Chalmers on the English Particular Baptists

Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), a Scottish Presbyterian minister, speaking about a difference on baptism, nevertheless made these complimentary remarks on the English Particular Baptists.

Let it never be forgotten of the Particular Baptists of England, that they form the denomination of Fuller and Carey and Ryland and Hall and Foster;[i] that they have originated among the greatest of all missionary enterprises; that they have enriched the Christian literature of our country with authorship of the most exalted piety, as well as of the first talent and the first eloquence; that they have waged a very noble and successful war with the hydra of Antinomianism; that perhaps there is not a more intellectual community of ministers in our island, or who, have put forth to their number a greater amount of mental power and mental activity in the defence and illustration of our common faith; and, what is better than all the triumph of genius or understanding, who, by their zeal and fidelity and pastoral labour among the congregations which they have reared, have done more to swell the lists of genuine discipleship in the walks of private society—and thus both to uphold and to extend the living Christianity of our nation.

He notes their (1) zealous missionary endeavours, (2) excellent religious writings, (3) active defense of the Christian faith, and (4) faithful making of disciples. Thomas Chalmers, “Lecture XIV,” Lectures on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, New York, NY: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1844, 76. (Thanks to Michael A. G. Haykin for calling attention to this passage in Chalmers.)

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[i] These men are Andrew Fuller, William Carey, John Ryland Jr., Robert Hall Jr., and John Foster.

Baptists in the British Isles, 2025 Update

A few years ago I posted a list of Baptist groups in the British Isles. I am updating it here. It mostly contains links to the groups’ web sites, but also includes a listing of regional associations that are affiliated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain. There is one new group added, and another noted as now dissolved. The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches is made up of mostly baptistic churches, but is not included in the list since it also allows membership of pedobaptist churches.

Alphabetical listing of Baptists in the British Isles.

  I. Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland (formed in 1895, severing links with the Baptist Union of Great Britain)
 II. Association of Confessional Baptist Churches UK (an association of independent churches united by full subscription to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith)
III. Baptists Together/Baptist Union of Great Britain (founded in 1813 in London; re-branded as “Baptists Together” in 2013, though its official and legal name is still the Baptist Union of Great Britain)
         1. Central Baptist Association
         2. East Midland Baptist Association
         3. Eastern Baptist Association
         4. Heart of England Baptist Association
         5. London Baptist Association
         6. North Western Baptist Association
         7. Northern Baptist Association
         8. South Eastern Baptist Association
         9. South West Baptist Association
       10. Southern Counties Baptist Association
       11. South Wales Baptist Association
       12. West of England Baptist Association
       13. Yorkshire Baptist Association
  IV. Baptist Union of Scotland (founded in Glasgow in 1869)
   V. Baptist Union of Wales/Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru (established at Llanwenarth in 1866, the Baptist Union of Wales also cooperates with the Baptist Union of Great Britain)
   VI. Grace Baptist Assembly (established in 1980 through a merger of the Strict Baptist Assembly and the Assembly of Baptised Churches Holding the Doctrines of Grace)
  VII. Gospel Standard Strict Baptists (Gospel Standard magazine began in 1835, and the first Gospel Standard society was formed in 1872)
 VIII. Jesus Fellowship Church (began as a unique group upon disaffiliation by the Baptist Union of Great Britain circa 1986)
   IX. Old Baptist Union (founded in 1880 by Henry Augustus Squire and others)

Note: The Jesus Fellowship Church, aka Jesus’ Army, grew out of the Bugbrooke Baptist Church in Northamptonshire after division from the Baptist Union of Great Britain over differences in policy and in practice. It appears that this church has ceased to exist, possibly around 2023. See Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme report.

Some of the Baptists in the United Kingdom participate in the Baptist World Alliance and the European Baptist Federation.

Feet washing history

Miscellaneous notes concerning the practice of washing the saints feet.

It must be confessed, That if exact Practice be required, and clearness in Gospel-Institutions before Communion; who dare be so bold as to say his hands are clean, and that he hath done all the Lord Commands, as to Institutions in his Worship? and must not confess the Change of Times doth necessitate some Variation, if not Alteration either in the matter or manner of things according to Primitive Practice, yet owned for true Churches, and received as visible Saints, though ignorant either wholly or in great measure, in laying on of hands, singing, washing of feet, and anointing with oyl, in the Gifts of the Spirit, which is the Urim and Thummim of the Gospel?

