The primary reason for requiring communion participants to be baptized believers is expressed by the words of Paul: Wherefore, whosoever shall eat of this bread, and drink of this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body (I Cor 11:27-29).

We include this question because it is likely the one question which is asked most frequently of Primitive Baptists. Unfortunately, the extreme diversity of modern Baptists makes the question almost impossible to answer without inaccurately representing at least some Baptists. Consequently, we assume that the reader has his or her own concept of what a Baptist is, and we leave it to the reader to make their own judgment as to how this question should be answered.

The scriptures offer two alternate titles for preachers. These are bishop and elder (I Tim 3:1-7, Tit 1:5-9, I Pet 5:1). The importance of using these scripturally authorized titles is emphasized by Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for taking aggrandizing titles to themselves (Mt 23:5-12). The term reverend is use only once in the scriptures where it has reference to God (Ps 111:9). We are therefore unworthy to wear this title.

Primitive Baptists elders are chosen by the individual congregations from among male members who have proven to be faithful to the church and its principles. These men are given the opportunity to speak over a trial period to determine if they have a gift to preach. This trial period typically lasts from one to five years. Those judged by the congregations to satisfy scriptural qualifications for the ministry are then ordained by a presbytery of elders.

This is a requirement which is very clearly stated in the scriptures (I Cor 14:35-36, I Tim 2:11-12, I Tim 3:2). Accordingly, there is no scriptural precedent for female elders. Churches placing women in ministerial offices appear to regard the authority of the scriptures to be subordinate to current social fashions.

John explains that, at the end of the Last Supper, the Lord began to wash the feet of the disciples. After performing this great act of humility, the Lord said, If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you (Jn 13:14-15). Primitive Baptists understand that this commandment is to be followed in literal detail as well as in spirit.

The example set by Jesus is clearly one of baptism by immersion. Mark described Jesus' baptism with these words: And straitway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him (Mk 1:10). A baptism followed by one coming up out of the water cannot be by sprinkling or pouring. We must take Jesus' example as being the ultimate authority on the matter. John baptized in AEnon because there was much water there (Jn 3:23).

We can find no biblical precedent for the usage of musical instruments in New Testament worship. The scriptures give repeated instructions to sing in the church, but never to play (Rom 15:9, I Cor 14:15, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16, Heb 2:12, Ja 5:13).

Bible study is greatly to be commended, and there are definite benefits to studying and discussing scriptures with other Christians; however, scriptural example dictates that such activitiesshould be conducted in contexts other than formal church worship. There is nothing in scriptures to indicate that worshippers, either in the church or in the law, were ever segregated by knowledge, age, sex, marital status, or any other criterion. Instead, all worshipped in a common assembly.

The scriptural precedent for rebaptism is taken from Acts 19:1-7. These verses teach that persons formerly baptized under improper principles should be baptized again, and that failure to do so can prevent proper reception of the Holy Spirit. Since baptism is an ordinance of the church, it is necessarily tied to the principles maintained by the church. When these principles are significantly changed, the baptism should be changed also.

Primitive Baptists do not condemn entertainment when it is moral and in moderation. We also recognize that men of God in the scriptures occasionally use humor and sarcasm (Is 40:18-23, Is 44:12-20, Lk 16:9), so this too is acceptable provided that it is clean, purposeful, and moderate. However, the idea that it is the role of the church to entertain is absolutely alien to all that is scriptural. The Lord condemned the priests of Israel, saying, ..

While scriptural descriptions of the original communion use the terms bread, the cup, and fruit of the vine, it may be conclusively inferred that the bread was unleavened and that the drink was fermented wine. This follows from: The communion took place immediately after the Passover. This was a time in which leavened bread was prohibited, both by scriptural law and by Jewish tradition (Ex 12:3-8, Num 9:9-11, Deut 16:1-3, Mt 26:17, Mk 14:12, Lk 22:7).

Primitive Baptist ancestors have been called by various names over the ages. The name Primitive Baptist became popular in the early 1800s when the term primitive conveyed the idea of originality rather than backwardness. Accordingly, Primitive Baptists claim to maintain the doctrines and practices of the original Baptists, who are claimed to be the New Testament church. Primitive also conveys the idea of simplicity.

Thakar Singh: No. It is not that one should practice Hinduism, or Sikhism, or Mohammedanism, or Christianity. These are only the outer customs or rituals, which have been adopted according to the age and necessity of the time from the originators of these religions. Real religion is one. That is given in the holy Bible: "What great commandment have you got from God?" The Master told, "Love thy Father God with all thy soul, with all thy heart, with all thy mind. And love thy neighbor as thyself.

Primitive Baptists view scriptures as the divinely inspired word of God and as the sole rule of faith and practice for the church. It is also believed that the scriptures have been divinely preserved over the ages, and that the 1611 King James version is the superior English translation of the scriptures. Paul claimed that all scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Tim 3:16). Accordingly, Jesus said that scripture cannot be broken (Jn 10:35).

A faith practice in the Faith Stepping Stones system is a simple way of bringing God into the nightly ritual in the home. Most parents have a certain nightly routine to put their children to sleep. We want to take advantage of that, inject the DNA of faith into it, and grow it over time into something that looks like a little worship service every night in every home, with parents as spiritual leaders of the event.

While it's rare for Hakka believers to be physically persecuted for their faith, it's not at all rare for them to face some kind of emotional or psychological persecution as a result of their decision to follow Jesus. Higher status family members (such as parents, parents-in-law, older siblings, aunts and uncles) frequently use shame as a weapon to try and bring new Christians back in line with such traditional practices as ancestor worship, fortune telling, geomancy, and idolatry.

Primitive Baptists cannot consent with those who compromise scriptural commandments in order to gain social acceptance. We deny the claim that terms of truth and morality are to be guided by the ever changing winds of social values (Eph 4:14). Instead, these are defined by our ever constant Lord, and are revealed in His inspired word (Mal 3:6, Lk 21:33, Heb 13:8, I Pet 1:24-25).

You should live within the Parish boundaries, regularly attend Mass here and/or be registered parishioners. To schedule a baptism, call the office. Forms will be mailed to you. Once the completed forms are received at the Rectory you will be called to schedule both the class and the baptism. (A prior class is honored for two years). Baptisms are celebrated every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Church - by appointment only..

Most people in Ireland have heard of John the Baptist! Beyond that not many have come across people who would call themselves “Baptists”. What are our main beliefs and practices? We hope we can answer some of your questions.

There are no denominational distinctions within the Protestant Church in China. The churches are “post-denominational” and practice mutual respect in matters of faith and worship, maintaining unity in diversity. The only distinction is between Catholic and Protestant churches.

No you don't. Zen meditation should help you to pray and worship more effectively. In Europe many Christian monks and nuns practice, and even teach, zazen. Since zazen allows us to directly experience the Reality that underlies all genuine religion, it is not in conflict with other religious faiths. However when people cause harm in the name of religion, they stray from their faith's own foundations, and from Zen.

We baptize children/students at a special service called our "Family Birthday Celebration". If you have a child who has trusted Christ as their Savior and would like to be baptized please contact cflowers@southside.org. Adults are baptized during our Sunday morning worship services. For more information and to register, please go to http://www.southside.org/baptism.