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WHY BAPTISTS ARE NOT PROTESTANTS
by Dr. Vernon C. Lyons
People are usually put in one of three religious groups. If you are not a Jew or a Roman Catholic, then
automatically you are a Protestant. Consequently, Baptists are usually called "Protestants." However, this does not
match the facts. Baptists never have been Protestants.
The Protestant Reformation is usually dated from October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the
door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany. However, this was only one of a series of acts that led to the
open rupture with Rome.
An event of utmost importance, but often unnoticed, is the Second Diet (or Council) of Speier, April 25, 1529. This
was a Roman Catholic Council for the purpose of taking action against the Turks and checking the progress of
Lutherans and others who were not cooperating with the Pope. Certain Lutheran princes appeared before this Roman
Catholic Diet with a formal written protest against those matters in which the Diet went contrary to the Christian
faith as they understood it. This protest was signed by Elector John of Saxony, Margrave George of Brandenburg,
Dukes Ernest and Francis of Braunschweig-Luneburg, Landgrave Philip of Hesse, Prince Wolfgang of Anhalt and the
representatives of fourteen imperial cities. The protest was designed to protect them from the decisions of this
Council. It was a defensive measure. The celebrated church historian, Philip Schaaf, makes the noteworthy statement
"From this protest. and appeal, the Lutherans were called Protestants." (History of the Christian Church, Volume
VII, p.692). The same facts are stated in the Catholic Encyclopedia (Volume Xll, p.495).
These Lutheran leaders, and a few Reformed, who made this appeal and protest at the famous Diet of Speier were
speaking for themselves and not for Baptists, of whom they themselves said in their written statement, "All
Anabaptists and rebaptized persons, male or female, of mature age, shall be judged and brought from natural life to
death, by fire, or sword or otherwise, as may benefit the persons, without preceding trial by spiritual judges."
The Baptists then did not share in this protest and consequently cannot bear the name "Protestant." Here are three
reasons why Baptists are not Protestants.
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