Early Associations Bear Witness

It is most unfortunate that historical records are often hard to come by. There are probably multitudes of articles of faith, church histories, and circular letters which are buried in obscurity which I would like to post as proof of the true Old Baptist position. Confining it only to associations, below is the witness of some of the early ones I’ve been able to find before the birth of conditionalism began to deny them. It would be wise for many to return back to the sentiments of their forefathers.

The Certainty of Conversion

“We believe, in like manner, that God's elect shall not only be called, and justified, but that they shall be converted, born again and changed by the effectual workings of God's holy Spirit.” (1777 Kehukee Association Articles of Faith)

“We believe all those who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world are, in time, effectually called regenerated, converted, and sanctified; and are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.” (1807 Mississippi Association Articles of Faith)

The Necessity of Faith and Repentance

”…we constantly affirm the necessity of ‘repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,’ in order to happiness here and hereafter.” (1834 Warwick Association Circular Letter)

Absolute Predestination

“Holding the doctrine of total Depravity, by the fall of Adam; the predestination of all things in the council of God; Eternal and Personal Election; Particular Atonement, Efficacious grace in the work of regeneration; Perseverance of Saints through grace to glory; the Resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust; the eternal punishment of the wicked, and Everlasting Happiness of the righteous.” (Summary of the Faith of the Chemung Association, 1841)

Gospel Means

”THO’ a Sovereign God, may work above, beyond, and without means, according to His own good pleasure, yet as He hath been pleased to ordain means, and accompanied them by the displays of His power for the conversion and salvation of multitudes of poor sinners…” (A Concise History of the Ketocton Baptist Association, 1808)

Predestination and Means

”Now if all Things were known of God as they invariably come to pass, through all Eternity, the Result is; They could not be so foreknown of him, if they could, might, or may, otherwise come to pass. So that upon the whole; if his complete Foreknowledge of all Things is confessed; it ought with the same parity of Reasoning also to be owned, that he is able, and of consequence can, predetermine all Things, with as much justice and equity as he foreknows all Things, as they invariably come to pass, through all eternity. However, We hope we shall not be so understood, as to exclude the use of Means in any case whatever; nor on the other Hand, to idolize Means; for God is at Liberty to work by them, without them, above them, or against them at his divine Pleasure; though in common has seen fit to honor the timely, prudent, and humble use of them with a Blessing:" (1793 Portsmouth Association Circular Letter)

Perseverance

“We believe in election from eternity, effectual calling by the Holy Spirit, and justification in his sight only by imputation of Christ righteousness. And we believe that they who are thus elected, effectually called, and justified, will persevere through grace to the end, that none of them are lost.” (1816 Sandy Creek Association Articles of Faith)

“We believe that such as are converted, justified and called by His grace, shall persevere in holiness, and never fall away.” (1777 Kehukee Association Articles of Faith)

Conversion as Regeneration

“It is claimed by all Primitive Baptists , so far as we know, that until a person is converted to Christ, or in Christ, that such person is in bondage to sin…” (History of Fisher’s River Primitive Baptist Association)