BETHEL BAPTIST ASSN ( Georgia) NOT CALVINIST

 The Bethel Baptist Assn. in Georgia was founded in 1832, from churches in the Columbus Assn. founded 1829. Bethel was founded upon general atonement principles, and was Non Calvinist by today's use of the term. They continuously used their original articles of faith, written in 1832 well into the 20th century. Below are the articles of faith as printed in the 1895 minutes. (See pics) Spelling errors are original to the text. Not much proof needed for this association, it is obvious they were not Calvinists by today's definition. The articles of faith do not come close to stating total depravity, only that we suffer the consequences of Adam's sin, not imputed guilt. The phrase "the blessings of salvation are made free to all people" and "God is no respecter of persons" shows their belief in general atonement., and election "is the gracious purpose of God" similar to how it is stated in the New Hampshire Confession. A "definite number" clause is glaringly missing. There is no "from the foundation of the world" or "before the world was" phraseology either, so they didn't even see fit to describe corporate election. Article 6

 ARTICLES OF FAITH OF BETHEL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
Article 1. We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired
and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author,
salvation for its end and truth without any mixture of error for its matter.
Art. 2. We believe there is one true and living- God, and only one, whose*
name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of the Universe, revealed un-
der the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost, equal in every divine perfection.
Art. 3. We believe that man was created in a state of holiness under the law
of his Maker, but by voluntary trangression fell from this holy and happy
state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners and under just
condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Art. 4. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through
faith in the Son of God.
Art. 5. We believe that justification consists in the pardon of sin and the
promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness, and not any works of
righteousness which we have done but solely through Christ's redemption and
righteousness.
Art. 6. We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all people
by the gospel; that all are invited to Christ; that God is no respecter of per-
sons, but in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is ac-
cepted of Him.
Art. 7. We believe the doctrine of election ; that it is the gracious purpose
of God, according to which he regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners.
Art. 8. We believe in ''the perseverance of the saints;" that all these who
are truly regenerated and born again will ultimately be saved in heaven; that
a special providence watches oyer their welfare, and that they are kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation.
Art. 9 We believe that a gospel church of Christ is a congregation of im-
mersed believers in Christ, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship
of the gospel; that its only proper officers are bishops or pastors, and deacons.
Art. 10. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in
water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that it is prerequisite
to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper.
Art: 11. We believe that Communion is a church ordinance; that such only
are entitled to partake of it as have given a credible evidence of faith in Christ
and have been legally baptized.
Art. 12. We believe in a general judgement and the resurrection of the dead
and the end of this world; that at the last day Christ will descend from heav-
en and raise the dead from the grave to a final retribution ; that a solemn sep-
aration will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punshment and the righteous to endless joy, and that this judgment will fix for-
ever the final state of man in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

 



 

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