Summary of the book, The Almost Forgotten Church” by Timothy Davis

The Almost Forgotten Church

• Introduction: The Almost Forgotten Church delves into the often-overlooked history of a group of Christians who maintained a distinct, non-Catholic faith throughout the centuries. These Christians, enduring intense persecution, stood firm in their beliefs, especially their rejection of infant baptism and the authority of the Catholic Church. Their legacy is a testimony to the resilience of true biblical faith amidst immense pressure.
• The Apostolic Roots: The book traces the origins of these independent Christians back to the earliest days of the Church. Their doctrines and practices were rooted in the teachings of the apostles, particularly their insistence on believers’ baptism by immersion, in stark contrast to the Catholic doctrine of infant baptism. This connection to the apostolic church is a central theme throughout the book.
• The Persecution of the Early Church: As Christianity became institutionalized and later dominated by the Catholic Church, many groups remained independent. These early non-Catholic Christians were persecuted for their refusal to conform to Catholic dogma. Their distinct beliefs were a source of conflict with the emerging Catholic hierarchy, which sought to centralize authority and control over the Christian faith.
• The “Dark Ages” and the Marginalized Church: The “Dark Ages,” from roughly AD 426, saw widespread persecution of these believers, many of whom were martyred for their faith. The book highlights the staggering number of Christians who died at the hands of the Catholic Church during this time, with estimates suggesting around fifty million martyrs. Despite this, these believers remained steadfast in their convictions.
• The “Ana-Baptists”: The term “Ana-Baptist” is a key focus in the book. This term, meaning “re-baptizers,” was used by their enemies to describe Christians who rejected infant baptism and insisted that adults be baptized after coming to faith. The book emphasizes that the Ana-Baptists were not a single denomination but a loose collection of believers who shared common theological beliefs.
• Continuity Through Time: One of the central arguments of the book is that these believers remained consistent in their theology, despite the many different labels they were given over the centuries. From the Donatists in the 4th century to the Waldenses, Paulicians, and Albigenses, their beliefs remained largely unchanged, focused on baptism by immersion and the authority of Scripture.
• Theological Beliefs and Practices: The book explores the core theological beliefs of these Christians, which were marked by a strong commitment to the authority of Scripture. They rejected the idea of a hierarchical, sacerdotal church and instead emphasized a spiritual church where Christ was the sole head. Their practices, including baptism and the Lord’s Supper, were symbolic and memorial in nature, not means of salvation.
• Rejection of Infant Baptism: A central issue that separated these Christians from both the Catholic Church and many Protestant reformers was their rejection of infant baptism. The book explains that these believers held that baptism should only be administered to those who had made a personal profession of faith, which meant that infant baptism was an unbiblical practice.
• The Doctrine of Salvation: Another key doctrine was salvation by grace through faith. These Christians believed that salvation was a work of God’s grace, not something that could be earned by works or rituals. This doctrine was a stark contrast to the Catholic Church’s emphasis on works, penance, and sacraments as means of salvation.
• Church Governance: The governance of these churches was another point of distinction. Unlike the Catholic Church, which had a centralized, hierarchical structure, these churches were governed by a pure democracy. Each congregation was independent, with the authority of Christ being exercised through the local believers rather than a central ecclesiastical body.
• Martyrdom and Suffering: The book underscores the profound impact of the martyrdom of these Christians. Many were executed for their beliefs, with some enduring gruesome deaths rather than compromising their faith. The legacy of these martyrs is central to the book’s message, as it demonstrates the courage and conviction of those who stood firm in their beliefs despite the intense persecution they faced.
• The Impact of the Reformation: While many reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, broke away from the Catholic Church, they still retained certain Catholic practices, particularly infant baptism. The book contrasts these reformers with the independent believers, who rejected both Catholicism and the Reformation’s compromises, standing firm in their commitment to biblical doctrine.
• The Struggle for True Believer’s Baptism: Throughout the book, the issue of baptism is repeatedly addressed. The early Christian groups described in the book were often at odds with both Catholics and Protestants over the practice of baptism. These groups insisted on adult baptism by immersion, rejecting any form of baptism that was not based on a personal confession of faith.
• The Ancient Waldenses: The book dedicates significant attention to the Waldenses, one of the earliest and most well-documented groups of independent Christians. The Waldenses rejected the authority of the Pope and held fast to Scripture, making them a significant part of the “forgotten” church tradition. They are presented as one of the clearest examples of a group that maintained biblical doctrines despite intense opposition.
• The Donatists and Early Resistance: The Donatists are another group discussed in the book. Their history is critical because they were among the first to be labeled as heretics by the Roman Catholic Church due to their strict adherence to biblical teaching and rejection of unworthy clergy. The Donatist movement, with its insistence on a pure church and the rejection of state authority, set the stage for later independent Christian groups.
• Separation of Church and State: One of the central principles upheld by these groups was the complete separation of church and state. The book argues that true Christianity cannot be fully realized if the church is yoked to the state. This doctrine became particularly important as the Roman Empire and later European monarchies sought to control religious practice.
• Religious Liberty: The book argues that these Christians were advocates of religious liberty long before it became a widespread concept. Their insistence on believers’ baptism, separation of church and state, and freedom from state-imposed religious authority makes them early proponents of religious freedom, which would later influence movements like the American Revolution and the rise of democratic ideals.
• The Growth of Baptist Movements: As the book progresses, it traces the development of the Baptist movement, which arose out of the traditions of these earlier independent Christians. The book emphasizes that while the Baptist denomination as we know it today did not emerge until the 16th century, its roots can be traced directly to these forgotten churches.
• The Legacy of the “Forgotten” Church: The Almost Forgotten Church calls for modern Christians to recognize and honor the legacy of these early church groups. The author argues that these believers, often persecuted and marginalized, preserved the biblical truths that should form the foundation of the church today.
• Conclusion: The book concludes by urging Christians to return to the doctrines and practices of the early church, as preserved by these groups. It calls for a revival of the commitment to believers’ baptism, the authority of Scripture, the independence of the local church, and religious liberty—values that were central to these “forgotten” believers and continue to be relevant for the modern church.