Primitive Baptist

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Primitive Baptists are a group of Baptists that have an historical connection to the missionary / anti-missionary controversy that divided Baptists of America in the early part of the 19th century. Those currently denominated Primitive Baptists consist of descendants of churches and ministers that opposed the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions (organized in 1814), as well as other man-made additions to the church such as seminaries and temperance societies. Early leaders include Joshua Lawrence, John Leland, Daniel Parker, and John Taylor. Other names by which Primitive Baptists are known are Predestinarian Baptists, Old School Baptists, Regular Baptists, Particular Baptists and Hardshells. The word "Primitive" is sometimes taken by outsiders to mean "backward," but in context of this division among Baptists, it means "original." These churches attempt to retain and/or restore primitive (or original) patterns of the church, such as unsalaried ministers, a cappella singing (usually shape note singing), and feet washing.

The Primitive Baptists can be sub-divided into four main groups: (1) Limited Predestinarian; (2) Absolute Predestinarian; (3) Progressive; and (4) Universalists. This last group is the smallest and consists of 5 or 6 small associations in Appalachia that adapted the theory of universal atonement to the doctrines of Primitive Baptists.

The Limited Predestinarians are the largest group with around 50,000 members in about 1500 churches. While opposing the aforementioned "mission boards", some churches among this group are still very evangelistic, having constituted churches in such places as the Philippines, India, and Africa. Limited Predestinarians make a clear distinction between eternal salvation and gospel salvation as stated in the Fulton Confession of 1900. "We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a time [temporal] salvation received by the heirs of God distinct from eternal salvation, which does depend upon their obedience. The people of God receive their rewards for obedience in this life only. We believe that the ability of the Christian is the unconditional gift of God." The name Limited Predestinarian refers to their belief that God predestinated individuals (unconditional election) but not happenings. Although they believe that events in time are not predestinated, they maintain that God is daily involved in happenings and refer to this concept as God's "providential care".

The Absolute Predestinarians hold to the absolute predestination of all things. They reject the teaching that gospel salvation is conditioned on obedience. They are often charged with believing that God is the author of sin, but only a minority actually adhere to that idea. They number about 350 churches.

The Progressive Primitive Baptists separated from the main body around the turn of the 20th century, and have adopted such practices as Sunday School, instrumental music, homes for the aged, and various auxiliaries to the church. They have about 8000 members in over 100 churches.

In addition to these predominantly white Primitive Baptist groups, there are at least two types of Colored Primitive Baptists - Old School & National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A.. The Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists and Old Regular Baptists departed from the Primitive Baptists in the latter part of the 19th century.The Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit because their doctrine was not accepted by orthodox Primitive Baptist and the Old Regular Baptist because of their rejection of the doctrine of Absolute Predestination of all things to make God the direct author of evil and the doctine of Eternal Actual Vital Union.

The division of "Primitive Baptists" and "Missionary Baptists" cannot be recognized as occurring at one particular time. The Baptists of the early 19th century were separated by distance and lack of communication. In addition to this, each congregation was independent and autonomous. Though some confusion still existed as late as the 1840s, the declaration now known as the Black Rock Address clearly defined the issues and marked the separation of the two different philosophies. Representatives convened at Black Rock, Maryland on September 28, 1832 and set forth the "Primitive" position on tract societies, Sunday schools, Bible societies, missions, theological schools, and protracted meetings (revivals).

[edit] Sources

Primitive Baptists association minutes
A Portion For the Singers: A History of Music Among Primitive Baptists Since 1800, by R. Paul Drummond
Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
Handbook of Denominations, by Frank S. Mead & Samuel Hill
History of the Church of God, by Cushing B. & Sylvester Hassell
In the Hands of a Happy God, by Howard Dorgan

LINK: http://geocities.com/primitivebaptistbible