A Fresh Call to Faithfulness in Our Free Will Baptist Heritage

[RevVonHanshaw]

Beloved brothers and sisters,

One of the greatest blessings of our movement is that God has entrusted us with a heritage rooted in personal responsibility, biblical holiness, and the freedom of the human will under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. In a day when many churches drift toward shallow teaching or cultural accommodation, Free Will Baptists still stand on the conviction that every person is accountable before God, and that grace invites—never coerces—the sinner to repentance.

Today, I want to encourage our community to renew our commitment to the doctrines that make our fellowship distinct, biblical, and spiritually alive.

The Scriptures remain our final authority​

We affirm without apology that the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. It is not merely a book to be admired—it is the rule of faith and practice. Let’s continue to be people who love, teach, and obey Scripture. Key discussion: Biblical authority

The call to holiness still matters​

Holiness is not legalism—it is love expressed through obedience. Our forefathers preached a clean heart, a separated life, and a walk worthy of the gospel. May we never lose that emphasis. Key discussion: Christian holiness

Human freedom and responsibility are essential truths​

We reject fatalistic theology. We believe God genuinely calls all people to salvation, and that each person must respond freely to His grace. This doctrine is not outdated—it is urgently needed in today’s world. Key discussion: Free will doctrine

The church must remain mission‑minded​

Our movement has always been evangelistic. Whether across the world or across the street, we must keep the Great Commission at the center of our identity. Key discussion: Missions and evangelism

We must guard the faith once delivered​

Apostasy is real. Drift is real. But so is revival. Let’s be a people who contend for the faith—not with anger, but with conviction, clarity, and compassion. Key discussion: Contending for the faith


Brothers and sisters, let’s use this group to strengthen one another, sharpen one another, and encourage one another in the doctrines and practices that have shaped our churches for generations. I invite you to share your thoughts, testimonies, questions, and insights as we continue walking together in truth.

In Christ, Rev. Von Hanshaw

 

[Wesley Briggman]

Rev. Von Hanshaw, Please provide scriptural references to support your convictions.

My Motto: Neither condone what God condemns Nor condemn what God condones.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Ironically, Reformed (Calvinist) Baptists often have more in common with Free-Will (Arminian) Baptists than they do with a good number of the sloppy "Once Saved Always Saved," Fried Chicken and Nanner Puddin' eatin,' Sweet Iced Tea sippin' Suthren Babtists! This is just a cold hard fact!

 

[DaveXR650]

Ironically, Reformed (Calvinist) Baptists often have more in common with Free-Will (Arminian) Baptists than they do with a good number of the sloppy "Once Saved Always Saved," Fried Chicken and Nanner Puddin' eatin,' Sweet Iced Tea sippin' Suthren Babtists! This is just a cold hard fact!

You know, I tend to agree. What drew me to Calvinism was the practical teaching and just the seriousness regarding sin and living a holy life, not the metaphysics of determinism and so on. I don't personally know any free will Baptists but have read a lot of Leroy Forlines, as well as some others and the similarities stand out quickly.

 

[Ascetic X]

Beloved brothers and sisters,

One of the greatest blessings of our movement is that God has entrusted us with a heritage rooted in personal responsibility, biblical holiness, and the freedom of the human will under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. In a day when many churches drift toward shallow teaching or cultural accommodation, Free Will Baptists still stand on the conviction that every person is accountable before God, and that grace invites—never coerces—the sinner to repentance.

I agree. It makes no sense to assert that unsaved individuals are completely unable to seek God.

This “total depravity” opinion removes all accountability from individuals, so at God’s judgment throne, they can say that God never regenerated them to enable them to seek God.

Free will means God is just and righteous to condemn those who rejected Him.

