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Echola, Alabama
Questions & Answers about Primitive Baptists
by Tim McCool
Pastor, Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church
Boyd Road, Echola Alabama
(205) 364-1396
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath
no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without
money and without price. Isaiah 55:1
Q1: What is the basic difference between Primitive Baptists and other
religious groups?
A: Primitive Baptists believe in salvation by grace, meaning that God
saved his people through His plan of salvation (Matt.1:21). As a result
those who are saved are exhorted to glorify him for what He has done (Eph.
2:10). Primitive Baptists declare that eternal salvation is by God ALONE.
(Isa. 53; Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9; Jn. 6:37-39; 17:2-9; Rom. 8:28-39; 2 Cor.
5:21; Gal. 2:16; Tit. 3:4-7; Heb. 9:12-15)
Q2: What do Primitive Baptists believe is the role of God the Father in
salvation?
A: In making a covenant with God the Son and God the Spirit, God the
Father foreknew, elected and predestinated an innumerable host out of all
mankind before the foundation of the world to be conformed to the image of
His Son (Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:3-6, 11; I Pet. 1:2; Jn. 6:37-40; Jn. 17:2)
Q3: What is the role of God the Son?
A: God the Son came to earth to save his people from their sins (Mt.
1:21), to suffer the wrath of God for their sins in their place (I Pet.
3:18), and redeem (buy back) those whom God the Father had previously
chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:7; Jn. 6:37-40; Matt.
1:21; Jn. 10:27-30; Jn. 17:2-3; Tit. 3:6; Heb. 9:12-14; I Pet. 1:1).
Q4: What is the role of God the Spirit?
A: God the Spirit promised to enter the heart of every person whom God the
Father foreknew and for whom God the Son redeemed, giving the “new birth”
(Tit. 3:5; Jn. 1:13; Jn. 3:1-8; Jn. 6:63; I Pet. 1:1), and also to guide
those children in their understanding of the word of God (Jn. 16:13).
According to the scripture, this “new birth” is not given because of any
action of our own, but by His mercy and grace (see cites above).
Q5: Understanding this, then what is MY role?
A: If you have been born again by His Spirit, it means that you are
included in the purpose of God and YOUR ROLE is to give God glory in your
life because of the life he has given you (Eph. 2:1). This involves
repenting of sin, embracing his truths, confessing Him, following His
instruction, and joining his church (Acts 2:38; Psalm. 119:105; Rom. 10:9;
Rev. 4:11; I Pet. 3:21).
Q6: Does this mean I must “accept Christ”?
A: The word “accept/accepted/accepting” occurs 12 times in the New
Testament in reference to salvation. Not ONCE does it mention that I am to
“accept Christ”, which is a phrase that was coined around 100 years ago.
However, as one already born again, the Bible declares that “in every
nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, IS ACCEPTED with
him” (Acts 10:35). Like the “sinners prayer” and other terms not found in
the Bible, the idea of “accepting Christ” arose through years of
distortions and mis-teaching of the fact that God’s children “receive” the
Spirit into their hearts by volition of the Holy Ghost (Jn. 1:12; Jn.
3:27; Rom. 8:15; I Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 3:2; Col. 2:6). But you
can accept the gospel (2 Cor. 11:4), the good news of your salvation,
which declares the truth that CHRIST has MADE US ACCEPTED (Eph. 1:6),
which involved no work of our own! If you have received the Lord’s gift,
then you are required to repent and be baptized in the name of the Father,
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).
Q7: If I believe in election, then why did Jesus have to die?
A:Election and predestination are merely the terms used by God to describe
what He did in appointing the innumerable host of His children to be
conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). In order for this to be
accomplished, someone had to suffer the penalty for the sins of His
people. God’s wrath must be satisfied on all mankind, including those He
chose (the elect). Only one Man could do that – Jesus Christ. He suffered
the penalty of sin in our place (Acts 17:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:6; Heb.
9:12-28), which had to occur in order for the innumerable host of His
children to be housed in heaven.
Q8: Are Primitive Baptists Calvinists?
