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By
Dr. James M.
Carroll
Following the Christians Down Through the Centuries
The History of Baptist Churches From the Time of Christ, Their Founder,
to the Present Day
THIS
LITTLE BOOK is sent forth for the purpose of making known the little-known
history of those FAITHFUL WITNESSES of the Lord Jesus, who, as members of the
CHURCH JESUS BUILT, "Overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto death,"
(Revelation. 12:11).
I'd
appreciate hearing from you--and may I ask your help in getting these messages
to our young people and others. Tell them about the wonderful facts of history
brought out in this book. Urge them to order it. It would be most helpful to
study it as classes in the BTU, WMU, and other organizations.
By
CLARENCE WALKER
Dr.
J. M. Carroll, the author of this book, was born in the state of Arkansas,
January 8, 1858, and died in Texas, January 10, 1931. His father, a Baptist
preacher, moved to Texas when Brother Carroll was six years old. There he was
converted, baptized, and ordained to the Gospel ministry. Dr. Carroll not only
became a leader among Texas Baptists, but an outstanding figure of Southern
Baptists, and of the world.
Years
ago he came to our church and brought the messages found in this book. It was
then I became greatly interested in Brother Carroll's studies. I, too, had made
a special research in Church History, as to which is the oldest Church and most
like the churches of the New Testament.
Dr.
J. W. Porter attended the lectures. He was so impressed he told Brother Carroll
if he would write the messages he would publish them in a book. Dr. Carroll
wrote the lectures and gave Dr. Porter the right to publish them along with the
chart, which illustrates the history so vividly.
However,
Dr. Carroll died before the book came off the press, but Dr. Porter placed them
before the public and the whole edition was soon sold. Now, by the grace of
God, we are able to present this 66th edition of 20,000. I want to ask all who
read and study these pages to join me in prayer and work that an
ever-increasing number shall go forth.
"To
make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning
of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Christ Jesus; to
the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in Heavenly places might
be known by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God ... unto Him be glory in the
Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen."
(Eph.
3:9-10, 21)
It
was wonderful to hear Dr. Carroll tell how he became interested in the history
of the different denominations -- ESPECIALLY THEIR ORIGIN. He wrote the book
after he was 70 years old, but he said, "I was converted unto God when I
was just a boy. I saw the many denominations and wondered which was the church
the Lord Jesus founded."
Even
in his youth he felt that in the study of the Scriptures and history, he could
find the church, which was the oldest and most like the churches described in
the New Testament.
This
research for the truth led him into many places and enabled him to gather one
of the greatest libraries on church history. This library was given at his
death to the Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
He
found much church history--most of it seemed to be about the Catholics and
Protestants. The history of Baptists, he discovered, was written in blood. They
were the hated people of the Dark Ages. Their preachers and people were put
into prison and untold numbers were put to death. The world has never seen
anything to compare with the suffering, the persecutions, heaped upon Baptists
by the Catholic Hierarchy during the Dark Ages. The Pope was the world's
dictator. This is why the Ana-Baptists, before the Reformation, called the Pope
The Anti-Christ.
Their
history is written in the legal documents and papers of those ages. It is
through these records that the "TRAIL OF BLOOD" winds its way as you
find such statements--
"At
Zurich, after many disputations between Zuinglius and the Ana-Baptists, the
Senate made an Act, that if any presume to re-baptize those who were baptized
before (i.e. as infants) they should be drowned. At Vienna many Ana-Baptists
were tied together in chains that one drew the other after him into the river,
wherein they were all suffocated (drowned)." (Vida Supra, p. 61)
"In
the year of our Lord 1539 two Ana-Baptists were burned beyond Southwark, and a
little before them 5 Dutch Ana-Baptists were burned in Smithfield,"
(Fuller, Church History)
"In
1160 a company of Paulicians (Baptists) entered Oxford. Henry II ordered them
to be branded on the forehead with hot irons, publicly whipped them through the
streets of the city, to have their garments cut short at the girdles, and be
turned into the open country. The villages were not to afford them any shelter
or food and they perished a lingering death from cold and hunger." (Moore,
Earlier and Later Nonconformity in Oxford, p. 12.)
The
old Chronicler Stowe, A.D. 1533, relates:
"The
25th of May--in St. Paul's Church, London--examined 19 men and 6 women.
Fourteen of them were condemned; a man and a woman were burned at Smithfield,
the other twelve of them were sent to towns there to be burned."
Froude,
the English historian, says of these Ana-Baptist martyrs--
"The
details are all gone, their names are gone. Scarcely the facts seem worth
mentioning. For them no Europe was agitated, no court was ordered in mourning,
no papal hearts trembled with indignation. At their death the world looked on
complacent, indifferent or exulting. Yet here, out of 25 poor men and women
were found 14, who by no terror of stake or torture could be tempted to say
they believed what they did not believe. History has for them no word of
praise, yet they, too, were not giving their blood in vain. Their lives might
have been as useless as the lives of most of us. In their death they assisted
to pay the purchase of English freedom."
Likewise,
in writings of their enemies as well as friends, Dr. Carroll found, their
history and that their trail through the ages was indeed bloody:
Cardinal
Hosius (Catholic, 1524), President of the Council of Trent:
"Were
it not that the Baptists have been grievously tormented and cut off with the
knife during the past twelve hundred years, they would swarm in greater number
than all the Reformers." (Hosius, Letters, Apud Opera, pp. 112, 113.)
The
"twelve hundred years" were the years preceding the Reformation in
which Rome persecuted Baptists with the most cruel persecution thinkable.
Sir
Isaac Newton:
"The
Baptists are the only body of known Christians that have never symbolized with
Rome."
Mosheim
(Lutheran):
"Before
the rise of Luther and Calvin, there lay secreted in almost all the countries
of Europe persons who adhered tenaciously to the principles of modern Dutch
Baptists."
Edinburgh
Cyclopedia (Presbyterian):
"It
must have already occurred to our readers that the Baptists are the same sect
of Christians that were formerly described as Ana-Baptists. Indeed this seems
to have been their leading principle from the time of Tertullian to the present
time."
Tertullian
was born just fifty years after the death of the Apostle John.
Baptists
do not believe in Apostolic Succession. The Apostolic office ceased with the
death of the Apostles. It is to His churches that He promised a continual
existence from the time He organized the first one during His earthly ministry
until He comes again. He promised: -
"I
will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
(Matt.
16:18)
Then,
when He gave the great Commission, which tells what His churches are to do, He
promised: -
"I
will be with you alway, even unto the end of the age."
(Matt.
28:20)
This
Commission -- this work -- was not given to the Apostles as individuals, but to
them and the others present in their church capacity. The Apostles and the
others who heard Him give this Commission were soon dead -- BUT, His Church has
lived on through the ages, making disciples (getting folks saved), baptizing
them, and teaching the truth -- the doctrines -- He committed to the Jerusalem
Church. These faithful churches have been blessed with His presence as they
have traveled the TRAIL OF BLOOD.
This
history shows how the Lord's promise to His churches has been fulfilled. Dr.
Carroll shows that churches have been found in every age, which have taught the
doctrines He committed unto them. Dr. Carroll calls these doctrines the
"marks" of New Testament Churches.
Its
Head and Founder--CHRIST. He is the lawgiver; the Church is only the executive.
(Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18)
Its
only rule of faith and practice--THE BIBLE. (II Tim. 3:15-17)
Its
name--"CHURCH," "CHURCHES." (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 22:16)
Its
polity--CONGREGATIONAL--all members equal. (Matt. 20:24-28; Matt. 23:5-12)
Its
members--only saved people. (Eph. 2:21; I Peter 2:5)
Its
ordinances--BELIEVERS' BAPTISM, FOLLOWED BY THE LORD'S SUPPER. (Matt. 28:19-20)
Its
officers--PASTORS AND DEACONS. (I Tim. 3:1-16)
Its
work--getting folks saved, baptizing them (with a baptism that meets all the
requirements of God's Word), teaching them ("to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you"). (Matt. 28:16-20)
Its
financial plan--"Even so (TITHES and OFFERINGS) hath the Lord ordained
that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel," (I
Corinthians. 9:14)
Its
weapons of warfare--spiritual, not carnal. (II Corinthians 10:4; Eph. 6:10-20)
Its
independence--separation of Church and State. (Matt. 22:21)
In
any town there are many different churches -- all claiming to be the true
church. Dr. Carroll did as you can do now -- take the marks, or teachings, of
the different churches and find the ones, which have these marks, or doctrines.
The ones, which have these marks, or doctrines, taught in God's Word, are the true
churches.
This,
Dr. Carroll has done, to the churches of all ages. He found many had departed
from "these marks, or doctrines." Other churches, however, he found
had been true to these marks" in every day and age since Jesus said,
"I
will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
(Matt.
16:18)
"I
will be with you alway, even unto the end of the age."
(Matt.
28:21)
or
Following the Christians Down Through the Centuries
From
The Days of Christ to the Present Time
Or to express it differently, but still
expressively--"A history of the Doctrines as taught by Christ, and His
Apostles and those who have been loyal to them."
"Remember
the days of old. Consider the years of many generations; Ask thy father and he
will show thee. Thy elders and they will tell thee."
(Deut.
32:7)
1.
What we know today as "Christianity" or the Christian Religion, began
with Christ, A.D. 25-30 in the days and within the bounds of the Roman Empire.
One of the greatest empires the world has ever known in all its history.
2.
This Empire at that period embraced nearly all of the then known inhabited
world. Tiberius Caesar was its Emperor.
3.
In its religion, the Roman Empire, at that time, was pagan. A religion of many
gods. Some material and some imaginary. There were many devout believers and
worshipers. It was a religion not simply of the people, but of the empire. It
was an established religion. Established by law and supported by the
government. (Mosheim, Vol. 1, Chap. 1.)
4.
The Jewish people, at that period, no longer a separate nation, were scattered
throughout the Roman Empire. They yet had their temple in Jerusalem, and the
Jews yet went there to worship, and they were yet jealous of their religion.
But it, like the pagan, had long since drifted into formalism and had lost its
power. (Mosheim, Vol. 1, Chap. 2.)
5.
The religion of Christ being a religion not of this world, its founder gave it
no earthly head and no temporal power. It sought no establishment, no state or
governmental support. It sought no dethronement of Caesar. Said its author,
"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things
that are God's." (Matt, 22:19-22; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:20). Being a
spiritual religion it was a rival of no earthly government. Its adherents,
however, were taught to respect all civil law and government. (Rom. 13:1-7;
Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-16)
6.
I want now to call your attention to some of the landmarks, or earmarks of this
religion--the Christian Religion. If you and I are to trace it down through 20
long centuries, and especially down through 1,200 years of midnight darkness,
darkened by rivers and seas of martyr blood, then we will need to know well
these marks. They will be many times terribly disfigured. But there will always
be some indelible mark. But let us carefully and prayerfully beware. We will
encounter many shams and make-believes. If possible, the very elect will be
betrayed and deceived. We want, if possible, to trace it down through credible
history, but more especially through the unerring, infallible, words and marks
of Divine truth.
Some
Unerring, Infallible Marks
If
in going down through the centuries we run upon a group or groups of people
bearing not these distinguishing marks and teaching other things for
fundamental doctrines, let us beware.
1.
Christ, the author of this religion, organized His followers or disciples into
a Church. And the disciples were to organize other churches as this religion
spread and other disciples were "made." (Ray, Baptist Succession,
Revised Edition, 1st Chap.)
2.
This organization or church, according to the Scriptures and according to the
practice of the Apostles and early churches, was given two kinds of officers
and only two -- pastors and deacons. The pastor was called "Bishop."
Both pastor and deacons to be selected by the church and to be servants of the
church.
3.
The churches in their government and discipline to be entirely separate and
independent of each other, Jerusalem to have no authority over Antioch -- nor
Antioch over Ephesus; nor Ephesus over Corinth, and so forth. And their
government to be congregational, democratic. A government of the people, by the
people, and for the people.
4.
To the church were given two ordinances and only two, Baptism and the Lord's
Supper. These to be perpetual and memorial.
5.
Only the "saved" were to be received as members of the church (Acts
2:47). These saved ones to be saved by grace alone without any works of the law
(Eph, 2:5, 8, 9). These saved ones and they only, to be immersed in the name of
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). And only those thus received and
baptized, to partake of the Lord's Supper, and the supper to be celebrated only
by the church, in church capacity.
6.
The inspired scriptures, and they only, in fact, the New Testament and that
only, to be the rule and guide of faith and life, not only for the church as an
organization, but for each individual member of that organization.
7.
Christ Jesus, the founder of this organization and the savior of its members,
to be their only priest and king, their only Lord and Lawgiver, and the only
head of the churches. The churches to be executive only in carrying out their
Lord's will and completed laws, never legislative, to amend or abrogate old
laws or to make new ones.
8.
This religion of Christ to be individual, personal, and purely voluntary or
through persuasion. No physical or governmental compulsion. A matter of
distinct individual and personal choice. "Choose you" is the
scriptural injunction. It could be neither accepted nor rejected nor lived by
proxy nor under compulsion.
9.
Mark well! That neither Christ nor His apostles, ever gave to His followers,
what is know today as a denominational name, such as "Catholic,"
"Lutheran," "Presbyterian," "Episcopal," and so
forth -- unless the name given by Christ to John was intended for such,
"The Baptist," "John the Baptist" (Matt. 11:11 and 10 or 12
other times.) Christ called the individual follower "disciple." Two
or more were called "disciples." The organization of disciples,
whether at Jerusalem or Antioch or elsewhere, was called Church. If more than
one of these separate organizations were referred to, they were called
Churches. The word church in the singular was never used when referring to more
than one of these organizations. Nor even when referring to them all.
10.
I venture to give one more distinguishing mark. We will call it -- Complete
separation of Church and State. No combination, no mixture of this spiritual religion
with a temporal power. "Religious Liberty," for everybody.
And
now, before proceeding with the history itself, let me call your attention to
the following
HYPERLINK
"chart.htm"
I believe, if you will study carefully this
chart, you will better understand the history, and it will greatly aid your
memory in retaining what you hear and see.
Remember
this
HYPERLINK
"chart.htm"
is supposed to cover a period of two thousand
years of religious history.
Notice
at both top and bottom of the some figures, the same figures at both top and
bottom - 100, 200, 300, and so on to 2,000.
They
represent the twenty centuries of time--the vertical lines separating the
different centuries.
Now
notice on the HYPERLINK "chart.htm", near the bottom; other straight
lines, this line running left to right, the long way of the chart.
The
lines are about the same distance apart as the vertical lines. But you can't
see them all the way. They are covered by a very dark spot, representing in
history what is known as the "dark ages." It will be explained later.
Between the two lowest lines are the names of countries . . . Italy, Wales,
England, Spain, France, and so forth, ending with America. These are names of
countries in which much history is made during the period covered by the names
themselves. Of course not all the history, some history is made in some of the
countries in every period. But some special history is made in these special
countries, at these special periods.