The call to holiness still matters​

Holiness is not legalism—it is love expressed through obedience. Our forefathers preached a clean heart, a separated life, and a walk worthy of the gospel. May we never lose that emphasis. Key discussion: Christian holiness

It’s a big step in a Christian’s life when they’re suddenly startled into super lucid self-awareness. What a blessing for them to clearly see the vile worldliness that has snuck into their soul. Due to the deceitfulness of sin, it’s really easy be an avid hearer of God’s Word, but not actually a doer of the Word. One can coast along, smug, singing hymns, and semi-consciously sinful.

Human freedom and responsibility are essential truths​

We reject fatalistic theology. We believe God genuinely calls all people to salvation, and that each person must respond freely to His grace. This doctrine is not outdated—it is urgently needed in today’s world. Key discussion: Free will doctrine

To put all the responsibility on God for who gets saved and who is damned will result in a distorted conception of God.

God gives humanity a choice, and the choice we make, to seek and serve God, or to reject and rebel against Him, determines our eternal destination and rewards based on our deeds.

 

[Wesley Briggman]

Rev. Von Hanshaw, Please provide scriptural references to support your convictions.

My Motto: Neither condone what God condemns Nor condemn what God condones.

So far, no response. Perhaps he is not aware of my request.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

So far, no response. Perhaps he is not aware of my request.

Do you agree with or disagree with his position? Perhaps you should cite scriptures that you believe either support or refute what he has stated?

What he has posted here is in line with what "Free-Will Baptists" typically believe so he is not playing "off in left field" all by himself! A few keystrokes in a search engine will pull up the historic core beliefs of this particular Baptist group.

Perhaps our new friend here can articulate "Why I am a Free-Will Baptist" and we could be better educated as to what they believe. Perhaps I can help him out some with the following resource:

What is a Free-Will Baptist?

 

[Wesley Briggman]

Do you agree with or disagree with his position? Perhaps you should cite scriptures that you believe either support or refute what he has stated?

What he has posted here is in line with what "Free-Will Baptists" typically believe so he is not playing "off in left field" all by himself! A few keystrokes in a search engine will pull up the historic core beliefs of this particular Baptist group.

Perhaps our new friend here can articulate "Why I am a Free-Will Baptist" and we could be better educated as to what they believe. Perhaps I can help him out some with the following resource:

What is a Free-Will Baptist?

I will not answer your questions. The ball, so to speak, is in his court. Surely he has scripture to support his convictions.

 

[Ascetic X]

I will not answer your questions. The ball, so to speak, is in his court. Surely he has scripture to support his convictions.

That is a perfectly reasonable, and politely presented, request brother Wesley.

If you disagreed with one or more points, you could give scriptures refuting his views, and asking @RevVonHanshaw to please respond.

But he does not seem to be interacting with anyone.

Perhaps he is very busy with July 4th festivities.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

I will not answer your questions. The ball, so to speak, is in his court. Surely he has scripture to support his convictions.

You asked a very broad question - basically to provide scripture to back up everything he has stated. I do not believe this to be a fair question to ask! If you asked me such a question, I probably wouldn't feel so inclined to answer either! He hasn't posted or interacted too much as of yet but he has clearly articulated that he is a "Free-Will" Baptist of which is a Baptist group of which perhaps you and others have little to no familiarity?

If you have specific questions regarding his beliefs, you should ask him and hopefully he would be gracious to answer and if he will not, he will likely be ignored, probably get bored, and move on.

How about I ask Rev Hanshaw a question that is likely on the minds of many "Regular" Baptists here, Rev Hanshaw, what exactly is the Free-Will Baptist position on "Perserverence of the Saints" and on what basis do you believe that one may fall away and apostatize from their faith? In other words, how does one "lose" their salvation?

 

[RevVonHanshaw]

Hello, I apologize for taking a few days to get back with you all. I read your comments and questions. I am new on this forum so I think I am learning how to do this. If not, I apologize and will get better in time God willing.

I think the main question(s) center on this: What are the core differences between Free Will Baptist doctrine versus other Baptist doctrine. I will answer that below. Again, if this is not what you are asking, please let me know.

