A controversy with Baptists started in 1887 when Spurgeon wrote what was later called the `` Downgrade Controversy . '' A controversy among the Baptists flared in 1887 with Spurgeon 's first `` Down-grade '' article , published in The Sword & the Trowel . In the ensuing `` Downgrade Controversy , '' the Metropolitan Tabernacle became disaffiliated from the Baptist Union , effectuating Spurgeon 's congregation as the world 's largest self-standing church .