A: No. In the minds of most people, Christianity is divided into two major
groups, those who believe eternal salvation depends on your choice
(i.e.-“accepting” Christ) and Calvinists (those who advocate the theology
of John Calvin). Clearly, there is a plain distinction between Primitive
Baptists and those who believe you can “accept” Christ. However, when
people hear Primitive Baptists proclaim the doctrines of grace (election,
predestination, etc.) they assume that Primitive Baptists are some branch
of the Calvinist family. The fact is, Primitive Baptists have never been a
part of either group, since they and their ancestors have maintained their
identity since the days of Christ and the Apostles. John Calvin was a
Protestant Reformer who seceded from the Catholic church and started
Presbyterianism. Baptists derive their existence from Christ and the
Apostles and as such, predate Catholics and have maintained separate
existence even through the Dark Ages, hence the name, “Primitive.” (Matt.
16:16-18; Eph. 2:20).
Q9: Is election/predestination something to be afraid of?
A: Not if you understand that if it were not for God’s electing a people
and Christ dying for their sins and the Spirit making them a new creation,
NONE would be saved (Rom. 3:10; Ps. 14; Ps. 53). Interestingly, ALL of the
first churches embraced election as part of the good news that was
preached to them (I Thes. 1:4; Eph. 1). The conversion and baptism of ALL
the early church members involved an integral, working knowledge of this
fundamental teaching. The Apostle Paul taught this in his FIRST messages
to the Thessalonians (Acts 17; I Thes. 1:4), the Ephesians (Acts 19 & 20;
Eph. 1 & 2), the Phillippians, the Corinthians, etc. The Apostle Peter
taught this truth (Acts 2:38-41; I Pet. 1:2 & 2 Pet. 1:10). Furthermore,
Jesus Christ taught it (Matt. 24:12, 31; Lk. 4:25-27; Lk. 18:7; Jn. 5:40;
Jn. 10:27-29; Jn. 15:16; Jn. 17:2-3).
Q10: Do Primitive Baptists think they are an exclusive group?
A: It is a common misconception that because Primitive Baptists embrace
salvation by grace as plainly taught in the scriptures, they therefore
believe God’s chosen people are an exclusive group. On the contrary,
Primitive Baptists are the only known group in existence who believe that
God has an all inclusive group of chosen, sanctified and redeemed people
in every kindred, tongue, people and nation (Rev.5:9). When a believer
understands that were it not for God’s choice of a people, then there
would be no one in Heaven because of man’s sin (Rom.5:12), it is clear
that God did not exclude anyone from heaven. The Lord Himself looked down
upon the children of men to see if there were any that would seek Him, and
He found none (Rom.3:12; Ps.14:2; Ps.53:2). It was Adam’s choice to sin,
not God’s choice, that excluded ALL mankind from heaven, and were it not
for the inclusive grace of Jesus Christ, none would be saved. Jesus
declared, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden…”
(Mt.11:28). The cry of Primitive Baptists is inclusive for all born-again
sinners, no matter their age, race, color, creed or background, to take up
the cross and follow Jesus as an evidence of Jesus’ saving grace in their
heart (Lk.9:23). However, a person who believes that a sinner must invite
Jesus into their heart, accept Christ, say a particular prayer, or meet
any man-made condition to enter Heaven, embraces a false salvation that is
exclusive and not contained in the scripture. Accordingly, any person who
does not meet that group’s particular condition is excluded.
Q11: Will all of God’s elect children be saved?
A: Yes, because Jesus said all that the Father gave him would come to him
(John 6:37). This is the only plan of salvation that in addition to saving
competent people, would also include the salvation of those incapable of
receiving the gospel, such as infants (Lk. 1:41; Ps. 22:9; Jer. 1:5; 2
Sam. 12:23; I Kgs.14:13) or mentally challenged persons!
Q12: But what about the person who wants to be saved and is left out by
this plan?
A: If you believe the promise of Jesus (Jn. 10:27-29), you understand
there is no such person who has ever existed! A person who “wants” to be
saved is saved already! (Jn. 1:13).
Q13: What is the purpose of preaching then?
A: Just to name a few purposes: to instruct, comfort (Isa. 40:1-9; Eph.
4:11-16), reprove, rebuke, exhort (2 Tim. 4:2), warn, teach (Col. 1:28),
spread the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ alone among all nations (Lk.
24:47).
Q14: What is the purpose of the gospel?
A: To bring life and immortality to LIGHT, but NOT to LIFE (2 Tim. 1:10).
