1
n hok Xo.
Tarborough, (Edgecombe County, X. C.J Saturday, December 5, 1835.
Vol. XI Xo. 19.
7.i!u;Ktf BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
., uri-itioii iiel it animiil session nt Skowsir
1 Vm Iii.ik.!, Martin county, on the S.I, 4th mi.l 5ili
;ff''7(),T,,l"-r. KI.Ut William llyman, Luke
V:iri1''. . u?..,,t 1 1 ii iiifilirpv Stilliiinrs. ami Micuisili
' emb'tl. l.ritrrs troin 30 cluirrlies nvito rtcivud.
' rr' 'I'lMJt V('ar, i" the srv-rnl churches, 15 were
l);irlI,;r rmMV.Ml bv Irtior. 19 dismal bv Inter, 2G
....inic'l I'd. OO ci.-i-u, .... ..... . . . .... ....
, 'J'li'' nnxi Association is to bu iitMiJ ul Ureal bwamp
iin" house, 1 m :"",MJ
'following is !e Circular LHter.
y'o Me several Churches ice. represent.
tr BEI.OVEB Rretiiki:n: Our annual custom Ins been to
i f A-B-tii nv'way of Circular Letter, after holding our annual As-
,i n,i on Miineini MiiH'" """j'11
ft ! lo to your I win in i.iru .nil. tm r.., vi iiuiu
i IC.ist ird the furtherance of your Christian progress heaven-
I nd such n3s 1)1 en lhP variety ot subjects upon which we
i 'i.l.Iiel 'ou heretofore, that we are somewhat at a loss to
"Ue Imi'.iool I hat we think might be for the furtherance of your
n nivlede ami edification in tne uums oi me Supei oi loum.
"evei7heless we hall venture to choose the following, hoping it
I t lor your establishment in the truih of Christ namely : first
throve' from the New Testament that all the 1 1 t apostolic chur
'ill were l.ipt il churches ami such as ours precisely that compose
v. Kehukee Associauou. mm m-limhih, m uw ... i.m .),
.. ... i Kac i r'urUt t p.tlleil the Christian church.
'"'Vlr rpliim t'ne Christian religion, hut a Haptist church, orga-
z icconlinC to the apostolic plan as lam uuwu in uie ;tv uv
s . n.Tivuhlp I h pre from
V iul io onler to do this li t it he fust observed, that John the Hap
ami Je-us Christ were cotemporary, and are the two first foun
Vrsof the Christian church, and propag.Uor the Christian reli
C;0t the narration of whose history, acts, progress, and lives, is set
(i wiiinthcl'o'.Jr KvangelNK And further let it be observed, thai
Pe ck of the Aposiles is the first ecclesiastical history that ever
C, written of the Christian r. ligion and'of the Christian church in
klihe world, and contains the history ol the Christian church in its
rj,e and progress for about SI years; and is the most ancient
authentic history of the Christian church on the face of the
Sa'rth. Then by tiiese five books, .Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and
ihe ct- of the Apostles, we shall try to prove that all the apostolic
ci-jrehes were Baptist churches, that the Kehukee Baptist churches
;,ipjunsuch as they were, and that no other chuich but a Baptist
. i, ,,.,!, r',crUt in he. railed a Christian church.
I ! VillHUI ll-i.i a i ij". m
Tbtse things lear brethren, being premised as a standard ot ueci
Von to try by' we proceed to comply with the task before us, accor
1 ne Uf ) Tniflo to the truth
C Hi; 10 mestS UUUKS iia uicicm vuiui.i vv, ...v. w.,.
xf the matter proposed.
I John the Baptist and Jesus Christ are properly the subjects ol
.Roman history; because the fact is, that Judea at the lime oMhcir
Jhrlhs and during their lives and ministry, was a province of Rome.
