The true followers of Christ have been called by different names in the countries they have migrated too. In recent centuries before their migration to America they were called Anabaptist or Baptist. According to history the first organized Baptist churches in America occurred in the early 1600s. Although he was only a Baptist for a short time, Roger Williams established a church in Providence Rhode Island in the year 1639. This church is many times credited with being the first Baptist church in America but proper research of history will show that Dr. John Clarke (a Baptist minister) was instrumental in establishing the first Baptist church of America. This church was established at Newport Rhode Island in the year 1638.

Not all who were called Anabaptist were the same people in doctrine and practice, neither were all the Baptists of England the same. Thomas Crosby, a deacon in a church John Gill pastured, says on page 173 of his history of the English Baptist: "It may be proper to observe here, that there have been two parties of the English Baptists in England ever since the beginning of the reformation; those that have followed the Calvinistical scheme of doctrines, and from the principal point therein, personal election, have been termed Particular Baptists: And those that have professed the Arminian or remonstrant tenets; and have also from the chief of these doctrines, universal redemption, been called General Baptists. In the context of the above quote Thomas Crosby also stated "And I know that there are several churches, ministers, and many particular persons, among the English Baptists, who desire not to go under the name either of Generals or Particulars, nor indeed can justly be ranked under either of these heads; because they receive what they think to be truth, without regarding with what human schemes it agrees or disagrees." If we had records of these other Baptists in England I suspect that we may very well find the true Church identified by their faith and Practice.

The true church has never traced its lineage through the reformation because the doctrines and practices of the true church were made manifest by Jesus Christ and His Apostles and the true church has continuously existed ever since Christ set it up. Neither John Calvin nor any other reformer instituted, revised or added to the true church. That is why we reject the idea that the true followers of Jesus Christ are Calvinists. While there are Baptists and even some using the name Primitive Baptists who do borrow some things from the teachings of John Calvin; it only shows evidence that they are not pure disciples of Christ because we should only agree with Calvin when Calvin agrees with Christ and His Apostles. When Calvin agrees with Christ then it is Christ we are followers of not Calvin. When Calvin does not agree with Christ those who follow him are aptly called Calvinists.

The Baptists in American began to accept new practices among their ranks in the early 1800s. These new practices fostered new doctrines and eventually a split of the Baptist family in America. Those Baptist who staunchly apposed the changes began to be called Primitive Baptists sometime after the split. The name Primitive Baptist correctly applies to those who apposed the changes in doctrine and practice, because the word primitive means original [Baptists]. Sadly, only a small segment of those who use the name Primitive Baptists still hold to the doctrines and practices of the Scriptures. As already stated, the true Primitive Baptists do not trace their roots through the offsprings of the reformation such as the Calvinistic or Particular Baptists. I realize that in the Black Rock Address the name Particular Baptist was used but that does not negate what I am teaching because prior to the use of the name Primitive Baptists there were remnants of general, particular, separate, and regular Baptists of which a portion of them came together in doctrine and practice and eventually came under the name Primitive Baptists. Although I firmly believe the Church Christ set up has existed in all ages and will continue to exist until He returns; it is impossible to trace it year to year through recorded history. I suspect the Primitive Baptists of America are more properly traced through the Baptist Churches of Wales who came to America in the 1700s.

The historic significance of the first Baptist Church established in America is notable and should not be ignored even if it came through the influence of the reformation period. The following is a statement of John Clarke's beliefs which can be found on page 82 of the book: Your Baptist Heritage by Elder Isaac Backus originally published in 1844 under the title Church History of New England from 1620-1804

"The decree of God is that whereby He hath from eternity set down with Himself what shall come to pass in time.¹ All things, with their causes, effects, circumstances, and manner of being, are decreed by God.² Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, etc.³ This decree is most wise⁴, Most just⁵, Eternal⁶, Necessary,⁷ Unchangeable,⁸ Most free,⁹ And the cause of all good.¹⁰ But not of any sin.¹¹ The special decree of God concerning angels and men is called predestination.¹² Of the former, Viz. angels, little is spoken in the Holy Scriptures; of the latter, more is revealed, not unprofitable to be known. It may be defined the wise, free, just, eternal, and unchangeable sentence or decree of God, determining to create and govern men for His special glory, viz. the praise of His glorious mercy and justice.¹³ Election is the decree of God, of His free love, grace, and mercy, choosing some men to faith, holiness, and eternal life, for the praise of His glorious mercy.¹⁴ The cause which moved the Lord to elect them who are chosen was none other but His mere good will and pleasure.¹⁵ The end is the manifestation of the riches of His grace and mercy.¹⁶ The sending of Christ, faith, holiness, and eternal life, are the effects of His love, by which He manifesteth the infinite riches of His grace. In the same order God doth execute this decree in time, He did decree it in His eternal counsel.¹⁷ Sin is the effect of mans free will, and condemnation is an effect of justice inflicted upon man for sin and disobedience. A man in this life may be sure of his election.¹⁸ Yea, of his eternal happiness, but not of his eternal reprobation; for he that is now profane may be called hereafter."

01. Ephesians 1:11
02. Acts 2:23
03. Acts 4:28
04. Romans 11:33
05. Romans 9:13-14
06. Ephesians 1:4,5;2 and Thessalonians, 2:13
07. Psalms 33:11 and Proverbs, 19:21
08. Hebrews 6:17
09. Romans, 9:18
10. James 1:17
11. 1 John 1:5
12. Romans 8:30
13. Roman 9:17,18, and 11:36
14. 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and Roman 8:29-30
15. Luke 12:32
16. Roman :23; Ephesians 1:6
17. 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15
18. 2 Peter 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:4