Now
notice again, near the bottom of the HYPERLINK "chart.htm”, other lines a
little higher. They, too, covered in part by the "dark ages," they
also are full of names, but not names of countries. They are all
"nick-names." Names given to those people by their enemies. "Christians"--that
is the first: "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch"
(Acts 11:26). This occurred about A.D. 43. Either the pagans or Jews gave them
that name in derision. All the other names in that column were given in the
same manner -- Montanists, Novationists, Donatists, Paulicians, Albigenses,
Waldenses, etc., and Ana-Baptists. All of these will again and again be
referred to as the lectures progress.
But
look again at the HYPERLINK "chart.htm". See the red circles. They
are scattered nearly all over the HYPERLINK "chart.htm"
They
represent churches. Single individual churches in Asia, in Africa, in Europe,
in mountains and valleys, and so forth. Their being blood red indicates martyr
blood. Christ their founder died on the Cross. All the Apostles save two, John and
Judas, suffered martyr deaths. Judas betrayed his Lord and died in a suicide.
The Apostle John, according to history, was boiled in a great cauldron of oil.
You
will note some circles that are solidly black. They represent churches also.
But erring churches. Churches that had gone wrong in life or doctrine. There
were numbers of these even before the death of Peter, Paul and John.
Having
now about concluded with a general introduction and some very necessary and
even vital preliminaries, I come to the regular history: -
1.
Under the strange but wonderful impulse and leadership of John the Baptist, the
eloquent man from the wilderness, and under the loving touch and
miracle-working power of the Christ Himself, and the marvelous preaching of the
12 Apostles and their immediate successors, the Christian religion spread
mightily during the first 500-year period. However, it left a terribly bloody
trail behind it. Judaism and Paganism bitterly contested every forward
movement. John the Baptist was the first of the great leaders to give up his
life. His head was taken off. Soon after him went the Savior Himself, the
founder of this Christian religion. He died on the Cross-, the cruel death of
the Cross.
2.
Following their Savior in rapid succession fell many other martyred heroes:
Stephen was stoned, Matthew was slain in Ethiopia, Mark dragged through the
streets until dead, Luke hanged, Peter and Simeon were crucified, Andrew tied
to a cross, James beheaded, Philip crucified and stoned, Bartholomew flayed
alive, Thomas pierced with lances, James, the less, thrown from the temple and
beaten to death, Jude shot to death with arrows, Matthias stoned to death and
Paul beheaded.
3.
More than one hundred years had gone by before all this had happened. This hard
persecution by Judaism and Paganism continued for two more centuries. And yet
mightily spread the Christian religion. It went into all the Roman Empire,
Europe, Asia, Africa, England, Wales, and about everywhere else, where there was
any civilization. The churches greatly multiplied and the disciples increased
continuously. But some of the churches continued to go into error.
4.
The first of these changes from New Testament teachings embraced both policy
and doctrine. In the first two centuries the individual churches rapidly
multiplied and some of the earlier ones, such as Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus,
Corinth, etc., grew to be very large; Jerusalem, for instance, had many
thousand members (Acts 2:41; 4:4, 5:14), possibly 25,000 or even 50,000 or
more. A close student of the book of Acts and Epistles will see that Paul had a
mighty task even in his day in keeping some of the churches straight. See
Peter's and Paul's prophecies concerning the future (II Pet. 2:12; Acts
20:29-31. See also Rev., second and third chapters).
These
great churches necessarily had many preachers or elders (Acts 20:17). Some of
the bishops or pastors began to assume authority not given them in the New
Testament. They began to claim authority over other and smaller churches. They,
with their many elders, began to lord it over God's heritage (III John 9). Here
was the beginning of an error, which has grown and multiplied into many other
seriously hurtful errors. Here was the beginning of different orders in the ministry
running up finally to what is practiced now by others as well as Catholics.
Here began what resulted in an entire change from the original democratic
policy and government of the early churches. This irregularity began in a small
way, even before the close of the second century. This was possibly the first
serious departure from the New Testament church order.
5.
Another vital change which seems from history to have had its beginning before
the close of the second century was on the great doctrine of Salvation itself.
The Jews as well as the Pagans, had for many generations, been trained to lay
great stress on Ceremonials. They had come to look upon types as anti-types,
shadows as real substances, and ceremonials as real saving agencies. How easy to
come thus to look upon baptism. They reasoned thus: The Bible has much to say
concerning baptism. Much stress is laid upon the ordinance and one's duty
concerning it. Surely it must have something to do with one's salvation. So
that it was in this period that the idea of "Baptismal Regeneration"
began to get a fixed hold in some of the churches. (Shackelford, page 57; Camp
p. 47; Benedict, p. 286; Mosheim, vol. 1, p. 134; Christian, p. 28.)
6.
The next serious error to begin creeping in, and which seems from some
historians (not all) to have begun in this same century and which may be said
to have been an inevitable consequence of the "baptismal
regeneration" idea, was a change in the subjects of baptism. Since baptism
has been declared to be an agency or means to salvation by some erring
churches, then the sooner baptism takes place the better. Hence arose
"infant baptism." Prior to this "believers" and
"believers" only, were regarded as proper subjects for baptism.
"Sprinkling" and "pouring" are not now referred to. These
came in much later. For several centuries, infants, like others, were immersed.
The Greek Catholics (a very large branch of the Catholic church) up to this day
have never changed the original form of baptism. They practice infant baptism but
have never done otherwise than immerse the children. (Note -- Some of the
church historians put the beginning of infant baptism within this century, but
I shall quote a short paragraph from Robinson's Ecclesiastical Researches.)
"During
the first three centuries, congregations all over the East subsisted in
separate independent bodies, unsupported by government and consequently without
any secular power over one another. All this time they were baptized churches,
and though all the fathers of the first four ages, down to Jerome (A.D. 370),
were of Greece, Syria and Africa, and though they give great numbers of
histories of the baptism of adults, yet there is not one of the baptism of a
child till the year 370." (Compendium of Baptist History, Shackelford, p.
43; Vedder, p. 50; Christian, p, 31; Orchard, p. 50, etc.)
7.
Let it be remembered that changes like these here mentioned were not made in a
day, nor even within a year. They came about slowly and never within all the
churches. Some of the churches vigorously repudiated them. So much so that in
A.D. 251, the loyal churches declared non-fellowship for those churches, which
accepted and practiced these errors. And thus came about the first real
official separation among the churches.
8.
Thus it will be noted that during the first three centuries three important and
vital changes from the teachings of Christ and His Apostles had their
beginnings. And one significant event took place, Note this summary and
recapitulation:
The
change from the New Testament idea of bishop and church government. This change
grew rapidly, more pronounced, and complete and hurtful.
The
change from the New Testament teachings as to Regeneration to "baptismal
regeneration."
The
change from "believers' baptism" to "infant baptism." (This
last, however, did not become general or even very frequent for more than
another century.)
9.
"Baptismal regeneration" and "infant baptism." These two
errors have, according to the testimony of well-established history, caused the
shedding of more Christian blood, as the centuries have gone by, than all other
errors combined, or than possibly have all wars, not connected with
persecution, if you will leave out the recent "World War." Over
50,000,000 Christians died martyr deaths, mainly because of their rejection of
these two errors during the period of the "dark ages" alone --
about
twelve or thirteen centuries.
10.
Three significant facts, for a large majority of the many churches, are clearly
shown by history during these first three centuries.
The
separateness and independence of the Churches.
