: Following the Act of Toleration, Particular Baptists formally adopted this confession, which remains a foundational document for many Reformed Baptists today. The "Successionist" Theory (Trail of Blood)
Baptist history is a complex narrative shaped by a commitment to individual conscience, local church autonomy, and the practice of believer's baptism. While some traditionalists argue for an "unbroken succession" back to the New Testament, most historians trace the formal emergence of the Baptist movement to . Origins and Early Development baptist history
: Early Baptists divided into two theological streams: : Following the Act of Toleration, Particular Baptists
: Emerged in the 1630s with a Calvinist perspective, believing Christ died only for the elect ("particular" atonement). Origins and Early Development : Early Baptists divided
A notable but historically debated view within the tradition is the or successionist theory.
: Proponents argue that Baptist-like churches have existed continuously since the time of Christ, often identifying groups like the Anabaptists, Waldensians, and Lollards as their spiritual ancestors.