CONGRESS 2015

n CONGRESS 2015 n CONGRESS 2015 n CONGRESS 2015 n CONGRESS 2015 n C Baptists of South Africa continued In 1886, the Afrikaanse Baptiste Kerk,

an association of Dutch-speaking Baptist churches, was formed in Orange Free State. The Coloured Baptist Association, churches comprising members of mixed race, was founded in 1888. Baptists were involved in mission

to the Xhosa nation in the early days of the European settlement, and later to all the indigenous groups that called South Africa their home. American missionaries began work among African populations in Transkei, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State in the late 19th century, beginning an indigenous mission in 1892. The first Seventh Day Baptist church in South Africa was formed in 1906.

ETHNIC & THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES

Some early church services were integrated racially, but language and cultural differences were hard to overcome and to this day language and culture keep Baptists from worshipping together on Sundays, especially in rural areas and small towns. In the past decade and a half Baptists of all races are worshipping together in some city churches, in annual gatherings of assemblies and convention meetings, as well as training seminars. The doctrinal divisions have centered

on the Calvinist or Arminian emphases in theology. The first such division occurred in 1857 in Grahamstown when the “Mother Church” divided into two separate congregations over the issue. It took 15 years for the two churches to reunite. Within the member churches of the

Baptist bodies in South Africa, some individual churches are Reformed (Calvinistic) in doctrine, yet maintain membership with the Baptist body. There are also some member churches that have a Charismatic emphasis and remain member churches.

CONFLICT The Baptist Union of Southern Africa was made up of several associations. These were territorial and special associations formed on the basis of cultural, ethnic and language differences.

Photos at left: Baptists in South Africa reflect the diverse ethnicity, theology and worship styles found in this complex country. The four BWA member organizations – the Baptist Union of Southern Africa, the Baptist Convention of South Africa, the Baptist Association of South Africa and the Baptist Mission of South Africa – have joined together in support of the upcoming BWA 21st World Congress.

Photos courtesy of Baptist Union of Southern Africa Racial attitudes and issues played

a major role in these divisions. These racial attitudes resulted in a major split in the 1980s when three of the four associations withdrew from the Baptist Union of Southern Africa and became separate Baptist bodies, namely, the Baptist Convention of South Africa, the Baptist Association of South Africa, and the Baptist Mission of South Africa. The fourth group was formed on the basis of a separate language (Afrikaans). Much suffering

resulted because of

the division as disputes over property and pensions saw Baptists fighting and turning their backs on each other.

RECONCILIATION Reconciliation efforts took place over

eight years. Some of these efforts were facilitated by the Baptist World Alliance. Other partners such as the Southern Baptist Convention and American Baptist Churches USA were helpful in remaining neutral while assisting to fund and facilitate these meetings together. After much infighting and heartache,

after honest speaking and listening, after years of turmoil and after the Divine intervention of the Holy Spirit, the South African Baptist Alliance was launched in 2001. (See Terry Rae, Reconciliation between Baptists in South Africa in Baptist Faith and Witness Book 3, page 16). There has been increasing cooperation

in evangelism and in mission sending and the exchange of lecturers at theological training colleges.

SOURCES:

William Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists Terry Rae, “South African

Baptists

Strive For Unity,” Baptist World, January/ March 2009

BAPTISTS OF ALL RACES ARE WORSHIPPING TOGETHER in some city churches, in annual gatherings of assemblies and convention meetings, as well as training seminars

16 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE