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When you first visit a Primitive
Baptist Church
you'll notice a simple worship service consisting of hymns, prayer and
preaching, as close to the pattern established 2000 years ago as
possible. The absence of musical instruments, choirs, Sunday schools
and other manmade inventions is in keeping with the teachings of the
New Testament. The Lord's Church is under the authority of her husband
and head, Jesus Christ and is submissive to Him in all things.
Therefore, the church should not reflect the world, but rather be a city
set upon a hill. (Eph.
5:23-25;
Matthew 5:14)
The words Primitive
Baptist
are adjectives describing
the origin and practice of the New Testament Church. The word PRIMITIVE
means "First or Original; and pertaining to origin, has not changed much
in time." Historians use this term to describe the first Churches of
the New Testament era. The term Primitive Baptist has been traced back
to 63 AD and a church found in Olchon, Wales. Another name given to the
Primitive Churches in the 4th Century was "Ana-Baptist." Ana-Baptists
were known throughout the dark ages by many names, such as Donatists,
Paulicans, Waldenses and Lollards. After the Protestant Reformation,
the prefix Ana was dropped and the name Baptist was retained.
Baptist means one who baptizes by immersion. In the United States all
Baptists were pretty much of the same beliefs until about 1800 when a
major division began to take place in the Baptist family. Those who
believed in a "General Atonement" and that human efforts are necessary
for the "dead" sinner to obtain eternal life, departed the Primitive
Faith.
After 1832, those Baptist
Churches remaining faithful to the doctrines of Grace were called Old
School, Old Line or Primitive Baptists, denoting their desire to
preserve the biblical identity of the New Testament Church.
A brief
overview of Primitive Baptist beliefs, the doctrine of Grace and church
practice.
The Church was
established by Christ to be a home (on earth) away from home (heaven)
for God's children. It is a refuge or sanctuary where one may receive
spiritual comfort, rest, peace and instruction in righteousness.
The Scriptures are
the inspired, infallible words of God, without error or contradiction,
preserved by God, and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction
and instruction in righteousness. Their purpose is to make His children
wise unto salvation by informing and educating them about eternal life
through the finished work of Jesus Christ. We prefer the 1611 Authorized
King James translation, believing it to be the inspired and protected
word of God. (1
Cor. 15:1-4;
2 Tim. 3:16;
2 Peter 1 :20-21)
The Purpose of the
Gospel was never to bring eternal life to anyone. It means nothing
to the dead sinner, but is good news and glad tidings to the born again
child of God. Therefore, it is preached to feed the souls of His
children; to comfort, edify and instruct them. A child of God who
feels himself poor and needy and unworthy of God's mercy and grace, can
hear no greater message than Jesus paid the sin debt, saved him from his
sins and keeps him by the power of God. (Isaiah
40: 1,
9;
52:7;
John 5:39;1
Cor. 2:9-14;
Eph. 2:1-9;
2 Tim. 1:7-11;
Acts 20:28;
1 Peter 1 :2-5;
5: 1-3)
The Key
Difference Between Primitive Baptists
and other religions may be summarized by a look at the subject of cause
and effect. What others say is the cause of salvation, such as belief,
faith, repentance, baptism or other acts by an individual, Primitive
Baptists believe are the effects (evidence) of spiritual life and can
only be performed sincerely by those already possessing eternal life.
