In this timeline we explore monumental moments and key influencers of Baptist history interspersed with significant World events.
Magna Carta
One of the most important historical documents in the world, defining the rights and privileges of a national people—“no man is above the law”
Wycliffe Bible
First English (hand written) Bible, a translation of the Latin Vulgate
Gutenberg Bible
First complete western book (Latin Vulgate) printed from movable type, by Johannes Gutenberg (1399-1468), Mainz, Germany
America Discovered
Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) discovers the New World while attempting to find a route to the East Indies
Textus Receptus
First printed edition of the Greek New Testament prepared by Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536)
Protestant Reformation Begins
Martin Luther (1483-1546) posts his Ninety-Five Theses against papal indulgences, on the door of the church at Wittenberg, Germany (Lutheran Church begins)
Tyndale New Testament
First English translation of the Greek Textus Receptus by William Tyndale (1494-1536)
German And Swiss Anabaptists Begin
The two groups are led by Balthasar Hubmaier (1480-1528) and Conrad Grebel (1498-1526)
Augsburg Confession
First Protestant Confession of Faith, written by Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560), approved by Martin Luther (1483-1546), presented by the Lutherans to Emperor Charles V
Church Of England Begins
English Parliament passes the Act of Supremacy, recognizing Henry VIII as “The Supreme Head” of the English Church, officially separating from Romanism
Coverdale Bible
First complete English Bible by Miles Coverdale (1488-1569), a translation of the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus
“Institutes Of The Christian Religion”
John Calvin (1509-1564) publishes his Body of Divinity outlining the basic tenets of the Protestant Reformation
Martyrdom Of William Tyndale
Executed at Vilvoorde, Belgium; his final words, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes”; three years later Henry VIII commissioned a Bible be placed in every parish of the country