We cannot be thankful enough for the influence of Isaac Backus among Baptists and upon our nation. He was born in 1724 to a Congregationalist family. He followed in that tradition and became a member of the congregational church during a time of controversy. The Half-Way Covenant, which allowed people to become members of the church without a salvation testimony, had split the Congregationalists into two factions. Backus’ family became convinced of the need for saved membership and joined the “New Light” faction.

Because of this controversy, Backus began to study the issue of baptism more in depth, and eventually became convinced that baptism by immersion after salvation was the biblical model. Backus was baptized in 1751, and as Backus studied the other convictions of the Baptists, such as spiritual liberty and the local church authority, he identified himself with their teachings fully in 1756.

As pastor of the First Baptist Church of Middleborough, Massachusetts, Backus fought for religious liberty in that colony. He spoke out against taxation to support Congregationalist churches. He wrote “In all civil governments some are appointed for others, and have power to submit to their judgment; but our Lord has plainly forbidden us, either to assume or submit to any such thing in religion.” Backus was once thrown in jail for his own personal refusal to a five pound tax to support establishment churches.

Backus was one of the biblical voices in the religious liberty debate. He advocated obedience to government authority, but also argued it should not intrude on spiritual authority. He said, “Those who blend church and state together usually violate Christ’s commands to both.”

Isaac Backus understood the need of government, the role of the church, and the individual liberty of the believer. God used Backus in a mighty way to lay the spiritual foundation of our nation’s freedoms.