WAS J.R. GRAVES A CALVINIST?

 J.R. Graves (1820-1893) was a famous Southern Baptist most remembered for his "Landmark" views of Baptist origins. Converted at age 15, his Baptist roots predate the founding of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was at one time moderator of the Big Hatchie Baptist Association in Tennessee. Many have claimed that he was a die hard Calvinist, but was he?

 In 1887, Graves published the book "The First Baptist Church In America Not Founded By Roger Williams" speaking of the historical question of said church in a history of FBC Newport, RI, by Samuel Adlam, who was pastor from 1849 to 1864. Adlam's history gives it's covenant which was adopted in 1727 and it's articles of faith. In Graves' book he makes clear statements about First Baptist, Newport's articles of faith;

 "These will be interesting to all Baptists, and perhaps many of our churches and brethren about to organize would like to adopt them, and so hold the faith of the First Baptist Church organized on this continent. All can see there is not a scintilla of Calvinism in them. Baptists were sound, held and taught in all the faith once delivered to the saints, fifteen hundred years before Calvin was born. What he added to it is Calvinism, and that we most heartily repudiate."

Below is what the articles of faith say concerning salvation. The bold print and italics are in the book and apparently were so highlighted by J.R. Graves, NOT me.

"The only way of deliverance from the state of sin and condemnation is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who is the Eternal Word in personal union with human nature. He freely offered himself as a substitute to suffer and die in behalf of all men. Thus he became a perfect savior by whom all who will may be saved. All men are invited to accept Him as the savior of their souls, and to all who do so accept Him, He is the actual ground of justification and eternal life."

Also,

"Those who truly obey the gospel were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world by Him who sees the end from the beginning, and in consequence of God's purpose and grace they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, without whose influence none would ever repent and believe."

Now I ask you, would a die hard Calvinist suggest that churches adopt such a statement and  "hold the faith of the First Baptist Church organized on this continent" which did not caontain one "scintilla" of Calvinism?

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