The Second Galatian Confession of Faith

Think your appeal to an Old Baptist confession carries any weight? Think again.

There has been a lot of ink spilled on the issue of confessions in the Baptist church in recent years, from a variety of different perspectives. There are those who appeal to the Second London Confession of 1689, others who look to the Fulton Confession of 1900, while still others point to a variety of other historic Baptist confessions such as the Midland Confession of 1655 or the Goat Yard Declaration of 1729. Stepping back to take in the vast landscape of confessions that have been written among Baptists, and the subsequent discussions of their relative merits, it occurs to me that one confession is conspicuously absent - The Second Galatian Confession of Faith (SGC). This oversight is particularly alarming when one considers that the provisions of this confession are explicitly spelled-out in the book of Galatians by the apostle Paul under divine inspiration. A closer look at the Second Galatian Confession of Faith yields two indisputable observations that must govern our attitude regarding all such creeds and confessions:

Primitive Baptists and Creedalism

As a Primitive Baptist I am often asked regarding my adherence to various historical creeds of the Christian faith. Many assert that apart from affirming the Second London Confession of 1689, or the Fulton Confession of 1900, etc., one cannot be considered an "Old Baptist." But is one's claim to being an Old Baptist beholden to one's allegiance to the historic creeds of the last few centuries?

Why Primitive Baptists are NOT Calvinists

Primitive Baptists are very commonly regarded as "Calvinists" by those who know a little bit about our beliefs. This is no doubt due to our affirmation of the doctrine of salvation by grace (TULIP) which embraces the biblical concepts of election and predestination.  Cautionary words regarding the use of the term "Calvinism" notwithstanding, I would say that while PBs and Calvinists (of the Westminster Confession of Faith / Second London Confession sort) share some beliefs in common, their respective theological systems are radically different in a number of very important ways. In the interest of helping people clearly distinguish between the two, and at the risk of painting with too broad a brush, I would categorize the differences as generally falling into the following categories:

How PBs Differ from the American Baptist Association (ABA)

Primitive Baptists are often asked how they differ from other Baptist groups.  While there are many doctrinal issues on which we agree with our ABA brethren, this brief post endeavors to demonstrate our doctrinal differences with the American Baptist Association (ABA) by focusing attention on the aspects of their doctrinal statement we believe to be at great variance with the teaching of the scriptures.

How PBs Differ from the Southern Baptist Convention

Primitive Baptists are often asked how they differ from other Baptist groups.  While there are many doctrinal issues on which we agree with our brethren in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), this brief post endeavors to demonstrate our doctrinal differences with the SBC by focusing attention on the aspects of their doctrinal statement we believe to be at great variance with the teaching of the scriptures. 

What is the Church?

As I drive to work each day, I am certain that I pass a dozen or more houses of worship.  There are Southern Baptists, Catholics, Adventists, Presbyterians, Missionary Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, and a host of others. A reasonable question for anyone seeking the identity of the Lord's church is - Which of these numerous denominations most closely resembles the institution the Lord Jesus Christ established? Since each of these churches teaches a distinctly different doctrine and practice, it is obvious to any reasonable person that they cannot all be right. Which church then most closely resembles the doctrine and practice of the apostles?

The Covenants by Elder James Oliphant (Audio Book)

In this audioblog version of his short essay, The Covenants, Elder James Oliphant gives a concise and accurate summary of some of the covenants found in the bible with particular attention given to the conditional and unconditional natures of each, and the ramifications of such on the everlasting covenant of salvation.  A proper understanding of the unconditional nature of this covenant, so far as man's participation therein is concerned, is a great remedy to many false doctrines taught today which seek to conjoin the works of God and man in the fulfillment of this covenant.

Five Primitive Baptist Distinctives

Often people ask us where we go to church. In our experience, when we respond by saying "I attend the Primitive Baptist Church" this inevitably leads to the question - "What makes Primitive Baptist's different from all of the other types of Baptists?" In response to that important question we offer up five Primitive Baptist distinctives for your consideration: