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My thoughts and questions on "Ten Reasons Primitive Baptists Are Not Calvinists."

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
Actually, my thoughts on this article are leaning more toward narrowing down what Primitive Baptists ARE and BELIEVE, as OPPOSED to what they ARE NOT.

"...In the minds of most people, Christianity is divided into two major groups, Arminians (those who advocate the theology of James Arminius) and Calvinists (those who advocate the theology of John Calvin)...."

The two major groups within Christianity are Arminians, who believe a lost soul initiates the Eternal Salvation of their soul and Calvinites who believe a lost soul "must be born again" and that all lost souls are Naturally born into life, as being dead to The Spirit Realm of God and that God, Who is Spirit must Quicken the soul that is dead to God, by the Holy Spirit in The New Spiritual Regeneration and Birth from above, for that soul to receive Eternal Salvation.

Then, in order to not be one who believes either man, or God, initiates the Salvation of the soul, I fail to grasp what claim `Primitive Baptists` have to any other description, or articulation, of what they consider Salvation to be, as an experience in life, in so many words.

I`m just asking them to share with us, if any of this makes sense to them.

Or, see, does `Salvation` just happen to fall down from Heaven on them one day, in some tangible way, where they know now that they are one of The Elect?

I am of the opinion that they do not have a Plan of Salvation, in relation to themselves, as individuals, or for other individuals. I only see them as having just a general idea similar to anyone else in the World who thinks, "I hope I`m saved", or "I hope, or think, I`m among The Elect of God", for some reason, but why?

And, of course, I stand to be corrected quick enough on that thinking I have, as of right now...

Do they know of any practical way of being Saved?

Who knows? What `Primitive Baptist` knows for certain, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that they have the absolute Assurance that they are one of the Elect who has a Home in Heaven waiting for them?

What are they depending on? that would grant them any Assurance in their heart and soul, to rest Assured that, "All is Well" with their soul?

Were they Born Again, at some point, or other, that they can look back on and say that they have been Quickened by God and Born from Above, by the Holy Spirit? Jesus said to the lost souls that they "
must be born again". If that is so, did the `Primitive Baptist` have that experience sometime during their lifetime?

If not, were do they derive the concept of being Assured that they are in possession of Eternal Life?

Where is there any difference between, saying, "I believe God Elected some who will Go to Heaven when they Die" and "I hope I Go to Heaven", as the average man on the street might think and say, or anybody else anywhere around the World?

Is there an "ah-hah" moment of eureka they have had, or something like that, when they could know personally, "I`m one of the Elect and I am going to Heaven when I die, for sure, without a doubt"? Which one of them can tell us about that moment and what happened and why they could tell us that they think it did?

What is there Religious belief concerning their own personal Salvation?

Do any of them have a
`Salvation Testamony`?

We have several `Primitive Baptists` here on the BBF, who I take it are saying that they are Baptists, because they are Christians, so I am wondering what it is that has led them to that `belief`? How did their soul become associated with Justification before God? In Eternity Past? And, then they have been clued in on them being among those who were Justified in Eternity Past, when, where, how, & why?

Am I to be despised for wondering and asking to know a reason why they would personally believe they are one of the Elect? It`s just a honest question, isn`t it?

From this article;
Ten Reasons Primitive Baptists Are Not Calvinists.

By Elders Michael Gowens and Lonnie Mozingo, Jr.,

this is their point #
3. Saving Faith.

"Primitive Baptists believe that Scripture teaches that the subject of justification has various phases (by grace, by blood, by faith, and by works), some of which do not have eternal implications; hence, the word "alone" is misleading."

Does that statement ring true to you, as to what you profess to believe?

How does what it says and these two other statements below impact, or influence, how you feel about your soul?

Do you agree with what they say? What do they mean to you?


"If we were forced to employ the word "alone", we would rather speak of "justification by grace alone" or "justification by blood alone".

Justification when, how, where, why? And, how is it that you believe that Justification applies to your soul, for sure, or do you? Please, explain:

"Further, we interpret justification by faith in terms of the assurance of salvation, not the application of redemption."