The gospel is the information / education / understanding of how you are
saved. It illuminates (brightens) what God has already placed in your
heart. There is no life to illuminate in a spiritually dead being (Eph.
2:1).
Q15: What is the Primitive Baptist understanding of the Bible’s
teaching concerning missionaries?
A: The term missionary is found nowhere in the Bible. The gifts of the
church are found in Eph. 4:11. The purpose of these gifts is for the
benefit of the saints, or, those who are already born again. Primitive
Baptists wholeheartedly believe that gospel ministers must go where
directed by the Spirit and not by a mission board (Acts 20:22-23). The
call to “save lost sinners”, or the cry of mission work as is common
today, whether intentional or not, works to de-emphasize the importance of
the local ministry and place the importance of the Christian walk
somewhere far away. It causes an individual to lose sight of his or her
true “mission”, that of being content with where God has placed them and
striving to spread the gospel to those in the area where they have the
most influence – their home and their communities. It is noteworthy that
Primitive Baptists have established churches in foreign lands, such as the
Philippines, Africa and India, to which no organization or board has
directed men to go to, other than the Lord.
Q16: What are Primitive Baptists’ position on Sunday schools?
A: Like missionary societies, there is no biblical precedent for Sunday
schools and the church was never instructed to have them. Bible study is
expected out of church members and is not limited to a formal church
setting. Scriptural example dictates that such activities are conducted in
contexts other than formal church worship (Acts 2:46; 17:17; 20:20). There
is nothing in scriptures to indicate that worshippers, either in the New
Testament or the old, were ever segregated by knowledge, age, sex, marital
status, or any other criterion. Instead, all worshipped in a common
assembly. Jesus himself charged the first preachers to feed the lambs
(little ones), as well as the sheep (Jn. 21:15) in the context of the
general assembly. We are told that childrens’ understanding can exceed
that of the wise and prudent (Mt. 11:25; 21:15), and that God has ordained
praise in the utterances of babes (Mt. 21:16). Accordingly, Jesus rebuked
His disciples for denying admittance of children to His presence (Mt.
19:13-15, Mk. 9:36-37, Mk. 10:13-15). Hence, it should not be assumed that
children are incapable of receiving proper instruction from the general
assembly. The modern practice of denying children entrance to church
sanctuaries is very much against the spirit of the scriptures. However,
Primitive Baptists do advocate a better position than Sunday schools, that
of parents, whether single parent homes or otherwise, instructing their
children in their homes on a daily basis, which provides much more
instruction than 1 hour per week. The church cannot take the place of the
parental responsibility of teaching in the home (Eph. 6:4).
Q17: What is the Primitive Baptist view of the scriptures?
A:Primitive Baptists view scriptures as the divinely inspired word of God
and as the sole rule of faith and practice for the church. It is also
believed that the scriptures have been divinely preserved over the ages,
and that the 1611 King James version is the proper English translation of
the scriptures. Paul claimed that all scripture is given by inspiration of
God (II Tim. 3:16). Accordingly, Jesus said that scripture cannot be
broken (Jn 10:35). Such infallibility could only occur in writings under
the power of plenary (full) inspiration. The apostle Peter said, ...no
prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the
prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Pet 1:20-21). Hence,
scriptural prophecy is void of any private opinions of the writers. They
were actually moved by the Spirit of God when writing. Furthermore, the
psalmist David declares, The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver
tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times…Thou shalt keep them, O
LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever (Ps. 12:6-7)
Q18: Why do Primitive Baptists refer to their preachers as elders?
A: The scriptures offer two alternate titles for preachers - bishop and
elder (I Tim 3:1-7, Tit 1:5-9, I Pet 5:1). The importance of using
scriptural titles is emphasized by Jesus' condemning the Pharisees for
taking aggrandizing titles to themselves (Mt 23:5-12). The term reverend
is used only once in the scriptures where it has reference to God (Ps
111:9). We are therefore unworthy to wear this title. The term apostle is
clearly used by the scriptures to mean a minister who is an eyewitness to
the sufferings and resurrection of Christ (Acts 1:1-3, Acts 1:21-26, I Cor
9:1, I Pet 5:1). Also, apostles were granted special powers not possessed
by ordinary elders (Acts 8:18, II Cor 12:12, Heb 2:3-4). Any man claiming
this title for himself today does so in error.
