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John Smyth was the founder of the Baptist denomination. Ordained as an Anglican priest in 1594, he broke with the Church of England less than ten years later, seeking refuge with his congregation in Holland. In Amsterdam, he came to reject the practice of infant baptist, adopting the baptism of believers, also known as adult baptism, and other doctrines which were then held primarily by the Anabaptists, of which he had come into contact. Before his death in 1612, he petitioned for acceptance into the Anabaptist fellowship. Although his petition was initially denied, most of his congregation joined with the Mennonites following his death. The minority of his church, under Thomas Helwys, went on to form the General Baptists of England.

 

 

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