The Coming Destruction of the Baptist People  by James Beller

You can go to various sources to find out about the history of Baptists.  Each will list several Baptist distinctives, all of which are clearly stated New Testament doctrines.  The lack of these doctrines in today's Baptist churches should in itself be enough to alert members of the world's largest non-Catholic denomination.

Despite what some would say, Baptist-like believers have been around since the 1st Century AD. We're supposed to believe in the autononmy of the local church, but about 160 years ago as our numbers begin to grow exponentially in this country, especially in the South, some of us decided to join together in groups or conventions.  The local church now owes its existence and sustainment to the state and national convention.

Our pastors used to be called by God then self-trained via continual Bible study and much prayer and communing with the Holy Spirit.  Now our pastors are trained in seminaries, most of which are liberal in their theology and practice [although they call themselves "moderate"].  Our preachers are not necessarily men of God anymore [or even men, for that matter]; they're scholars.

Most of all, Baptists used to rely solely on the Bible for all things moral and spiritual.  Belief in the inerrancy and the authority was the impetus for soul-winning and church planting that sparked a 100 year revival.  But today, this is true in only a few, independent, fundamental KJV-only, Bible-believing Baptist churches.

For the most part, the authority in the local Baptist church is the scholar in the pulpit or the convention supporting him [or her].  That firestorm of preaching for which Baptists like Shubal Stearns, Isaac Backus and Daniel Marshall that spread the flames of the gospel has all but fizzled out.  Fewer and fewer Baptists even read their Bible, much less study it.  And those who do are likely to use one of the modern, spiritually dumbed down versions.  Yeah, there is a coming destruction of the Baptist people.  And it's self-inflicted.