Yet it may be said that their lives bt long lo Jewish history, because
they were natives of Judea. It is evident from Roman history that
II Chrit was born, according in the common reckoning, in the
put ytar of the reign of Augustus Cesar, on the t25;h day ot De
jrcBiber, in the year of the world 4004; and that J.din the Baptist was
rn ix months before him, about the 24lh of June; &. that the New
filament lias the aid cf Roman history to prove the birih ol i.nrist,
jly the laxii.2 decree of Augustus, when Joseph and Mary went up
i 1 taxed, al which lime Chi ist was born. Augustus Cesar died
'H years after the birth of Jesus Christ; in thi- interval of 14 years,
fircMans wa king of Judea, appointed to that oflice as the New
jlUimenl mentions alter Jlie death of Herod. Augustus, in part of
lii U years, associated with him Tiberius in the management of
Hecn.pire. Augustus dying 14 years after the birth of Christ, left
will ihe empire to Tibcriu. In the third chapter of Luke's
V"pel and first verse we have the following: "Now in the 15th year
title rei;n of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Bilaie being governor of Ju
tej. and Uerod being tetrarch f Callilee, and hi brother Philip le
reh of Iturt n and of the region of Tiae.honitis, and Lysanias the
tiaich of Abilene 2d verse: Annas and Cainphas being the high
!f! iet", the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the
KMernfss." Now add the 14 years that Augustus lived after the
J-uhof JeuChrit and the 15 yearsof the reign of Tiberius, when
pMexlsays the word of Cod came to John the Baptist, and that
fit! show us how old both John the Baptist and Christ were when
Jey beg:m to preach; for 14 and 15 makes 29, so that Christ and
:'hn vf rp 90 vpnr ivt.pn ihpv hporun ihpir ministrv. and John
rV" his about six months before Christ. And thus says ihe m. oi
;,i ! ... . . . . . - i : ilwi
'i iunpiv ! t. ir.,.. ,i,.,cmn inhti i n K-mtmi nrpncu lie I" H'c
lH'Merne-s of Judea Sd verse: And saying, Repent for the king
of heaven is at hand prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
ced his ministry
rJoutsix months before Christ, to nreoare the minds of the people
ilui-.....:. . i .. - . . i ti'nrll
r'cive mm as ine promised Alessian ana saviour ui
preaching ol John the JJaplist, ftlark calls the Beginning -pel
of ChiUt, i. chap. 1 verse. Then here is the commencement
!,Jlt!i oriii..l .w ii. r..;.r..,r, !,... .k ...t rii.iian rpliirion in
r11 lo h year of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate governor of Judea,
Uenxl iii itni, f 1 1 i,. ,,i,..i,fvnl. that there
I " ""'hi "i vaiuiir. urn; ii ic uu.-u .,
P''e three Ilorods, one at the' birth of Christ before the reign of Ar-
rr. .. i ... . . .... :.i.
'"'J. this Herod ihe second, and the Herod that killed James wim
-win Uif. unro. ii we are not m siawen.
'hen John commenced his ministry in the 29th year of his age
Jlhe reiSn of the second Herod, jrovernor of Gallilec, in the wil-
'"of .ludea Mark. i. 4: john ilirt haniiso in the wilderness
I'aeh ihe baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; verse S:
1 ''"k't-d liuvo Iijmi i rm t. 'nK ...ir i... i k ,. ..u.n k..i;u von with
;;"1I(,,'y Mhost." Then John was the first Baptiser tho' he himself
-l' - -", in- luinuii.i-ivii WdS SUllJUICHI ilUUIUlii;
''Hi'ise olhprw Vhn ..va Mr,. . : A llm. i. 33:
,.) ' &" linn .i v "in imsiuii : ntau uvi" -
"Jl ' th;t sent m. to baptise with water' &c. And the Saviour
' Has Itio l.....t;.. f f I r ...I ooroin!
