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. 1 Craigsville, WV
July 2006
FUNDAMENTAL FAITH
By Elder Robert Bob Glenn
Dickerson, Jr.
10-5-1930 to 1-12-14
ARTICLE II:
WE BELIEVE IN THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD, AND THAT THERE
ARE THREE PERSONS IN THE GODHEAD, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY
GHOST, AND THAT THESE THREE AGREE IN ONE, ARE CO-EQUAL,
CO-ETERNAL, AND CO-EXISTENT.
For
there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" (I John
5:7).
The Bible
does not attempt to prove that there is a God but begins
with this statement of fact: "In the beginning, God..."
(Gen. 1:1). The Bible does abundantly declare that there is
only one God (Deut. 6:4) and that this God is a living God
(Jer. 10:10). See also Isaiah 43:10, 11; 44:6; I Cor. 8:5,
6.
While there
is but one God, yet He manifests Himself in three persons,
each of whom is a partner in our salvation: The Father (Eph.
1:3, 4), The Son (John 17:2), and the Spirit (John 6:63).
These three have one essence (John 17:21) and agree in one
(I John 5:7). They are co-equal (John 10:30); co-eternal
(John 1:1-2; Heb. 9:14); and co-existent (Matt. 3:16-17).
See also Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; II Cor. 13:14. We
cannot explain the trinity to the satisfaction of the
natural mind, but must accept it to be as God declares it.
It is well to understand that there is no point in time
where God the Father or God the Son or God the Spirit had
their beginning; the "three in one" is the eternal nature
of God.
We may
undertake to examine also, under this article of faith, the
nature of God, as a knowledge of the true being of God is
necessary to an understanding of His work in salvation and
of the other dealings of God with His creation. Let us note
that all of the attributes of God, all of those
characteristics which bespeak of His nature, are equally
true of all three persons in the God-Head.
The Bible
often uses one word to speak of God for example, "God is
light," "God is love," "a consuming fire," "a spirit," and a
personality the eternal "I am." But there is no one word
which can completely describe God; no one word which can
completely describe the fullness of His nature. God is love;
but God is not love alone. These expressions only give us an
insight into the various aspects of the nature of God. Jesus
Christ was the Word (John 1:1) who by His life in the flesh
did demonstrate to us the true nature of God.
The Bible
declares that God is wise, eternal, immortal, invisible,
good, faithful, incomprehensible, immutable (unchangeable),
sufficient in Himself, infinite (not limited by time or
space). (I Tim. 1:17; Psa. 119:68; I Cor. 10:13; Psa.
139:1-6; James 1:17; Mal. 3:6; John 5:26; Eph. 4:6; Psa.
139:8). We must realize that when the Bible speaks of any of
the attributes of God, it declares that He is that in
perfection. God is not just wise but all wise; not just
good but all good.
The Bible
expressly declares the nature of God to be a nature of
supreme righteousness and holiness. He is pure (I John 3:3),
holy (Psa. 99:9), righteous (Psa. 145:17), just (Isa. 45:21)
and thus perfect (Matt. 5:48). His nature is the very
opposite of our sinful nature and He does therefore hate all
sin (Ex. 34:7; Nahum 1:2-3; Psa. 5:5). But the Bible also
declares Him to be a God of love (I John 4:8), mercy (Ex.
34:6, 7) and kindness (Titus 3:4); that is, a God of grace
(John 1:17). Thus it is on Calvary's cross that we see the
righteousness and mercy of God combined (Psa. 85:10).
God is
OMNIPOTENT (all-powerful). Rev. 19:6; Matt. 28:18; I Tim.
6:15; Gen. 18:14. He is the Creator, Provider and Sustainer
of all things (Rom. 11:36). He exercises His power in a
Sovereign manner that is to say, that God does as He
pleases and is not bound by the actions or reactions of men.
Psa. 115:3; Dan. 4:34, 35; Isa. 46:9-11. He does not need
the help or permission of man to carry out His will. God is
also OMNISCIENT (knows all things, past, present, and
future). Acts 15:18; Heb. 4:13; Psa. 147:5. God is also
OMNIPRESENT (everywhere present and nowhere absent). Psa.
139:7; I Kings 8:27.
Thus we believe there is only one God, and yet we know that
God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. All of the
attributes and identities of the nature of God that we have
listed are equally true of all three persons in the
God-Head. Is it any wonder that all glory and praise belongs
to our true and living God?
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