On The Origins of Non Predestinarian Primitive Baptists

 When I first started in this historical journey of the different types of Baptists, I was told there was no such thing as a Primitive Baptist who rejected individual predestination (limited atonement). I didn't believe this and here's why. I found it very hard to believe that "the day after"after the split, the two sides embraced different doctrines and theologies. It just never made sense that the gulf that now exists when it comes to doctrine, existed before the split. If it had, the split would have occurred much earlier before the subjects of mission societies, Sunday schools etc arose. One side or the other changed their theology, and the question is, which side?  The division that occurred in the Baptist family during the early 1800's was not over doctrinal issues. The division was about methodology and whether or not certain institutions were authorized by Scripture. Among Missionary Baptists there were churches which embraced Calvinism and some which did not. Wouldn't the same be true among those Anti-missions Baptists? The answer turned out to be yes.

  So why are there so many who believe that ALL Primitives are (or were) Calvinists which turned hyper? Here is why. At the time of the split, I would venture to say the mission/ anti-mission split was about 50/50. Many associations split right down the middle. For the next few decades, the numbers on both sides remained fairly constant, with both sides founding new churches as the population grew. However, over the years there seems to have been numerous defections on the Primitive side, with many joining the Missionary side, having found nothing in Scripture that 1) would frown in any way the teaching of Scripture to children outside the church setting, 2) forbade the use of instruments, especially since the joy found in Christ should be at least as abundant as any joy found in the Law, which used instruments, 3) that forbade education of ministers, since Paul himself was educated in the Law. This is what I call "the first defection".

   The second defection occurred between the years of 1890 and 1920, when the "no means" doctrine became more solidified. This saw a huge defection of Primitive Baptist churches to the Missionaries, some going into the Southern Baptists (with those who were Calvinistic remaining so), some being independent, and others joining the Old Regulars, or the United Baptists. These defections would greatly increase the percentage of hyper Calvinist PB's within the Primitive movement, but not their numbers. The majority of these defections (tho not all) involved Primitive Baptists that embraced a general atonement, as they would be united in the belief that one must hear the gospel in order to be saved. This just makes common sense. However there remained many PB associations that were non predestinarian (non Calvinist) yet also non Arminian.

   You can see this clearly as an example of what happened in the Hiwassee United Baptist Association. This association in east Tennessee, split into missionary and anti-missionary early on. Yet both associations not only remained friendly with one another, but encouraged continued fellowship. The Hiwassee United Baptists split over "new innovations", yet they remained united in doctrine. In resolutions adopted in 1864 by the Hiwassee Baptist Association (missionary) and the Hiwassee Primitive Baptist Association they stated the following:

 "Be it resolved, 1. That the original constitution of said Association be the basis of such (re)union, and that the above named bodies reciprocally recognize the ministerial and church acts of each other, giving to brethren on both sides the right hand of fellowship, and that ministerial support is not only the right but the duty of our churches, but the method of accomplishing the same legitimately belongs to The church as a sovereignty under Christ, the only lawgiver in Zion, and where there are contiguous churches, that they unite in one body, and when members have been excluded by either body for disorderly conduct and received by the other, they should be dropt and required to make satisfaction to the excluding body, according to the rules of the Gospel."
 "Resolved, 3. That we advise the brethren composing the above named associations, more intimately to associate with one another in their religious meetings, and cultivate that brotherly love, and christian affection, which is so well calculated to endear brethren to one another; that the time may speedily come when we may be perfectly joined together in one mind and one Judgment, for which object, let every true christian pray."

   Here you can clearly see that even the Primitive Baptist side agreed that ministers should be supported (paid).  You can also see in resolution 1, that churches which had split, were encouraged to become one body again ("contiguous" churches), and the church discipline issued by either side was considered valid by both.. While a formal reunion never took place, some on the primitive side decided to formally align once again with their original association. Read the letter from Paint Rock Church in 1869 to the missionary side of the Hiwassee Baptist Association below. 

 "Paint Rock Church sendeth christian salutations to the messengers and delegates who may compose the Forty- seventh Session of the Hiwassee Baptist Association when convened with Fellowship Church, Meigs County, Tennessee, September 1869. Very dear brethren who may be present as above-named, you may think strange on the reception of this our friendly epistle from your little sister in gospel bonds; though we hope you will hear us while you may relate to you that we, your little sister had, in gone-by days, somewhat strayed off from you, or at least departed from the old land-marks of the Fathers, but we are thankful that through the light of Divine Grace, we have been enabled to see our error and return from the same by rescinding those erroneous acts, and the repealing of those acts of exclusion which we had declared against any and all of our Brothers and Sisters for a mere political opinion, and giving a notice of such repeal to our Brothers and Sisters, that they may renew their former fellowship with us, and among those whom we had excommunicated is Brother Martin Sharp, who we have cordially welcomed with us again, and chose him to bear this our letter to you, that you may know our whereabouts, to approve or disapprove our course, as you may choose - Brethren, we had lettered to our late Association, think best as we went off by mass to return the same way, if so be our sister churches would thus elect, if your clemency would thus favor our return. Brethren, pray for us, your little sister in Gospel bonds; Farewell. This done in church conference, this first Saturday in September 1869."

   Notice how the Primitive side declared that they were the ones who "departed" and wanted to return. It seems as the hyper calvinist side became more extreme in the views, the more non Calvinists and mild Calvinists desired to return to the former unions.

   The Hiwassee Baptist Association as well as the Hiwassee Primitive Baptist Association is not now, nor have they ever been predestinarian (Calvinist), or Arminian. To this day, both groups are united in doctrine. The same is true of the Eastern Association of Primitive Baptists and the association they split from. The same is also true of the Original Tennessee Association of Primitive Baptists, the Southern Association of Primitive Baptists, the Beaulah Association of Primitive Baptists and the Oak Grove Primitive Baptists. I am sure to discover more. Many more who used to exist, eventually reunited with their old associations, or became independent baptist churches.

   The Hiwassee Association of Primitive Baptists still exist with a total of about 20 churches, some in the association itself, some as independent PB churches, and some becoming non PB independent churches. They use instruments, have Sunday schools and camps, and have minister exchange/recognition with missionary churches, with one church calling a missionary minister to pastor. This happened among many, many PB associations that I have studied. Could this be further proof that the hardshells are the ones who "departed" the faith, especially when it comes to hearing the gospel and preaching to the lost?  Have the hardshells hidden and repressed, even destroyed history?  "Those who don't remember the past, are condemned to repeat it". Ken Mann