I - I'liMiaiii ui uuuii uuiii neaven or oi men: .rn;" "n 1
i',s Ike baptism of John the counsel of God, Then John's com-
mission to baptise was from God, therefore the Saviour submitted to
it as a command of God; and thus it was righteousness in John to
administer ii, and righteousness in Christ lo submit lo it as a com
mand of God. Then Jesus Christ was a Baptist and of John's or
der. Let us have the scripture. ' Luke, iii. 21: "Now when all the
people were baptised, it came to pass that Jesus also being baplind
and praying, the heay?n was opened." Then Chri-t and John's dis
ciples received the same kind of baptism verse 23: "Jesus himself
beg;in to be about thirty years of age." Mark, ihe text don't say
he was thirty years of age but about. Then this proves all we
have said, that John and Jesus began their ministry in the 29th year
of their age, lor Jesus commenced his ministry about foily days af
ter his baptism, on coming out of the wilderness from his tempta
tion. Where did this first Baptist preacher baptise? Mark, i. 4:
In the wilderness verse 5: And there went out to him all the
land of Judea and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptised of him
(John) in the river of Jordan confessing their sins" verse 9: "And
it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Gal
lilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan verse 10: And straight
way corning up out of the water." &c. John, iii. 23: "And John
also was baptising in JEaon near lo Nalim, because there was much
water there, and ihey came and were baptised.
Thus by the above three verses we can see what sort of Baptists
John's were that they were river Baptists and not bason Baptists,
that they were much water Baptists and not pitcher nor porringer
Baptists, and that, this fiiM Bapsist preacher required much water in
order to baptism, and that much water made it a convenient place
for baptism therefore it is said, the people came there and were bap
tised. And also the river of Jordan was a place of much water, as
the history of Joshua shews, when Joshui crossed it with Israel. Thus
tfie scriptures prove that the first Baptist preacher, who had his com
mission from God, required a place of much water in order to admin
ister baptism. Then this proves immersion must be the mode he
practised, and not sprinkling nor pour'ntr, since it does not require
much water to sprinkle or pour. Nor does it require a river in or
der to perform these rites of human and devil invention, lo sprin.kle
or pour; and these words, much water, to prove that John bapt'sed
by immersion, outweighs every argument that Pedo-Baptists ever
did or ever can olfer. Then John's Baptists were precisely such
Baptists as the Kehukee Baptists now are all baptised where there
is much water. Then Christ and John's disciples were river and
much water Baptists, and not little water Baptists. This being clear
ed, we proceed to show what kind of persons John baptised.
Matthew, iii. 2: "And saying, Kepent ye for the kingdom of hea
ven is at hand" verse Or "And were baptised in -Jordan confessing
their sins." Thus we se John taught repentance before baptism,
and we aho see what kind of prrsous he baptised those that con
fessed their sins. And we also see where he baptised in Jordan,
and not with a bason, or pouring from a pitcher this is also
clear. Vere 7: "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad
dueees come to his hap'i: kc. Verse 8: "Bring forth fruits
meet for repentance." 'J'ae scriptures show us, that the Pharisees do
not confess sins; fur one s vd, ' thank thee, O God, that 1 am not as
other men. The scriplr.res also show us that the Sadducees deny
the resurrection of the dead, angel or spirit then of course these
men neither repented nor confessed sins, and therefore, were reject
ed by John as not fit subjects of baptism; and that God was able to
giv e repentance and confession' of sins to publicans and harlots, or
the most hardened sinners. And this is what he means by God's
being able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. So then
repentance and confession nf sins were two pre-requisites required
bv John before be would baptise a person. Then this shows that
John's Baptists and the Kehukee- Baptists are precisely the same;
both require repentance and confession of sins before baptism.
John baptised in the water, so do the Kehukee Baptists; and not
out of the water, as sprinklers and pourers do.