Salvation is Totally by
the Sovereign Grace of God - briefly explained as follows:
The Fall of Man
Resulting in Depravity. When Adam transgressed God's commandment, he
and the human race (Adam's posterity) fell under the law of sin and
death. Adam's transgression brought sin and death to all mankind. No
one is able to recover himself from this fallen condition by his own
will or ability. All men are sinners by nature and without God's Grace
and Mercy will remain under the penalty and condemnation of sin. (Genesis
2: 17;
Romans 3:10-23;
5:12;
Psalms 14:1-3;
51:5;
58:3)
Unconditional Election
& Predestination. God, according to His own purpose and will, chose
an innumerable people in Christ, out of every kindred and tongue and
people and nation, before the world began and predestinated them unto
the adoption of children to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ,
granting their eternal inheritance in heaven. (John
17:1-3;
Eph. 1:4-11;
1Peter 1:1-5;
Rom. 8:29-30;
Rev. 5:9-10)
Redemption: Christ's
Work for the Elect. The word redeem declares a price to be paid and
prior ownership of that which is to be redeemed. The price of eternal
redemption (Hebrews
9:12) is the
blood of Christ. Christ died for all that the Father chose in Him
before the world began; ALL that the Father has given to Him; and NOT
for ALL MANKIND in general. All whom Christ died for SHALL live in
heaven and immortal glory. God has reconciled them unto Himself in
Christ.
(John
6:37-39;
8:42-47;
17:9;
Rom. 5:8 19;
1 Cor. 1 :26-21;
11
Cor. 5: 17-21;
Heb. 9:24-26;
1 Peter 1 :2-5 with
18-21)
Regeneration, New Birth, Born Again.
These various terms define
what happens when God quickens His children into eternal life. This is
done by the life-giving voice of Christ and is always effectual and
irresistible on the part of the individual. This new life is
accomplished separate and apart from the preaching of the gospel and
without the help of man. (John
3:6-8;
5:25;
6:37;
Rom. 8:30; Eph. 2: I;
2 Tim. 1 :9)
Preservation or Eternal
Security. The comforting aspect of this doctrine of salvation by
grace is that ALL whom Christ died for shall be saved eternally without
the loss of one. They shall never perish, and can never be separated
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. They are preserved by
His blood and kept by His power. (John
6:37-39;
10:27-30;
Rom. 8:28-39;
I Peter 1:1-5;
Heb. 10:14)
Brief
Comments About our Church Practices
Musical Instruments.
Our worship service is patterned after the New Testament example and
authority and consists of congregational singing, prayer and preaching.
Musical instruments are not used in the services as there is no New
Testament command or example for them. We believe in singing and making
melody in our heart to the Lord. (Ephesians
5: 19;
Colossians 3: 16)
Sunday School -
Teaching. Sunday Schools have no New Testament authority. They are a
recent invention begun in the 18th century in England, and then only to
teach reading, writing and arithmetic to under-privileged children.
Primitive Baptists do believe in teaching children. The Bible instructs
parents to teach their children at home, and the Minister to teach them
in the assembly. (Eph.
6:4;
2 Tim 2:1-2)
Tithing
or Financial Support.
Tithing was an Old Testament law fulfilled in Christ. We believe in the
biblical example of giving by laying aside the first day of the week as
God has prospered, and as one purposes in his heart, cheerfully
supporting the ministry of the church. (I
Cor. 16:2;
2 Cor. 9:7;
Acts 20:35)
Rejecting Sin - Living Godly Lives.
Now having knowledge of
our eternal salvation, we believe God's children should deny ungodliness
and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly in this
present world. We should live unto Him who died for us and called us out
of darkness into His marvelous light. (Titus
2:12;
2 Cor. 5:14-15;
1 Peter 2:9;
Rom. 6: 1-2)
In
Conclusion
The Primitive Baptist
Church has an identity found in the New Testament; our goal is to
follow that example and pattern, worshipping God in spirit and in truth,
believing and observing the doctrine and commandments of Jesus Christ.
We believe doing so will bring peace and understanding, joy unspeakable
and full of glory, to the child of God who walks in His ways. By our
obedience, we glorify and honor God by His Son Jesus Christ in the
Church throughout all ages. (John
4:23;
Matt. 15:7-9;
John 14:15-18;
Philippians 4:7;
1 Peter 1:8;
Eph.3:21)
Truth will withstand the
most intense scrutiny and examination. When separated from the
traditions and ego-driven doctrines of men, the true Gospel of Christ
shines clear. We encourage you to search the scriptures, to see whether
these things be so. Should you desire to serve the true and living God,
please visit with us at the pbstudy.org. (Acts
17:11) |