Is there Assurance of Salvation for you? When, how, where, why, do you believe this, if so?


Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

Is this Justification by Grace something that has happened to you, do you believe? When was that? And how, if you don`t mind me asking?

Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Are you personally sure that you have been Saved from His Wrath? I`m just asking, to try to hear why?

Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Then, I`m curious what this Scripture might have to do with the Assurance of Salvation that you may say you have, as being Justified and whatever that might mean to you, etc.

James 2:24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

That`s not too much to ask, I hope!

No, seriously, if you see one or two things above that you care to comment on, to help me clarify my understanding of the positions you hold, I would appreciate it.

Peace and Love.
 
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Dr. Bob

Administrator
Administrator
Kudos for starting a new thread on the subject rather than getting lost in previous discussions.
 

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
Kudos for starting a new thread on the subject rather than getting lost in previous discussions.

Well, thank you, Br. Dr. Bob, and so you know, I re-double my attempts to not be taken for questioning anyones testimony of salvation, so that is never my intent, even if someone may cry foul! I apologize, in advance and will assure them that I meant no harm. The salvation experience is assumed to be a given for anyone I see on here.

Thanks a couple of million!,
Alan Gross
 

MrW

Well-Known Member
Being raised PB, and listening to my Mom and others, PB's testimony I have heard is they reach a place in their lives where they believe they are in the Elect and they then "seek a home" in the church, the Primitive Baptist Church. They claim (the ones I've heard) to be "saved by hope", so those at least, were not positive they were Elect, but hoped they were. From publications I have read, they believe if you're Elect, you're saved, even if you're a Buddhist and never hear of Christ. You're Elect or you're not.

There are some variations. The group I knew claimed to be "Hardshell" Primitive Baptists. I left them decades ago; whether they have modified their beliefs, I cannot say. I read my Bible daily, and I simply believe the simple Gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and I believe passages such as Acts 16:31, Acts 2:21, John 1:12-13, John 3:14-21, Romans 10, Ephesians 2:8-10 (and more) tell me all I need to know about how to be saved. I don't concern my self with Calvinism nor Arminianism. I simply believe what I read and I try not to wrest the Scriptures, but accept them as written, following normal rules of hermeneutics.

Kyredneck can bring you up to date on their beliefs better than I can. I am speaking from what I knew decades ago. There may be clarifications I am not aware of since then.
 

MrW

Well-Known Member
Alan is welcome to ask me one question at a time instead posting this shotgun blast of rambling. I don't understand his animosity towards the humble loving people that call themselves 'Old Baptists'.
They are indeed humble and loving people. In the last few years, when I visit family in the State where I was born, I will also visit their PB church with them, and I do enjoy the singing without any instrumental music, and they are very kind people. I don't agree with how they "get saved" but I do admire their character, their kindness, and their humility. All Christians could learn from them.

Alan does need to go with one question at a time, but if he has animosity toward Primitive Baptists, I didn't see it, but I haven't been able to get here for the past few weeks. The upgrade confused my phone and I can only get here via computer.
 

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
I read my Bible daily, and I simply believe the simple Gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and I believe passages such as Acts 16:31, Acts 2:21, John 1:12-13, John 3:14-21, Romans 10, Ephesians 2:8-10 (and more) tell me all I need to know about how to be saved.
Thank you, for your Salvation testimony!

Praise The Lord!
 
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kyredneck

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
if he has animosity toward Primitive Baptists, I didn't see it,

Perhaps you haven't been around here long enough to have seen it. Alan's a staunch Landmarkist, so are PBs (which is one that I disagree with), I think that is probably the root of his problem with PBs.
 

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
I`m just asking them to share with us, if any of this makes sense to them.

Or, see, does `Salvation` just happen to fall down from Heaven on them one day, in some tangible way, where they know now that they are one of The Elect?

I am of the opinion that they do not have a Plan of Salvation, in relation to themselves, as individuals, or for other individuals. I only see them as having just a general idea similar to anyone else in the World who thinks, "I hope I`m saved", or "I hope, or think, I`m among The Elect of God", for some reason, but why?

