Ashcraft Publications

About the Publications Featured on this Web Site

These publications were written from the "Landmark Baptist" viewpoint. When applied to Baptists, the term "Landmark" denotes a set of beliefs that place a strong emphasis upon the local church as the central unit for all religious activity. Characteristic beliefs of Landmark Baptists are:

1. An insistence upon a historic succession of Baptist-like churches from New Testament times until the present,

2. A rejection of the practices of pulpit affiliation, union meetings and the receiving of alien immersion.

Also rejected by Landmark Baptists is the concept of "conventionism," that is, a centralized denominational organization that sets policy and initiates programs.

Landmark Baptists also practice restricted or "closed" communion, limiting participation in the Lord's Supper to the membership of each local church.

Although the tenets of Landmarkism may be found in earlier Baptist groups, they were first formalized in June of 1851 in the famous "Cotton Grove Resolutions" authored by Dr. J. R. Graves, editor of the Tennessee Baptist.

The first national association that was organized in accordance with Landmark teachings and practices was the General Association, which was organized in 1905. In 1924 many Texas and Oklahoma churches were added and the name was changed to the American Baptist Association.

How These Publications Differ

1. They are written from the historic Baptist position.
We believe you will find the books in this brochure to be true to the historic Baptist position relative to the nature of the church, and refreshingly different to the protestant teaching that all the saved make up the church.

We believe that Jesus established His church early in his public ministry out of those disciples who responded to His challenge, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." We believe His churches have existed continuously since that time, i.e. church succession and perpetuity.

2. They are written from the local church perspective.
We believe the Great Commission was given to each local church, with authority to preach the Gospel to the lost, baptize the saved, and administer the Lord's Supper.

We believe the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost in fulfillment of Jesus' promise to supply the power and guidance to each local church in fulfilling the "Great Commission."

3. They are written with attention to context.
Although some New Testament Scriptures were written to explain the plan of salvation, we believe most of the New Testament Scriptures were written to Christians identified with Christ through church membership, to encourage them to live lives of loving obedience and ministry to Jesus Christ.

Writing and Publications Ministry!
The books and study guides on this web-site, with the exception of the three history books, were written and published by Dr. Robert Ashcraft.

Dr. Ashcraft received degrees from the Missionary Baptist Seminary, Little Rock, Baptist Christian College, Shreveport, and the M. S. and Ph. D. degrees from East Texas State University, Commerce, TX.

He has served as a pastor in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Florida. He has served on the faculty of Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK; and as an academic administrator at Baptist Christian College, Shreveport, LA; and Florida Baptist College, Lakeland, FL.

Since 1985, he has written/edited and published the books and study guides listed in this site. These publications are the fruit of a 53-year ministry as pastor, educator, historian and author.

Dr. Ashcraft served as General Editor for Pioneer Faith: The History of Missionary Baptist Associations and Churches in Arkansas from 1818 to 1920. Most recently, he served as General Editor for History of the American Baptist Association, which was prepared to commemorate the 75th meeting of the Association in June, 2000.