Oct 1, 2008

From an Old Hardshell Periodical

I have proven in earlier chapters in my ongoing book on "The Hardshell Baptist Cult" how most of the "founding fathers" of Hardshellism, or the "Primitive Baptist" denomination, embraced what I have called the "three stage model of the new birth." The following citations from the original "Primitive Baptist" publication, which began about the same time as the "Signs of the Times" publication, edited by Elder Gilbert Beebe, and was thus one of the first two Hardshell periodicals began immediately after the "anti-missionaries" declared "non-fellowship" for mission Baptists through the infamous "Black Rock Address" (1832). This first "Primitive Baptist" publication was published from North Carolina, sometimes from Tarborough and sometimes from Raleigh. The later more famous Hardshell periodical, also called "The Primitive Baptist," was not begun till the 1880's under Elder S. F. Cayce, and continued under the leadership of the infamous Hardshell debater, his son Elder Claud Cayce, and even now under his grandson, Elder Hartsell Cayce.

Here are then the citations I have found from the original "Primitive Baptist" periodical with the dates of the writings given. Do they not uphold the "three stage model" of the "new birth"?

"NOW IT IS BY THE WASHING of regeneration and not the act of the creature; and when the creature does receive the washing of regeneration, then and there it is that faith comes, and Jesus Christ is revealed to this soul the hope of glory, and the fairest of ten thousand, and altogether lovely. Why now? Because the time is come for faith to be revealed, or given of God to the creature…" AUTHOR: Rorer, Rudolph in The Primitve Baptist (Oct. 1843)

http://www.upbuild.org/article33.html

"IN ORDER TO SALVATION, it is necessary that we be born again; that we have faith, repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; but as salvation is of the Lord, these things are as much of him as our redemption, calling or justification, for his “divine power hath given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” II Pet. i. 4. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”" AUTHOR: Mitchell, William M.

http://www.upbuild.org/article43.html

"DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, who are scattered abroad throughout the wide world, and are spurned at by all your enemies, yet preserved of the Lord and blest with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, that we might glorify him in all godly conversation in this present world; being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. And without this change, or birth, it is impossible for the creature to glorify God either in word, thought, or deed. But believing all the family of Zion are of this parentage and of the same royal line, heirs of the same King, and were all in days past children of wrath even as others, but are now called of God according to his purpose, made heirs of eternal glory and joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ; and have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Brethren, you know this change is not a mere notion, for without a pain there can be no birth. But where there is a false conception there is a false deliverance; there is brought forth nothing but wind, a few snubs and tears shed, and run up and fall down at the feet of him that is called a preacher, and him to repeat a few words of memorized prayer, is not this birth. (Is he condemning the methods of Finney? SG) But, brethren, these pains are brought on by the candle of the grace of God shining in the dark room of the heart, and quickening the dead soul; and the nearer the time of deliverance, the greater the agony and more severe the pain, yet they have it to bear until the time of deliverance comes. And when the babe is born in Zion, then clothe it with the best robe, and shoes put on its feet, and a ring on its hand; and it is not to be led into error, but into all truth. And now, brethren and sisters, does the child that is not yet born after ordinary generation, know anything of the affairs and laws and management, neither is acquainted with the light in this world? No more does the soul, until born of the Spirit, know anything of this spiritual kingdom. For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. So, brethren, we need not wonder at carnal professors altering the laws, rules, and customs of this spiritual kingdom, and crying, lo here, and lo there, is Christ; believe them not, because the carnal mind is enmity against God." in The Primitive Baptist (1842)
AUTHOR: Rushing, W. M.

http://www.upbuild.org/article67.html

"THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.”—John x.28. When they are quickened by the lifegiving Spirit and power of God, and hear the voice of Jesus’ pardoning love, then “faith comes by hearing.” They feel personally interested in the atonement by the blood of Jesus. Christ dwells in them by faith. His righteousness is there, his redemption for them is there, his love, his wisdom and all the treasures of his grace are in their heart by faith."
"Faith Cometh By Hearing," The Gospel Messenger (Dec. 1882)AUTHOR: Mitchell, William M.

http://www.upbuild.org/article78.html

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