And, of course, I stand to be corrected quick enough on that thinking I have, as of right now...

Do they know of any practical way of being Saved?
"I am of the opinion", not out of animosity, but out of me having just arrived at that opinion, as my opinion that I am where I am with what I can grasp about it, to date, until I can consider myself better informed.
What is there Religious belief concerning their own personal Salvation?

Do any of them have a
`Salvation Testamony`?
All of those questions can be taken as one big question if you want to indulge me in trying to claim anything like that. And, even at that, no one is obligated to reply, in the least.

I just hate to leave them as rhetorical, the way my mind seems to have wondered about such realities in life.

Being raised PB, and listening to my Mom and others, PB's testimony I have heard is they reach a place in their lives where they believe they are in the Elect and they then "seek a home" in the church, the Primitive Baptist Church. They claim (the ones I've heard) to be "saved by hope", so those at least, were not positive they were Elect, but hoped they were. From publications I have read, they believe if you're Elect, you're saved, even if you're a Buddhist and never hear of Christ. You're Elect or you're not.

I don't understand his animosity towards the humble loving people that call themselves 'Old Baptists'.

Agree with you

I don't agree with how they "get saved" but I do admire their character, their kindness, and their humility. All Christians could learn from them.

if he has animosity toward Primitive Baptists, I didn't see it
 

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
I`m just asking them to share with us, if any of this makes sense to them.

Or, see, does `Salvation` just happen to fall down from Heaven on them one day, in some tangible way, where they know now that they are one of The Elect?

I am of the opinion that they do not have a Plan of Salvation, in relation to themselves, as individuals, or for other individuals. I only see them as having just a general idea similar to anyone else in the World who thinks, "I hope I`m saved", or "I hope, or think, I`m among The Elect of God", for some reason, but why?

And, of course, I stand to be corrected quick enough on that thinking I have, as of right now...

Do they know of any practical way of being Saved?
"I am of the opinion", not out of animosity, but out of me having just arrived at that opinion, as my opinion that I am where I am with what I can grasp about it, to date, until I can consider myself better informed.
What is there Religious belief concerning their own personal Salvation?

Do any of them have a
`Salvation Testamony`?
All of those questions can be taken as one big question if you want to indulge me in trying to claim anything like that. And, even at that, no one is obligated to reply, in the least.

I just hate to leave them as rhetorical, the way my mind seems to have wondered about such realities in life.

Thank you, for your input so far.

Being raised PB, and listening to my Mom and others, PB's testimony I have heard is they reach a place in their lives where they believe they are in the Elect and they then "seek a home" in the church, the Primitive Baptist Church. They claim (the ones I've heard) to be "saved by hope", so those at least, were not positive they were Elect, but hoped they were. From publications I have read, they believe if you're Elect, you're saved, even if you're a Buddhist and never hear of Christ. You're Elect or you're not.

I don't understand his animosity towards the humble loving people that call themselves 'Old Baptists'.

Agree with you

I don't agree with how they "get saved" but I do admire their character, their kindness, and their humility. All Christians could learn from them.

if he has animosity toward Primitive Baptists, I didn't see it
 

MrW

Well-Known Member
I double-posted a time or two and then realized I need to hit my F5 key shortly after the post so the page will reload for me to see my post.
 

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
Perhaps you haven't been around here long enough to have seen it. Alan's a staunch Landmarkist, so are PBs (which is one that I disagree with), I think that is probably the root of his problem with PBs.
In 1832 there was a division between Missionary and Primitive Baptists, both of which held to the Landmark position, which is a name that was popularized around 1851, however, all Baptists and Baptist-like Doctrine adherents had held the distinctions described by the word, "Landmarkism", since the time of Christ. My home church was founded by the Authority of "a sponsoring" or "mother church", in 1786, as a "Landmark" church, for example, 65 years before that term was used "officially", by J.R. Graves, etc., in 1851.

