Georgia Baptist Convention
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC or GBSC) is an autonomous association of Baptist
churches in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. It is one of the state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Formed in 1822, it was one of the original nine state conventions to send delegates to the first Southern Baptist Convention
, organized in 1845.
, who was to be the Convention's first president, and who helped to write its constitution. Mercer had earlier helped to form the General Committee of Georgia Baptists, in 1803, and the Powelton Conferences at the turn of the century, which had foundered over concerns that its stated goal of "the increase of union among all real Christians" indicated open communion, and possible union of Baptists with Pedobaptists, leading to its dissolution in 1810.
In June 1822, delegates from the Georgia and Ocmulgee Baptist associations met at Powelton in Powelton Baptist Church and agreed upon the constitution of what was then called The General Association. In the 1823 session, the Sarepta association, which, ironically, in 1821 had reversed its position on the necessity for a state convention, and which had not sent a delegation to the 1822 meeting, sent corresponding delegates to the General Association, meeting again in Powelton. Sarepta was not to become a full member for some two decades. Delegates were also sent by the Sunbury association, which joined the General Association, meeting this time in Eatonton
, in 1824; by the Yellow River association, in 1825; by Augusta (and by several auxiliary societies, which were that year, by a constitutional amendement, allowed to join) in 1826; and by the Flint River association in 1827 (when the convention met in Washington
). From 1826 to 1838, twenty-six auxiliary societies sent delegations to the Convention. This growth stopped when the Primitive Baptists separated from the missionary Baptists; and instead, from 1835 to 1845, the Convention saw a growth in the number of Baptist associations joining it, with fourteen associations joining during that period. When the General Association met in Monticello
in 1828, it resolved to change its name to the General Convention (formally: The Baptist Convention for the State of Georgia).
In April 1861, the Convention met in Athens
. Like other churches, conventions, and conferences, it aligned itself politically with the Confederacy, passing the following resolutions on the 29th:
This resolution preceded a similar resolution, passed in May the same year by the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Savannah
, where approximately one half of the delegates were Georgians, approving of the Confederacy.
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...
churches in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It is one of the state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Formed in 1822, it was one of the original nine state conventions to send delegates to the first Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
, organized in 1845.
Early History
The convention was formed at the instigation of Adiel Sherwood, who drew up a resolution to be presented (by Charles J. Jenkins, since Sherwood was, at the time, an outsider in Georgia Baptist circles) at the Sarepta Baptist Association meeting, at the Sarepta Baptist Association meeting, held on the 21–24 of October 1820 at Van's Creek Church near Ruckersville. The text is at right. The underlined portion was an insertion by Jenkins. Sherwood's original text read simply "to sister associations in this State". Sherwood was assisted the Convention's formation by Jesse MercerJesse Mercer
Jesse Mercer was a prominent Baptist minister and a founder of Mercer University in the U.S. state of Georgia. Born in North Carolina on December 16, 1769, he was the son of Silas Mercer, a Baptist minister who moved his family to Wilkes County, Georgia in the early 1770s...
, who was to be the Convention's first president, and who helped to write its constitution. Mercer had earlier helped to form the General Committee of Georgia Baptists, in 1803, and the Powelton Conferences at the turn of the century, which had foundered over concerns that its stated goal of "the increase of union among all real Christians" indicated open communion, and possible union of Baptists with Pedobaptists, leading to its dissolution in 1810.
In June 1822, delegates from the Georgia and Ocmulgee Baptist associations met at Powelton in Powelton Baptist Church and agreed upon the constitution of what was then called The General Association. In the 1823 session, the Sarepta association, which, ironically, in 1821 had reversed its position on the necessity for a state convention, and which had not sent a delegation to the 1822 meeting, sent corresponding delegates to the General Association, meeting again in Powelton. Sarepta was not to become a full member for some two decades. Delegates were also sent by the Sunbury association, which joined the General Association, meeting this time in Eatonton
Eatonton, Georgia
Eatonton is a city in Putnam County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,480. The city is the county seat of Putnam County. It was named after William Eaton, an officer and diplomat involved in the First Barbary War...
, in 1824; by the Yellow River association, in 1825; by Augusta (and by several auxiliary societies, which were that year, by a constitutional amendement, allowed to join) in 1826; and by the Flint River association in 1827 (when the convention met in Washington
Washington, Georgia
Washington is a city in Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,295 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wilkes County...
). From 1826 to 1838, twenty-six auxiliary societies sent delegations to the Convention. This growth stopped when the Primitive Baptists separated from the missionary Baptists; and instead, from 1835 to 1845, the Convention saw a growth in the number of Baptist associations joining it, with fourteen associations joining during that period. When the General Association met in Monticello
Monticello, Georgia
Monticello is the largest city and the county seat of Jasper County, Georgia , United States. The population was 2,428 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Monticello is located at ....
in 1828, it resolved to change its name to the General Convention (formally: The Baptist Convention for the State of Georgia).
In April 1861, the Convention met in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. Like other churches, conventions, and conferences, it aligned itself politically with the Confederacy, passing the following resolutions on the 29th:
This resolution preceded a similar resolution, passed in May the same year by the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, where approximately one half of the delegates were Georgians, approving of the Confederacy.
Georgia Baptist Colleges
- Brewton-Parker CollegeBrewton-Parker CollegeBrewton–Parker College is a private, Christian, coeducational college whose main campus is located in Mount Vernon, Georgia, USA. Brewton-Parker is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention and celebrated their centennial in 2004.-Organization:...
- Shorter University
- Truett-McConnell CollegeTruett-McConnell CollegeTruett-McConnell College is a private, Christian, coeducational liberal arts college in Cleveland, Georgia, United States. It is operated under the auspices of the Georgia Baptist Convention, and controlled by a Board of Trustees elected by the Convention. The college was named to honor George W....
Other Affiliated Organizations
- Baptist Retirement Communities of Georgia, Inc.
- Baptist Village Retirement Communities
- Camp Kaleo
- Ethics & Public Affairs
- GBC Internet Radio
- Georgia Baptist Conference Center - Norman Park
- Georgia Baptist Conference Center - Toccoa
- Georgia Baptist Convention Historical Archive and Museum
- Pinnacle Conference Center