Explanation of the Chart By Dr. J. M. Carroll
The Trail of Blood was written by Dr. J. M. Carroll
sometime in the early 1930’s.
What he presented is just as relevant today as it was
when he presented the material in first in lectures and
then in writing.
The book was not published until after his death and
there have been over well over 60 reprints since then.
Dr. Carroll developed a chart depicting the history of
Baptists down through history.
We will look at the chart before we begin considering
his lectures.
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
Dr. Carroll from his book The Trail of Blood
Illustrating the History of the Baptist Churches
from the time of their founder, the Lord Jesus
Christ, until the 20th Century.
1. The purpose of this chart is to show according to
History that Baptists have an unbroken line of
churches since Christ and have fulfilled His prophecy
— "I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall
not prevail against it." In the irregular churches is
clearly seen the growth of Catholicism and
Protestantism. Baptists are not Protestants since they
did not come out of the Catholic Church.
2. The numbers at the top and bottom represent 20
centuries. The first vertical line is A.D. 1, and the
second, A.D. 100, and so on.
3. The horizontal lines at the bottom have between
them the nicknames given to Baptists during the
passing years and ages — Novations, Montanists,
Paulicians and Waldenses.
4. The red circles represent Baptist churches
beginning with the first Church at Jerusalem, founded
by Christ during His earthly ministry, and out of
which came the churches of Judea, Antioch and
others.
The red indicates they were persecuted. In spite of the
bitterest opposition and persecution Baptist Churches
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are found in every age. The first nickname given them
was Christians, the next Ana-Baptists, and so on. You
will notice that the dark ages are represented by a dark
space. Even during this time you will notice a
continual line of churches called Ana-Baptists. They
were continually and bitterly persecuted even unto
death by the Catholics. Near the first of the 16th
Century the Ana was dropped and they were simply
called Baptists.
5. The black circles represent churches into which
error came and are therefore called — irregular
churches. The first error was in church Government
— Pastors assumed authority not given them by
Christ. Pastors of larger churches claimed authority
over other and smaller churches. Thus in the 3rd
Century the Roman Hierarchy was established. The
Emperor Constantine issued a call in 313 inviting all
churches to send representatives to form a council.
The red churches — that is Baptist Churches —
refused the invitation but the irregular churches
responded. The Emperor was made the head and thus
the group of churches known as irregular churches
became the State Church. The Emperor continued to
head the churches until Leo II claimed authority as the
successor of Peter. Thus is seen how the error in
church Government developed into Popery. In the
16th Century the Protestant Churches began to come
out of the Roman Catholic Church. They are called
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Protestants because they protested against the errors
of Catholicism.
6. It was in the year 251 that Baptist Churches
declared nonfellowship with the irregular churches.
They refused to accept Baptism administered in
infancy or for Salvation and thus came the oldest
nickname — Ana-Baptists which means rebaptizers.
End Quote
"Marks of the New Testament Church"
In his introduction to the book Trail of Blood,
Clarence Walker wrote that Dr. Carroll stated there
were “marks of the New Testament Church.”
Dr. Carroll wrote that there have been churches that
have been true to the Lord down through the ages and
they are recognized by these “marks.”
I would like to examine these “marks” before we go
any further.
These are taken from the book.
Dr. Carroll
1. Its Head and Founder — Christ. He is the law-
giver; the Church is only the executive.
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Matthew 16:18 KJV 18 And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build
my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
Colossians 1:18 KJV 18 And he is the head of the
body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
2. Its only rule of faith and practice — The Bible.
II Timothy 3:15-17 KJV 15 And that from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof,
for
correction,
for
instruction
in
righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3. Its name — "Church," "Churches."
Matthew 16:18 KJV 18 And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build
my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
Revelation 22:16 KJV 16 I Jesus have sent mine
angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.
I am the root and the offspring of David, and the
bright and morning star.
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
4. Its polity — Congregational — all members equal.
Matthew 20:24-28 KJV 24 And when the ten heard
it, they were moved with indignation against the two
brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and
said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles
exercise dominion over them, and they that are great
exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be
so among you: but whosoever will be great among
you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will
be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even
as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many.
Matthew 23:5-12 KJV 5 But all their works they do
for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their
garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts,
and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And
greetings in the markets, and to be called of men,
Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one
is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for
one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither
be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even
Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall
be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt
himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble
himself shall be exalted.
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
5. Its members — only saved people.
Ephesians 2:21 KJV 21 In whom all the building fitly
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord:
1 Peter 2:5 KJV 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built
up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ.
6. Its ordinances — Believers' baptism, followed by
the Lord's Supper.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV 19 Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
7. Its officers — Pastors and Deacons.
1 Timothy 3:1-16 KJV 1 This is a true saying, If a
man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good
work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good
behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not
given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that
ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not
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how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of
the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted
up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them
which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the
snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be
grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of
the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also
first be proved; then let them use the office of a
deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must
their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful
in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of
one wife, ruling their children and their own houses
well. 13 For they that have used the office of a
deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree,
and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ
Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to
come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that
thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave
thyself in the house of God, which is the church of
the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16
And without controversy great is the mystery of
godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in
the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory.
8. Its work — getting folks saved, baptizing them
(with a baptism that meets all the requirements of
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God's Word), teaching them ("to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you").
Matthew 28:16-20 KJV 16 Then the eleven disciples
went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus
had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him,
they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power
is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
9. Its financial plan — "Even so (Tithes and
Offerings) hath the Lord ordained that they which
preach the gospel should live of the gospel,"
II Corinthians 9:14 KJV 14 Even so hath the Lord
ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel.
10. Its weapons of warfare — spiritual, not carnal.
2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV 4 (For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds;)
Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV 10 Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto
you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that
utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my
mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the
gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds:
that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
11. Its independence — separation of Church and
State.
Matthew 22:21 KJV 21 They say unto him, Caesar's.
Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto
Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God
the things that are God's.
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
1. What we know today as "Christianity" or the
Christian Religion, began with Christ, A.D. 25-30 in
the days and within the bounds of the Roman Empire.
One of the greatest empires the world has ever known
in all its history.
2. This Empire at that period embraced nearly all of
the then known inhabited world. Tiberius Caesar was
its Emperor.
End Quote
We now know that there were other civilizations that
existed that were completely unknown to the Roman
Empire during this time period.
In North American Southwest there were the Pueblos,
the Fremonts and the Hohokams.
In the Eastern Woodlands there was the Hopewell
Culture that covered Southeast Canada and Eastern
United States.
In the Caribbean there were the Ortioroid People, the
Ciboney People and the Arawaks.
In Mesoamerica there were many among whom were
the Mayans who covered all the Mexican southern
states and the majority of Central America.
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There were also major civilizations in China and India
as well.
Conclusion to Chapter Two
To this point, we have seen the origin of the church
(Chapter One) and in this part we have seen some of
the “marks of the New Testament church.” We have
also seen some people groups that were in existence
at the same time as the Lord’s Church.
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