Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The Bible Makes Baptist

Christmas Evans Christmas Evans (1766-1838) was a Welsh Baptist preacher who was referred to as the "Bunyan of Wales."

How Christmas Evans Became A
Baptist
Christmas Evans, a Welsh Baptist preacher, was born on Christmas day in 1766. He preached fervently and effectually to the Welsh people from about 1787 his death in July 1838. He gives the following account of how he became a Baptist.
"A person of the name of Amos had left the (Presbyterian) church at Liwynrhyodwn, and had been baptized at Aberduar. He came to see me, and I began to assail the Anabaptist heresy, as I had been accustomed to consider it. But Amos soon silenced me. I attributed my defeat to my ignorance of the New Testament, and therefore began to read from the beginning of Matthew, to prepare myself for the next interview. Having read the New Testament through, I found not a single verse in favor of Paedobaptism (i.e. baptizing infants). I met frequently with passages in the Old and New Testaments referring to the circumcision and naming of children, their bringing up in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord,' etc. but with none making any mention of their baptism; while about forty passages seemed to me to testify clearly for baptism on a profession of faith. These scriptures spoke to my conscience and convinced me of the necessity of personal obedience to the baptism which Christ had ordained. After a little struggle between the flesh and spirit, obedience and disobedience, I applied to the Baptist church at Aberduar. I was cordially received."
This took place in the summer of 1787, four years after his conversion. At age twenty, he was baptized in the river Duar by Timothy Thomas.


Article from Bro. Ben and LSB site..


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This story reminded me of William E. Burke, a converted catholic priest who served with our Home Mission Board back in the 60's. He shared his testimony with us in college chapel. What a tremendous story it was. His conversion, leaving the priesthood, being chased & barely escaping capture by catholic henchmen who would have had him committed to a mental institution.

After his salvation he began a search for a N.T. Church. I remember him saying, "I knew one had to exist because Christ said he would build it and nothing would destroy it. As a new believer I just believed he would do what he said." His long search ended when he attended a Baptist Church.
Dean West