Alton E. Loveless

History of the General or Six-principle Baptists in Europe and America: in Two Parts (History of Free Will Baptists) Alton E. Loveless

Six-Principle Baptists, sometimes referred to as the Old or General Six-Principle Baptists, traces its origin in America to the ministry of Roger Williams in the 1600's. Its first congregation gathered in 1652 at Providence, Rhode Island and, within a short period of time, Six-Principle churches were planted and conferences arose in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Soon, a General Six-Principle Baptist Association was formed which was the first Baptist association of any kind in America. Six-Principle Baptists have no ecclesiastically binding creed. They hold to the Bible as the supreme written authority for their faith and practice with liberty of conscience in matters of interpretation and worship. This does not mean that they are completely opposed to the use of creeds, but only that they do not require conformity to the exact words of any one theological creed for membership. Therefore, the following Statements of Faith and Principles of the Six-Principle Baptists beliefs are not used as a binding creed, but are summary testimonies of faith and of the spirit in which Six-Principle Baptists interpret the Holy Scriptures and doctrine. Six-Principle Baptists hold to: ? One God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; ? One Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him; ? The Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide; ? The Bible as the supreme written authority in matters of faith and practice; ? Liberty of Conscience in matters of interpretation and worship. ? The Six Principles of Hebrews 6:1-2 (Repentance, Faith, Baptisms, Laying on of hands, Resurrection, and Judgment) as foundational concepts;