Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives
\nWhat are the Teachings of Ecclesiastical History
\nNever Succumb to the Demands of Protestant\/Catholic Society
\nPART ELEVEN<\/p>\n

We quote but a paragraph from a work on “Exclusivism,” written by Albert Barnes, the great Presbyterian, and author of Barnes\u2019 Notes, which so many Baptists delight in:<\/p>\n

“We claim and demand of the Baptists that they shall not merely recognize the ministry of other denominations, but their membership also\u2014[i.e., infants, seekers, sinners and all]; that while, if they prefer it, they may continue the practice of immersion in baptism, as a part of their Christian liberty, they shall concede the same liberty to others\u2014[i.e., to practice adult and infant sprinkling and pouring for baptism]; and while they expect that their acts of baptism shall be recognized by others as valid, they shall not offer an affront to the Christian world by rebaptizing all who enter their communion, or by excluding from their communion all who have not been subjected to the rite of immersion. And we claim and demand of the Baptist Churches that they shall recognize the members of other churches [every sect in Christendom that claims to be a church] as members of the church of Christ. We do not ask this as a boon, we claim it as a right” (pp. 66, 67).<\/p>\n

Can any Baptist read this, and doubt for one moment that Bro. Barnes, and all Presbyterians who indorse him, would, by imprisonment, fines, and flames, attempt to compel us to recognize their societies and human traditions, as Calvin and Luther, Zwingle and Knox, did in the sixteenth centuries and their ancestors\u2014the Catholics\u2014did for twelve hundred years before?<\/p>\n

In order to propitiate the opposition of the Protestants of today, and to become popular with them and the world they influence, our affiliating brethren are endeavoring, “by kind and complimentary words, deceiving the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Rom. 16:18), and to influence them to grant this claim, and yield this arrogant and intolerant “demand \u201cof Bro. Barnes, who speaks for all the sects of the age, and for the Evangelical Alliance. Brethren, will you\u2014can you yield it?<\/p>\n

Liberal Anti-Landmark Baptists say you ought, and must, or they will make friends with your foes to persecute you. “Old Landmark Baptists” say the claim is preposterous, and the demand opposed, both to the teachings of the Scriptures and spirit of Christianity – is the very spirit of Antichrist, and we will resist-it unto blood if it is necessary.<\/p>\n

Presented by Thomas E. Kresal from excerpts: Graves, James R.. Old Landmarkism: What is it? . First Vision Publishers. Kindle Edition.<\/p>\n