Arhive etichetă: John Smyth

The Baptist : Episode One – The Free Church


In the first installment of this three-part documentary series, we trace the origins of the Baptist movement from the Protestant Reformation through the English Separatists, the rise of believer’s baptism, and the struggle for religious liberty in England and colonial America. Featuring cinematic narration, stylized historical visuals, and primary-source quotations, Episode One explores how Baptists emerged as both heirs of the Reformation and challengers of the state church system that dominated Europe. From John Smyth and Thomas Helwys to the 1689 Baptist Confession and the early American colonies, this episode examines the theological and political ideas that shaped the “free church” tradition and helped lay foundations for the modern understanding of liberty of conscience.