This book is about Baptists, particularly, but not exclusively, Independent Baptists and their predecessors, who are also known as "fundamental Baptists." This book is about local churches, for they make up the total basic constituency of the Baptist movement. Without local churches as pillars (and ground of truth), no fellowships, associations of churches, conventions, colleges, seminaries, missionaries or even para-church ministries could exist. This book is a collage of concepts related to local New Testament churches and such churches throughout the centuries from the first to the twenty-first century. We hope our survey of the Baptist movement will spur younger scholars and ministers to renewed interest in our great God-given heritage, "lest we forget." |