"What brought this split or division between Missionary and Primitive Baptists, in 1832?" is a question often asked.

The following named Doctrines are some of the things that brought about the split:

First. The purpose and extent of the Gospel. Missionaries said, "The Gospel is for every creature under Heaven (Mark 16:15) and no lost sinner anywhere will ever be saved without it, and we are under special Command to carry it or send it to the whole world."

Primitive Baptists, to my knowledge, say, "The Gospel is to be preached to the saved only, and is not essential to the salvation of lost sinners." Thus limiting the power and extent of the Gospel.

Second. Election, while both said, "God Chose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world," Missionaries said, "God not only Chose individuals, but also Chose the Means to reach individuals, and that the Means is the Gospel and human instrumentality, therefore, we are His chosen witnesses to testify to Him and His Glorious Gospel throughout the whole World."

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "Not so, God will save the Elect, Gospel or no Gospel, when He gets ready."

Thus they deny or eliminate the Gospel as God's Elected Means to this end.

Third. The extent of Teaching the Word. Missionaries said, "The word should be taught to all young and old, lost and saved," and organized what is called Sunday Schools in the churches for that purpose.

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "Teach the word to the saved only."

Forth. As to Prayer Meetings. Missionaries said, "God meant what He said when He said "pray for all men everywhere," and, 'My House shall be called a House of prayer' and that prayer should be made for rulers, our enemies, and those who despitefully use us." These classes surely include lost sinners.

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "No use to pray for sinners."

Fifth. As to salvation being conditional. Missionaries said; "There are two conditions that every lost sinner must comply with if he is ever saved, viz. Repentance and Faith in Christ," and "that all who refuse to Repent will perish, and all who refuse to believe in Christ will be damned."

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "Salvation is as Unconditional as Election." ("The Two Seeders" among them said, "Some men are children of God and some are children of the devil from all Eternity."

(If that is so, then no one has ever been, saved on Earth, for one must first be lost before he can be saved).

Sixth. As to when Regeneration takes place. Missionaries said, "Repentance is Granted by God unto life, along with its Twin Doctrine of Grace in Salvation, Faith in The Lord Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection, and one must be Granted Repentance and Faith when he made Alive in The New Birth, and that is when we are Born Again and experience Salvation, personally at that time.

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "Men are Regenerated and made new creatures in Christ before they Repent, that dead men cannot Repent." Therefore, they believe in what they call "Pro-Regeneration."

Missionaries said, "The Lord Jesus told a man with a withered hand, to stretch forth his hand, and he did it, and Peter told a man who had been lame from birth to stand up, and he did it, and that with a Command from the Lord to do a thing the Power is Given to do that thing."

Seventh. As to the New Birth. Missionaries said, "One New Birth of two elements viz. Word and Spirit."

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "One Birth of one Element, viz. Spirit."

thus denying the Power of the Word, as Witnessed by The Holy Spirit, as God's Instrumental Means in the New Birth.

Eighth. As to how men are saved. Missionaries said; "Babies dying in infancy go to Heaven on the ground of hearing The Gospel that same way John the Baptist was saved and rejoiced to hear of The Lord's Conception in Mary, as a saved baby in Elizabeth's womb, by the Atoning death of Christ, just as any other lost child of Adam. Any lost child of Adam must be Born Again, by the Power of God unto Salvation, The Gospel, Accompanied by The Holy Spirit in The New Birth and must be Given Repentance of their sins which have Offended The Holy God of Eternity and Trust, by Faith, in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, or go to Hell Forever for their own personal Eternal sins against God and not Adam's."

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "All are saved just alike, infants, idiots, adults at home and abroad, and that adults are no more responsible for their conduct than infants are."

Ninth. As to the Saviour's purpose in washing the disciples' feet. Missionaries said, It is an "example" of humility."

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "It is an ordinance" and practice it as such in their churches.

Tenth. As to the support of the Gospel Ministry. Missionaries said, "God's people should bring God's tithes and offerings into God's Storehouse and His ministers should be paid out of the common fund."

