Baptist Union in the Czech Republic
Encyclopedia
Widely known as the Baptist Union in the Czech Republic among English-speakers, the Bratrská Jednota Baptistů v České republice is an association serving Baptist
Christian
s in the Czech Republic
. They are also known in English as the Unity of Brethren Baptists1.
, and was known as Czechoslovakia
from 1918 until 1992. In 1858 Magnus Knappe, a German minister, began to travel regularly to the Broumov area and preach to the German-speaking people there. The first Czech Baptist congregation was established on March 15, 1884 in the village of Hledsebe in Central Bohemia. This body called itself the Congregation of Christians Baptized in Faith. This work moved to Prague and continued to grow, and other works were established. Meeting in Vavrišovo in 1919, 15 Baptist congregations formed an association with the name The Chelčicky Unity of Brethren². Later the name The Chelčicky Unity of Brethren Baptists replaced the original, and in the early 1950s it was changed to The Unity of Brethren Baptists. Though in the 1960s two regional groups (Bohemian-Moravian and Slovak) were formed, the Unity included all Baptists in the territory of Czechoslovakia until 1993. After Czechoslovakia was split into two republics on January 1, 1993, the Unity of Brethren Baptists was divided on January 1, 1994, forming the Unity of Brethren Baptists in the Czech Republic and the Unity of Brethren Baptists in the Slovak Republic³. These two bodies maintain fellowship, use the same hymn book, and publish a common magazine, the Rozsievač (meaning The Sower).
. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments are held to be the word of God - God's revelation of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes to persons who exercise faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, which is prerequisite to becoming church members. Baptism
of believers is performed by immersion in water. Since each person is believed to be responsible to God, the Unity of Brethren Baptists practice and defend liberty of conscience of everyone. Local congregations should be independent and autonomous, but not isolated from other Baptist congregations.
, the Baptist World Alliance
, and the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic. The college or Bible school in Olomouc (founded 1992) offers a three-year study, focusing on theological activities. Those who are interested in specific theological degrees often study at the Evangelic Theological Seminary in Prague. Currently the union has 2335 members in 26 congregations. The office of the Executive Committee is located at Prague.
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. They are also known in English as the Unity of Brethren Baptists1.
Background
Baptist work in the territory of the present Czech Republic began in the 1850s. The area was part of Austria-Hungary until the end of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and was known as Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
from 1918 until 1992. In 1858 Magnus Knappe, a German minister, began to travel regularly to the Broumov area and preach to the German-speaking people there. The first Czech Baptist congregation was established on March 15, 1884 in the village of Hledsebe in Central Bohemia. This body called itself the Congregation of Christians Baptized in Faith. This work moved to Prague and continued to grow, and other works were established. Meeting in Vavrišovo in 1919, 15 Baptist congregations formed an association with the name The Chelčicky Unity of Brethren². Later the name The Chelčicky Unity of Brethren Baptists replaced the original, and in the early 1950s it was changed to The Unity of Brethren Baptists. Though in the 1960s two regional groups (Bohemian-Moravian and Slovak) were formed, the Unity included all Baptists in the territory of Czechoslovakia until 1993. After Czechoslovakia was split into two republics on January 1, 1993, the Unity of Brethren Baptists was divided on January 1, 1994, forming the Unity of Brethren Baptists in the Czech Republic and the Unity of Brethren Baptists in the Slovak Republic³. These two bodies maintain fellowship, use the same hymn book, and publish a common magazine, the Rozsievač (meaning The Sower).
Beliefs
The Unity of Brethren Baptists is a Trinitarian body, holding a belief in one God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The highest example, criteria and authority is JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments are held to be the word of God - God's revelation of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes to persons who exercise faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, which is prerequisite to becoming church members. Baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
of believers is performed by immersion in water. Since each person is believed to be responsible to God, the Unity of Brethren Baptists practice and defend liberty of conscience of everyone. Local congregations should be independent and autonomous, but not isolated from other Baptist congregations.
Status
The highest body in the Unity of Brethren Baptists is a "convention of delegates", which generally holds sessions once a year. The Convention elects a five-member executive committee for a four-year term, which functions in matters of administration. The Unity of Brethren Baptists is a member of the European Baptist FederationEuropean Baptist Federation
The European Baptist Federation is a federation of 51 Baptist associations and is one of six regional fellowships in the Baptist World Alliance. The EBF was founded in Ruschlikon, Switzerland, in 1949. It lays a great deal of emphasis on human rights, religious liberty and aid programs. The...
, the Baptist World Alliance
Baptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
, and the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic. The college or Bible school in Olomouc (founded 1992) offers a three-year study, focusing on theological activities. Those who are interested in specific theological degrees often study at the Evangelic Theological Seminary in Prague. Currently the union has 2335 members in 26 congregations. The office of the Executive Committee is located at Prague.
Footnotes
- perhaps a better translation
- Chelčicky was a HussiteHussiteThe Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus , who became one of the forerunners of the Protestant Reformation...
leader in the 15th century. - see Brotherly Union of Baptists in Slovakia