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Carey, the Baptist Missionary Society, and Serampore.

William Carey's An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians (1792) became the founding manifesto of the modern Protestant missionary movement. That same year Baptists formed the Baptist Missionary Society, and in 1800 Carey, Marshman, and Ward reached Serampore, India, where they preached, planted churches, and translated Scripture into dozens of languages. This page maps the missionary turn.

Baptist ClaimThe Great Commission binds every Christian; the church must use ordinary means to preach the gospel to every people.

Main ReceiptsCarey, An Enquiry (1792); early Baptist Missionary Society accounts (1792-1813); New Hampshire Confession on missions.

Live DisputeBaptists debated whether missions were necessary or presumptuous, whether to cooperate across theological lines, and how mission boards should relate to local churches.

Component Map

6 pieces that have to be kept distinct.

Carey's EnquiryPublished in 1792, it answered the objection that mission was impossible by surveying the state of the world and the obligation of Christians.

Baptist Missionary SocietyFounded at Kettering in 1792, the BMS sent Carey to India and became the model for later mission societies.

Serampore MissionFrom 1800, Carey, William Ward, and Joshua Marshman built a printing press, translated Scripture, and established schools in India.

Translation and PrintingThe Serampore press produced Bibles and Christian literature in Bengali, Sanskrit, and dozens of Asian languages.

Missionary ExpansionBaptist missions soon spread to the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and North America, energizing home churches with reports and prayer.

From Local to GlobalMissions transformed Baptist identity from a small English sect into a worldwide communion.

Receipt Trail

Start here before drawing conclusions.

Carey, An Enquiry (1792)The founding document of modern Protestant missions, calling Christians to use means to reach the nations.

BMS early accountsPrimary accounts of the Baptist Missionary Society's organization, India mission, and Serampore printing.

New Hampshire Confession (1833)An American Baptist confession that includes missions among the duties of the church.