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Edward Barber (died 1674?) was an English General Baptist minister in London.
Before allying with the Baptists, Edward Barber was an ordained priest of the Church of England. Long before the beginning of the Civil War, Barber became convinced of baptizing believers only and professed himself in accordance with the Baptist cause in England.
Barber was chosen minister of the Bishopsgate Street church, in Spitalfields, London, where many Londoners attended the services. The church appear to have been the first English Nonconformist church of Baptist beliefs to practice laying on of hands on baptizands at their reception into the church (Confirmation). The custom was introduced about 1646 by the Welsh Baptist Francis Cornwell.
Previously to the year 1641, Barber was kept eleven months in Newgate Prison for denying the baptism of infants and that payment of tithes to the Anglican clergy was God's ordinance under the Gospel. Barber preached in season and out of season. In 1648, Barber preached in the parish church of St. Benet Fink about baptism. He defended and taught believers baptism in opposition of infants baptism, where a turmoil happened due to the non acceptance of the practice, and he himself left an account.
The date of Edward Barber's death is unknown, however, in 1674, Jonathan Jennings succeeded Barber in the leadership of the Bishopsgate church, suggesting he might have died.
Edward Barber is the author of:
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain : "Barber, Edward". Dictionary of National Biography . London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.