BAKERS CREEK ASSOCIATION OF UNITED BAPTISTS (IN) NOT CALVINIST

The Bakers Creek Association of United Baptists formed in 1818 in Indiana, are found to be Non Calvinist. Baker Creek United Baptist Church was the founding church, and this church was constituted by a presbytery consisting of elders Thomas Downs, Benjamin Talbot (sometimes Tolbert or Tolbart) and John Weldon. 

We certainly know that Elder Benjamin Talbot (Tolbert) was not a Calvinist, You can read about him here . It should also be noted that the Bakers Creek Baptists had the same articles of faith as the Pigeon Creek Baptist Church, also in Indiana, of which Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, was a member. Pigeon Creek was a Regular Baptist church when formed, so this would be another instance of the deletion of  portions dealing with limited atonement and irresistible grace of the Philadelphia Confession by Regular Baptists. 

William E. Barton, D.D., LL.D., in "The soul of Abraham Lincoln," published in 1920, pg 36, says "Thomas Lincoln is alleged by Herndon to have been a Freewill Baptist in Kentucky....." and that he got this information from Sally Bush Lincoln upon his visit to her in 1865. Lincoln was definitely a member of Pigeon Creek, so another example of Regular Baptists not being Calvinists. Freewill Baptists were not known to be that far west at that time, so it is thought that the term "freewill" was not meant in a way that denoted denomination, but as a common term for being Arminian in that area. There are many instances of Calvinists calling Provisionists and any who believed in general atonement, "Arminians" and "freewillers". In any case, if  Thomas Lincoln was not a Calvinist and was a member of a Regular Baptist church with identical articles of faith as the Bakers Creek Baptists, on top of the fact the Elder Benjamin Talbot helped in its constitution, it is certain that the Bakers Creek Baptists were not Calvinists. Let's look at their articles of faith.

The Doctrinal Statement of the United Baptists at Bakers Creek - 1818

1 We believe in the Holy Trinity the Father, The Word and the Holy Ghost but one God in Substance who hath created all things by his word for his pleasure.

2 We Believe that the Old and New Testament is God word and therein is everything revealed necessary for mans salvation and rule of Faith and Practice.

3 We believe in the fall of Man in his Public head and that are incapable of recovery unless restored by Christ.

4 We believe in Election of Grace through Christ that men are called and saved alone by virtue of Christ's Righteousness.

5 We believe that God calls regenerates and Sanctifies all that is made mete for glory by his special Grace.

6 We believe the saints will persevere through Grace to glory and none finally fall away.

7 We believe that the joys of the righteous the punishment of the wicked are eternal.

8 We believe Baptism to be an ordinance of Christ by way of immersion and none has aright thereto but penitent believers

9 The Lord Supper is of divine institution to be administered by and received by none but real Christians

10 We believe that washing of feet is a command to be complied with when opportunity serves

11 We believe that it is our duty severally to support the Lords Table and that the sacrament ought to be received twice a year if convenient.

12 We believe that no minister ought to preach that is not called and sent of God and that they are to be proved by hearing of them and we allow none to preach among us but such as is well recommended and that we ought to contribute according too circumstances to him that faithfully labors amongst us.

There is no mention of limited atonement, or explicit total depravity, only that man fell in Adam, and are incapable of recovery on their own, which Non Calvinists would affirm.. The term "special grace" is rare in articles of faith, and could refer to unconditional election. Free Will Baptists use the term as a synonym for "unmerited favor" which is received after conversion, while Calvinists use the term for unconditional election., which would mean that both groups could have been three pointers, denying irresistible grace and limited atonement. Some might say it indeed refers to irresistible grace, but that wouldn't be possible or Elder Tolbert (orTalbot) would never have agreed to the term. Unconditional election would be defined differently than hard core Calvinists. This would be a must if irresistible grace is off the table. Usually this would mean "repentance" was defined as "changing of the mind" rather than "turning from sin".  Time after time, Calvinists of the early 19th century were said to be "sitting in the antinomian chair" by Non Calvinists, so even they must have defined repentance as something other than turning from sin. The only phrase that may be disputed is "Election of Grace". I would understand this to be the same as "election BY grace" or "electing grace". For a modern day church, who is definitely NOT Calvinist, see the articles of faith of Liberty Baptist Church in Massachusetts, using the "electing grace" phrase,  here , under "OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION". (Yes I have spoken with this church, and can testify that they are NOT Calvinist). Obviously this church's statement is based on the New Hampshire Confession, just another example showing that Non Calvinists have used this confession heavily.

In any case, we have testimony by Abraham Lincoln's own family that he was a "Free Will Baptist", AND a member of a Regular Baptist church with identical articles of faith as the Baker's Creek United Baptists. We also know for certain that Elder Benjamin Talbot was instrumental in forming the Baker's Creek Assn., and he was no Calvinist.