Also known as Old School Baptists or Hard Shell Baptists, the Primitive Baptists are conservative Baptists whose polity is much the same as the original Baptist groups.
The Primitive Baptists are known to be the strictest of all of the Baptist groups, particularly when it comes to local autonomy. The Primitive Baptists have never been organized as a denomination, and have no administrative body of any sort, other than local churches and local associations.
The Primitive Baptist movement began in the 1800s as a protest against the money-based missions and benevolent societies that were being organized among Baptist churches at the time. The Primitive Baptists argued that the Apostles did not employ missionary societies, and no such organizations are in evidence in the Scriptures.
In 1827 North Carolina, the Kehukee Association condemned all money-based and centralized societies as being contrary to the teachings of Christ. Over the next few years, several other Baptist associations withdrew from other Baptist bodies, making similar statements. Most of these were in the mountainous regions of the US Southeast, and this is where they continue to be concentrated.
Rather than depending on a centralized organization for fellowship, many of these churches began the practice of printing their articles of faith, constitutions, and rules of order into their annual minutes. These statements were examined by other local associations and, if approved, correspondence and fellowship might follow. Associations not approved were dropped from the fellowship.
Although they tend to oppose the Calvinist practice of infant baptism, Primitive Baptists are Calvinist in their theology, holding to the five points of Calvinism: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.
Also common among Primitive Baptist groups are a cappella singing, family integrated worship, and foot washing.
In Primitive Baptist churches, musical instruments are usually not used as a part of the worship service. Scripture instructs worshippers to sing, but there is no mention of musical instruments.
Primitive Baptists reject the use of Sunday School as a means of separating children from parents during the worship service. Children are expected to attend the service with their parents.
Most Primitive Baptists perform foot washing as a symbol of humility and service among members of the church, although males and females are separated during this ritual.
Primitive Baptists consider theological seminaries to have no sanction by the New Testament or in the examples of Christ or the apostles. Pastors are to be called by God, come under the laying on of hands, and be in fellowship with the local church of which they are members in order to administer the ordinances of the Lord's Supper and baptism of believers by immersion. No theological training is required of pastors, many of whom travel widely and serve without salary, subsisting on voluntary contributions.
There are three traditional Primitive Baptist groups. The Old-Line Primitive Baptists teach that Christians are responsible for the salvation granted by God. The Predestinarian Primitive Baptists stress God's predestination in all things, not just salvation. The Universalist Primitive Baptists believe that God predestines all people to salvation. The last two of these groups are very small, and declining.
Another group of Primitive Baptists are about as large as the Old-Line Primitive Baptists, and that is a group of African-American Primitive Baptists. The African-American Primitive Baptists may not adhere to the traditional Primitive Baptist policies against the use of musical instruments in the worship service.
Other groups associated with the Primitive Baptists include the Primitive Baptist Universalists, the Progressive Primitive Baptists, and the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists although, given the importance given to church autonomy among Primitive Baptists, not all Primitive Baptist congregations are associated with either of these groups.
As Missionary Baptists became the mainstream, the influence of the Primitive Baptists has been in decline.
Primitive Baptists in general, any associations of Primitive Baptists, or any site that focuses on Primitive Baptists, or any specific Primitive Baptist group, are the focus of topics in this category. However, sites representing local congregations should be listed in the appropriate Local & Global category.
Recommended Resources
Grace Primitive Baptist Church
Located in Pearl, Mississippi, the church’s service schedules, a calendar of events, directions to the church, and administrative contacts are published to the site, along with several articles on its beliefs and practices, articles of faith, the principles and practices in the New Testament church, and essays on other topics. An audio archive of sermons is presented, and recommended literature is included for further research.
http://www.pb.org/
Started in 1954, the singing school serves to further the biblical principles of the Primitive Baptists, encourage Christian fellowship and cooperation, and to encourage and promote the teaching and singing of gospel music. Its history, purpose, guidelines, and schedules are published to the site, along with its registration guidelines, fees, and a downloadable registration form. Contacts are posted, and contributions may be made online.
http://harmonyhillsingingschool.org/
The function of the Harmony Plains Singing School is to provide an opportunity for Primitive Baptists and other Christians to learn how to better praise God through a capella singing. A history of the school, founded in 1964, is given, along with news and details for those who will be attending, including contacts, photographs of previous schools, video from past events, and audio of session recordings and other events.
