Founded by J. Frank Norris in 1939 as Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute, it changed its name to Bible Baptist Seminary in 1945 and adopted its present name in 1972. The school has been affiliated with the World Baptist Fellowship for its entire existence.The school first held classes at Norris' First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas until his death, then leased the facilities of the former Brantley Draughon Business College in Fort Worth. The lease on the temporary quarters was lost a year later. A search began for a more permanent home for the seminary when the Elmo White property, located on US Highway 80 (now State Highway 180) in Tarrant County, was purchased. Plans were being made to construct buildings on this site. In 1956 the former Top O' Hill Terrace property became available. This property was purchased and the seminary relocated; Arlington Baptist College has been on this site for 50 years.