Differences in Judgment about Water-baptism, No Bar to Communion, John Bunyan, Henry Jessey, London: Printed for John Wilkins, 1673, pp. 116-117

Art 8 Wee believe that washing the Saints feet is A duty that Should Bee Practiced By the Churches of Christ Jesus Christ gives us the example.

Article 8 of the Articles of Faith of Isbell Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Rusk County, Texas; organized November 25, 1900

“Called for resolutions, when the following was presented and adopted:

“Resolved, That we do not regard the observance, or non-observance of feet washing a test of fellowship; but is open to conviction of each church and each individual member.” (page 3)

“On motion, the Association agreed to refer Liberty Church to special resolution passed by the Body on feet washing, as an answer to query sent up from that church.” (page 6)

Minutes of the Fourteenth Annual Session of the Mount Zion Baptist Association, held with Shiloh Church, Rusk County, September 16th 1870, p. 3, 6

Laying the Foundation Stone

The following news from 1880 in taken from the North Devon Journal, giving news from Croyde (“Laying the Foundation Stone of a New Baptist Chapel,” Thursday, May 20, 1880, page 8). I came across this while researching John Milton Compston, and thought his comments were interesting.

Jesus Never Talked About

Josh Williamson and his church, Newquay Baptist Church in Cornwall, England, prayed for a “Gay Pride” event to be cancelled. The pastor rejoiced on social media when it was cancelled. The “LGBTQ+ community” immediately went to work against Williamson and his church, reporting them to police for a “hate crime,” as well as threatening to burn down the church house. Afterward two members of the Cornwall Pride homosexual group requested Pastor Williamson to meet with them. At the meeting he gave to them a tract (see link below) to explain the beliefs of him and his church. A member of Cornwall Pride using the name Rosie Posie “spoke out about the hurt seeing the leaflet had caused on social media” – which was only on social media because they posted it! Rosie went on to say, “This is 2020 and very soon publications like this will be made illegal.” 

Don’t believe it? You had better. It is the aim and activity of many homosexuals and their allies to see that any biblical condemnation of their practices will become “hate speech” and “hate crimes.”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

The Jesus NEVER Talked About Homosexuality tract which Williamson presented “addresses many of the common justifications for sexual sin offered by the LGBTQ+ community, while leading the reader to a clear presentation of the Gospel.”

The Old Baptist Union links

On Wednesday and this morning I referenced the Old Baptist Union in Great Britain, which was founded in 1880. I found a number of writings, particularly by Thomas Henry Squire, have been made available online. For those who are interested in researching this seemingly unknown sub-group of Baptists, here are some of those links:

• Articles of Faith and Duties of Membership -- "of the English Conference of the International Old Baptist Union"
• Synopsis of What We Believe, Teach and Practise -- "While in sympathy with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, we scripturaJly maintain that the Church of Christ is composed of baptized believers who, as of old time, continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship..."
• Who are the Successors of the Apostolic Churches? A Question which directly concerns all Christians, answered by the Word of God. -- "There can be no real unity in Christendom until the leaders of the different societies are willing to forego their own ideas and opinions, and come back to New Testament Primitive Christianity from which all, more or less, sad to say, have gone astray."
• Instructions for Ministers and Workers of the English Conference of the Old Baptist Union -- "The first and most important principle of our government is--GOD'S GUIDANCE."
• The Scriptural Ordinance of The Laying on of Hands after Baptism for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. -- "The simple truth is, that all these ordinances, including the Laying on of Hands, were once derived trom the teaching and example of the first Christian churches founded by Christ and the Aposties, as set forth in the Scriptures..."
• Are Children Born Sinful? -- "Sin is not, therefore, something which is handed down as a heritage; but it is the personal act, or omission, of a capable and responsible person."
• Salvation and How to Obtain It -- "Notwithstanding the assertions of many earnest Christians Salvation is not completed by the assent of faith only, even in so far as it concerns this life, and the forgiveness of sins."

These links and other information are hosted HERE, by the Old Baptist Union Mission in the Netherlands.

1689 London Baptist Confession, Baptist Catechism, and Appendix on Baptism

A nice Baptist history resource:

The London Baptist Confession with Original Preface, Baptist Catechism, and Appendix on Baptism includes:

• the complete London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689
• the original preface to the Confession
• an important appendix on credo-baptism
• The Baptist Catechism of 1693

“This catechism was updated by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) for use with his own congregation, which is available from Chapel Library separately as Spurgeon’s Catechism. Erroll Hulse simplified this for children and families, which is available as A Catechism for Boys and Girls from Chapel Library. The London Baptist Confession of Faith – 1689 with only the text of the confession itself also is available from Chapel Library as a more concise booklet.”

