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Primitive Baptist Doctrine
The Primitive Baptists have many beliefs in common with the
majority of Christian denominations.
Primitive Baptists believe:
1. There is one Holy, omnipotent, omniscient and infinite
God who is the three persons of God the Father, God the Son
and God the Holy Spirit.
De 6:4,
Mt 28:19,
1Jo 5:7 (KJV)
2. The scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the
inspired word of God and are the final authority in all maters
of faith and practice.
2Ti 3:16,
2Pe 1:20
3. Jesus Christ was supernaturally conceived by the Holy
Spirit and born of the virgin Marry.
Mt 1:18-20,
Lu 1:35
4. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is the Messiah
prophesied in the Old Testament.
Da 3:25,
Da 9:25-26,
Mt 14:33,
Mt
16:16, Mt 27:54,
Mr 1:1,
Lu 1:35,
Jo 1:34,
Jo 3:18,
Jo 20:31
5. Jesus Christ was crucified, died and resurrected from
the grave the third day by the power of God.
Mt
27:35, Mr 15:25,
Lu 24:7,
Mr 15:37,
Lu 23:46,
Jo 19:30,
Mt 28:6-7,
Mr 16:9,
Mr 16:14,
Lu 24:6-7,
Lu 24:34,
Joh 2:22,
Jo
21:14
6. All who believe upon Jesus Christ, having been born
again of the Holy Spirit and trusting in Christ alone, will have
an eternal reward in Heaven.
Jo 1:12-13,
Jo 17:20-24,
Ac
16:31, 1Ti 1:16,
Jo 3:4-8,
Jo 3:15-16,
Ro 10:9-11,
Ro 6:23,
1Jo
5:11, 13, 20
7. Jesus Christ will visibly return to Earth again and
resurrect the just and the unjust. The just shall dwell
with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the elect angels
for ever in Heaven.
Jo 5:29,
Jo 11:24-25,
Ro 6:5
8. There is a literal Hell where the Devil, his angels and
the unjust shall perish forever.
Mt 5:22,
Jo 5:29,
2Pe 2:4,
Re 20:13-15
Doctrinally, the Primitive Baptists are distinguished from other
Christian denominations by their united belief in:
1. Total Depravity
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption)
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Preservation and Perseverance
This acrostic is commonly known by the acronym T.U.L.I.P. and is
often referred to as the Five Points of Calvinism. Click here
for Undeniable
Doctrinal Truths That Primitive Baptists Believe, an in depth
Bible Study on these doctrines.
1. Total Depravity
Many denominations believe in Total
Depravity. However, Primitive Baptists hold to a more
stringent understanding. Most denominations teach that,
although every descendent of Adam is totally depraved, there is
still some spark in each person that, with or without the
assistance of the Holy Spirit, may be ignited by each persons
own will or by Gospel preaching and bring that person to the new
birth.
It is our understanding that each descendent of Adam is
completely dead (spiritually) in trespasses and sins and can do
nothing to initiate his new birth or to initiate his faith in
Christ. This spiritual deadness is so complete that
nothing less than a sovereign, predetermined act of God through
the Holy Spirit can bring a person to spiritual life and faith
in Jesus Christ.
Ps 51:5,
John 8:47,
Rom 3:10,
Rom 3:23,
Rom 5:12,
I Cor. 2:14,
Eph. 2:1
2. Unconditional Election
Most denominations admit the existence of election
(reluctantly), few outside the Primitive Baptists teach that it
is unconditional. Most denominations teach that God
elected people to be saved based on their foreseen faith and/or
belief in Christ (conditional election.)
Primitive Baptists believe that election is not based upon
foreseen faith or anything else merited by the sinner. We
believe election is based solely on the grace (unmerited favor)
and mercy of God. The election of God's people to
eternal glory was predestinated before the creation of the world
and they were chosen by the sovereign grace of God, wholly apart
from any act or merit in the creature.
Rom 8:33,
Rom 9:11, Eph 1:4,
I Thess 1:4-5,
II Tim 1:9,
I Peter 1:2
3. Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption)
Very few churches outside the Primitive
Baptists believe in Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption).
By far the vast majority of modern denominations believe in the
General Atonement, the belief that Christ died trying (but
failing) to save everyone. Most churches, outside the
Primitive Baptists, who claim to believe in Particular
Redemption (such as Reformed Baptist churches and other
Sovereign Grace churches) believe in
Fullerism, which Primitive
Baptists deny.
Our understanding of Particular Redemption sets us apart more
than any other doctrinal distinctive. We hold that the
Bible teaches that Christ died to save his elect, a definite
number of people who can never be lost, (Particular Redemption).
Considering these are the sinners for whom Christ died, he is a
completely successful savior. His atonement is not limited
in its ability to save but is limited to saving the elect only.
