Questions and answers

The name ‘Primitive Baptist’ is not meant to imply that we are archaic or uncivilized. ‘Baptist’ gives the more obvious connotation of being baptistic – meaning following the tenets of full immersion baptism for believers only. So what does the word ‘Primitive’ mean? ‘Primitive’ can be defined as pertaining to an original state. We consider ourselves to be historic Baptists, following the original Baptists’ beliefs and practices as exampled in the historic Particular Baptist Confessions of England. We certainly have contemporary amenities and enjoy modern living; however, we believe that ‘Primitive’ Christianity can best be demonstrated through a simple worship style, the message of salvation by grace alone, and an earnest desire to glorify God in every action in accordance with His word.

Primitive Baptists practice Family Integrated Worship. Family Integrated Worship is where all ages and genders worship together. This is exampled in the Bible as children were in the presence of Jesus as he preached and how entire households were Baptized together after the gospel was preached (Matthew 18:1-4, Mark 19:13-14, Acts 16:15). Children were always in the presence of adults during corporate worship and there is no record in the Bible or early church history where there was segregation based on age or gender.

Furthermore, Family Integrated worship is not only God ordained, but it is also safe for protection and beneficial for training. A Family Integrated congregation allows for children to stay safe in the presence of their parents. No child is left by themselves with non-relative adults. This helps protect children and trains them to worship as adults.

Primitive Baptists follow the Regulative Principle of Worship. The Regulative Principle states that whatsoever is not commanded or exampled in the New Testament for worship is forbidden. The New Testament gives a positive command to sing praise to God with our voices from the heart (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). There is no command in the New Testament to use any specific man made instruments.

It is true that Israel used musical instruments. However, what regulated Old Testament worship in Israel (the Mosaic Law) is different than the New Testament commands given to the Church by the apostles. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law and has given us the New Covenant worship for Church age believers. Furthermore, this is the historic position of most denominations until the 19th century.

Primitive Baptists have many talented musicians in their congregations, but these musicians equally believe that God’s word alone regulates the worship of God. God is the audience and object of our worship. He alone dictates the method of adoration to him.

Primitive Baptists believe that the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is the best translation from the best manuscripts of the Hebrew Old Testament (Masoretic Text) and Greek New Testament (Textus Receptus). Primitive Baptists do not force those in the congregation to only read from the KJV. Many ministers also compare and contrast various translations in sermon preparation. With that said, Primitive Baptist ministers utilize the KJV during worship for accuracy purposes and for unity of the congregation.

Early Modern English began around 1450-1500AD. Old English was from 450-1100 AD. Middle English was from 1100-1450AD. Most people cannot actually read Old and many would find it difficult to understand Middle English.

There were actually 6 Modern English Translations before the KJV. The reason many think the KJV and earlier translations were in Old or Middle English is because they used Gothic font, there was no standardized spelling, certain letters were written differently to show how to pronounce them, and it was not until after 1611 that the English alphabet was complete.

In reality, we can thank the printing press and the popularization of the KJV for our syntax being frozen in time and enjoying Modern English for so many centuries. The KJV Bible literally has made our language stand still since its introduction into history.

Primitive Baptists believe that a person is saved solely by the sovereign grace of God. All people are unable to save themselves (John 6:44). It takes the drawing power of God to save them (John 6:37). Therefore, God chose a people before time existed (Ephesians 1:4-5). Jesus died and atoned for the sins for those chosen to salvation (Matthew 1:21). All for whom Jesus Christ died will be saved by grace through faith; or born again, regenerated (Ephesians 2:8-10, John 5:25, Romans 8:29-30). All of God’s children will then be preserved in grace to be glorified during Christ’s second coming. God’s chosen will spend eternity with him.

Primitive Baptists are historic, Particular Baptists. Primitive means original, and we try to follow original Baptist principles seen throughout all ages. This can be observed through The Doctrines of Grace and the worship service. Particular Baptists held to Particular Redemption (the Doctrines of Grace) and baptistic ecclesiology (worship).

1. The Doctrines of Grace are often taught by using the acrostic TULIP. TULIP stands for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited (or definite) Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and the Preservation of the Saints. These teachings can be evidenced in history by viewing the various historic Particular Baptist confessions, such as the 1644, 1646, and 1689 London Confession, the 1655 Midland Confession, the 1729 Goat Yard Confession, the 1742 Philadelphia Confession, and the 1900 Fulton Confession.
2. Historic Baptist worship follows what is called the Regulative Principle. The Regulative Principle states that whatever is not commanded or exampled in the Bible is forbidden in worship. This means that the Bible regulates worship with positive commands and examples. When observing a Primitive Baptist worship service, you will see family integrated worship, congregational a cappella singing, prayer, the study of the word, and 2 ordinances practiced (believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper). This Regulative Principle makes worship simple, God focused, and removes personal preferences in place of Biblical convictions.

In conclusion, we follow the rich biblical heritage of historic Particular Baptists in both the belief in salvation by grace alone and original Baptist ecclesiology.

Both groups hold similar beliefs on many core Christian essentials. Most within both groups affirm the Trinity, the eternal Sonship of Christ, the inspiration and preservation of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, the Hypostatic union, the sovereignty of God in salvation, eternal security, as well as many other Baptist and sovereign grace believer distinctives.

With that said, there are vivid distinctions between these two groups. Below are 5 strong contrasting differences. These 5 points will concisely focus primarily on the theological differences and not the historical development, or history of the two groups.

1. Duty faith. Primitive Baptists do believe it is the duty of all to repent but deny that it is the duty of those not chosen in Christ to believe in Christ as their savior, which he is not. Primitive Baptists do not agree with duty faith and Reformed Baptists generally do.
2. Atonement. Primitive Baptists believe that the atonement was sufficient only for those it was also efficient. Reformed Baptists generally hold that it was sufficient for all and efficient only for the elect.
3. Well-meant offer of the gospel. Primitive Baptists believe that the gospel should be preached openly and to all people but deny that it is an offer for those not elected to salvation to get saved. Reformed Baptists affirm a well-meant offer.
4. Regeneration and Conversion. Primitive Baptists make a strong distinction between regeneration and conversion, holding that God gives spiritual life without using the gospel as a medium. The gospel would then be the instrument of conversion, to give the benefits of salvation to those given spiritual life. Reformed Baptists typically hold that the gospel is the instrument or means of regeneration.
5. Justification. Primitive Baptists believe that we are justified before God by Christ on the cross. Reformed Baptists hold to sola fide, which states that we are justified by God when we believe. Primitive Baptists do believe that we are justified by faith, but this justification is in the courtroom of our own mind as it apprehends Christ, who has justified the elect. This belief can be best seen historically in the 1644/1646 London Confession of Faith and through the writings of the 18th Century Particular Baptist Pastor John Gill.

For further study, consider reading Particular Redemption by William Rushton. William Rushton followed the theological heritage of John Gill, as many Primitive Baptists also do today.

Note: These are generalities and may not fully represent all Primitive Baptists or all Reformed Baptists. There may be overlap on beliefs depending on the various individuals you may speak with in each denomination.