1. Free will and human responsibility​

Free Will Baptist doctrine

• Human freedom: God genuinely offers salvation to all, and each person can accept or reject that grace.
• Key texts:
  • Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life.”
  • Ezekiel 18:23, 32 – God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; calls them to turn and live.
  • 2 Peter 3:9 – God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Greek term:

• θέλημα (thelēma) – “will” or “desire”; God’s will is that all be saved, yet humans can resist that will in the sense of His revealed desire.

Other Baptists (Calvinistic)

• Emphasis on total inability: Humanity is so fallen that no one can respond unless God first regenerates them.
• Grace as irresistible for the elect: When God calls, the elect cannot finally resist.

2. Atonement: for whom did Christ die?​

Free Will Baptist doctrine (general atonement)

• Christ’s death is sufficient for all and genuinely offered to all.
• Key texts:
  • John 3:16 – “God so loved the world…”
  • 1 John 2:2 – Christ is “the propitiation… for the sins of the whole world.”
  • 1 Timothy 2:4–6 – God “will have all men to be saved… who gave himself a ransom for all.”

Greek terms:

• κόσμος (kosmos) – “world,” understood as humanity in general, not only the elect.
• ἱλασμός (hilasmos) – “propitiation,” a sacrifice that turns away wrath; applied to “the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Other Baptists (particular/limited atonement)

• Many Calvinistic Baptists teach that Christ died specifically and effectively for the elect, and that “world” or “all” is interpreted in a more restricted sense (e.g., all kinds of people, or all the elect).

3. Security of the believer: conditional vs unconditional​

This is usually the sharpest difference.

Free Will Baptist doctrine (conditional security)

• Saved by faith, kept by faith:
  • Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), and continued faith is the condition for remaining in Christ.
• Possibility of apostasy:
  • A true believer can willfully, persistently repudiate Christ and fall away and end up in Hell.
• Key texts:
  • Hebrews 6:4–6 – Those who have truly tasted and then “fall away” cannot be renewed to repentance.
  • Hebrews 10:26–29 – Willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth brings severe judgment.
  • John 15:6 – Branches “in” Christ that do not abide are cast forth and burned.
  • 2 Peter 2:20–22 – Those who escape the pollutions of the world through Christ and then are entangled again are in a worse state.

Greek terms:

• πίστις (pistis) – “faith,” ongoing trust and loyalty, not merely a past decision.
• μένω (menō) – “to abide/remain”; used in John 15 for continuing in Christ.
• ἀποστασία (apostasia) – “falling away, defection”; the concept behind “apostasy.”

Other Baptists (unconditional security / perseverance of the saints)

• Teach that all truly regenerated believers will certainly persevere to the end.
• Apparent falling away is interpreted as proof that the person was never truly saved (1 John 2:19).
• Emphasize texts like:
  • John 10:28–29 – No one can pluck believers out of Christ’s hand.
  • Romans 8:29–39 – Those foreknown, predestined, called, justified will be glorified.

Free Will Baptists affirm those passages but interpret them as promises for believers who continue in faith, not as negating the warnings about apostasy.

4. Election and predestination​

Free Will Baptist doctrine

• Conditional election: God elects to salvation those whom He foreknows will freely respond in faith.
• Key texts:
  • Romans 8:29 – “Whom he foreknew, he also did predestinate…”
  • 1 Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.”

Greek term:

• προγινώσκω (proginōskō) – “to foreknow”; understood as God’s prior knowledge of who will freely believe, not a decree that causes their faith.

Other Baptists (unconditional election)

• God chooses certain individuals to salvation solely according to His sovereign will, not based on foreseen faith.
• Election is viewed as the cause of faith, not its result.

5. Ordinances and church practice​

Free Will Baptist doctrine

• Three ordinances:
  • Believer’s baptism by immersion
  • The Lord’s Supper
  • Washing of the saints’ feet (John 13:14–15)
• Foot washing is seen as a continuing ordinance symbolizing humility, service, and fellowship.

