Primitive Baptists are a people who yearn for "the
simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11.3).
We hold to the plenary inspiration of Scripture, and strive to uphold its
ancient truths. We revel in the message that God is sovereign in all things
and is alone worthy of worship. We rejoice in the biblical theme that
"salvation is of the Lord," for in this simple truth He receives all glory
and honor and praise.
Rooted in New Testament church tradition, our corporate worship is
remarkably uncomplicated: congregational a cappella singing, prayer,
and biblical preaching. Entire families worship together, creating a strong
sense of family solidarity, and extending the pulpit ministry into
individual family devotions. This beautiful simplicity is designed to keep
Him the center of our focus, the object of our greatest desire: it's all
about Him.
Primitive Baptist church polity follows in the "free church" tradition of
our forebears; because no denominational structure exists, an element of
diversity develops between churches of the same identity. Each local
assembly answers to none but the great Head of the church, the Lord Jesus.
Ahhh. Simple truth, simple worship, simple practice — all centered around
a God who is anything but simple: He is infinitely loving, yet infinitely
wrathful and sin-avenging; He is infinitely holy, just and glorious, yet
intimately interested in His children. He is everything to us.
In modern usage, Primitive carries some
rather negative connotations. But when first applied to Baptists in the early
1800s, it simply meant original, and was used to identify those
holding to the earliest Apostolic traditions. We continue to employ
Primitive today to denote a passion for maintaining the simple,
untarnished teachings and practices of the New Testament church, and for
rediscovering the spirit and fervor of first century Christianity.
Any name by which we're known, though, pales in
comparison to the name we bear. We are, first and foremost,
Christians: we fly the banner of our Great King, the Lord Jesus Christ,
whose name is exalted high above all others.
Modern Baptists are a diverse people. And rather
than risk an honest misrepresentation of any particular group's beliefs,
we'll leave the comparison to you.
But here's something to consider: how do the Baptists you're familiar
with characterize God? Is their view consistent with Scripture? Is He
completely sovereign in salvation, or must man meet Him halfway?
We firmly believe that God is sovereign in all matters, and that salvation
is entirely by His grace and mercy. The sinner doesn't take the first step,
make a decision, or perform some ritual. God alone saves His people. And He
does it all the way.
The widespread use of musical instruments in church
worship is a fairly recent development, yet has become so nearly universally
accepted that many are fascinated to learn that we worship without accompaniment.
But our a cappella worship is not designed to arouse
curiosity or fascination; it is instead a principled position.
The New Testament — our pattern for church worship — contains several references
to music in worship: Matthew 26.30 (paralleled in Mark 14.26); Acts 16.25; Romans 15.9;
1 Corinthians 14.15; Ephesians 5.19; Colossians 3.16; Hebrews 2.12; James 5.13. None of
these passages may be applied to musical instrumentation: they deal specifically with vocal
exercise — lifting the voice in praise to God. The clear implication is that musical
instrumentation in corporate worship is not God's design.
The Old Testament, though, does describe musical
instruments in the context of worship. Herein we discover a great biblical
truth that complements New Testament teachings. In Old Testament worship,
all acceptable sacrifices were dead sacrifices, pointing forward to the
coming Christ, the perfect, spotless Lamb whose sacrificial death would
atone for sin. Jesus Christ was the last of the dead sacrifices.
But His resurrection was pivotal: He became the first of the living sacrifices.
And God's Word today exhorts us to make living sacrifices: "present your bodies a
living sacrifice" (Romans 12.1); "offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually" (Hebrews 13.15); "do good and
communicate... for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews
13.16). These are living sacrifices: living bodies, living praise, living
works.
Old Testament worship was all about death. The
tabernacle was constructed of badger skins, wood, silver, gold and
linen — all of it dead. The mortal priest wore dead garments.
The sacrifice he brought was a dead sacrifice. And the musical
instruments played were dead instruments.
New Covenant worship is all about life. The Spirit of the Lord dwells in
living tabernacles. The Great High Priest, clothed in righteousness, is
alive evermore! The sacrifices that we offer are living
sacrifices. And the musical instruments we play are living instruments.
God's simple design for music in worship — congregational a cappella singing
— completely removes focus from musical performance, and centers our affections
on the One to whom all worship is due.
Sovereign grace beliefs frequently are associated
with a lack of evangelistic fervor. We firmly believe, however, that the Doctrines
of Grace are the foundation for sound, successful evangelism.
We believe that the church's mission is to spread the gospel, for it is the power
of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Romans 1.16). We are passionate
about evangelism, for it brings worship where worship did not previously exist.
Individual evangelistic opportunities occur daily as believers model Christ's love,
share with others their joy in walking with Him, and stand ready always to answer the
question, "What makes you different?" But our outreach doesn't stop there:
as God has opened international doors of opportunity, faithful servants have been willing
to answer the call. Today there are active evangelistic efforts in the Philippines, India
and Kenya, as well as radio and tape ministries extending even to remote corners of the
world.
The joyful celebration of baptism, symbolic of our Lord's death,
burial and resurrection, marks entrance into and identity with the church community.
All those professing godly repentance and belief in Jesus Christ are warmly welcomed into the
fellowship.
