December 11, 2005

To our sister Churches in Christ and other interested parties.

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ:

We, the Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Alabama, while in conference voted to publicly state our position on the present day liberal/progressive Primitive Baptist movement. Many Primitive Baptist Churches of Alabama who once stood for biblical traditions have chosen to depart from those traditions. Some are active participates in the liberal/progressive movement while others are passively supporting it. Evidently those we’ve heard state that "It is my desire to leave the Church just as I found it" no longer feel that way. We exhort all, whose first love, cherished the simple pattern of worship instituted by Christ and His Apostles, to awake and "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

The true church has always stood against adding anything to the simple worship service consisting of Prayer, Singing and Preaching. The addition to the Church of auxiliary functions such as: Bible study groups, youth activities, outreach ministries, Women’s meetings, Men’s prayer breakfasts and a host of other things, have always disturbed the Church and those that promote such things are promoting discord among the brethren.

We believe the Pitts resolution of 2000 and the Cranberry Declaration of 2002 correctly identify the majority of unscriptural practices that have been introduced among the Primitive Baptists in Alabama and across the nation. While there are other unscriptural practices not addressed by them, we feel the things they do address have merit. We therefore voice our support for both of these resolutions.

We believe the Scriptures to teach that the Church has the duty and authority to mark and withdraw from those who bring in liberal/progressive practices as well as false doctrines. We offer the following Scriptures¹ as our authority for this our proclamation:

1Scriptural reference
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…
Philip 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
2Thes 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2Thes 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not.….
1Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, from such withdraw thyself.
2Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away
Titus 3:10 A man that is an Heretic, after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
2John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house, neither bid him God's speed
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that Ye should contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints
Hosea 4-17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone

We therefore declare that we will not fellowship any Minister or Church that is actively supporting the liberal/progressive Primitive Baptist movement. Where feasible we desire labor with those passively involved in this new movement, especially those with past connections to Mt. Moriah, who warrant our concerns and labor. We humbly ask for the prayers of all lovers of the true doctrines and practices of the Church and exhort all who may be on the fence to become either hot or cold in defense of the true Church.

 

Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
Approved by unanimous vote while in conference on December 11^th 2005

Moderator: Elder Claude Mckee