The
subordinate character of bishops or pastors.
The
baptism of believers only.
I
quote now from Mosheim--the greatest of all Lutheran church historians. Vol.,
1, pages 71 and 72: "But whoever supposes that the bishops of this golden
age of the church correspond with the bishops of the following centuries must
blend and confound characters that are very different, for in this century and
the next, a bishop had charge of a single church, which might ordinarily be
contained in a private house; nor was he its Lord, but was in reality its
minister or servant. . . All the churches in those primitive times were
independent bodies, or none of them subject to the jurisdiction of any other.
For though the churches which were founded by the Apostles themselves
frequently had the honor shown them to be consulted in doubtful cases, yet they
had no judicial authority, no control, no power of giving laws. On the
contrary, it is as clear as the noonday that all Christian churches had equal
rights, and were in all respects on a footing of equality."
11.
Up to this period, notwithstanding much and serious persecutions, Christianity
has had a marvelous growth. It has covered and even gone beyond the great Roman
Empire. Almost, if not all the inhabited world has heard the gospel. And,
according to some of the church historians, many of the original churches
organized by the Apostles are yet intact, and yet loyal to Apostolic teachings.
However, as already shown, a number of very marked and hurtful errors have
crept in and gotten a permanent hold among many of the churches. Some have
become very irregular.
12.
Persecutions have become increasingly bitter. Near the beginning of the fourth
century comes possibly the first definite government edict of persecution. The
wonderful growth of Christianity has alarmed the pagan leaders of the Roman
Empire. Hence Galerius, the emperor, sent out a direct edict of more savage
persecution. This occurred Feb. 24, 303 A.D. Up to this time Paganism seems to
have persecuted without any definite laws to that effect.
13.
But this edict failed so utterly in its purpose of stopping the growth of
Christianity, that this same emperor, Galerius, just eight years thereafter
(A.D. 311) passed another edict recalling the first and actually granting
toleration -- permission to live the religion of Jesus Christ. This was
probably its first favorable law.
14.
By the beginning of the year A.D. 313, Christianity has won a mighty victory
over paganism. A new emperor has come to the throne of the Roman Empire. He
evidently recognized something of the mysterious power of this religion that
continued to grow in spite of persecution. History says that this new emperor
who was none other than Constantine had a wonderful realistic vision. He saw in
the skies a fiery red cross and on that cross written in fiery letters these
words--"By this thou shalt conquer." He interpreted it to mean that
he should become a Christian. And that by giving up paganism and that by
attaching the spiritual power of the Christian religion onto the temporal power
of the Roman Empire the world could be easily conquered. Thus the Christian
religion would in fact become a whole world religion, and the Roman Empire a
whole world empire.
15.
So under the leadership of Emperor Constantine there comes a truce, a courtship
and a proposal of marriage. The Roman Empire through its emperor seeks a
marriage with Christianity. Give us your spiritual power and we will give you
of our temporal power.
16.
To effectually bring about and consummate this unholy union, a council was
called. In A. D. 313, a call was made for a coming together of the Christian
churches or their representatives. Many but not all came. The alliance was
consummated. A Hierarchy was formed. In the organization of the Hierarchy,
Christ was dethroned as head of the churches and Emperor Constantine enthroned
(only temporarily, however) as head of the church.
17.
The Hierarchy was the definite beginning of a development which finally
resulted into what is now known as the Catholic, or "universal"
church. It might be said that its indefinite beginnings were near the close of
the second and beginning of the third century, when the new ideas concerning
bishops and preacher-church government began to take shape.
18.
Let it be definitely remembered that when Constantine made his call for the
council, there were very many of the Christians (Baptists) and of the churches,
which declined to respond. They wanted no marriage with the state, and no
centralized religious government, and no higher ecclesiastical government of
any kind, than the individual church. These Christians (Baptists) nor the
churches ever at that time or later, entered the hierarchy of the Catholic
denomination.
19.
When this hierarchy was created, Constantine, who was made its head, was not
himself at that time a Christian. He had agreed to become one. But as the
erring or irregular churches which had gone with him into this organization had
come to adopt the error of Baptismal regeneration, a serious question arose in
the mind of Constantine, "If I am saved from my sins by baptism, what is
to become of my sins which I may commit after I am baptized?" He raised a
question, which has puzzled the world in all succeeding generations. Can
baptism wash away yet uncommitted sins? Or, are the sins committed prior to
baptism washed away by one method (that is, baptism), and the sins committed
subsequent to baptism washed away by another method?
20.
Not being able to settle satisfactorily the many questions thus arising,
Constantine finally decided to unite with the Christians, but to postpone his
baptism until just preceding his death, so that all his sins might thus be
washed away at one time. This course he followed, and hence was not baptized
until just preceding his death.
21.
Constantine's action in repudiating for the whole Roman Empire, the pagan
religion, and accepting Christianity incurred the hot displeasures of the Roman
Senate. They repudiated, or, at least opposed his course. And their opposition
finally resulted in the removal of the seat of empire from Rome to Byzantium;
an old city rebuilt and then renamed Constantinople for Constantine. As a
result there came to be two capital cities of the Roman Empire -- Rome and Constantinople.
The two rival cities several centuries later became the ruling centers of the
divided Catholic Church -- Roman and Greek.
22.
Up to the organization of the Hierarchy and the uniting of church and state,
all the persecution of Christianity has been done either by Judaism or
Paganism. Now comes a serious change. Christians (in name) begin to persecute
Christians. Constantine, desiring to have all Christians join with him in his
new idea of a state religion, and many conscientiously opposing this serious
departure from New Testament teachings, he begins using the power of government
to compel. Thus begin the days and years and even centuries of a hard and
bitter persecution against all those Christians who were loyal to the original
Christ and Apostolic teachings.
23.
Remember that we are now noting the events occurring between the years A.D. 300
and 500. The Hierarchy organized under the leadership of Constantine, rapidly
developed into what is now known as the Catholic Church. This newly developing
church joined to a temporal government, no longer simply an executive to carry
out the completed laws of the New Testament, began to be legislative, amending
or annulling old laws or enacting new ones utterly unknown to the New
Testament.
24.
One of the first of its legislative enactments, and one of the most subversive
in its results, was the establishing by law of "infant baptism." By
this new law, "Infant Baptism" becomes compulsory. This was done A.D.
416. Infants had been infrequently baptized for probably a century preceding
this. Insofar as this newly enacted law became effective, two vital New
Testament laws were abrogated -- "Believers Baptism" and
"Voluntary personal obedience in Baptism."
25.
As an inevitable consequence of this new doctrine and law, these erring
churches were soon filled with unconverted members. In fact, it was not very
many years until probably a majority of the membership was composed of
unconverted material. So the great spiritual affairs of God's great spiritual
kingdom were in the hands of an unregenerate temporal power. What may now be
expected?
26.
Loyal Christians and churches, of course, rejected this new law.
"Believers baptism," of course, "New Testament baptism,"
was the only law for them. They not only refused to baptize their own children,
but believing in the baptism of believers only, they refused to accept the
baptizing done by and within the churches of this unscriptural organization. If
any of the members from the churches of this new organization attempted to join
any of the churches which had refused to join in with the new organization, a
Christian experience and a rebaptism was demanded.
27.
The course followed by the loyal churches soon, of course, incurred the hot
displeasure of the state religionists, many, if not most of whom, were not
genuine Christians. The name "Christian," however, was from now on
denied those loyal churches who refused to accept these new errors. They were
robbed of that, and called by many other names, sometimes by one and sometimes
by another, "Montanist," Tertullianists,"
"Novationists," "Paterines," etc., and some at least
because of their practice of rebaptizing those who were baptized in infancy,
were referred to an "Ana -Baptists."
