A Free Will Baptist Handbook: Heritage, Beliefs, and Ministries

"This volume is a summary of who Free Will Baptists are and what we believe. It examines our heritage, our beliefs and our ministries. The first chapter gives a brief history of our denomination. Pinson outlines the work of Paul Palmer, Benjamin Laker, Benjamin Randall and other early leaders of our movement. He gives special attention to the connection between North Carolina Free Will Baptists and the English General Baptists. He explains how our beliefs and practices developed during the 19th and early 20th centuries."Chapter four addresses our doctrinal history. It examines three doctrinal statements which have greatly influenced what we believe today. They are 'A Declaration of Faith of English People Remaining at Amsterdam,' written by Thomas Helwys in 1611, 'The Standard Confession,' which was adopted by English General Baptists in 1660, and the 'Former Articles,' adopted by Free Will Baptists in 1812. "Two chapters are devoted to a study of our beliefs today.Chapter two discusses our most important doctrinal beliefs: it emphasizes those doctrines which are distinctive to our movement. Chapter five contains the complete text of our Treatise. This chapter enables the reader to examine carefully our church covenant, our major doctrinal beliefs and some of our most important practices."The last section of the book analyzes some of our most important ministries. It summarizes the work of the National Association of Free Will Baptists in Sunday school, Home Missions, Foreign Missions and other areas. Some attention is given to state and local ministries. The final chatper discusses other denominations which have similar beliefs and practices."This is the kind of book we have long needed. It is a relatively brief and easy-to-read summary of who Free Will Baptists are, what we believe and what we do. This volume should be required reading for all pastors, missionaries, teachers and others who are involved in Free Will Baptist work on a full-time basis. It should also be required reading for new ministers being licensed or ordained. It should be read by Sunday school teachers, deacons and others involved in local Free Will Baptist churches. Many churches now have orientation programs for new members, and this book could be very useful in such programs. Knowing who we are and what we believe can only help us serve the Lord more effectively."-Thomas Marberry, CONTACT magazine