What We Believe
When a person first visits a Primitive Baptist Church, he will notice a simple worship service which consists of congregational singing, prayer and preaching. Families of all ages worship together, and singing is acapella (without musical instruments). The focus of the service is on honoring Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Church is under the authority of her husband and head, Jesus Christ, and should be submissive to him in all things (Ephesians 5:23-25). Therefore, the church should not desire to be like the world (1st Samuel 8:19-20, Romans 12:2) but rather be satisfied with the fullness of the Lord’s house (Psalms 36:8).
The following is a brief description of what Primitive Baptists believe concerning the doctrine of the Bible which includes the fundamental principles of salvation by grace and the practice and order of the church.
The Name Primitive Baptist
The word “Primitive” means original or first of the kind. It is one of many names the church has been called since it was established by Jesus during his earthly ministry (Matthew 16:18). Other names through history have been Christians (Acts 11:26), Donatists, Waldenses, Albigenses, Anabaptists, Novations, Lollards and Baptists.
The name “Primitive” was first used in the early 1830’s when a major division came in the Baptist family. One group advocated a general atonement with salvation by the work of Christ, plus belief of the gospel by the sinner. They came to be known as “New School” or “Missionary Baptists”. The other group continued holding steadfastly to the doctrine of “Particular Redemption” with salvation entirely by the grace of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. They came to be known as “Old School” or “Primitive Baptists”. Therefore, the word “Primitive” denotes the desire to maintain the identity of the Lord’s church as he established it and gave it to his disciples.
The Purpose of the Church
The gospel is simply good news and glad tidings to the born-again child of God who feels to be poor and needy and unworthy of God’s mercy and grace. It declares that Jesus paid the sin debt, saved His children from their sins and preserves them in Christ for all eternity. To those who know themselves to be sinners, the grace of God in Jesus Christ is their only hope. This gospel of grace, then, is of utmost importance. It is the only message for sinners. To those whose eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit to see the exceeding sinfulness of their sins, the message of sovereign grace is truly “a joyful sound.” (Isaiah 40:1 & 9, Isaiah 52:7, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2nd Timothy 1:9-10, John 21:15-17, Acts 20:28, 1st Peter 5:1-3)
The Scriptures
We believe the scriptures are inspired and preserved by God (2nd Timothy 3:16, 2nd Peter 1:20-21), without error or contradiction (Psalms 12:6-7, Proverbs 30:5-6). We also believe the King James 1611 translation of the scriptures to be a work of God’s Providence in preserving the scriptures for English speaking people. Everything people need to know about God, the after-life, the nature of man, relationships, attitudes, decisions, ethical values, problem solving, life, and death is addressed comprehensively in Scripture. (2nd Timothy 3:14-17).
The Purpose of the Gospel
The gospel is simply good news and glad tidings to the born-again child of God who feels to be poor and needy and unworthy of God’s mercy and grace. It declares that Jesus paid the sin debt, saved His children from their sins and preserves them in Christ for all eternity. To those who know themselves to be sinners, the grace of God in Jesus Christ is their only hope. This gospel of grace, then, is of utmost importance. It is the only message for sinners. To those whose eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit to see the exceeding sinfulness of their sins, the message of sovereign grace is truly “a joyful sound.” (Isaiah 40:1 & 9, Isaiah 52:7, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2nd Timothy 1:9-10, John 21:15-17, Acts 20:28, 1st Peter 5:1-3)