28.
A.D. 426, just ten years after the legal establishment of infant baptism, the
awful period known as the "Dark Ages" had its beginning. What a
period! How awfully black and bloody! From now on for more than a decade of
centuries, the trail of loyal Christianity is largely washed away in its own
blood. Note on the
HYPERLINK
"chart.htm"
some of the many different names borne by the
persecuted. Sometimes these names are given because of some especially heroic
leader and sometimes from other causes, and frequently names for the same
people vary in different countries and even in different centuries.
29.
It was early in the period of the "dark ages" when real Popery had
its definite beginnings. This was by Leo II, A.D. 440 to 461. This, however,
was not the first time the title was ever used. This title, similar to the
Catholic Church itself, was largely a development. The name appears, as first
applied to the Bishop of Rome 296-304. It was formally adopted by Siricius,
Bishop of Rome 384-398. Then officially adopted by Leo II, 440-461. Then claimed
to be universal, 707. Then some centuries later declared by Gregory VII to be
the exclusive right of the papacy.
30.
Now to sum up the most significant events of this first five-century period:
The
gradual change from a democracy to a preacher-church government.
The
change from salvation by grace to Baptismal Salvation.
The
change from "believers' baptism" to "infant baptism."
The
Hierarchy organized. Marriage of church and state.
Seat
of empire changed to Constantinople.
Infant
baptism established by law and made compulsory.
Christians
begin to persecute Christians.
The
"Dark Ages" begin 426.
The
sword and torch rather than the gospel become the power of God (?) unto
salvation.
All
semblance of "Religious liberty" dies and is buried and remains
buried for many centuries.
Loyal
New Testament churches, by whatever name called, are hunted and hounded to the
utmost limit of the new Catholic temporal power. Remnants scattered over the
world are finding uncertain hiding places in forests and mountains, valleys,
dens and caves of the earth.
1.
We closed the first Lecture with the close of the fifth century. And yet a
number of things had their beginnings back in those early centuries, which were
not even mentioned in the first Lecture. We had just entered the awful period
known in the world's history as "The Dark Ages." Dark and bloody and
awful in the extreme they were. The persecutions by the established Roman
Catholic Church are hard, cruel and perpetual. The war of intended
extermination follows persistently and relentlessly into many lands, the
fleeing Christians. A "Trail of Blood" is very nearly all that is
left anywhere. Especially throughout England, Wales, Africa, Armenia, and
Bulgaria. And anywhere else Christians could be found who were trying earnestly
to remain strictly loyal to New Testament teaching.
2.
We now call attention to these Councils called "Ecumenical," or
Empire wide. It is well to remember that all these Councils were professedly
based upon, or patterned after the Council held by the Apostles and others at
Jerusalem (see Acts 15:1), but probably nothing bearing the same name could
have been more unlike. We here and now call attention to only eight, and these
were all called by different Emperors, none of them by the Popes. And all these
held among the Eastern or Greek churches. Attended, however, somewhat by
representatives from the Western Branch or Roman Churches.
3.
The first of these Councils was held at Nice or Nicea, in A.D. 325. It was called
by Constantine the Great, and was attended by 318 bishops.
The
second met at Constantinople, A.D. 381, and was called by Theodosius the Great.
There were present 150 bishops. (In the early centuries, bishops simply meant
pastors of the individual churches.)
The
third was called by Theodosius II, and by Valentian III. This had 250 bishops
present. It met at Ephesus, A.D. 431.
The
fourth met at Calcedon, A.D. 451, and was called by Emperor Marian; 500 or 600
bishops or Metropolitans (Metropolitans were City pastors or First Church
pastors) were present. During this Council the doctrine of what is now known as
Mariolatry was promulgated. This means the worship of Mary, the mother of
Christ. This new doctrine at first created quite a stir, many seriously objecting.
But it finally won out as a permanent doctrine of the Catholic Church.
The
fifth of these eight councils was held at Constantinople (which was the second
to be held there). This was called by Justinian, A.D. 553, and was attended by
165 bishops. This, seemingly, was called mainly to condemn certain writings.
In
the year A.D. 680 the Sixth Council was called. This was also held at
Constantinople and was called by Constantine Pegonator, to condemn heresy.
During this meeting Pope Honorius by name was deposed and excommunicated.
However, at this time infallibility had not yet been declared.
The
Seventh Council was called to meet at Nicea A.D. 787. This was the second held
at this place. The Empress Irene called this one. Here in this meeting seems to
have been the definite starting place, of both "Image Worship" and
"Saints Worship." You can thus see that these people were getting
more markedly paganized than Christianized.
The
last of what were called the "Eastern Councils," those, called by the
Emperors, was held in Constantinople, in A.D. 869. This was called by Basilius
Maredo. The Catholic Church had gotten into serious trouble. There had arisen a
controversy of a very serious nature between the heads of the two branches of
Catholicism--the Eastern and Western, Greek and Roman--Pontius the Greek at
Constantinople and Nicholas the 1st at Rome. So serious was their trouble, that
they had gone so far as to excommunicate each other. So for a short time
Catholicism was entirely without a head. The council was called mainly to
settle, if possible, this difficulty. This break in the ranks of Catholicism
has never, even to this day, been satisfactorily settled. Since that far away
day, all attempts at healing that breach have failed. The Lateran-power since
then has been in the ascendancy. Not the Emperors, but the Roman Pontiffs
calling all Councils. The later Councils will be referred to later in these
lectures.
4.
There is one new doctrine to which we have failed to call attention. There are
doubtless others but one especially -- and that "Infant Communion."
Infants were not only baptized, but also received into the church, and being
church members, they were supposed to be entitled to the Lord's Supper. How to
administer it to them was a problem, but it was solved by soaking the bread in
the wine. Thus it was practiced for years. And after awhile another new
doctrine was added to this -- it was taught that this was another means of
Salvation. As still another new doctrine was later added to these, we will
again refer to this a little later in the lectures.
5.
During the 5th Century, at the fourth Ecumenical Council, held at Chalcedon,
451, another entirely new doctrine was added to the rapidly growing list -- the
doctrine called "Mariolatry," or the worship of Mary, the Mother of
Jesus. A new mediator seems to have been felt to be needed. The distance from
God to man was too great for just one mediator, even though that was Christ,
God's Son, the real God-Man. Mary was thought to be needed as another mediator,
and prayers were to be made to Mary. She was to make them to Christ.
6.
Two other new doctrines were added to the Catholic faith in the 8th Century.
These were promulgated at the Second Council held at Nicea (Nice), the Second
Council held there (787). The first of these was called "Image Worship, a
direct violation of one of the commands of God.
"Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image," (Ex. 20:3, 4, 5). Another
addition from Paganism. Then followed the "worship of Saints." This
doctrine has no encouragement in the Bible. Only one instance of Saint worship
is given in the Bible and that is given to show its utter folly -- the dead
rich man praying to Abraham, (Luke 16:24-3l). These are some, not all of the
many revolutionary changes from New Testament teachings that came about during
this period of Church history.
7.
During the period that we are now passing through the persecuted were called by
many and varied names. Among them were Donatists, Paterines, Cathari,
Paulicians, and Ana Baptists; and a little later, Petro-Brussians, Arnoldists,
Henricians, Albigenses, and Waldenses. Sometimes one group of these was the
most prominent and sometimes another. But some of them were almost always
prominent because of the persistency and terribleness of their persecution.
