HOW BAPTIST ARTICLES OF FAITH CHANGED

 

A History of Unity Baptist Church, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky / by Otto A. Rothert

 

Unity Baptist Church, founded sometime between 1812 and 1814, like many other Non Calvinist Baptist churches, adopted articles of faith, which today may sound calvinistic to the modern ear. Later, in 1892, they adopted new articles of faith. Did Unity change their doctrine? No. Both sets of articles, as well as the history, can be seen in "A History of Unity Baptist Church, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, by Otto A. Rothert. The articles of faith are shown on pages 46-49 and can be read here or here .

As I have shown in numerous articles, the phrase in the original articles "chose his people in Christ before the foundation of the world" is found in a vast number of articles of faith of Non Calvinist Baptist churches, and is straight from scripture. Article 3 affirms original sin, however there is something missing when compared to most Calvinist articles of faith, which would usually (but not always)  say "We believe in original sin and the imputation of Adam's sin to his posterity". Notice there is no mention of a "definite number" or "particular election" found in Calvinist articles of faith. Notice also the ordo salutis in the 1814 articles. Notice article 13, which seems to hint that at some point, the articles will be updated. It is clear that article 13 relays the fact that many Baptists were averse to creeds and confessions, and that they could not be considered binding, as the Bible itself would be.

Now let's look at the updated articles of faith adopted in 1892. Is there anything that contradicts the 1814 articles? No. A Calvinist was quick to point out that article 6, which says "We believe that salvation is free to all who accept the gospel" is at variant with the original articles. I asked, "Where in the original articles does it state or imply that salvation cannot be obtained by anyone who accepts the gospel?" He gave no response.  Article 3 of the updated articles merely explains how they interpret "original sin" spoken of in the 1814 articles. There is still nothing that indicates the imputation of Adam's guilt. Article 9 from 1892 on election merely explains what election is, but does not contradict the 1814 articles at all, as they merely state that Unity Church believes in the doctrine of election, but fail to define it. Article 10 of the new articles replaces article 8 of the old. It describes how they interpreted "perseverance", along with Article 11, which states preservation and being kept by God. It should be noted that Calvinists themselves were divided on what perseverance meant. Some required a constant continuance of good works, as much as the Arminians, to prove your election, while others were totally antinomian. So even among Calvinists who share the same articles of faith, they may be interpreted differently from one group to another. The only thing that can be proved about Baptists having a "changed" from 200 years ago, is that they clarified, defined and changed terminology, not doctrine. The updated articles of 1892 were adopted by unanimous vote. If you know anything about Baptists, rarely does anything have the unanimous vote of the congregation. Surely if there was a change of doctrine, someone would have opposed the new articles, and a faction would have split from the church. But that didn't occur. There was no "abandonment" of Calvinism, for it was never the view of Unity Church to begin with.

ARTICLES OF FAITH AS SET OUT IN 

UNITY CHURCH RECORDS IN 1814

1 . We believe in one only true and living God, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
2 . We believe the Scriptures of the “
Old and New Testament are the words of God and the only rule of
faith and practice.
3 . We believe in the doctrine of original sin.
4 . We believe in the doctrine of election and that
God chose His people in Christ before the foundation of
the world.
5 . We believe in man’s impotency to recover himself
from the fallen state he is in by nature by his own will
and ability.
6 . We believe that sinners are justified in the sight
of God only by the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

7. We believe that God's
elect Shall be called, converted, regenerated and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
8 . We believe the saints will persevere in grace and
never finally fall away.
9 . We believe Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are
ordinances of Jesus Christ and that true believers are
the subjects ; and we believe the true mode of baptism
is by immersion.
1 0 . We believe in the resurrection of the dead and a
general judgment.
1 1 . We believe the joys of the righteous and the
punishment of the wicked will be eternal.
1 2 . We believe that no ministers have the right to
administration of the ordinances, only such as are regularly baptized, called and come under the  imposition of hands by the presbytery.
13 . These articles may be altered, amended or done
away at any regular business meeting by a majority if
two-thirds of the members are present.

ARTICLES OF FAITH AS SET OUT IN
UNITY CHURCH RECORDS IN 1892 

 1 . We believe that the Holy Bible, written by men
divinely inspired and full of unmixed truth, is a perfect
rule of faith and practice.
2 . We believe in one God—Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost.
3 . We believe that man, once holy, fell by voluntary
transgression from the happy state, and is now utterly
void of holiness.
4 . We believe that Sinners are saved by grace alone.
5 . We believe that men are justified by faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ.
6 . We believe that salvation is free to all who will
accept the Gospel.
7 . We believe that, except a man be renewed by the
Holy Spirit, he is not qualified or prepared for the
kingdom of Christ on earth, or to enjoy His glory here
after.
8 . We believe that repentance toward God and faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ are the duties of every one who
hears the Gospel.
9 . We believe that election is the eternal purpose of
God, by which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and
saves sinners.
1 0. We believe that sanctification, begun in regenera-
tion, and ever progressive, is the process by which we are
made to partake of God ’s holiness.
1 1 . We believe in the preservation of the saints ; that
they are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation.
1 2 . We believe that God ’s law is the only, the eternal
and unchangeable rule of His church an d moral government.
1 3 . We believe that a church of Christ '
is a congregation of baptized believers, united in the faith and fel
lowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances and
obeying the laws of Christ ; and that its officers are
pastors and deacons.
1 4 . We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer, in water, by a properly qualified administrator, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost.
1 5 . We believe that only such as have been properly
baptized and received into the fellowship of a regularly
organize d Baptist Church, should partake of the Lord’s
Supper.
1 6 . We believe that the Lord’s day or Christi an Sabbath, should be-
devoutly observed and sacredly devoted to religious services
1 7 . We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, and that the governors of States and nations should be obeyed, when the laws they seek to enforce are
not in conflict with the Gospel.
1 8 . We believe in the future resurrection of the dead.
1 9 . We believe i n the final judgment ; and that, in
that day, the righteous and wicked will be separated
forever.
2 0. We believe that the righteous will be made happy
forever in heaven, and the wicked miserable forever in hell.