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The Baptist World Alliance arose in 1905 in London as an alliance of Baptist unions and now has its headquarters near Washington, D.C. According to its constitution, it seeks to represent the essential unity of Baptists in the Lord Jesus Christ, to strengthen brotherhood, and to promote the spirit of fellowship, service, and cooperation among its members. It does not infringe upon the independence of the participating congregations and unions. It holds a world congress every five years. Its main work takes place in …

1. Name and History The name “Baptist” was originally a derogatory name used by opponents who wanted to call attention to the Baptists’ distinctive practice of believers’ baptism. Baptists themselves would have preferred to be known more as a congregational movement than as a baptismal movement. The Baptists developed in England out of English Puritanism, or more strictly out of Congregationalism, which formed congregations independent of the state and the state church (Separatism). The Baptist impulse probably came by way of the Mennonites, who baptized by pouring. Because of per…