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"...And The Disciples Were Called..."
He was born in Kelvedon, Essex, to a family of clerics. His father and grandfather were Nonconformist (not Anglican) ministers. At age 15, he broke with family tradition by becoming a Baptist. He attributed this conversion to a sermon heard by chance, when a snowstorm blew him away from his destination into a Primitive Methodist chapel. The experience forced him to reevaluate his idea on infant baptism (among other things). Within four months, he was baptized and joined the Baptist church.
His theology, however, remained more or less Calvinist, though he liked to think of himself as a “mere Christian.” “I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist,” he once said. “I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist, but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.’”
Later on, he would write: “I say of the Baptist name, let it perish, but let Christ’s name last forever. I look forward, with pleasure, to the day when there will not be a Baptist living. I hope they will soon be gone. I hope the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ’s name endure forever” (Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. 1, p. 168).
Who was this individual? It was Charles Spurgeon. The question for your consideration is this: “Was Mr. SPurgeon right in the initial statement about the Baptist name, or the latter statement?”