Baptist groups in the British Isles

A few years ago I posted a list of Baptist groups in the British Isles. I am updating it here, mostly with links to the groups' web sites, but also with a listing of regional associations affiliated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Alphabetical listing of Baptists in the British Isles
 I. Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland
II. Baptist Union of Great Britain
         1. Central Baptist Association
         2. East Midland Baptist Association
         3. Eastern Baptist Association
         4. Heart of England Baptist Association
         5. London Baptist Association
         6. North Western Baptist Association
         7. Northern Baptist Association
         8. South Eastern Baptist Association
         9. South West Baptist Association
       10. Southern Counties Baptist Association
       11. South Wales Baptist Association
       12. West of England Baptist Association
       13. Yorkshire Baptist Association
  III. Baptist Union of Scotland
  IV. Baptist Union of Wales (the Baptist Union of Wales is also affiliated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain)  
   V. Grace Baptist Assembly
  VI. Gospel Standard Strict Baptists
 VII. Jesus Fellowship Church
VIII. Old Baptist Union

Note: The Jesus Fellowship Church, aka Jesus' Army, grew out of the Bugbrooke Baptist Church in Northampton after division from the Baptist Union of Great Britain over differences in policy in practice. It is possible that they may no longer consider themselves Baptists. Also, they may not be recognized as Baptists by the other Baptist groups of Great Britain. I do not have enough information to make that determination, so I have continued to include them. There are independent Baptist churches that are unaffiliated and exist apart from any of these groups.

Baptists in Britain, Australia, and Canada

A list of Baptist associations that exist in the British Isles (I would appreciate more information about Baptists in these Isles).

Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland (was the Baptist Union of Ireland)
Baptist Union of Great Britain
Baptist Union of Scotland
Baptist Union of Wales
Grace Baptist Assembly
Gospel Standard Strict Baptists
Jesus Fellowship Church
Old Baptist Union

The Jesus Fellowship Church grew out of the Bugbrooke Baptist Church in Northamptonshire after division from the Baptist Union of Great Britain. They may no longer consider themselves Baptists. There also used to be a Christian Pathway Strict Baptist group, but I think they may no longer exist. I'm sure there are independent churches that exist apart from any of these groups.

A list of Baptist associations that exist in Australia (I would appreciate more information about Baptists in Australia).

Australian Baptist Independent Fellowship
Baptist Union of Australia
Faith Baptist Churches Fellowship
Seventh Day Baptists
Strict and Particular Baptists

There are independent churches that exist apart from these groups, including some created by American missionary work; but it seems that the vast majority of Baptists in Australia participate in the Baptist Union.

A list of some of the Baptist groups in Canada (I hope some of our Canadian friends will tell us more; hint, hint, Jim!)

Association of Regular Baptist Churches of Canada
Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec
Baptist Union of Western Canada
Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches
Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada
Landmark Missionary Baptist Association of Quebec (L'Association des Églises Missionnaire Baptiste Landmark du Québec)
Sovereign Grace Fellowship of Canada
Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Convention of Canada
Union of French Baptist Churches (L'Union d'Églises Baptistes Françaises au Canada)
Union of Slavic Churches of Evangelical Christians and Slavic Baptists of Canada

The Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, Baptist Union of Western Canada, Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, and the Union of French Baptist Churches work together through Canadian Baptist Ministries. Two other native Baptist groups in Canada are the Covenanted Baptist Church of Canada and the Primitive Baptist Conference of New Brunswick, Maine, and Nova Scotia (briefly mentioned on the linked page). Besides these, there are several churches that participate in associations & conventions that are United States based.

Of the status of the Covenanted Baptist Church of Canada, Elder J. F. Poole wrote that it "today exists only in skeleton form. A few years ago there were about 5 meetinghouses with one membership attending them all. A sad division took place and the flock was generally scattered. There may be one small group meeting there now with a minister going up from the States to speak to them." That was the status in July 2000. This group is/was a predestinarian group similar to and in fellowship with the Absolute Predestinarian Primitive Baptists.

The Primitive Baptist Conference of New Brunswick, Maine, and Nova Scotia still exists, but under a different name. They are NOT related to the Primitive Baptists of the United States, but are part of the Free Baptist movement in the northeast (U.S. & Canada). They separated from the Free Christian Baptists on questions of practice and order. In 1981, sixteen churches of the Primitive Baptist Conference (in New Brunswick) united with the National Association of Free Will Baptists and are known as the Atlantic Canada Association of Free Will Baptists. I have heard rumor that a few churches may not have participated in this union and still exist as "Primitive Baptists".