Which has given the Primitive Baptists the most trouble - failing to teach and uphold the doctrine of grace or failing to teach and uphold the doctrine of discipline and practice, as taught by Christ and the apostles? Over the many years, as history so states, there have been many departures, both in the doctrine of grace and what is commonly called discipline and, practice. Slothfulness and loose discipline have allowed many false ideas to creep in and among some of the churches. It has been taught and believed by some that the discipline and practice of the church is not doctrine. The teachings of Christ is the doctrine of Christ, whether it be how sinners are saved from the wrath to come, or how the church and her members should behave themselves.  

The church should earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints. For a church to walk by faith means she must believe and practice the teachings (doctrine} of Christ. For a church to ignore the Law of Christ in discipline and practice is to ignore Christ. The doctrine of grace is in harmony with the doctrine of Christ in discipline and practice. These principles go hand in hand, and where one is lacking the other is lacking. Faith without works is dead, and it is death to a church, because it separates them from the Light and liberty of the Truth. Failing to, understand and obey the teachings (doctrine) of Christ in discipline and practice has caused as much, or perhaps more trouble among the Primitive Baptists than any other thing. 

In most every case, when a preacher or lay member rebels against the doctrine of grace, the church soon drops them from fellowship. For the church to retain, support and defend them, would be denying the doctrine of grace, and a departure from the faith. Many times when a preacher or lay member rebels and refuses to obey the doctrine of Christ in discipline and practice, the church retains, supports and defends them. Is this not denying the doctrine of Christ, and a departure from the faith? Most churches are established in the doctrine of grace, but some are not established in the doctrine of Christ in discipline and practice. 

For the church to travel on in the good old way, she must believe and practice the teachings of Christ, both in the doctrine of grace and in the doctrine of discipline and practice! May we give the more earnest heed to these sacred principles of Christ. In love and hope, Elder C. M. Mills (deceased) 

Copied from For the Poor November-December 1984. A republication from The Primitive Baptist, November 20, 1952