https://www.harmonyplains.org/
National Old School Primitive Baptist Church Directory
The online supplement to the Primitive Baptist Church Directory includes information derived from the individual church representatives, and inclusions and changes may be requested. Churches are sorted into state categories, with some categories combining multiple states. When available, links to listed church sites are provided, along with email addresses; otherwise, names, mailing addresses, contact information, worship service schedules, and communion and annual meeting schedules are posted.
https://www.pbdirectory.org/
National Primitive Baptist Convention
A cross between the National Baptists and the Primitive Baptists, the black Primitive Baptist group has adopted progressive methods and policies that are not in keeping with the historical or theological traditions of Primitive Baptists, such as its organization into a convention, instrumental music, Sunday Schools, and church auxiliaries. Its covenant and articles of faith are posted, and an online store is included.
http://www.npbcconvention.org/
Maintained by Elder James Taylor, the site is focused on the Christians known as the Primitive or Old School Baptists. A history and overview are presented, including Primitive Baptist doctrine and practice, the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and other things that Primitive Baptists believe in. Other resources include audio sermons, family devotions, an argument for homeschooling, and a discussion on bringing up children.
http://www.oldschoolbaptist.org/
Old-Line Primitive Baptist Hymn and Tune Book
Featuring a hymn-and-tune book intended to serve the brethren in Primitive Baptist churches of the old line. The site discusses the purpose and structure of the hymnal, containing more than eight hundred hymns set to about two hundred tunes in shape-note notation. Samples of the hymns may be viewed online, and ordering information, from the Primitive Baptist Library, is included, along with contacts.
http://www.olpbhtb.com/
With the goal of collecting and making available a digital archive of the works of Primitive Baptist ministers, brothers, and sisters from the past, the project collects and preserves these writings in their original form, allowing researchers and Christians to view these periodicals, biographical writings, doctrinal defenses, and hymns. Its blog includes digital copies of those documents that have been collected, and there is an appeal for others.
http://www.primitivebaptistlibrary.com/
Incorporated in 1941, the Foundation is an outreach of the Progressive Primitive Baptists, intended to assist, maintain, or support retired ministers of the Primitive Baptist Church who are no longer able to serve churches and are without sufficient funds to live on, as well as to assist the widows of ministers of the Primitive Baptist Church as needed. Its functions, programs, and activities are posted. A directory of churches, camps, and organizations are included.
https://www.progressivepb.org/
Primitive Baptist Library of Carthage, Illinois
Organized on June 8, 1988, the Conservative, Old-Line Primitive Baptist library is operated privately, rather than by the church, for the purpose of preserving the records and historical information of the Primitive Baptist Church. The doctrines of the Primitive Baptist Church, church and family history, and a list of churches are put forth, with an overview of the library's holdings, desired items, and books for sale.
http://www.pblib.org/
Video and audio recordings, hymns, and articles about the Primitive Baptists are presented, beginning with a description and overview of the general beliefs and practices of the group of Christians known as the Primitive Baptists. Informational articles and digitalized historical documents are categorized by topic, and collections of audio recordings are presented in the MP3 format, and video includes congregational singing, singing schools, and sermons.
http://www.primitivebaptist.net/
The audio collection began with that of Elder James Compton, who founded the Gospel of Grace Tape Supply, collecting recordings of sermons as he traveled to church meetings and associations. An introduction to each of the ministers whose sermons are featured here is included, and sermons may be listened to online or downloaded. Hymns are also included, and contributions may be made online.
http://primitivebaptistsermons.org/
SGP is a Primitive Baptist bookseller. Located in Shallotte, North Carolina, it offers Primitive Baptist print and audio media, educational resources, and other publications, which are available for purchase through its online marketplace. Other resources include audio and video, which may be downloaded from the site, theological essays on a variety of topics, a history of Primitive Baptist hymns, and links to other resources.
http://www.sovgrace.net/
Registered as a non-profit organization, and based in Roswell, Georgia, White Unto Harvest supports a Primitive Baptist outreach program in the Philippines. Its ministries are described, with missionary reports and other information as far back as 1998. Elder Gus Harter, his wife Betty Jo, and their thirteen children are introduced, with an overview of their thirty-five years of ministry in the Philippines. Observations on the Philippines are included.
http://www.whiteuntoharvest.org
