This title celebrates 400 years of Baptist history. Taking significant events in Baptist history, the writers tell the amazing Baptist story of the voluntary approach to the Christian faith in popular, nontechnical but appealing ways. The intentionally brief chapters are, for the most part, void of heavy, historical notes. Designed as an introductory study for students, laity, and parish ministers, more advanced students will also benefit from a close reading of this text. Arranged in chronological order so that the Baptist saga can be understood as a continuous narrative, the book has the added advantage of permitting the reader to cherry-pick chapters that are of particular interest. The Baptist struggles for freedom of conscience, for a believer's church, for including both genders and all races, for fulfilling the Great Commission, and for the separation of church and state - these are only a few of the denominational-shaping turning points one discovers in this book. Written to honor the important historical writing of H. Leon McBeth, the book celebrates many of the themes that occupied Professor McBeth throughout his career.