Riverside Primitive Baptist Church Riverside Primitive Baptist Church
Frequently Asked Questions About Primitive Baptists
1. What doctrines do Primitive Baptists believe?
For doctrinal questions, please go to Doctrinal Beliefs.
2. What is the difference between Primitive Baptists and other Baptists?
At one time only one group of Baptists was in existence, with all Baptists holding similar beliefs concerning the basic doctrine of the Bible, especially those Bible teachings relating to the salvation of sinners. About 1832 the first division of Baptists occurred with one group becoming known as "Primitive Baptists" and the other as "Missionary Baptists." Since that time the Primitive Baptists have held to the original doctrinal belief of Baptists, which is salvation by grace, without any action of man being necessary. Most Baptists, with the exception of Primitive Baptists and some other sovereign grace Baptists, believe in a general or universal atonement, which requires hearing the Gospel, faith, repentance and/or baptism as a prerequisite to salvation. Primitive Baptists believe that good works, including faith, repentance and baptism accompany salvation, but as a result of that salvation, rather than its prerequisite.
3. Why are you called Primitive Baptists?
The word primitive means "of early times; of long ago; first of the kind; very simple; original." The denomination name shows that Primitive Baptists believe in the original doctrine taught long ago by all Baptists.
4. Do Primitive Baptists believe in missions?
Primitive Baptists do believe in preaching the Gospel in all nations, as directed in Matthew 28:19, but only as the individual minister is instructed to go by the Holy Spirit. We believe the minister is to go where the Holy Spirit directs, and is to be supported in this work by the people of God through individual Churches.
5. Why are your ministers called "Elders?"
The Bible gives the title "elder" to ministers in 1 Peter 5:1. New Testament preachers are referred to as "elders" or "bishops." The term bishop is much misunderstood and we do not use it for that reason. We do not use the term reverend because the term is never used in God's Word in connection with a man. This title only appears once in God's Word, and there it has reference to God alone: "holy and reverend is his name." (Psalm 111:9) We reserve this title for God alone.
6. What is meant by the name "Progressive Primitive Baptists?"
About the year 1909 there arose a division among the Primitive Baptists concerning the use of musical instruments in the church and "protracted meetings." Any meeting that continued more than three days was considered a "protracted meeting." Those abstaining from the use of musical instruments and declining to go beyond three days in a meeting were called "Old Line" churches, and those allowing musical instruments and protracted meetings were called "Progressive" churches. Today, Progressive Primitive Baptists have Bible Study classes, Youth Fellowship meetings and musical instruments in their churches whereas most Old Line Primitive Baptist churches do not.
7. Do Primitive Baptists believe in Footwashing?
Yes, many Primitive Baptists believe in washing one another's feet and they practice this, usually during the Communion service (Lord's Supper) just before Easter. They do so because Jesus washed His disciples' feet, and ended the ceremony by saying, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:14; see John 13:1-17 for the entire description of Jesus' actions) We practice footwashing as an example of love and humility between church members.