Q19: Do Primitive Baptists have schools for training ministers?
A: Primitive Baptist elders are called by God and chosen by the individual
congregations from among male members who have demonstrated a calling and
proven to be faithful to the church and its principles. All Primitive
Baptist elders are expected to be educated in the Word of God and have
frequent contact with other ministers about questions of scriptural
interpretation and other matters pertaining to the church (2 Tim. 2:2).
The Apostle Paul taught Timothy as a father instructs a son, laboring and
serving together in the gospel (Philip. 2:22). This system of education is
preferred above ministerial training schools because:
a. Elders in the New Testament were primarily self-educated in the
scriptures.
b. Elders in the New Testament learned under the direction of the Holy
Spirit and other elders rather than academicians.
c. The system makes the scriptures themselves to be the curriculum.
d. The elder learns in the same setting in which he is expected to teach.
Congregations taught by these elders will be expected to have the
discipline to educate themselves in the Word of God. The elder should
therefore prove himself to have the same discipline.
e. The system is less vulnerable to the widespread propagation of error so
commonly found when numerous ministers are trained under the same
teachings of heretical academicians.
Q20: Why do Primitive Baptists wash feet?
A: because Jesus commanded it (John 13:14-15). Although it is not an
ordinance as the Lord’s Supper and baptism, it is a practice set forth and
commanded to be observed.
Q21: Why do Primitive Baptists require baptism by immersion?
A: The example set by Jesus is clearly one of baptism by immersion. Mark
described Jesus' baptism with these words: And straitway coming up out of
the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove
descending upon him (Mk 1:10). “Coming up out of the water” clearly cannot
be by sprinkling or pouring. John baptized in Aenon because there was much
water there (Jn 3:23). An abundance of water is not needful for sprinkling
or pouring. Accordingly, the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized in a body of
water (Acts 8:36). Paul explains in Rom 6:1-5 that baptism represents a
death, burial, and resurrection. Nothing about pouring or sprinkling
depicts these events. Immersion obviously does. Finally, the Greek word
for baptism (baptizo) means immersion.
Q22: Why do Primitive Baptists prefer a cappella singing?
A: There is no biblical precedent for the usage of musical instruments in
New Testament worship. The scriptures give repeated instructions to sing
in the church, but never to play (Rom 15:9, I Cor 14:15, Eph 5:19, Col
3:16, Heb 2:12, James 5:13). Things that affect the setting of worship
(i.e. - electric lights, air conditioners, etc) are not a part of the
worship service and are allowable. A distinction must also be made between
an addition to the New Testament pattern and an aid to this pattern.
Electric lights, songbooks, reference Bibles, etc. are aids to worship,
but musical instruments are additions to worship. It is commonly objected
that Psalm 150 offers instruction to praise the Lord with various kinds of
musical instruments. However, these instructions are not referring to New
Testament worship. Procedure used in Old Testament worship obviously
cannot be used to amend the New Testament pattern; otherwise, animal
sacrifices, priests, etc. could be legitimately introduced to the church.
It should be observed that Psalm 150 also commands to praise the Lord with
dance (Ps 150:4), yet those who use the Psalm to defend musical
instruments would generally condemn dancing in the church. Furthermore,
the prophet Amos condemned the very musical instruments David invented
(Amos 6:1-5).
Q23: Why do Primitive Baptists not have entertainment for youth?
A: Primitive Baptists do not condemn entertainment when it is moral and in
moderation. We also recognize that men of God in the scriptures
occasionally use humor and sarcasm (Is 40:18-23, Is 44:12-20, Lk 16:9), so
this too is acceptable provided that it is clean, purposeful, and
moderate. However, the idea that it is the role of the church to entertain
is absolutely alien to all that is scriptural. When churches have taken
sports, games, comedy, and other amusement, and have commingled them with
songs of praise, prayer, and preaching, then no difference is being made
between the holy and profane (Ezek. 44:23). The scriptures suggest that
Paul had an interest in some sports (I Cor 9:24, II Tim 2:5, Heb 12:1),
yet he condemned competitiveness in the church (I Cor 4:7, I Cor
11:21-22). The instruction of the scriptures are both necessary and
sufficient to guide young people as well as old, and to strengthen them
against the temptations of the world (Deut 6:6-7, Ps 119:9-11, I Tim 5:14,
II Tim 3:15-17). Furthermore, youth group involvement yields more civil
and criminal liability risks each year, as deviant and deceptive
individuals are at times unknowingly placed in positions of supervision
over children.
