Definition

Noun: * A member or adherent of a group of Baptist congregations that hold to the theological teachings of Jacobus Arminius. These teachings emphasize that God's grace is offered to all people and that human free will plays a role in accepting or rejecting salvation, opposing the Calvinist doctrine of strict predestination.

Usage

The term Arminian Baptist is used to identify a specific theological tradition within the broader Baptist denomination. It is often used in historical, theological, or descriptive contexts to distinguish these congregations from Calvinist (or Reformed) Baptists. * He was raised as an Arminian Baptist and held to the belief that salvation was available to anyone who chose to accept it. * The theological differences between Arminian Baptist and Primitive Baptist churches are significant.

Advanced Usage

• The term can function attributively to modify other nouns, describing churches, theology, or doctrines associated with this tradition.
  • They attended an Arminian Baptist church.
  • The sermon explained Arminian Baptist doctrine on free will.

Variants and Related Words

• General Baptist: This is a common historical and denominational name closely associated with, and often synonymous with, Arminian Baptist theology, particularly in the United Kingdom and early American history.
• Arminianism (noun): The system of theological thought developed by Jacobus Arminius, which forms the doctrinal basis for Arminian Baptists.
• Baptist (noun): A broader term for a Christian denomination characterized by believer's baptism (baptism of professing believers, not infants) and congregational church governance.

Synonyms

• General Baptist (in specific historical/denominational contexts)

Antonyms / Contrasting Terms

• Calvinist Baptist: A Baptist who adheres to Reformed theology, emphasizing the sovereignty of God in salvation and the doctrine of unconditional election (predestination).
• Reformed Baptist: Another term for Calvinist Baptist.
• Primitive Baptist: A group of Baptists, often with Calvinist theology, known for traditional practices and typically rejecting modern missionary societies and instrumental music in worship.

Noun

1. group of Baptist congregations believing the teachings of the Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius (who opposed the doctrine of strict predestination of the Calvinists)