Distinctions Between Campbellites and Baptists
By Rev. Frank AdkinsThe term Campbellites is not here used as a term of reproach, nor is it meant to be in any sense discourteous. It is used as he only name in vogue which can clearly distinguish the body of Christians to whom his term is understood to apply. The term Christian applies to all sincere believers in Christ. The term disciple applies to all learners in his school. The exclusive appropriation of these terms to distinguish others from ourselves, implies an arrogant assumption to which the conscientious believer can not accede. It is true the claim is made that in the use of these terms there is a strict adherence to scriptural usage. But this claim is fallacious. While the terms "disciple" and "Christian" are both in the Bible, so is the name "Baptist." But the designations "Disciple Church" and "Christian Church," even "Church of Christ," are not in the Bible; literally these are all as unscriptural as the title "Baptist Church." The New Testament never qualifies the word church by way of discrimination, except to distinguish between different local bodies (as the "church in Jerusalem," "at Antioch," etc.). The unqualified word "church" is the designation which the Bible employs. Besides, these titles are indefinite, and do not and can not designate. And we who claim to be Christian can not acquiesce in the exclusive assumption by others of these titles without admitting an invidious reflection upon ourselves. Baptists are Christians, at least they are as likely to be as others; Baptists are disciples of Christ, and Bapist Churches are Churches of Christ, if there are any such.
A certain lady was said to have "left he Church of God and joined the Baptists." The statement had a very quizzical look until it was explained that she had exchanged her relations with the Winebrennarians for a place in a Baptist Church, under the conviction that she thus accepted a more complete conformity to the Bible pattern of the "church of God." If it should now be said that Mr. A. had left the Baptists and joined the Disciples of Christ, or Mr. B. had left the Church of Christ; and joined a Baptist Church, would not loyal, truth-loving Baptists have reason to repudiate the invidious implication? Surely it is not expected of me in this paper, to point out distinctions between Bapists and Christians - between Baptists and Disciples of Christ - between a Baptist Church and a Church of Christ. We shall not stultify ourselves by admitting any such distinctions.
When we employ the name "Campbellite," we have a designation that is distinctive, and one which everybody at once understands. There is a propriety in the use of this term to denote the party embracing the views of Alexander Campbell, of Bethany, W. Va. "Mr. Campbell is the author and most eminent proclaimer of these peculiar doctrines." He was the recognized founder and organizer of this distinct body of religious people. They arose under his labors, and gathered around his leadership in the early part of the present
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