Q24: What do Primitive Baptists believe about John 3:16?
A: This verse of scripture is often taken out of context to attempt to
prove that Jesus died for all the inhabitants of the world. Taken in
context, Jesus is making a factual point to Nicodemus (a Jew who
erroneously believed that eternal salvation was limited to the physical
nation of the Jews) that God so loved the world (Greek kosmos – created
order), and NOT just the Jews, that he gave His only begotten Son. The
purpose of His Son being given was that whosoever, which is a definitive
group and not mankind in general, believeth on him should not perish but
have eternal life. The Greek word for believeth is pisteuo, which is the
same root word for faith, and faith by definition is the gift of God (Eph.
2:8). The very belief / faith in the heart of those who believe is placed
there by the mercy and grace of God. The fact that John 3:16 is not
teaching that Jesus offered himself to all the inhabitants of the world is
further confirmed by the fact that Jesus said that he who does not believe
in this is condemned already (v.18), indicating the fallen state of
mankind in Adam’s transgression (Rom.5:20). Furthermore, it is of the
utmost importance to understand what “world” Jesus is referring. Christ
declares in the same gospel of John, chapter 17, verse 9, that, “I pray
NOT for the world.” For example, in Lk. 2:1, the writer declares that
Ceasar Augustus sent out a decree that “all the world should be taxed”.
Obviously, Ceasar did not send tax collectors to pre-North America to
collect taxes from the native Indians. Rather, he taxed the “world” that
was under His jurisdiction. Jesus Christ could not have died for the
general population of the world because that is not the “world” under
consideration. Also, this would have contradicted the promise of Christ
that ALL of His children would never perish (Jn. 10:28). If Christ offered
himself for all the inhabitants of the world, then according to his
promise, all the inhabitants of the world would be housed in heaven. On
the contrary, Christ declared that he had power over ALL mankind, for the
purpose of giving life to “as many as thou hast given him” (Jn. 17:2), and
not all the inhabitants of the world. This relates back to that
innumerable host of children that God the Father foreknew, predestinated,
called justified, and glorified in His Son (Rom. 8:29-30). The world that
God created was good in God’s eyes (Gen. 1) until mankind defiled that
world with sin. God so loved this created order that He sent His Son to
die for whosoever believes in him. Obviously, this is a factual statement
and not a non-contextual offer.
Q25: Why should I become a Primitive Baptist?
A: For the sake of God’s truth – God has declared that His glory can only
be seen in the salvation plan set out in His holy word. This plan involves
no work or act of our own, but His alone. Rev. 4:11 declares that we are
created for His glory, and we are to glorify Him in our bodies (I Cor.
6:20). In order to achieve maximum glory to God, His truths must be
embraced and man’s opinions and devices put aside. Forsaking all for His
glory is our only choice.
For the sake of sincerity – in a time when people are looking for depth
and quality, a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and with
brothers and sisters in Christ can only be found by embracing His truth.
For the sake of simplicity – from programs and entertainment, to day-care
facilities and segregation, religious worship of today grows more complex
and bigger each year. Instead of looking for God in a multitude of
activity, we should strive to see the simplicity in Jesus Christ (2 Cor.
11:3), that can be found in a worship style in which families, whether
single parent homes or traditional, worship together in spirit and in
truth, where spiritual food can be bought without price (Isa. 55:1-2) and
the only demands placed upon the individual are the commandments of God,
which are not grievous (I Jn. 5:3). To sing, preach and pray in worship of
the Lord, to fellowship together frequently in His word, and bring the
good news to captive, condition-laden sinners that their salvation rests
in the free grace of Jesus Christ alone.
Acknowledgments: Elders David Pyles, Lonnie Mozingo, Jr., & Michael Gowens
© 2004*
Tim McCool Ministries
594 McCool Road
Gordo AL 35466
tim@timmccoollaw.com
*all information contained herein is useable without
prior permission of the author
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