1st Great Awakening (c.

17391742)
key leaders: Jonathan Edwards (Congregationalist), George Whitefield (Anglican), Gilbert Tennent (Presbyterian)emphasis on preaching for conversion, experimental religion division between supporters, opponents of revivals (e.g., Edwards vs. Charles Chauncy; Old Side vs. New Side Presbyterians)

Whitefield (unfocused)

Edwards

1st G.A. (cont.)

dissent, schism, controversy all part of legacy of 1st G.A.in New England, Separatist or Strict Congregationalist churches appeared with new affirmation of regenerate church membership, rejection of earlier compromises like the Halfway Covenant of 1662

1st G.A. (cont.)

a new Baptist division developed between Regulars and Separates

Regulars had existed before the revival,

had some continuities with English Particular Baptists Separates originated in New England where at times entire Separate Congregationalist churches became Baptist (over 100)they viewed believers baptism as a way of protecting regenerate membership

1st G.A. (cont.)

at times already existing Regular Baptist

churches split (e.g., 1st Baptist in Boston in 1743strongest supporters of revival broke away and started 2nd Baptistyet not all Regulars were anti-revival) characteristics of Separates:
did not accept Philadelphia Confession

said that Bible alone was sufficient basis for their beliefs critical of Regulars on examination of new members re: their conversions

1st G.A. (cont.)

Separate preaching noisier, with more

exhortation than Regular preaching Regulars more expositional Separates usually less educated, less privileged than RegularsRegulars better educated, more likely from urban areas or towns, whereas Separates found more often in rural areas or frontier Separates sometimes called New Lights because of emphasis on possibility of immediate inspiration from Holy Spirit

1st G.A. (cont.)

Separates more suspicious of associations

threatening autonomy of local churches (although many Separates eventually organized associations)

Baptist Leaders in Evangelistic Surge

Hezekiah Smith (1737-1805):

Baptist preacher who was born on Long

island and raised in NJgraduated from College of NJ (Princeton) in 1762 labored for a time in the South as an itinerant involved in founding of RI College (Brown) in 1764

Leaders (cont.)
1766although he was not a classic

Separate, Smith became pastor of a Separate Baptist Church in Haverhill, MA, and served there for 39 yearshe also itinerated throughout New England, contributing to church growth in that region (by 1790 there were 92 Baptist churches in MA with combined membership of over 6000) he helped to organize the Warren (RI) Assoc. in 1767 and the Mass. Baptist Missionary Society in 1802 (1st state org. of its kind)

Leaders (cont.)

Morgan Edwards (1722-1795):

born in Wales, educated at Bristol Baptist

College in Englandon John Gills recommendation, he came to FBC, Philadelphia, in 1761, where he was active in the Phila. Assoc.he helped in the founding of Brown promoted evangelistic efforts of Phila. Assoc.in 1771 he became evangelistat-large, serving mainly in the South

Leaders (cont.)
his travels led to his 2-vol. Materials

toward a History of the Baptists he and other Phila. Assoc. missionaries planted many Regular Baptist churches

Leaders (cont.)

Shubal Stearns (1706-1771):

born in Boston, raised in CT as a

Congregationalist converted under George Whitefields ministry in 1745 and joined Separate Congregationalists 1751Stearns immersed and became a Separate Baptistserved for while in a church in CT

Leaders (cont.)
1754moved to the South, briefly to

Virginia and then on to Sandy Creek, NC (1755) a moving, emotional preacherStearns pastored the Sandy Creek church and itinerated extensively during his time in Sandy Creek, 42 other churches were formed and 125 were called as preachers

Leaders (cont.)
1758Stearns set up Sandy Creek

Assoc., 1st Separate assoc. Stearns assisted by brother-in-law Daniel Marshall (1706-1784), another former CongregationalistMarshall preached widely in VA, NC, SC, and GA Shurden characterized Sandy Creek tradition as one of ardor that expressed itself in individualism, congregationalism, biblicism, and egalitarianismalso known for invitations

Baptists & Early Stages of 2nd Great Awakening

Virginiaevidence of revival about 1785-1791a key leader was John Leland (1754-1841), a Separate Baptist preacher who moved from New England to VA in 1777he pastored at Mt. Poney, Orange, and Louisa (near Charlottesville) and also itineratedhe baptized 400 in a 20 square mile area between 1787-89

Leland

2nd G.A. (cont.)

Virginia (cont.)revival marked by physical & emotional manifestationsalso brought unity between Regulars & Separates in 1787

2nd G.A. (cont.)

Kentuckyrevivals beginning in 1785 brought significant growth for Baptistsby time of KY statehood in 1792, there were already 55 Baptist congregations and 3 associations camp meetings like Cane Ridge (1801) brought new growth after some decline in 1790shelped spark union of Regulars & Separates in 1801

Camp Meeting Scene

2nd G.A. (cont.)

Kentucky (cont.)by 1840 there were 711 Baptist churches in KY and 50 associations (1 in every 15 people in state was a Baptist)