Trail of Blood - Chart
EXPLANATION OF THE CHART
By DR. J. M. CARROLL
ILLUSTRATING the History of the Baptist Churches
from the time of their founder, the Lord Jesus Christ, until the 20th Century.
1. The purpose of this book and chart is to show
according to History that Baptists have an unbroken line of churches since
Christ and have fulfilled His prophecy -- "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH AND THE
GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT." In the irregular churches
is clearly seen the growth of Catholicism and Protestantism. Baptists are
not Protestants since they did not come out of the Catholic Church.
2. The numbers at the top and bottom represent 20
centuries. The first vertical line is A.D. 1, and the second, A.D. 100,
and so on.
3. The horizontal lines at the bottom have between
them the nicknames given to Baptists during the passing years and ages
-- Novations, Montanists, Paulicians and Waldenses.
4. THE RED CIRCLES REPRESENT BAPTIST CHURCHES beginning
with the first Church at Jerusalem, founded by Christ during His earthly
ministry, and out of which came the churches of Judea, Antioch and others.
The red indicates they were persecuted. In spite of the bitterest opposition
and persecution Baptist Churches are found in every age. The first nickname
given them was Christians, the next Ana-Baptists, and so on. You will notice
that the dark ages are represented by a dark space. Even during this time
you will notice a continual line of churches called Ana-Baptists. They
were continually and bitterly persecuted even unto death by the Catholics.
Near the first of the 16th Century the Ana was dropped and they were simply
called Baptists.
5. THE BLACK CIRCLES REPRESENT CHURCHES INTO WHICH
ERROR CAME AND ARE THEREFORE CALLED -- IRREGULAR CHURCHES. The first error
was in church Government--Pastors assumed authority not given them by Christ.
Pastors of larger churches claimed authority over other and smaller churches.
Thus in the 3rd Century the Roman Hierarchy was established. The Emperor
Constantine issued a call in 313 inviting all churches to send representatives
to form a council. The red churches--that is Baptist Churches--refused
the invitation but the irregular churches responded. The Emperor was made
the head and thus the group of churches known as irregular churches became
the State Church. The Emperor continued to head the churches until Leo
II claimed authority as the successor of Peter. Thus is seen how the error
in church Government developed into Popery. In the 16th Century the Protestant
Churches began to come out of the Roman Catholic Church. They are called
Protestants because they protested against the errors of Catholicism.
6. It was in the year 251 that Baptist Churches
declared non-fellowship with the irregular churches. They refused to accept
Baptism administered in infancy or for Salvation and thus came the oldest
nickname--Ana-Baptists which means rebaptizers.
Copyright 1931, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky