: Following the Act of Toleration, Particular Baptists formally adopted this confession, which remains a foundational document for many Reformed Baptists today. The "Successionist" Theory (Trail of Blood)
A notable but historically debated view within the tradition is the or successionist theory.
Baptist history is a complex narrative shaped by a commitment to individual conscience, local church autonomy, and the practice of believer's baptism. While some traditionalists argue for an "unbroken succession" back to the New Testament, most historians trace the formal emergence of the Baptist movement to . Origins and Early Development baptist history
: In 1609, John Smyth , an English Separatist in Amsterdam, became convinced that infant baptism was unscriptural. He baptized himself and then his followers, forming the first identifiable Baptist congregation.
: Followed Arminian theology, believing Christ died for all people ("general" atonement). : Following the Act of Toleration, Particular Baptists
Baptists became a major force in American religious life through their focus on religious liberty and evangelism. Why Am I A Southern Baptist? - For the Church
The Baptist movement primarily grew out of the English Reformation as radical Separatists sought a more biblical model of the church. : Followed Arminian theology, believing Christ died for
: Proponents argue that Baptist-like churches have existed continuously since the time of Christ, often identifying groups like the Anabaptists, Waldensians, and Lollards as their spiritual ancestors.