National Association of Free Will Baptists

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National Association of Free Will Baptists - a national body of predominantly white Free Will Baptist churches in the United States and Canada, organized on November 5, 1935 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Free Will Baptists in the United States arose in two independent streams, one beginning in the South in 1727 (the "Palmer" line) and another in the North in 1780 (the "Randall" line).

In 1702, English Baptists who had settled in Carolina requested help from the General Baptists in England. Though they did not receive help, native Paul Palmer labored there about 25 years later, and founded the first "General" or "Free Will" Baptist church in Chowan, North Carolina in 1727. Palmer organized at least three churches in North Carolina. From one church in 1727, they grew to over 20 churches by 1755. After 1755, the churches began to decrease and many churches and members became Particular Baptists. By 1770, only 4 churches and 4 ministers remained of the General Baptist persuasion. By the end of 18th century, these churches were being referred to as "Free Will Baptist." The churches in the "Palmer" line would again experience growth slowly. They organized various associations and conferences, and finally organized into the General Conference of Free Will Baptists in 1921.

Another "Free Will" movement rose in the North through the work of Benjamin Randall (1749-1808). Randall united with the Regular Baptists in 1776, but broke with them in 1779 due to his more liberal views on predestination. In 1780, Randall formed a "Free" Baptist church in New Durham, New Hampshire. More churches were founded, and in 1792 a Yearly Meeting was organized. This northern line of Free Will Baptists expanded rapidly, but the majority of the churches merged with the Northern Baptist Convention in 1911. A remnant of the Randall churches organized in 1917 as the Cooperative General Association of Free Will Baptists.

Representatives of the "Palmer" (General Conference) and "Randall" (Cooperative General Association) groups of Free Will Baptists met in Nashville, Tennessee in 1935 and organized the National Association of Free Will Baptists as a merger of the two groups.

The churches of the National Association of Free Will Baptists are theological conservatives who hold an Arminian view of salvation and eternal security. The differ from the larger body of Baptists in holding three ordinances rather than two - baptism, the Lord's supper and feet washing. Anointing with oil is also practiced.

As of August 2005, the Association claims to have over 2,400 churches in 42 states and 14 foreign countries. The Association is actively involved in missionary work at home and abroad.

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[edit] Sources

  • A Free Will Baptist Handbook: Heritage, Beliefs, and Ministries, by J. Matthew Pinson
  • Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
  • Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States, 2000, Glenmary Research Center
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