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.)