Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: SLMBH@cunyvm.bitnet (TJ) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Assembly of God Message-ID: Date: 13 Dec 90 09:52:33 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center Lines: 52 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Hi Dana, I was wondering what does American Baptist mean and what do you believe in (i.e., Holy Spirit)? Also, what is the difference between an American Baptist and Baptist? [Baptist is normally used to refer to a whole church tradition. The current U.S. groups can be traced to part of the Puritan movement in 17th Cent. England, although Baptists generally see some spiritual connection with the "left wing" of the Reformation (those who believed churches should be made up only of committed believers, rather than being State churches -- these folks were typically persecuted by Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists alike). Originally the U.S. Baptist groups had Calvinist theology, and were distinguished primarily by their commitment to the "gathered church", believer's baptism (i.e. adult baptism), their lack of binding creeds, and their lack of strong ecclesiastical government. Since then many (most?) Baptists have rejected much of the Calvinist tradition, particularly predestination. However they still believe in the church as a group of committed people and adult baptism. They tend to have an "evangelical" theology, emphasizing the experience of Christ as savior and the authority of Scripture. There seems to have been a recent tendency to "tighten up" in various ways. Two of the larger groups, the Southern Baptists and American Baptists, have done so in different ways. The Southern Baptists, amid bitter fighting, are now imposing what amounts to creedal tests on seminary faculty, as they require belief in inerrancy. The American Baptists in 1972 reorganized and now have a somewhat more connectional church polity that is traditional for Baptists. Traditionally, the only Baptist organizations beyond the local church are special-purpose organizations such as mission groups, and national "conventions". The conventions are not connectional denominations like say the Catholic or even Methodist Church. However they allow churches to cooperate in areas such as running seminaries and carrying out missions. These conventions claim no authority over local churches. There are about 30 million Baptists in the U.S. The largest of the conventions is the Southern Baptist Convention, with 14 million. Next are two predominately black groups, the National Baptist Convention, USA (6 million), and National Baptist Convention of American (3.5). At one point the American Baptist Convention was similar, though more liberal. However in 1972 it reorganizewd into the American Baptist Churches in the USA. I have few details, but my reference says that it is more connectional than typical for Baptists, i.e. that the regional and national level has a bit more authority. It has about 1.5 million members. American Baptists typically are a bit more receptive towards Biblical criticism and other "liberal" issues than Southern Baptists. I believe I've even heard of female American Baptist pastors, though I could be wrong. --clh]