CIRCULAR LETTER of the
The South Carolina Primitive Baptist Association
VOL. 7. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1842 (see here)
"We believe, brethren, all those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased in his own appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his word and spirit, out of that state of sin and death which they are in by nature. Christ enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God. Again, Acts, 26: 18 "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of sat^n unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins." God has said he will take away the heart of stone, and give unto them an heart of flesh. And we believe he renews their wills by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them, to Jesus Christ. Yet they are made willing by that grace given them."
Notice that Acts 26: 18 is applied to that experience wherein a soul is delivered "out of that state of sin and death." How do today's Hardshells interpret Acts 26:18? Since Paul's preaching was to be the means in bringing about this salvation, Hardshells deny that it is part of that salvation that is necessary for one to enter Heaven. But, the first PBs did not interpret it as a "time salvation." Don't you see?
The circular continued:
"Here we see grace given in the effectual calling of God, and when God calls one of his elect sheep that he chose in his Son before time began, they are made by grace to hear his voice. This is what we understand to be the effectual and special callings of God's free and special grace alone. We don't believe it was from any thing that was foreseen in mnn, who is altogether passive therein, until being quickened and renewed by the holy spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace this grace offered and conveyed in it. 1 Cor. 2 ch. 14 v. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Here, brethren, is some of that despised doctrine, which carnal professors call a mystery, and for our holding which doctrine cease not to say, we who profess to believe in the doctrine, believe that idiots and infants are forever lost. But we are persuaded if these people, (who profess to be preachers,) were called on for proof of these accusations of theirs, they could give none. Brethren, we would here say to our accusers, we disavow the doctrine they accuse us with; for we believe infants who die in a state of infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the spirit who worketh when and where and how he pleaseth. And thus we believe all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word are saved, viz. they are regenerated and saved by the blood of Christ."
ASA BELL, Moderator, John L. Simpson, Clerk (here)
Is this not all in keeping with the 1689 London Confession?
CIRCULAR LETTER of The South Carolina Primitive Baptist Association (1858)
"Beloved Brethren: Your attention is invited to the consideration of the new birth, presented by our Lord and Saviour to Nicodemus, in the interesting conversation between them, as recorded in the third chapter of Christ's gospel by St. John, and at the 7th verse: Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. In this conversation Jesus said unto this teacher of the Jews, ye must be born again. The mysterious and imperishable operation of the word and spirit of God upon the heart of man, were not a matter of great surprise and astonishment to Nicodemus only; they have been regarded in the same light in all ages of the world, by those who know not God."
Notice how this new birth is an operation of "the word and spirit of God." That is in keeping with the 1689 Confession also. But, it is what is denied by today's PBs.
The Circular continued:
"The person to whom our Saviour addressed himself with so much earnestness on the necessity of being born again, was a man of intelligence and distinction amongst the Jews. He probably sat in Moses' seat, he was an expounder of the law and the prophets, a teacher of religion. But alas! when tried by the standard of eternal truth, low lamentably deficient was he found, in the first principle of ihe religion he pretended to teach. Hence the just inference is, that a man may attain to a great degree in things that pertain to religion, and yet be sadly deficient in those things that are spiritual, and that which pertain to the kingdom of God. To prevent mistakes on a subject of such vast importance, our minds should be directed on the present occasion to the consideration of the new birth, and our efforts employed in attempting to explain what is meant by the Saviour's expressions, ye must be born again.
First, what are we to understand by being born again? It surely cannot mean, a mere external reformation from gross immorality; nor a change from one system of religion to another; nor even from heathen idolatry to the Christian faith; nor in submission to the ordinance of Baptism; nor yet in firm persuasion that we are the children of God; zealously doing the work of our heavenly Father. The memorable instance of Simon Magus and Saul of Tarsus illustrates these remarks; the former believed historically, but the latter by the power of the word and spirit of God, working on the dark powers of the soul and diffusing life divine. Then the expression born again, and all other parable phrases found in the word of God, are two (sic) strong and distinct to admit of any consistent meaning, less than a radical change in the disposition of the soul.
We say a change or renewal in the disposition of the soul, because no new faculties are imparted to man in the new birth, none were lost by the fall and none are given in regeneration; the carnal mind or disposition of sinful man is enmity against God, in the new birth. A spiritual mind or disposition is given to man under the power and influence of the spirit of God, in which the powers and faculties of the soul receives a new and spiritual direction; the moral image of God was defaced in man by his apostacy, this image is restored in the new birth, by the word and spirit of God. This change or renewal is radical, it reaches to the thoughts and dispositions; the aims and ends of the new born soul is to glorify God, in the gift of his grace and spirit. All this is effected by the same mighty power and energy of God, which first give life and form to man; and which alone can rectify and restore that part of man, which was lost and disordered. Hence those who were the children of wrath, have now become the children of God by ihe blood of the covenant, and adopted heir of Christ into the grace of life, and are said to be born again, or translated from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and satan into the kingdom of Christ.
For it is the office of the spirit to illuminate the dark faculties of the soul, and to give it that faith which works by love and purifies the heart. And so wonderfully develops itself in the new born soul, that it shows it all the beauty and graces of Jesus, and enables the creature to receive the Saviour as their prophet, priest, and king. This is to be born again. There the regenerated soul is said to be God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them. As such old things are done away, behold all things become new.
What is it to be "born again"? It is "to receive the Saviour." Is that not clear? PBs who deny this today are not "Primitive," or "Old School," but are a new sect on the block.
The circular continued:
"But again, how or what is the effect on the sinner's heart? when brought to a knowledge of sin, the dead soul is quickened and made alive to feel and see its lost and ruined state, and to feel the condemning power of God's holy law and the justice of God in damning or banishing it from his presence for ever. And thus the soul or sinner is brought to mourn on account of his sin, and to dread the terrors of God's wrath, while God by his spirit sends his word into the heart as a sharp two-edged sword, piercing or dividing asunder of body and spirit; that spirit which defaced the glorious image of God, and put enmity between God and the sinner. And now he is brought to a knowledge of his sin by the power of the law, the sinner is now converted, convinced, and convicted, and sees himself a just monument of God's wrath, while the thunders of Mount Sinai rolls against the guilty soul, and it is the schoolmaster the Law takes the sinner and brings him to Christ. And here, brethren is the last blow the ox or the Law gives the sinner, it fells him and lays him at the foot of the cross, where that glorious fountain runs down. There is the time and place that Jesus comes with pardon, and applies his atoning blood. And now the sinner is enabled to look up to Jesus by faith, and see the streaming blood; this is the time of agonising with soul, there the time of godly sorrow, that worketh repentance, unto salvation, not to he repented of. And then is the time that Jesus applies the water, or the washing of water by the word and the sanctifying graces of his spirit; and there it is that the soul is regenerated and born again."
Do you see how these first PBs identified gospel faith and conversion with the new birth?
The Circular continued:
"Jesus is formed in the soul the hope of glory, then it is mercy and truth meet together in the soul; then it is that righteousness and peace kiss each other in the soul; and then the sinner is justified and reconciled to God through the faith of Christ, and the soul filled with that joy that is unspeakable and full of glory; then it is that a new song is put into the mouth, even praise to God. And may God add his blessings on and to his word, and keep us by his mighty power, and rule us by his glorious spirit. Amen."
That was what the forefathers of today's PBs (who deny gospel means) believed. Today's PBs are not primitive on this important doctrine
No comments:
Post a Comment