baptism") and other adult members of the congregation. Though not on English soil, this congregation is usually regarded as the first English Baptist church. Nonetheless, they formed a new church congregation rather than joining one of the existing groups. A number of somewhat similar groups had already formed in the Netherlands prior to their arrival. Because of continuing conflict with the Church of England, and subsequent persecution, he, along with Thomas Helwys and members of their congregation fled to Amsterdam later that year. There are several streams or sub-traditions that participate in the earliest decades of the Baptist tradition.Īs a result of disagreements with the Church of England, John Smyth established a " Separatist" congregation in 1606. The identification of the originating events and the "founders" of the Baptist tradition is less clear than it is for most other Protestant traditions of Christianity. ![]()
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