Series on Fundamental Faith 

 INTRODUCTION

As noted previously, this is a series of articles based on the "Articles of Faith" held by the Primitive Baptist churches. These Articles of Faith may vary in their wording from one section of the country to another, but in essence are the same as those proclaimed in the London (England) Confession of Faith in 1644 and the Philadelphia (USA) Confession of Faith, September 25, 1742. These are the items that our forefathers in the faith felt were essential in the belief of the local church. It was never intended that these Articles of Faith should replace the Scriptures, or be considered as superior to the Scriptures. Rather they are an attempt to make a simple statement of the principle doctrines found in the pages of the Bible.

In listing the reason we believe the Bible to be God's inspired word, I have drawn on external evidence to supplement the claims of the Scripture writers themselves. Having proved that the Bible is God's inspired word and the only rule for faith and practice, I have sought no other source to support the remaining articles other than the Bible. What Primitive Baptists believe and practice is based on the Bible. 

            The following is used by permission of: “The Primitive Baptist, The Christian Pathway – Gospel Appeal.”

GOSPEL APPEAL

Established July, 1966

An Earnest Appeal to a

Closer Observance of Gospel Truth

Vol. XLI No. 4 Craigsville, WV October 2006

FUNDAMENTAL FAITH

By Elder Robert “Bob” Glenn Dickerson, Jr.

10-5-1930 to 1-12-14

ARTICLE V:

"WE BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST TO BE THE SON OF GOD, THE ONLY SAVIOUR AND REDEEMER, AND THAT SALVATION IS BY HIS GRACE AND THAT ALONE."

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

We have shown that man cannot redeem himself from sin. But God has brought salvation to His people in Jesus Christ, the only Savior and Redeemer. This is the central theme of the Bible. The Old Testament speaks of Christ by prophecy and in type and shadow. The teaching of the New Testament is Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified (I Cor. 2:2).

Who is Jesus Christ? The Son of God and yet the Son of Man. His Father was God and yet he received an earthly body from the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:18-25). He was (and is) eternal God, and yet He took the body of man, subject to the temptations and trials of the flesh as you and I (Matt. 16:16; John. 1:1-3. 14; Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16). Thus He is qualified to be the mediator between God and Man (I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24).

Reconciliation: we have before proved two things from God's Holy word. 1. That the nature of God is completely pure and righteous. 2. That the nature of man is completely sinful and defiled. In order that any of the human race might spend eternity with God, steps must be taken to reconcile (bring agreement between) these contrasting natures. The word reconcile means "to change thoroughly from." And Jesus Christ came, according to the eternal plan of God, to change us from our sinful nature to the perfect nature of God (II Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:20-21). He did this by accomplishing the following:

a. Jesus paid the price for the sins of God's elect: God is a just God and could not set us free from sin unless the price of sin should be met (Ex. 34:7). As we could not meet that price, God sent His only Son, and Jesus paid that price for us in full (John 8:36; Rom. 3:24; II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53). The price that God required was the blood (death) of a perfect man (Heb. 9:22; I Peter 1:18-20; Eph. 1:7; Acts 20:28; Rom. 5:6, 9; Gal. 3:13; Rev. 5:9).

b. Jesus imputed unto God's elect His righteousness; Not only must the price for our sins be paid in order that the justice of God can be satisfied, but we must receive a nature as righteous as God's. That righteous nature is that of the eternal God manifested in His Son who was obedient to the Father in all things (Phil. 2:8). The Bible declares that Jesus did impute (account) that righteousness to us (I Cor. 1:30; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 3:21-26; 10:4.

Grace: Our salvation was wrought entirely by God. We had no part in the accomplishment of salvation. We were undeserving of salvation; it was truly God's unmerited favor to us. It was entirely through the "kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man" (Titus 3:4-7). That is grace. And truly "by grace are ye saved" (Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 5:20-21).

The Result: Here is a finished salvation. What more could a sinner need than this? Our sins paid for; the righteousness of God is ours — fully justified before God. We are free from the guilt of sin (Rom. 5:1, 9). We are free from the power or dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14). And one day we shall be free from the very presence of sin (Gal. 1:4). No accusation can be laid to our charge (Rom. 8:33-34). Our salvation is complete in Jesus Christ (John 8:36; Gal. 4:7). We have eternal life with God (John 3:16).

There is Salvation in no other: There are many religions in the world. But Jesus Christ is the only Saviour. In Him there is life; without Him there is no life (Isa. 63:5; I John 5:12; John 3:36; 6:68; 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Cor. 3:11; I Tim. 2:5).

All of the praise for salvation is due to Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. To take any of that glory and to give it to mortal men is a lie and a shame.