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. 8 Craigsville, WV February 2007
FUNDAMENTAL FAITH
By Elder Robert Bob Glenn
Dickerson, Jr.
10-5-1930 to 1-12-14
Article IX:
WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE UNJUST,
THAT THE JUST SHALL BE RAISED, CHANGED AND FASHIONED LIKE
UNTO THE GLORIOUS BODY OF THE SON OF GOD, AND DWELL IN
HEAVEN FOREVER, SOUL AND BODY REUNITED: AND THAT THE UNJUST
SHALL BE RAISED AND CONSIGNED TO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.
"...there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the
just and unjust" Acts 24:15; "And these shall go away into
everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal"
Matthew 25:46.
The scriptures plainly declare that there is a day which God
has appointed wherein He shall raise the dead. The
scriptures also declare that both the just and the unjust
shall be raised. "And many of them that sleep in the dust of
the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2). "The hours is
coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear
his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28¬29).
"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just
and unjust" (Acts 24:15). These scriptures plainly
declare a difference in the purpose of the resurrection of
the just and the unjust; and a difference in their state
after the resurrection."
1. THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God;
and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we
ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:16-17). In I Corinthians
15 the apostle makes it clear that this will be a bodily
resurrection. It will be our own body, and not another. (See
Job 19:25-27; Rom. 8:11, 23.) Yet it will be changed like
unto that of the glorious Son of God, even as God did
predestinate from the beginning. (Rom. 8:29; Phil. 3:21; I
John 3:2.) It will not be as it is here on earth (Matt.
22:30). This resurrected body will be perfect, Heavenly,
incorruptible, glorious, powerful, immortal (I Cor.
15:42-57). This reuniting of soul and body in absolute
perfection will be the consummation of the great work of
salvation. In this state the elect shall live eternally with
God in Heaven delighting in His presence and in a land
wherein all sorrow, sickness, affliction, sinfulness, and
death will have passed away (Rev. 7:14-17; 21:4). What joys
will be ours there the human tongue cannot tell nor the
human mind imagine. The greatest joy will be to dwell in the
presence of God; to continually praise His mercy and grace;
to delight in His holiness and perfection; to "serve him day
and night in his temple" (Rev. 7:15). This condition shall
never be interrupted or marred in any wise it shall
eternally be so (John 11:26; I Thess. 4:17; Luke 20:36-38).
What a glorious thought to serve God in perfection, no
more hindered by the weakness of the flesh and the constant
temptation to sin.
2. THE RESURRECTION OF THE UNJUST.
The kind
of body with which the unjust are raised is not stated. They
are brought to judgment before the throne of God's holiness
and righteousness (Rev. 20:11-15). (All the judgment
deserved by the elect was borne by Christ thus they are
not present in this judgment.) The result of this judgment
is that "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death." This does not imply annihilation
of existence but a never-ending death, for the term
"death" indicates "separation from God" (II Thess. 1:8-9).
So Adam died the day he sinned; not corporally but in
separation from God (Gen. 2:17; 3:23-24). The holiness and
righteousness of God could be satisfied with no less than
eternal punishment of wickedness. Such would be the lot of
all of Adam's race were it not for the grace of God in
electing some to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
(See also Acts 17:31; II Peter 2:9; Matt. 25:46; Rev.
14:9-11; 21:8; and similar scriptures.) |