The Formation of Evangelical Christian Baptists: historical, social and religious preconditions

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the preconditions for the formation of the Evangelical Christian Baptist movement, its historical and theological foundations. It examines the social, philosophical, and religious-theological factors that influenced the emergence of this movement. In particular, the philosophical and social ideas of religious groups such as reformers, Anabaptists, Puritans, and Congregationalists, which impacted the development of the views of the Baptist movement's founder, John Smith, are explored. The article also analyzes Smith's positions regarding the ethics and personal qualities of believers, as well as the significance of the baptismal rite. The formation of Protestant religious schools in Europe during the Renaissance period after the Reformation, their humanistic ideas, and theological characteristics are discussed. The political changes and the importance of key documents such as the 'Declaration of Faith' during the spread of Baptism in England are described. The success of the Baptist movement in missionary work and the role of the 'Philadelphia Association' laws in the United States are analyzed. The reasons behind the evolutionary growth in the number of Baptists are examined. The missionary activities of Evangelical Christian Baptists prior to Kazakhstan, their denominations, and divisions into different directions are considered, along with a comparative analysis of their local features and connection to general religious texts. As a result of the research, the historical, social, and religious foundations of Baptism are systematically outlined, and its global and regional development characteristics are revealed. This article also examines the situation of Baptists in Kazakhstan and their stance towards the government. The recommendations on identifying the principles of Evangelical Christian-Baptists form the value and practical significance of the research.

Keywords: Christians, protestants, evangelicals, Baptists, missionaries.