Other Baptists

• Most Baptist groups recognize two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
• Foot washing may be practiced in some congregations, but is rarely treated as an ordinance on the same level.

6. Shared Baptist foundations​

Despite these differences, Free Will Baptists share many core Baptist convictions with other Baptists:

• Authority of Scripture: The Bible as inspired, inerrant, and the final rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
• Believer’s baptism by immersion: Symbolizing union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).
• Congregational polity: Autonomy of the local church.
• Salvation by grace through faith: No salvation by works (Ephesians 2:8–9).
• Evangelism and missions: Strong emphasis on preaching the gospel.

Thank You,
Rev. Von Hanshaw

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Human freedom: God genuinely offers salvation to all, and each person can accept or reject that grace.

• Key texts:
  • Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life.”
  • Ezekiel 18:23, 32 – God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; calls them to turn and live.
  • 2 Peter 3:9 – God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Greek term:

• θέλημα (thelēma) – “will” or “desire”; God’s will is that all be saved, yet humans can resist that will in the sense of His revealed desire.

Other Baptists (Calvinistic)

• Emphasis on total inability: Humanity is so fallen that no one can respond unless God first regenerates them.
• Grace as irresistible for the elect: When God calls, the elect cannot finally resist.

Would Free-Will Baptists hold to the Arminian concept of "Prevenient Grace?"

Calvinists and Classic Arminians both acknowledge that grace is always resisted and that such is symptomatic of the fall. Both acknowledge that no one comes to God on their own unless they are supernaturally "Drawn" to him and according to Arminians, God must 'enable' you to believe. Does God enable every human being (without exception) in order to respond according to their own free will? What of those who lived their entire lives never knowing or understanding who Jesus is? Not trying to argue with you, just trying to understand your position.

3. Security of the believer: conditional vs unconditional​

This is usually the sharpest difference.

I would agree. Those saying "Amen" to your arguments against Calvinism would be parting ways with you regarding your views on the "Security of the Believer.

Free Will Baptist doctrine (conditional security)

• Saved by faith, kept by faith:
  • Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), and continued faith is the condition for remaining in Christ.
• Possibility of apostasy:
  • A true believer can willfully, persistently repudiate Christ and fall away and end up in Hell.
• Key texts:
  • Hebrews 6:4–6 – Those who have truly tasted and then “fall away” cannot be renewed to repentance.
  • Hebrews 10:26–29 – Willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth brings severe judgment.
  • John 15:6 – Branches “in” Christ that do not abide are cast forth and burned.
  • 2 Peter 2:20–22 – Those who escape the pollutions of the world through Christ and then are entangled again are in a worse state.

I could probably qualify each of these and say that "I agree" but it is understood that my "Calvinistic" understanding of the doctrine of perserverence leads me to the conclusion that such never were truly saved whereas you would say they were actually "saved" at one time and have freely "walked away" from their salvation"

You say "Saved by faith, kept by faith," I would be curious of your answer regarding the source and origination of this "Faith" of which you are speaking. Would this by "Your Faith" by the which you are "Holding on and enduring to the end?"

I do not believe it is possible for a genuine believer to ever just walk away from and repudiate their faith! There may be a season of doubt or time of trial, but I would reject the idea that one could go from "Genuine Believer" to "Atheist!" I know there are many "Ex-vangelicals" who profess this but I would assert that they had never possessed that which they once professed. We would both agree that they are definitely "not saved" and their current state of unbelief will ultimately lead them to hell.

Would you understand Heb 6:4-6 to say that one who actually does "fall away" could never come back to faith?

What exactly is this "willful sin" that is spoken of in Heb 10:26-29?

Can you actually be a Christian and NOT abide in Christ?

Greek terms:

• πίστις (pistis) – “faith,” ongoing trust and loyalty, not merely a past decision.
• μένω (menō) – “to abide/remain”; used in John 15 for continuing in Christ.
• ἀποστασία (apostasia) – “falling away, defection”; the concept behind “apostasy.”