8.
Let it not be thought that all these persecuted ones were always loyal in all
respects to New Testament teachings. In the main they were. And some of them,
considering their surroundings, were marvelously so. Remember that many of them
at that far away, time, had only parts of the New Testament or the Old
Testament as to that. The book was not printed. It was written in manuscript on
parchment or skins or something of that kind, and was necessarily large and
bulky. Few, if any, families or even simple churches had complete copies of the
whole Bible. Before the formal close of the Canon (end of fourth
century) there
were probably very few simple manuscripts of the entire New Testament. Of the
one thousand known manuscripts only about 30 copies included all the books.
9.
Furthermore, during all the period of the "Dark Ages," and the period
of the persecution, strenuous efforts were made to destroy even what Scripture
manuscripts the persecuted did possess. Hence in many instances these people
had only small parts of the Bible.
10.
It is well to note also that in order to prevent the spread of any view of any
sort, contrary to those of the Catholics very extreme plans and measures were
adopted. First, all writings of any sort, other than those of the Catholics,
were gathered and burned. Especially was this true of books. For several
centuries these plans and measures were strictly and persistently followed.
That is, according to history, the main reason why it is so difficult to secure
accurate history. About all persistent writers and preachers also died martyr
deaths. This was a desperately bloody period. All of the groups of persistent
heretics (So-called) by whatever name distinguished, and wherever they had
lived, were cruelly persecuted. The Donatists and Paulicians were prominent
among the earlier groups. The Catholics, strange as it may seem, accused all
that refused to depart from the faith with them, believe with them--accused
them of being heretics, and then condemned them as being heretics. Those called
Catholics became more thoroughly paganized and Judaized than they were
Christianized, and were swayed far more by civil power, than they were by
religious power. They made far more new laws, than they observed old ones.
11.
The following are a few of the many new variations that came about in New
Testament teachings during these centuries. They are probably not always given
in the order of their promulgation. In fact it would sometimes be next to
impossible to get the exact date of the origin of some of these changes. They
have been somewhat like the whole Catholic system. They are growths of
development. In the earlier years especially, their doctrines or teachings were
subject to constant change -- by addition or subtraction, or substitution or
abrogation. The Catholic Church was now no longer, even if it had ever been, a
real New Testament Church. It no longer was a purely executive body, to carry
out the already made laws of God, but had become actively legislative, making new
ones, changing or abrogating old ones at will.
12.
One of their new doctrines or declarations about this time was "There is
no salvation outside of the Church" -- the Catholic Church, of course, as
they declared there was no other -- be a Catholic or be lost. There was no
other alternative.
13.
The doctrine of Indulgences and the Sale of Indulgences was another absolutely
new and serious departure from New Testament teachings. But in order to make
that new teaching really effective, still another new teaching was imperatively
necessary: A very large Credit Account must somehow be established -- a credit
account in heaven, but accessible to earth. So the merit of "good
works" as a means of Salvation must be taught, and as a means of filling up,
putting something in the credit account, from which something could be drawn.
The first large sum to go into the account in heaven was of course the work of
the Lord Jesus. As He did no evil, none of His good works were needed for
Himself, so all His good works could and would of course, go into the credit
account. And then in addition to that, all the surplus good works (in addition
to what each might need for himself) by the Apostles, and by all good people
living thereafter, would be added to that credit account, making it enormously
large. And then all this immense sum placed to the credit of the church -- the
only church (?)! and permission given to the church to use as needed for some
poor sinning mortal, and charging for that credit as much as might be thought
wise, for each one needed the heavenly credit. Hence came the Sale of
Indulgences. Persons could buy for themselves or their friends, or even dead
friends. The prices varied in proportion to the offense committed -- or to be
committed. This was sometimes carried to a desperate extreme, as admitted by
Catholics themselves. Some histories or Encyclopedias give a list of prices
charged on different sins for which Indulgences were sold.
14.
Yet another new doctrine was necessary, yea imperative, to make thoroughly
effective the last two. That new doctrine is called Purgatory, a place of
intermediate state between heaven and hell, at which all must stop to be
cleansed from all sins less than damning sins. Even the "Saints" must
go through purgatory and must remain there until cleansed by fire -- unless
they can get help through that credit account, and that they can get only
through the prayers or the paying for Indulgences, by those living. Hence the
Sale of Indulgences. One departure from New Testament teachings leads
inevitably to others.
15.
It may be well just here to take time to show the differences between the Roman
and Greek Catholics:
In
the Nationalities: The Greeks mainly are Slavs, embracing Greece, Russia,
Bulgaria, Serbia, etc., speaking Greek. The Romans are mainly Latins, embracing
Italy, France, Spain, South and Central America, Mexico etc.
The
Greek Catholics reject sprinkling or pouring for baptism. The Romans use
sprinkling entirely, claiming the right to change from the original Bible plan
of immersion.
The
Greek Catholics continue the practice of Infant Communion. The Romans have
abandoned it though once taught it as another means of Salvation.
The
Greeks in administering the Lord's Supper give the wine as well as the bread to
the laity. The Romans give the bread only to the laity -- the priests drink the
wine.
The
Greeks have their priests to marry. The Roman priests are forbidden to marry.
The
Greeks reject the doctrine of Papal "Infallibility," the Romans
accept and insist upon that doctrine. The above are at least the main points on
which they differ -- otherwise the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, it seems,
would stand together.
16.
In our lectures we have just about gotten through with the ninth century. We
begin now with the tenth. Please note the
HYPERLINK
"chart.htm"
.
Just here where the separation has taken place between the Roman and Greek
Catholics. You will soon see as the century’s advance, other new laws and
doctrines -- and other desperately bitter persecution. (Schaff, Herzogg, En.,
Vol. 11, page 901.)
"THE
TRAIL OF BLOOD"
17.
I again call your attention to those upon whom the hard hand of persecution
fell. If fifty million died of persecution during the 1,200 years of what are
called the "Dark Ages," as history seems positively to teach -- then
they died faster than an average of four million every one hundred years. That
seems almost beyond the limit of, human conception. As before mentioned, this
iron hand, dripping with martyr blood, fell upon Paulicians, Arnoldists,
Henricians, Petro Brussians, Albigenses, Waldenses and Ana-Baptists -- of
course much harder upon some than others. But this horrid part of our story we
will pass over hurriedly.
18.
There came now another rather long period of Ecumenical Councils, of course not
continuously or consecutively. There were all through the years many councils
that were not ecumenical, not "Empire Wide." These Councils were
largely legislative bodies for the enactment or amendment of some civil or
religious (?) laws, all of which, both the legislation and the laws, were
directly contrary to the New Testament. Remember these were the acts of an
established church -- a church married to a Pagan government. And this church
has become far more nearly paganized than the government has become
Christianized.
19.
When any people discard the New Testament as embracing all necessary laws for a
Christian life, whether for the individual Christian or the whole church, that
people has launched upon a limitless ocean. Any erroneous law, (and any law
added to the Bible is erroneous) will inevitably and soon demand another, and
others will demand yet others, without ever an end. That is why Christ gave His
churches and to preachers no legislative powers. And again, and more
particularly, that is why the New Testament closes with these significant
words,
"For
I certify unto every man that heareth the words of this book, if any man shall
add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in
this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the
Holy City, and from the things which are written in the book."
(Rev.
22:18, 19)
NOTE:
We insert here this parenthetical clause, as a warning. Let Baptist Churches
beware of even disciplinary and other varieties of resolutions, which they
sometimes pass in their conferences, which resolutions might be construed as
laws or rules of Church government, The New Testament has all necessary laws
and rules.