Luke. iii. 3: "And he came into all the country about Jordan,
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
This proves that John required repentance in order to baptism; for
confession of sins is the fruit of repentance, and these were the charac
ters he baptised such as confessed their sins. And further, he re
i .......
quired filh in the promised and coming Messiah, that he then
taught bv bis preaching was just ready to appear. Acts, xix. 4:
"Then said Paul. John verily baptised with the baptism of repentance,
saying unto the people, that they should believe on nun winch was
to come after him: thai is. on Christ Jesus." So then we see that
John renuired repentance, confession of sins, and faith in Christ
: .... i
which was to come, before lie would baptise a person so uo me
Kehukee Baptists, and all the difference between John's Baptists ami
the Kehukee Baptists is this: John said they must believe in Christ
which was to come, in order lo baptism; and the Kehukee Baptists
savaman must believe in Christ wh'uh has come, in order lo bap
lism. Then John's Baptists and the Kehukee Baptists are precisely
the same, requiring repentance, confession of sins, and faith in Christ
before baptism. This matter being cleared, dear brethren, we think
to your satisfaction, we proceed to show that the baptism of John and
the apostles were one and the same baptism, and that the apostles prac
tised no other water baptism but that of John's, and the same way.
Jeaus Christ was a Baptist of John's mak and a river Jordan Bap
tist you will not dispute. And it does not appear from scripture,
that John ever congregated bis disciples into a church or churches,
for his ministry hardly lasted mure than three and a half years; but
that he Uft hislisciples as so mr.uv scattered materials to build into
the gospel church after his death.' Then who baptised the twelve
disciples is a question for consideration? We answer, that it was
not the commisson of Christ to baptise with water, but John's
commission; and the commission of Christ to baptise w ith the Holy
Ghost. And here we offer proof that Christ did not in any instance
Kan.KPuiihwaiPr. John, iv.'l: "When iherefore.the Lord knew how
tho Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptised more disciples
than John" verse 2: (Though Jesus himself bapticd not, but bis
,i;CrmleQ.V That is. that Jesus, himself did not baptise with water.
but his disciples did baptise with water is clear. Then, say you, his
disciples were not Baptists; for if he did not baptise them who did?
We answer, from John i. 35: "Again the next day, after John stood
two nf his discinles" verse 30: "And looking upon Jesus as he
walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God" verse 37: "And the
two disciples heard him speak, ano uiey lonoueu icsu. .v..
.u eoo twn Knntlsts of John's make following Christ as Ins dis
UICII C 1 ..... I. 1
pies. Verse40: "One of the two which heard John spea auu
en
followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother." Then &
clearly see from scripture, that here is two of John's Baptists amon
the twelve apostles; for by examining the list of the names of ihe
twelve, we find Andrew was one of the apostles. And Christ, the
scripture shows us, ordained the twelve and sent them out. So then
we may justly, fairly, and satisfactorily conclude, that these two
Baptist disciples of John bapiised the other ten, and all others that
came over to Jesus in bis life time for so says the text: though Jesus
himself baptised not, but bis disciples. So then it is fairly presuma
ble, that these two disciples baptised the ten, and tl icn the v all bap
tised, after being baptised by these two, and ordained by Christ.
This being cleared, we proceed to show that the apostles baptised in
the same way and the same sort of persons John did, and that they
practised the same mode of baptism as John had administered to
them, and that the mode of John and the apostles were the same
mode.
And that the mode of John's baptism was where there was much
water, and in the river Jordan and when he had come up straitway
out of the water now you know all this has already been proved.
Then to prove the apostles practised the same mode as Jului, take
the following' scripture, Acts viii. SO: "And as they went on
their way they came to a certain water, and the Ecnucli
said, see here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptised?"
verse 37: "And Philip said, if thou believest with all thiiie heart
thou may est. And he answered and said, 1 believe Jesus Christ is the
Son of God 38: And he commanded the chariot to stand still, aiid
they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch,
and he baptised him 39: And when they were come up out of the
water," &c. Now here the whole manner of baptism is so plainly
set down, that lie that runs may read; for in these texts we have ihe
administrator, Philip; here we have the subject on profession of faith,
the Eunuch; here we have the mode, in the water. So ii is said of
Christ, when he was baptised by John, that when be had straitway
come up out of the water. And it is said of Philip and the Eunuch,
;and when they were come up out of ihe water. So then it is fairly
proven that John and the apostles both baptised in the water, and not
out of the water, as sprinklers and pourers do. And further, Jehu
baptised on profession of faith, saying unto the people, they should,
believe on him which was to come; that is, on Christ Je
sus. And here we see Philip requiring a profession of faith
in Christ Jesus before he would baptise the Eunuch, and on
this profession of faith in Christ Jesus he did baptise him.
