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. 7 Craigsville, WV January 2007

FUNDAMENTAL FAITH

By Elder Robert “Bob” Glenn Dickerson, Jr.

10-5-1930 to 1-12-14

Article VIII       “WE BELIEVE IN THE FINAL PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS.”

“To them who are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" Jude 1:1

This is a doctrine which seems extremely difficult for many people to believe. They may even refer to "salvation by grace" but then contend that retaining such salvation is dependent upon the faithfulness of the individual. Yet on perhaps no other subject is the Bible as clear and definite as it is on this subject.  First of all, were this not a cardinal doctrine of salvation, it would immediately open to question the wisdom of God. For of what value would be the plans and purposes of God in election, predestination, justification, calling and glorification, if all of this may be made of no avail by the unfaithfulness of the recipient of His grace. God's election and predestination, the death of His Son, the work of the Spirit in regeneration would all be voided by the individual if God were dependent upon us to keep ourselves saved. Certainly, God who knew all things and who possessed all power and wisdom, must have made sufficient provision for this also when He predestinated His elect to be "conformed to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29). But again, the Bible does not leave us to guess. Here are the clear teachings of the scriptures on this subject.  Jude 1:1 — "...to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called." I Samuel 2:9 — "He will keep the feet of his saints." Psalms 37:28 — "The Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever." Job 17:9 — "The righteous shall also hold on his way." Psalm 97:10 — "He preserveth the souls of his saints." Psalm 34:7 — "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 94:14 — "For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance." I Peter 1:5 — "Who (the elect — see verse 2) are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (For I am persuaded that He is able!), ready to be revealed in the last time." II Peter 2:9 — "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations." Philippians 1:6 — "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." II Timothy 1:2 — "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded the he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." II Timothy 2:19 — 'The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." Romans 8:33 — "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Romans 8:35-39 — "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...Nay ...For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." John 6:37 — "all that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 10:28-29 — "And I give unto them (His sheep — see verse 27) eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

This doctrine does not teach that the saints shall never sin; but it does teach that the "blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin" (I John 1:7). The preservation of the saints is not based upon our faithfulness, but upon the fact that we are "kept by the power of God" (I Peter 1:5). Certainly the saints will often times stumble and fall; but, Psalm 37:24 — "Though he (God's saint) fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Psalm 89:30-34 — "If his children (those of the covenant of grace) forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." II Samuel 23:5 — "Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure...."

Certainly, if God's children disobey His law, He will chasten them in this life — but His promise is never to beak or alter the covenant of grace He has promised — not matter what happens. The objections to this doctrine are generally couched in the word "suppose." "Suppose the child of God does such and so," "Suppose Satan does such and such," etc. But is there anything we can suppose that God has not already supposed long before? In His wisdom He has foreseen all things and thus has made preparation for all eventualities. Thus Paul declares that there is nothing in life or in death, in the things now present or in whatsoever shall come to pass, that could alter the plans of God and thus separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).