20.
The extreme limit of this little book precludes the possibility of saying much
concerning these councils or law-making assemblies, but it is necessary to say
some things.
21.
The first of these Lateran or Western Councils, those called by the popes, was
called by Calixtus II, A.D. 1123. There were present about 300 bishops. At this
meeting it was decreed that Roman priests were never to marry. This was called
the Celibacy of the priests. We of course do not attempt to give all things
done at these meetings.
22.
Years later, 1139 A.D., Pope Innocent II, called another of these Councils
especially to condemn two groups of very devout Christians, known as
Petro-Brussians and Arnoldists.
23.
Alexander III called yet another, A.D. 1179, just forty years after the last.
In that was condemned what they called the "Errors and Impieties" of
the Waldenses and Albigenses.
24.
Just 36 years after this last one, another was called by Pope Innocent III.
This was held A.D. 1215, and seems to have been the most largely attended of
possibly any of these great councils. According to the historical account of
this meeting, "there were present 412 bishops, 800 Abbots and priors,
Ambassadors from the Byzantine court, and a great number of Princes and Nobles."
From the very make-up of this assembly you may know that spiritual matters were
at least not alone to be considered.
At
that time was promulgated the new doctrine of "Transubstantiation,"
the intended turning of the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper into the actual
and real body and blood of Christ, after a prayer by the priest. This doctrine
among others had much to do with stirring up the leaders of the Reformation a
few centuries later. This doctrine of course taught that all those who participated
in the supper actually ate of the body and drank of the blood of Christ.
Auricular confession -- confessing one's sins into the ear of a priest -- was
another new doctrine seemingly having its beginning at this meeting. But
probably the most cruel and bloody thing ever brought upon any people in all
the world's history was what is known as the "Inquisition," and other
similar courts, designed for trying what was called "heresy." The
whole world is seemingly filled with books written in condemnation of that
extreme cruelty, and yet it was originated and perpetuated by a people claiming
to be led and directed by the Lord. For real barbarity there seems to be
nothing, absolutely nothing in all history that will surpass it. I would not
even attempt to describe it. I will simply refer my readers to some of the many
books written on the "Inquisition" and let them read and study for
themselves. And yet another thing was done at this same meeting, as if enough
had not been done. It was expressly decreed to extirpate all
"heresy." What a black page -- yea -- many black pages were written
into the world's history by these terrible decrees.
25.
In A.D. 1229, just 14 years after the last awful meeting, still another meeting
was held. (This seems not to have been ecumenical.) It was called the council
at Toulouse. Probably one of the most vital matters in all Catholic history was
declared at this meeting. At this it was decreed, the Bible, God's book, should
be denied to all laymen, all members of Catholic churches other than priests or
higher officials. How strange a law in the face of the plain teaching of the
Word, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)
26.
Yet another Council was called to meet at Lyons. This was called by Pope
Innocent IV, in 1245 A.D. This seems to have been mainly for the purpose of
excommunicating and deposing Emperor Frederick I of Germany. The Church, the
adulterous bride at the marriage with the State in 313 in the days of
CONSTANTINE THE Great, has now become the head of the house, and is now
dictating politics of State government, and kings and queens are made or unmade
at her pleasure.
27.
In 1274 A.D. another Council was called to bring about the reuniting of the
Roman and Greek branches of the great Catholic Church. This great assembly
utterly failed to accomplish its purpose.
1.
These three centuries, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth, are among the
most eventful in all the world's history, and especially is this true in
Christian history. There was almost a continual revolution inside the Catholic
Church--both Roman and Greek--seeking a Reformation. This awakening of long
dormant Conscience and the desire for a genuine reformation really began in the
thirteenth century or possibly even a little earlier than that. History
certainly seems to indicate it.
2.
Let's go back just a little. The Catholic Church by its many departures from
New Testament teachings, its many strange and cruel laws, and its desperately
low state of morals, and its hands and clothes reeking with the blood of
millions of martyrs, has become obnoxious and plainly repulsive to many of its
adherents, who are far better than their own system and laws and doctrines and
practices. Several of its bravest and best and most spiritual priests and other
leaders, one by one, sought most earnestly to reform many of its most
objectionable laws and doctrines and get back, at least nearer, to the plain
teachings of the New Testament. We give some striking examples. Note, not only
how far apart and where the reformatory fires began, but note also the leaders
in the reformation. The leaders were, or had been, all Catholic priests or
officials of some kind. There was, even yet, a little of good in the much evil.
However, at this time there was probably not one solitary unmarred doctrine of
the New Testament retained in its original purity -- but now note some of the
reformers and where they labored.
3.
It is well to note, however, that for many centuries prior to this great
reformation period, there were a number of noted characters, who rebelled
against the awful extremes of the Catholic -- and earnestly sought to remain
loyal to the Bible -- but their bloody trail was about all that was left of
them. We come now to study for a while this most noted period -- the
"Reformation."
4.
From 1320 to 1384 there lived a man in England who attracted worldwide
attention. His name was John Wycliff. He was the first of the brave fellows who
had the courage to attempt a real reformation inside the Catholic Church. He is
many times referred to in history as "The Morning Star of the
Reformation." He lived an earnest and effective life. It would really
require several volumes to contain anything like an adequate history of John
Wycliff. He was hated, fearfully hated, by the leaders of the Catholic
hierarchy. His life was persistently sought. He finally died of paralysis. But
years later, so great was Catholic hatred, his bones were dug and burned, and
his ashes scattered upon the waters.
5.
Following tolerably close on the heels of Wycliff came John Huss, 1373-1415, a
distinguished son from far away Bohemia. His soul had felt and responded to the
brilliant light of England's "Morning Star." His was a brave and
eventful life, but painfully and sadly short. Instead of awakening a responsive
chord among his Catholic people in favor of a real reformation, he aroused a
fear and hatred and opposition, which resulted in his being burned at the stake
-- a martyr among his own people. And yet he was seeking their own good. He
loved his Lord and he loved his people. However, he was only one of many
millions who had thus to die.
6.
Next to John Huss of Bohemia, came a wonderful son of Italy, the marvelously eloquent
Savonarola, 1452-1498. Huss was burned in 1415; Savonarola was born 37 years
later. He, like Huss, though a devout Catholic, found the leaders of his people
-- the people of Italy -- like those of Bohemia, against all reformation. But
he, by his mighty eloquence, succeeded in awakening some conscience and
securing a considerable following. But a real reformation in the Hierarchy
meant absolute ruin to the higher-ups in that organization. So Savonarola, as
well as Huss, must die. HE TOO WAS BURNED AT THE STAKE. Of all the eloquent men
of that great period, Savonarola possibly stood head and shoulders above all
others. But he was contending against a mighty organization and their existence
demanded that they fight the reformation, so Savonarola must die.
7.
Of course, in giving the names of the reformers of this period, many names are
necessarily to be left out. Only those most frequently referred to in history
are mentioned here. Following Italy's golden-tongued orator came a man from
Switzerland. Zwingle was born before Savonarola died. He lived from 1484 to
1531. The spirit of reformation was beginning now to fill the whole land. Its
fires are now breaking out faster and spreading more rapidly and becoming most
difficult to control. This one kindled by Zwingle was not yet more than
partially smothered before another, more serious than all the rest, had broken
out in Germany. Zwingle died in battle.
8.
