Then And Now

The latest series started by my fellow contributor inspired me to combine his recent findings with some of my own.

Let this serve as an example as how different the beliefs were then compared to what they are now. I tried to do the right thing when I was among those who claim to be Primitive Baptists by sharing some of this historical info, but was promptly ostracized for doing so.

THEN:

From Vol. 1 (1836) of "The Primitive Baptist"

(published out of Tarboro, N.C.)

Q. Why then is vengeance pronounced against them that obey not the gospel?

A. Because there is no way of escape from the vengeance due to breach of law, but by the gospel, or being born again, which embraces obedience to the gospel.

NOW:

"...God has redeemed a people out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Perhaps many may even be laboring under a false religious system, and may never experience gospel conversion. (www.paradisepbc.org)

THEN:

"We are informed by the apostle, in 2 Thes. 2: 13, that a sanctification of the spirit is necessarily connected with a belief of the truth" (John Watson, The Primitive Baptist, 1838)

NOW:

"Primitive Baptist believe that heaven will be populated with thousands of millions from among mankind, (Genesis 24:60, Hebrews 11:12 & Mark 10:45) we know that only a few will find the church and the truth of God in this life..." (www.paradisepbc.org)

THEN:

"God has inseparably connected His word and the gospel with the ingathering of His own chosen and redeemed people, and that as all these, both Jew and Gentile, must be brought, He has so connected His purpose, power, providence, and grace, that wherever He has a people in this world, His word will go, and His gospel will be proclaimed, in spite of all opposing power, and will not return unto Him void, or fall stillborn on the ears and hearts of men, but will accomplish the thing which He pleases, and prosper in the thing whereunto He sends it." (The Gospel: Its Purpose And Effect, Towaliga Primitive Baptist Association, 1896)

NOW:

"We believe that there will be millions of the "elect" saved in heaven who have never, nor will they ever, hear the gospel of the Son of God." (S.T. Tolley)