We would agree that faith is not some Ron Popei "Set it and Forget it" faith that you never think about again after making some sort of "decision" for Christ! It is an active, abiding faith that is working in the believer!

Other Baptists (unconditional security / perseverance of the saints)

• Teach that all truly regenerated believers will certainly persevere to the end.
• Apparent falling away is interpreted as proof that the person was never truly saved (1 John 2:19).
• Emphasize texts like:
  • John 10:28–29 – No one can pluck believers out of Christ’s hand.
  • Romans 8:29–39 – Those foreknown, predestined, called, justified will be glorified.

Free Will Baptists affirm those passages but interpret them as promises for believers who continue in faith, not as negating the warnings about apostasy.

Once again, can you expound on "Continuing in faith?" Based upon what you have written, you likely know where I am coming from but these are wherein our differences lie.

5. Ordinances and church practice​

Free Will Baptist doctrine

• Three ordinances:
  • Believer’s baptism by immersion
  • The Lord’s Supper
  • Washing of the saints’ feet (John 13:14–15)
• Foot washing is seen as a continuing ordinance symbolizing humility, service, and fellowship.

Foot washing is also practiced by "Primitive Baptists" according to my understanding. From what I see, it is something closely connected with the Lord's Table and has much with self-examiniation and relationships with others. Would this be similar to how you would apply this as an ordinance?

 

[Ben1445]

A few keystrokes in a search engine will pull up the historic core beliefs of this particular Baptist group.

Now I am confused. I thought he said free will and you said particular.

 

[RevVonHanshaw]

Would Free-Will Baptists hold to the Arminian concept of "Prevenient Grace?"

Calvinists and Classic Arminians both acknowledge that grace is always resisted and that such is symptomatic of the fall. Both acknowledge that no one comes to God on their own unless they are supernaturally "Drawn" to him and according to Arminians, God must 'enable' you to believe. Does God enable every human being (without exception) in order to respond according to their own free will? What of those who lived their entire lives never knowing or understanding who Jesus is? Not trying to argue with you, just trying to understand your position.

I would agree. Those saying "Amen" to your arguments against Calvinism would be parting ways with you regarding your views on the "Security of the Believer.

I could probably qualify each of these and say that "I agree" but it is understood that my "Calvinistic" understanding of the doctrine of perserverence leads me to the conclusion that such never were truly saved whereas you would say they were actually "saved" at one time and have freely "walked away" from their salvation"

You say "Saved by faith, kept by faith," I would be curious of your answer regarding the source and origination of this "Faith" of which you are speaking. Would this by "Your Faith" by the which you are "Holding on and enduring to the end?"

I do not believe it is possible for a genuine believer to ever just walk away from and repudiate their faith! There may be a season of doubt or time of trial, but I would reject the idea that one could go from "Genuine Believer" to "Atheist!" I know there are many "Ex-vangelicals" who profess this but I would assert that they had never possessed that which they once professed. We would both agree that they are definitely "not saved" and their current state of unbelief will ultimately lead them to hell.

Would you understand Heb 6:4-6 to say that one who actually does "fall away" could never come back to faith?

What exactly is this "willful sin" that is spoken of in Heb 10:26-29?

Can you actually be a Christian and NOT abide in Christ?

We would agree that faith is not some Ron Popei "Set it and Forget it" faith that you never think about again after making some sort of "decision" for Christ! It is an active, abiding faith that is working in the believer!

Once again, can you expound on "Continuing in faith?" Based upon what you have written, you likely know where I am coming from but these are wherein our differences lie.

Foot washing is also practiced by "Primitive Baptists" according to my understanding. From what I see, it is something closely connected with the Lord's Table and has much with self-examiniation and relationships with others. Would this be similar to how you would apply this as an ordinance?

Free Will Baptist Answers to Your Questions​

Brethren, thank you for the thoughtful questions. I’ll answer each one from the historic Free Will Baptist / classic Arminian Baptist perspective, with Scripture references and clarity. My goal is not to argue, but to explain how our tradition understands these doctrines.

