Under God’s direction a man can accomplish immense things. John Gerhard Oncken demonstrated that.

John Oncken was born on January 26, 1800, in Varel, Germany. At just fourteen, he journeyed to England, where he experienced a profound conversion to Christianity and joined a Congregational church. As he thought about his homeland, he recognized a compelling need for a more vibrant expression of faith, especially since many state Lutheran churches in Germany were stagnant.

This realization led him to volunteer as a missionary when the Continental Society was established to spread evangelical faith throughout Europe. In 1823, Oncken began his ministry in Bremen and Hamburg. His success in spreading the message angered the established church, which attempted to suppress his efforts, but Oncken remained undeterred.

Through diligent study of the scriptures, he became convinced that baptism should only be administered to adult believers. Despite his lack of familiarity with Baptist doctrine at that time, he requested someone from England or Scotland to baptize him and a small group of fellow believers, a request that took five long years to fulfill.

In 1834, a significant event took place: a small group of seven believers was secretly taken across the Elbe River in the dead of night to a secluded island, where they participated in baptism, marking the birth of Germany’s first modern-day Baptist church, with Oncken appointed as pastor.

However, the rise of Baptists was met with disdain by the majority of Germans, largely due to historical memories of the radical Anabaptist movement in sixteenth-century Munster, which had introduced chaotic and controversial practices.

This past led many to view the Baptists with suspicion, equating them with the earlier radicals who had caused upheaval. Undeterred by the opposition, Oncken joined forces with two helpers—one of whom was a converted Jew—and together they achieved significant growth for the Baptist movement, despite facing persecution from the state church. Oncken endured imprisonment and financial loss, reflecting the harsh conditions faced by many Baptists during that time, yet they continued to flourish.

Their resilience allowed the church to expand, sending missionaries to various countries including Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Switzerland. The churches established in Russia, in particular, demonstrated remarkable strength against opposition.

Today, Baptists in many nations honor John Oncken as a pivotal figure and forefather of their movement.

ALSO ON THIS DAY

1859 – Inventor Cyrus McCormick married Nettie Fowler. After Cyrus’ passing, Nettie established McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago for young Presbyterian ministers. 

1949 – Pastor Peter Marshall  Chaplain of the United States Senate passed on this day.