LITTLE BONNE FEMME BAPTIST ASSOCIATION (MO) NOT CALVINIST

 The Little Bonne Femme Baptist Association was formed in 1838 as the result of a division with the Salem Association. Salem had passed resolutions that it would correspond with both factions of the Mt. Pleasant Association, which had split over the missions issue. Those churches that left the Salem Assn.  and formed the Little Bonne Femme Assn. believed the Mt. Pleasant Association had violated the terms of union agreed upon by United Baptists by splitting over the issue. United Baptists had agreed that the support or non support of missionary societies should be no bar to communion. However, this did not mean that they tolerated an attitude of non evangelism, only that the methods for sending out the gospel could vary by supporting mission societies, or sending out evangelists who were only accountable to their local church. 

In the History of the Salem Baptist Association it mentions that the "more liberal minded churches withdrew". When the churches who left formed the Little Bonne Femme Association, they deliberately adopted articles of faith that other associations had adopted who made it clear that evangelism, in whatever form employed, was a requirement of any church of Christ. The Little Bonne Femme Asociation chose to exclude from their association "those that are opposed to the spreading of the glorious gospel of Christ as many fatalists do." Who were the "fatalists"? That would be Calvinists. Notice that they did not say all fatalists, but said many. Notice also that by saying many fatalists, they were also saying they were not of that stripe. "Fatalist" was a term used by Non Calvinists for Calvinism. Remember also that "liberal" meant general atonement and Non Calvinism. Those "liberal minded churches" who withdrew from Salem would be those churches who had, at least for a while. cooperated with Calvinist churches in the same association. When Salem agreed to correspond with both the missionary and anti missionary factions of the Mt. Pleasant Assn., the Non Calvinist churches withdrew and formed their own association.

For other associations that have proved to be non Calvinist with similar articles of faith see here and here and here. All of these prove that believing in the "doctrine of election" does not equate to believing Calvinist doctrines. Also, articles which say that God "chose his people in Christ..." WITHOUT adding a 'definite number" clause, have always turned out to be Non Calvinist bu today's usage of the term "Calvinism". The articles of faith of the Little Bonne Femme Association are as follows;

 1st. We believe in one only true and living God, the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. "

2d. That the Scriptures of the old and new Testaments are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice. "

3d. We believe in the doctrine of election, and that God chose his people in Christ before the foundation of the world.

4th. We believe in the doctrine of original sin, and in man's impotency to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by nature, either in whole or in part, by his own free-will and ability. 

5th. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. "

6th. We believe that God's elect shall be called, converted, regenerated and sanctified by the Holy Spirit during this life. "

7th. We believe the saints shall be saved by grace, and never finally fall away, and that good works are the fruits of faith and follow after justification. "

8th. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the only proper subjects, and that baptism is immersion. "

9th. We believe in the resurrection of the body, and general judgment, and that the punishment of the wicked and joys of the righteous will be eternal. "

10th. We believe that ministers have no right to the administration of the ordinances, only such as are regularly baptized, ordained and set forward to the work of the ministry. 







 






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