MADISON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION (IN) NOT CALVINIST



 The Madison Baptist Association in Indiana was formed in 1833 from churches in the Coffee Creek Association. Coffee Creek had grown very large, and it was decided to divide the association, with those on the east side of the Indianapolis Railroad forming the new, Madison Association.

The Madison Association has been found to be Non Calvinist from its inception. In the "Indiana Baptist History" 1808-1908 by W.T. Stott, published in Franklin, Indiana, page 159 we find the following;

 "The churches of this Association, in common with those of others, was obliged to meet the heresies of Predestinarianism on the one hand, and those of Campbellism on the other; but there was no general departure from established Baptist doctrines. From the first the missionary spirit was present and operative".

Here we can see yet another Baptist association that regarded "Predestinaraianism" (Calvinism) as heresy, along with Campbellism.  We can also see that by the phrase "in common with those of others"  that other nearby associations held similar sentiments about "Predestinarianism". We can see that the doctrines this association held was considered "established Baptist doctrines". This is a huge claim, as it clearly means that this association considered its own doctrine to be that of most other Baptists, and established long before that time.. The Madison Baptist Assn. were decidedly pro missions. Their articles of faith were as follows:

1) That the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, are the infallible word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.

2) That there is only one true God, known by the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

3) That by nature, we are fallen and depraved creatures.

4) That salvation, regeneration, sanctification and justification are by the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

5) That the saints will finally persevere through grace to glory.

6) That believer's baptism, by immersion, is necessary to the receiving of the Lord's Supper.

7) That the salvation of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.

8) That it is our duty to be tender and affectionate to each other, and study the happiness of the children of God in general, and to be engaged singly to promote the honor of God.

9) And the preaching that Christ tasted death for every man shall be no bar to communion.

Article 9 was a common article in many United Baptist Associations that was Non Calvinist, as a reminder to Calvinist associations of the Terms of Union which formed the United Baptists. This has been mischaracterized by some to say that this shows shows an association to be majority Calvinist, but allowing a general atonement view. This is not the case. Clearly any association that called "Predestinarianism" heresy, was not Calvinist. However, as seen in many other associations, the Calvinists repeatedly broke the Terms of Union, as we will see further down in this article, by the words used by Calvinists to describe Non Calvinist, missions minded Baptists.

  From the beginning, the Madison Assn. charged itself "to proclaim the good news of life and salvation to the children of men," ( from The First Half Century of the Madison Baptist Association pg. 8, articles of faith, pg. 9)

When the Western Predestinarian Baptist published it's opinion on missions, the Madison Association officially declared "predestinarianism" to be heresy. The remarks made by that publication said "We consider the entire mission system predicated in rank Arminianism, and as such, a disgrace to the Baptist name. What a manifestation to the hatred of God, and puny rebellion against him, for puny worms to undertake to introduce as heirs of his last will and testament, such as he has not chosen, whose whole conduct prove them to be strange children, entirely of another spirit and principle." It is no wonder that the Madison Baptists declared Calvinism to be heresy after reading these words. Not only were they called "Arminians", they were labelled a "disgrace" and "haters of God". It is true however, that the Madison Baptists were "of another spirit and principle" from the Calvinists that wrote those words.

 


 




The full history can be read here and here 

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