Grace Baptist Assembly
Encyclopedia
The Grace Baptist Assembly is designed to facilitate the fellowship of Particular Baptist churches. It was first organised in England
in 1980, when the Strict Baptist Assembly (founded in 1964) and the Assembly of baptized churches holding the doctrines of grace (founded in 1976) voluntarily agreed to cease their organisations and meet together as the Grace Baptist Assembly.
The churches of the Grace Baptist Assembly hold a Calvinistic form of theology
, and are descendants of the larger Strict and Particular
Baptist movement. The doctrinal standards of the Assembly are the ‘Old London’ Confession of Faith of 1689 and ‘We Believe’, the Strict Baptist Affirmation of Faith (second edition 1973). Churches attending the assembly give prior notice of their agreement with one of these confessions, and confirmation of their baptised membership.
The assembly exists only for as long as it is in session. All co-operation in and commitment to the assembly by a local church is entirely voluntary. The churches attending the assembly believe that ecclesial authority rests with the local church, and not with any supra-church body.
Many churches involved also belong to one of several regional Grace Baptist Associations. Churches support joint evangelistic and educational endeavours, including Grace Publications Trust and Grace magazine (founded in 1970). A linked missionary
organisation, Grace Baptist Mission, (formerly the Strict Baptist Mission) supports evangelistic work in over 13 countries worldwide. Grace Baptist Mission is based in Abingdon, England. The Grace Baptist Assembly appears to feel a close kinship to the Reformed Baptist
s of England. In 1995, the Grace Baptist Assembly had over 10,000 members in about 260 churches.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1980, when the Strict Baptist Assembly (founded in 1964) and the Assembly of baptized churches holding the doctrines of grace (founded in 1976) voluntarily agreed to cease their organisations and meet together as the Grace Baptist Assembly.
The churches of the Grace Baptist Assembly hold a Calvinistic form of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, and are descendants of the larger Strict and Particular
Strict Baptists
Strict Baptists, also known as Particular Baptists, are Baptists who believe in a Calvinist or Reformed interpretation of Christian soteriology. The Particular Baptists arose in England in the 17th century and took their namesake from the doctrine of particular redemption.-Further reading:*History...
Baptist movement. The doctrinal standards of the Assembly are the ‘Old London’ Confession of Faith of 1689 and ‘We Believe’, the Strict Baptist Affirmation of Faith (second edition 1973). Churches attending the assembly give prior notice of their agreement with one of these confessions, and confirmation of their baptised membership.
The assembly exists only for as long as it is in session. All co-operation in and commitment to the assembly by a local church is entirely voluntary. The churches attending the assembly believe that ecclesial authority rests with the local church, and not with any supra-church body.
Many churches involved also belong to one of several regional Grace Baptist Associations. Churches support joint evangelistic and educational endeavours, including Grace Publications Trust and Grace magazine (founded in 1970). A linked missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
organisation, Grace Baptist Mission, (formerly the Strict Baptist Mission) supports evangelistic work in over 13 countries worldwide. Grace Baptist Mission is based in Abingdon, England. The Grace Baptist Assembly appears to feel a close kinship to the Reformed Baptist
Reformed Baptist
Reformed Baptists are Baptists that hold to a Calvinist soteriology. They can trace their history through the early modern Particular Baptists of England. The first Reformed Baptist church was formed in the 1630s...
s of England. In 1995, the Grace Baptist Assembly had over 10,000 members in about 260 churches.
External links
- Grace Baptist Assembly 2008-present
- Grace Baptist Assembly 2003
- Grace Baptist Assembly 2002
- Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East)
- Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia)
- Association of Grace Baptist Churches (West Anglia)
- Grace Publications Trust
- Grace Magazine
- Grace Baptist Women's Association
- Grace Baptist Mission
- Strict Baptist Historical Society