Matt 1:21,
Matt 20:28,
John 10:11,
Rom 3:24,
II Cor 5:21,
Gal 3:13,
Heb 9:12,
Heb 9:28,
I Pet 1:18-19,
I Pet 2:24,
I Pet 3:18
4. Irresistible Grace
Practically all denominations teach that the gift of eternal
life is by grace. However, it is usually a salvation by
grace and works or grace and something else on the part of the
sinner. The work of grace is then depicted as the Holy
Spirit's effort to nudge the person to 'accept Jesus as their
personal savior, a grace which may be utterly rejected at the
sinner's disposal.
But grace that requires something on the part of the sinner to
get him saved (born again) isn't grace. Primitive Baptists
teach that God gives eternal life to each of his elect sinners
at his chosen time by sending the Holy Spirit into their hearts
and regenerating them with the new birth. This work of
grace upon the person is irresistible and always succeeds in
bringing the sinner to eternal life and salvation and faith in Christ.
Ps 110:3,
John 3:8,
John 5:25,
John 6:29,
John 6:33,
John 6:37,
John 6:44,
Rom 8:28-30,
II Cor 4:6,
Phil. 1:29,
Titus 3:5,
I Pet. 1:21
5. Preservation and Perseverance
All Primitive Baptists believe in preservation (once saved
always saved) as do many denominations. Primitive Baptists
believe, all of God's elect, having been redeemed by Christ,
will be born again and after the gospel is preached to them they
will be brought to faith in Christ. Therefore, God will
never allow any of his elect to be lost eternally.
Perseverance teaches that although a believer in Christ may, for
a time, be overwhelmed with sin and the cares of this life, they
will ultimately renew their repentance and persevere in their
faith in Christ. Historically, all Primitive Baptists
(including the author of this web site) have held to the
Perseverance of the saints. Primitive Baptists still
hold to this doctrine. However, there are Primitive
Baptists today who believe that not all of God's saints will
persevere unto the end, yet they will still be preserved.
Phil
1:6, John 10:27-30,
Rom 8:38-39,
I Pet 1:5,
I John 5:4,
Jude
24, 25, Heb 13:5
Primitive Baptist Practice
Primitive Baptists believe in a very simple form of worship modeled on
the scriptural practice of the first century church. Our worship
consists entirely of congregational singing, praying and preaching.
Worship
Primitive Baptists believe the New Testament pattern for worship is
strictly congregational. We do not divide the worship of the
church members by age and segregate the young from the
old.`
Singing
Primitive Baptists believe the most beautiful and only scriptural
instrument for use in New Testament worship is the human voice.
All singing is conducted a cappella (without instruments).
Most Primitive Baptists use modern hymnals with music, suitable for
a cappella singing, written in four part harmony. Individuals
attend Primitive Baptist singing schools at their discretion or may
take music lessons in order to produce the beautiful singing many of our
churches are known for.
Most churches assemble at 10:30 on Sunday morning and sing for
approximately 30 minutes with songs being selected by both the song leader
and members of the congregation.
Praying
Praying is an integral part of Primitive Baptist worship.
Individual men from the congregation may be called upon to offer
prayers. Primitive Baptists may also engage in prayer and fasting
either individually or as churches from time to time. Prayers are
usually offered between the singing and preaching service and at the end
of the preaching service. Prayers may be offered during the
singing or at other times as the church feels led to do so.
Preaching
All Primitive Baptist ministers are known as Pastors and/or Elders and are males
only. Preaching generally begins at 11:00 and usually lasts for 45-60
min. Preaching is usually doctrinal with the sovereignty of God and
election and predestination frequently referenced. Practical
godliness is preached more or less frequently depending on the needs of
each congregation and the inclination of each pastor.
Ordinances
Primitive Baptists believe there are two ordinances necessary to be kept
by all sister churches in order to maintain church fellowship; Baptism
and the Lord's supper.
Baptism is by immersion only. Baptism by scripturally ordained
Primitive Baptist elders is the only baptism which is recognized or permitted in Primitive Baptist Churches.
The Lord's Supper (Communion) is served with
unleavened bread and wine. Unleavened bread and wine is used
because that would have been the only bread and
fruit of the vine available the night the Lord instituted the
ordinance.
Washing the saints feet is commonly kept but is not generally considered a
condition for inter-church fellowship, though it may be required for membership
in a local church.
Women wearing a head covering is
kept by a very small minority and is not considered a condition for
church fellowship.
Church Government
Primitive Baptist government is congregational. All baptized
members of each individual church are allowed to vote in church
conference and partake of the Lord's Supper. The pastor or
visiting elder presides as moderator in church conference and
officiates during the Lord's Supper.
Evangelism
Because Primitive Baptists do not believe in using missionary societies
to propagate the Gospel, we have sometimes been accused of being
against evangelism. Such is not the case. New churches are
being established domestically and abroad. Currently, there are
Primitive Baptist churches growing and being established in the
Philippines, India and Kenya besides the ongoing work in the U.S.
(This author has helped establish three new churches in the U.S. and
traveled to India to assist the Lord's work in that country.)
Elder James Taylor
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