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. 5 Craigsville, WV November 2006
FUNDAMENTAL FAITH
By Elder Robert “Bob” Glenn
Dickerson, Jr.
10-5-1930 to 1-12-14
Article VI:
“WE BELIEVE IN THE PARTICULAR, ETERNAL AND UNCONDITIONAL
ELECTION OF GOD'S CHILDREN.”
“According as he
(God) hath chosen us in him
(Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before him
(God)
in love" (Eph. 1:4).
We believe that eternal salvation proceeds from God's decree
of election and is brought to pass according to that which
He has predestinated. Before the creation of the world, God
(who has perfect foreknowledge) saw the result of Adam's
sin, the sinful condition of all mankind (Psalm 14:2-3).
Before the creation of the world, God chose to Himself some
out of Adam's race to be saved (Eph. 1:4). Those whom He
chose for salvation, He predestinated to this end (Rom.
8:28-30). Before the foundation of the world, He entered
their names in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 17:8). We
further believe that ONLY those whom God chose will be saved
(Rev. 20:15); and that ALL of those whom God chose will be
saved (John 6:37). See also II Thessalonians 2:13; II
Timothy 1:9.
There
are many today who state they believe in election, but view
election as only opening a possibility of salvation for all.
Or else they view God's election as dependent upon some
reaction such as faith or repentance, which He foresaw in
the individual. But the Bible plainly declares that God's
election is particular, eternal, and unconditional.
God did
not choose all to be saved. Such could not be properly
called election or a choice. God chose some out of the human
race to live with Him in glory. The Apostle says not of all
the inhabitants of Ephesus; but of the "saints which are at
Ephesus" that "he (God) hath chosen us in him (Christ)
before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4). See also I
Peter 2:8-9 and John 15:19.
This
choice was made in eternity for eternity. (Eph. 1:4-5; II
Tim. 1:9; Rev. 20:15). This choice is completely
unconditional. That is to say, first of all, that it was
God's choice — not God's choice blended with ours. The world
today says that it is up to us to choose — but the
scriptures declare that the choice was God's alone (Eph.
1:4; John 15:16). Secondly, this choice was not dependent
upon any action from us to make it effective. It stands sure
and steadfast regardless of what we may do — II Timothy
2:19; II Samuel 23:5, 7:14-16; Romans 11:29. Thirdly, this
choice was not made because of any condition of good, any
response to the gospel, or any other condition which God had
foreseen in us. Rather indeed, the foreknowledge of God
revealed only the complete depravity of mankind (Rom.
3:9-20). The election, as clearly illustrated in Jacob and
Esau, was made before any acts were performed (Rom.
9:10-13). That which men often cite as conditions to
salvation (faith and repentance) are actually the fruits or
results of salvation (Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 2:4; Acts
5:31). God's election is most clearly affirmed to be "not
according to our works" (II Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:5-6).
What
then was the basis of God's choice? The Bible says simply
that it was "according to the good pleasure of his will"
(Eph. 1:5).
God not only chose some to dwell with Him in eternity, but
predestinated all things that were necessary to bring this
to pass (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:4, 5, 11).
Is not
election unfair? Sinful man can blame none but himself for
his continual rebellion against God. Election has not
altered the status of the wicked. The wicked are judged
"according to their works" (Rev. 20:13). Had God not chosen
some to salvation, then none would be saved (Rom. 3:11). God
would have been fair to have saved none, but for His own
glory He purposed to save some. Read Romans 9:10-24.
The
world hates the doctrine of God's particular, eternal and
unconditional election, but those who are made to see
themselves as helpless sinners rejoice in it; for if God had
not chosen us to salvation, we would have never had any hope
of salvation or any possibility of obtaining it.
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