1. Do Free Will Baptists believe in Prevenient Grace?​

Yes. Free Will Baptists affirm the classic Arminian doctrine of Prevenient Grace—the gracious work of God that goes before salvation, enabling sinners to respond freely to the gospel.

What this means:​

• All people are totally unable to come to God on their own (John 6:44).
• The Holy Spirit draws, convicts, and enables every person (John 16:8).
• This grace is universal (Titus 2:11).
• This grace is resistible (Acts 7:51).
• This grace does not guarantee salvation; it restores the ability to respond.

Does God enable every human being?​

Yes. Free Will Baptists believe God gives every person enough grace to:

• understand the gospel
• respond freely
• either believe or resist

Christ is the light “which lighteth every man” (John 1:9).

What about those who never heard of Jesus?​

We believe:

• God judges people based on the light they did receive (Romans 2:12–16).
• No one is condemned without resisting the grace they did receive.

This avoids the idea of “non‑elect infants” or “non‑elect unreached tribes.”

2. Perseverance: Were they never saved, or did they fall away?​

Calvinists say:

“If they fall away, they were never saved.”

Free Will Baptists say:

“If they fall away, they were truly saved but freely departed from faith.”

Saved by faith, kept by faith​

Faith originates in God’s enabling grace (Eph. 2:8), but it is exercised by the believer (Rom. 10:17). God does not believe for us; He enables us to believe.

Can a genuine believer walk away?​

Free Will Baptists say yes, because Scripture warns believers about:

• falling away (Heb. 3:12)
• shipwrecking faith (1 Tim. 1:19)
• departing from the living God (Heb. 3:12)
• being “cut off” (Rom. 11:20–22)

These warnings assume apostasy is possible.

Can a believer become an atheist?​

We believe it is possible for a believer to:

• “deny the Lord who bought them” (2 Pet. 2:1)
• “depart from the faith” (1 Tim. 4:1)

Calvinists reinterpret these passages; we take them at face value.

Hebrews 6:4–6 — Can they come back?​

Free Will Baptists interpret Hebrews 6 as describing:

• real believers (“partakers of the Holy Ghost”)
• who commit real apostasy (“fall away”)
• and cannot be renewed again to repentance

This is not ordinary backsliding. It is hardened, final apostasy.

Hebrews 10:26–29 — What is “willful sin”?​

“Willful sin” refers to:

• deliberate, ongoing rejection of Christ
• persistent rebellion after receiving truth
• apostasy, not everyday sin

It is not:

• losing your temper
• struggling
• weakness

It is a conscious repudiation of Christ.

Can you be a Christian and NOT abide in Christ?​

Free Will Baptists say:

• Abiding is required (John 15:6).
• A believer can choose not to abide.
• If they do not abide, they are “cast forth” (John 15:6).

Perseverance is conditional, not automatic.

3. What does “Continuing in Faith” mean?​

Free Will Baptists teach:

• Salvation is by faith.
• Perseverance is by faith.
• Faith is enabled by grace, but exercised by the believer.
• God keeps us as we continue trusting Him.

Paul says:

• “Continue in the faith” (Col. 1:23).
• “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12).
• We are partakers of Christ if we hold fast (Heb. 3:14).

Faith is not a one‑time event; it is a lifelong posture.

4. Foot Washing as an Ordinance​

Free Will Baptists practice foot washing as:

• a third ordinance
• commanded by Christ (John 13:14–15)
• symbolic of humility, unity, and service
• usually connected to communion
• a time of self‑examination and reconciliation

Primitive Baptists practice it similarly, though with some differences in tradition and structure. The theological meaning is very close.

Closing Thought​

Free Will Baptists affirm:

• universal enabling grace
• conditional perseverance
• real apostasy
• real warnings
• real responsibility
• real assurance for those who continue in faith

I appreciate the respectful dialogue. If anyone wants clarification on any point, I’m glad to continue the discussion.

Rev. Von Hanshaw