Landmarkism is a type of
Baptist ecclesiology developed in the
American South in the mid-19th century. It is committed to a strong version of the
perpetuity theory of Baptist origins, attributing an
unbroken continuity and unique legitimacy to the Baptist movement since the
apostolic period. It includes belief in the exclusive validity of Baptist churches and invalidity of non-Baptist liturgical forms and practices. It led to intense debates and splits in the white Baptist community.