Martin Luther, probably the most noted of all the fifteenth and sixteenth
century reformers, lived 1483 to 1546, and as can be seen by the dates, was
very nearly an exact contemporary of Zwingle. He was born one year earlier and
lived fifteen years later. Far more, probably, than history definitely states,
his great predecessors have in great measure made easier his hard way before
him. Furthermore, he learned from their hard experience, and then later, and
most thoroughly from his own, that a genuine reformation inside the Catholic
Church would be an utter impossibility. Too many reform measures would be
needed. One would demand another and others demand yet others, and so on and
on.
9.
So Martin Luther, after many hard fought battles with the leaders of
Catholicism, and aided by Melancthon and other prominent Germans, became the
founder in 1530, or, about then, of an entirely new Christian organization, now
known as the Lutheran Church, which very soon became the Church of Germany.
This was the first of the new organizations to come directly out of Rome and
renounce all allegiance to the Catholic Mother Church (as she is called) and to
continue to live thereafter.
10.
Skipping now for a little while, the Church of England, which comes next to the
Lutheran in its beginnings, we will follow for a little while the Reformation
on the Continent. From 1509 to 1564, there lived another of the greatest of the
reformers. This was John Calvin, a Frenchman, but seeming at the time to be
living in Switzerland. He was really a mighty man. He was a contemporary of
Martin Luther for 30 years, and was 22 years old when Zwingle died. Calvin is
the accredited founder of the Presbyterian Church. Some of the historians,
however, give that credit to Zwingle, but the strongest evidence seems to favor
Calvin. Unquestionably the work of Zwingle, as well as that of Luther, made much
easier the work of Calvin. So in 1541, just eleven years (that seems to be the
year), after the founding by Luther of the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian
Church came into existence. It too, as in the case of the Lutherans, was led by
a reformed Catholic priest or at least official. These six -- Wycliff, Huss,
Savonarola, Zwingle, Luther and Calvin, great leaders in their great battles
for reformation, struck Catholicism a staggering blow.
11.
In 1560, nineteen years after Calvin's first organization in Geneva,
Switzerland, John Knox, a disciple of Calvin, established the first
Presbyterian Church in Scotland, and just thirty-two years later, 1592, the
Presbyterian became the State Church of Scotland.
12.
During all these hard struggles for Reformation, continuous and valuable aid
was given to the reformers, by many Ana-Baptists, or whatever other name they
bore. Hoping for some relief from their own bitter lot, they came out of their
hiding places and fought bravely with the reformers, but they were doomed to
fearful disappointment. They were from now on to have two additional
persecuting enemies. Both the Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches brought
out of
their Catholic Mother many of her evils, among them her idea of a State Church.
They both soon became Established Churches. Both were soon in the persecuting
business, falling little, if any, short of their Catholic Mother.
"THE
TRAIL OF BLOOD"
Sad
and awful was the fate of these long-suffering Ana-Baptists. The world now
offered no sure place for hiding. Four hard persecutors were now hot on their
trail. Surely theirs was a "Trail of Blood."
13.
During the same period, really earlier by several years than the Presbyterians,
arose yet another new denomination, not on the continent, but in England. However,
this came about not so much by way of reformation (though that evidently made
it easier) as by way of a real split or division in the Catholic ranks. More
like the division in 869, when Eastern Catholics separated from the Western,
and became from that time on, known in history as the Greek and Roman Catholic
Churches. This new division came about somewhat in this wise:
England's
king, Henry VIII, had married Catherine of Spain, but unfortunately, after some
time his somewhat troublesome heart had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn. So he
wanted to divorce Catherine and marry Annie. Getting a divorce back then was no
easy matter. Only the Pope could grant it, and he in this case, for special
reasons, declined to grant it. Henry was in great distress. Being king, he felt
he ought to be entitled to follow his own will in the matter. His Prime
Minister (at that time Thomas Cromwell) rather made sport of the King. Why do
you submit to papal authority on such matters? Henry followed his suggestion,
threw off papal authority and made himself head of the Church of England. Thus
began the new Church of England. This was consummated in 1534 or 1535. At that
time there was no change in doctrine, simply a renunciation of the authority of
the Pope. Henry at heart really never became a Protestant. He died in the
Catholic faith.
14.
But this split did ultimately result in some very considerable change, or
reformation, while a reformation within the Catholic Church and under papal
authority, as in the case of Luther and others, was impossible, it became
possible after the division. Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley and others led in some
marked changes. However, they and many others paid a bloody price for the
changes when a few years later, Mary, "Bloody Mary," a daughter of
the divorced Catherine, came to the English throne, and carried the new Church
back under the papal power. This fearful and terrific reaction ended with the
strenuous and bloody five-year reign of Mary. While the heads were going under
the bloody axe of Mary, hers went with them. The people had gotten, however, a
partial taste of freedom so when Elizabeth, the daughter of Anne Boleyn (for
whom Catherine was divorced), became Queen, the Church of England again
overthrew papal power and was again re-established.
15.
Thus, before the close of the Sixteenth Century, there were five established
Churches -- churches backed up by civil governments -- the Roman and Greek
Catholics counted as two; then the Church of England; then the Lutheran, or
Church of Germany; then the Church of Scotland, now known as the Presbyterian.
All of them were bitter in their hatred and persecution of the people called
Ana-Baptists, Waldenses and all other non-established churches, churches which
never in any way had been connected with the Catholics. Their great help in the
struggle for reformation had been forgotten, or was now wholly ignored. Many
more thousands, including both women and children were constantly perishing
every day in the yet unending persecutions. The great hope awakened and
inspired by the reformation had proven to be a bloody delusion. Remnants now
find an uncertain refuge in the friendly Alps and other hiding places over the
world.
16.
These three new organizations, separating from, or coming out of the Catholics,
retained many of their most hurtful errors, some of which are as follows:
Preacher-church
government (differing in form).
Church
Establishment (Church and State combination).
Infant
BAPTISM
Sprinkling
or Pouring for Baptism.
Baptismal
Regeneration (some at least, and others, if many of their historians are to be
accredited).
Persecuting
others (at least for centuries).
17.
In the beginning all these established Churches persecuted one another as well
as every one else, but at a council held at Augsburg in 1555, a treaty of
peace, known as the "Peace of Augsburg" was signed between the
"Catholics" on the one hand, and the "Lutherans" on the
other, agreeing not to persecute each other. You let us alone, and we will let
you alone. For Catholics to fight Lutherans meant war with Germany, and for
Lutherans to fight or persecute Catholics meant war with all the countries
where Catholicism predominated.
"THE
TRAIL OF BLOOD"
18.
But persecutions did not then cease. The hated Ana-Baptists (called Baptists
today), in spite of all prior persecutions, and in spite of the awful fact that
fifty million had already died martyr deaths, still existed in great numbers.
It was during this period that along one single European highway, thirty miles
distance, stakes were set up every few feet along this highway, the tops of the
stakes sharpened, and on the top of each stake was placed a gory head of a
martyred Ana-Baptist. Human imagination can hardly picture a scene so awful!
And yet a thing perpetrated, according to reliable history, by a people calling
themselves devout followers of the meek and lowly Jesus Christ.
19.
Let it be remembered that the Catholics do not regard the Bible as the sole
rule and guide of faith and life. The claim that it is indeed unerring, but
that there are two other things just as much so, the "Writings of the
Fathers" and the decrees of the Church (Catholic Church) or the
declarations of the Infallible Pope.
Hence, there could never be a satisfactory debate between Catholic and Protestant or between Catholic and Baptist, as there could never possibly be a basis of final agreement. The Bible alone can never settle anything so far as the Catholics are concerned. <