View source for Baptist Union of Denmark

{{Short description|National organization of Baptists in Denmark}}
{{Baptist}}
The '''Baptist Union of Denmark''' ({{langx|da|Baptistkirken i Danmark}}) is a [[Baptists|Baptist]] [[Christian denomination]] in [[Denmark]]. It is a member of the [[European Baptist Federation]], the [[Baptist World Alliance]], and the [[World Council of Churches]]. Headquarters of the Union are maintained in [[Copenhagen]].

==History==
[[File: Baptistkirken i Odense.jpg |280px|thumb|right| [[Odense]] Baptist Church.]]
The first work in Denmark generally considered Baptist began in 1836 when [[Julius Köbner]], a Danish Jew, visited Hamburg, Germany and met some individuals with Baptist views.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-01|title=Julius Köbner (1)|url=https://www.evangelical-times.org/articles/historical/julius-kobner-1/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=Evangelical Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2002-12-20|title=Baptistiske helter for rettferdighet|url=https://www.dagen.no/nyheter/baptistiske-helter-for-rettferdighet/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=Dagen|language=nb-NO}}</ref> Köbner was an associate and co-worker of [[Johann Gerhard Oncken]] (1800–1884), often considered the father of European Baptists.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-03-03|title=Johann Gerhard Onken – Every Baptist a missionary|url=https://www.tribune.org/johann-gerhard-onken-every-baptist-a-missionary/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=Tribune.org|language=en-US}}</ref> Oncken baptized these believers and established a church in Copenhagen in 1839.<ref> William H. Brackney, ''Historical Dictionary of the Baptists'', Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 180</ref> Until 1849, when religious liberty was granted through the [[Danish constitution|Constitution of 1849]], Baptists were fined, imprisoned, and their [[Infant baptism|infants baptized]] by compulsion.<ref> Robert E. Johnson, ''A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches'', Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 191</ref> The Baptists were instrumental in the obtaining of [[Freedom of religion|religious freedom]] in Denmark.

The Baptist Union was formed in 1849, and remained a part of the German Baptist Union until 1888. In that year, it was reorganized, influenced by the emigration of Danish Baptists to the [[United States]], and the returning influence of American Baptists on the Danish. The [[New Hampshire Confession of Faith]] was adopted in place of the ''German Confession of 1847''. A number of Danish pastors studied at Morgan Park Seminary in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. In 1918, they established their own theological seminary.

Doctrinally, the Danish Baptists have evolved from a generally [[Calvinism|Calvinistic]] ''closed'' Baptist tradition to a more [[Arminian]] ecumenical body. [[Open communion]] has been practiced since the 1930s. 

According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 4,937 members and 54 churches.<ref> Baptist World Alliance, [https://www.baptistworld.org/member-unions/ Members], baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023</ref>

The theological seminary is located in [[Tølløse]].

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.baptistkirken.dk/ Baptistkirken i Danmark] – in Danish
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040120221310/http://www.salt-akademi.dk/ Baptist Theological Seminary] – in Danish
* {{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20170506155116/http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_70.html#440 Adherents.com]}}

{{Christianity in Denmark}}
{{World Council of Churches}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baptist Union Of Denmark}}
[[Category:Protestantism in Denmark]]
[[Category:Members of the World Council of Churches]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1849]]
[[Category:Baptist denominations in Europe]]
[[Category:1848 establishments in Denmark]]