THE FLORIDA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION (FL) NOT CALVINIST

 The Florida Baptist Association was formed in 1843 by ten churches who seceded from the Ocklockonnee Baptist Association in Georgia. The Ocklockonnee Association passed resolutions against mission societies, seminaries, bible or tract societies, Sunday Schools etc, and demanded at all its churches cease any support of those things. Ten churches "seceded" and formed the Florida Association. There is no information that I have found on the doctrines of the Ocklockonnee Association. However the churches that left it to form the Florida Association had all the hallmarks of Non Calvinist doctrine. They were founded on "liberty of conscience" and compared themselves to the American Revolution, so there is a hint that maybe they differed from their mother association, who they called "dictatorial".

The first act of the Florida Association was to establish correspondence with the Bethel Association in Georgia, which no doubt, was a Non Calvinist association. You can read about them here.  Why was this the very first act of the new association? It would be safe to assume because they had similar theologies and practices which obviously included support for missions, institutions of learning, Sunday Schools etc.

The articles of faith adopted in 1843 were the New Hampshire Confession, although it is not named as such. They are too lengthy to show here, but you can see them in the pics of the minutes from 1843 below. There were, and are, some Calvinists who use that confession, while other Calvinists scoff and say it isn't a Calvinist confession at all. I will leave that fight to them. What I can attest to, is that many Non Calvinist churches and associations used it and still do, my childhood church being one of them. The Florida Association is one as well. The New Hampshire Confession is the foundation of the Baptist Faith and Message, and certainly no one denies that most Southern Baptists aren't Calvinists.

When they had their worship and preaching time at the 1843 association meeting, they ended with an unnamed hymn (see pics below) with the following lyrics. I especially like the last verse. Calvinists of that time were not known to sing songs that sounded to much like a "whosoever will" sentiment.

2 Though crimson sin increase your guilt,

And painful is your thrall ; . 

For broken hearts his blood was spilt; 

Oh, crown him Lord of all.

3 Take with your words, approach his throne.

And low before him fall ; 

He understands the Spirit's groan; 

Oh, crown him Lord of all.

4 Whoever comes he'll not cast out.

Although your faith be small ; 

His faithfulness you cannot doubt; 

Oh, crown him Lord of all.

 


 

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The articles of faith adopted by the Florida Assn. was the New Hampshire Confession, although it is not named as such in their minutes. There were (and are) some Calvinists who use that confession, while other Calvinists scoff and say the New Hampshire Confession isn't Calvinist at all. I will leave that fight to them. What I can attest to, is that MANY Non Calvinist churches and association did (and still do) use that confession, my childhood church being one of them. The Florida Association is one of them as well. I will not take the time to post their articles of faith as they are very lengthy, but you can see it in the pics of their minutes from 1843 below.

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