Then John's baptism and aposlolic baptism agree in all things;
both required faith, both went into ihe water to baptise, both
baptised in the water, both came up out of the water. This,
matter we deem so plain, we refuse to quote more scriptures because
of the shortness of our limits; for although baptism were mentioned
ten thousand times in scripture, and neither the subject nor mode
mentioned, yet it is in all places to be referred lo this plain pattern
given, as being in all places and on all occasions by the apostles per
formed this way. For as some of the disciples had been baptised by
John, and they knew Jesus Christ their master had been baptised by
John, ofcourse when they baptised they followed John's practice in a
river or much water where they themselves were baptised. So then
there is no valid baptism but in much water, or in a river, or in a
certain water, and that in the water and not out of it; then baptism
cannot be performed out of the w ater, according to John's and apos
lolic practice, as provable from the New Testament. Now the Ke
hukee Baptists are just such as these some of them were like
John's baptised in a river; some of them were baptised in mill ponds,
where there was much water; some of them were baptised in creeks,
which is a certain water, Sec. So that John's Baptists, and the apos
tolic Baptists, and the Kehukee Baptists, precisely agree baptised
on repentance, confession of sins, and profession of faith in Christ, in
much water. And we say again, dear brethren, there is no such
thing as performing a scriptural baptism out of the water; but it must
be done in the water, to come up lo the mode of John and the apos
tles; and that it cannot be performed with a pitcher, gourd, or bason
this is clear from scripture.
Thus in a short way having cleared our path of the brush and
'chunks that have been casi there for ages, we proceed to prove that
all the apostolic churches were Baptist churches. And first, ii is
clear that Jesus Christ formed ihe. first church of ihe twelve; for what
is a church? It is a congregation of faithful men and women, bapti
sed after repentance on a profession of their faith in Christ; and in
which the ordinance of the Lord's Supper is duly administered, anri
ihe word of God preached to them; and w ho maintain a scriptural
discipline. So then, the twelve disciples were, we presume, Baptists;
we are sure that Christ and two of them were, ami there is no proof
ihe rest were not they met on the eve of the Saviour's death, and.
he preached to them and administered the Supper to them this is
clear from scripture. About forty days after this, on the evening wf
his ascension, we find them assembled, and lhat Peter stood up and
said over the number of the names of the disciples, and that they
were about 120; these had joined themselves to the twelve, for it
is said of them all, Acts, i. 14: "These all continued with one accord
in prayer and supplication, with the women and Marv the mo
ther of Jesus, and with his brethren." This church then of baptised
apostles in Jerusalem, was the first Christian church sud Tor a long
time remained the head and centre of union of all the rest; and gave
laws and rules to all ihe rest, for so had Christ ordained the aposiles
to do. Now about ten days after this came on the ereat dav of
- o 7
Pentecost, when Peter the fisherman stood up and preached lo the
vast multitude of the Jews that had attended at this greal feast, from
all the tribes of Israel and devout Jews from all nations under hea
ven; and three thousand were by the preaching of Peter pricked in
their hearts. Then Prter said unto them, repent and be baptised
every one of you in ihe name of Jesus Christ, for ihe remission of
sins. Then they that gladly received his word were baptised, and
the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Thus we can see what kind of persons were received as members
of ihe first Baptist apostolic church stub as heard Peter
preach, such as by his preaching had been pricked iii
their hearts, such as gladly received his word of preach
ing, such as were baptised after gladly receiving the word. Then
this proves that they were all persons capable of hearing preaching,
capable of gladly rtcciviug th word; and that additions to this first
Christian church was bv baptism, and that of such as were pricked
jin heart and capable to so hear and feel as to cry men and brethren