Primitive Baptists say, to my knowledge; "Let them labor with their hands and support themselves."

They also denied the need for an Educated Ministry while Missionaries favored it.
 

Alan Dale Gross

Active Member
The original split occurred in the previous century between the Gillites and Fullerites. PBs are basically Gillites who hold to Justification from Eternity, while Fullerites hold to 'Duty Faith', and consider Gillites to be a "dunghill of high Calvinism".

I can't confirm this Gillites vs Fullerites split in the previous century as having to do with the Missionary vs Anti-Missionary split in 1832 to 1842, but I need to look more into that dynamic of what is said of Gill about Justification from Eternity vs Fullerites 'Duty Faith', from the links you provided THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.

An article about The Missionary vs Primitive/(Hardshell(?) split is attached, YOUR WELCOME THAT I DIDN'T TRY TO POST A BUNCH OF IT HERE, (you need to thank the mods for that new feature in their BB revamping, where I can unload secondary source material, without bogging down the whole works with the length of my post causing some Forum Discomfort.)

Since it is written from the Missionary perspective, it will not be found to be terribly favorable to Anti-Missionary folks.

It gives the brief biographies of three Anti-Missionary men, John Taylor of Kentucky, Daniel Parker of Illinois, and Alexander Campbell of Virginia, to act as the History of that major Missionary vs Anti-Missionary Split, as it took place here in Kentucky.

It mentions Ambrose Dudley who went on to found my church, Bryan Station Baptist Church, in 1786, and served as her first pastor for over 39 years. As Missionaries, Bryan Station has organized several churches throughout the world (at this link), including the first church where I learned The Bible, TO BASE MY LIFE UPON, GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, here in Georgetown, Kentucky (June 1968).

The article also mentions Lexington, KY, where I believe KY lives and The Kentucky Missionary Society which established a school for Indian children near Georgetown, Kentucky (where I live), to which they gave the name of Choctaw Academy. The school opened with eight red children, in the spring of 1819. In 1828, seventeen of the Indians in this school were baptized into Great Crossing Baptist Church, in Scott County, where I have attended and was a church founded by Lewis Craig, Elijah Craig, and John Taylor, who at that time was Missionary and later changed.
...

Alan's a staunch Landmarkist,

LANDMARKISM.
http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/landmark.index.html

"There are sixty-one items (articles, essays & books) CLICK HERE.

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."
Proverbs 22:28


"[T]here are many elements in Baptist history which bear an obvious and direct relationship to the tenets of the Landmark system and which clearly demonstrate that the architects of the movement, 'the Great Triumvirate,' were building on a foundation in Baptist life which was already laid."

"The Antecedents of Landmarkism".
By LeRoy B. Hogue
________
Table of Contents

Preface

A Historical Resume of the Landmark Movement

Chapter I
The Bible Controversy: A Contributing Factor
in the Rise of the Landmark Movement


Chapter II
Landmark Antecedents in New England

Chapter III
In the Philadelphia Association

Chapter IV
In the Carolinas

Chapter V
In Georgia

Chapter VI
In Tennessee

Chapter VII
Conclusion

Also see this enormous Bibliography.
 

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Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I’m constantly amused by people attempting to smear PB’s with the term ANTI-missionary. Recently I asked for advice & councel from Elder Chris Crouse (a well rebound pastor in a PB church in Florida) about supporting a dying Baptist Church in northern NJ….bottom line is that Chris offered to travel to NJ to assist them with sermons, meetings, etc and to have various other PB Elders also provide their services to that particular church. Sooo, is that willingness to provide support considered a missionary effort or do you have something else in mind?
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
You've been told this before during one of your previous 'episodes', and smears of the PBs - scroll

see
If you haven’t specifically studied Andrew Fuller, especially with what he did to the entire Baptist movement, then you are really missing a critical piece of the puzzle and you need to hop to it and discover how this guy attempted to change doctrine, operating procedures etc…. I consider him like a Soviet mole weaseling his way through scripture and disrupting much.
 
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