WBC~
I’m interested in how WBC became a Calvinist church. Was it founded that way, or was it Arminian? If it started as Arminian, when did the changes start? Did a light bulb just go off in your father’s head, or was the shift slow? More broadly, how does conversion generally work, especially for those who were raised outside a Primitive Baptist setting? I mean, do people wrestle with these ideas for a long time, or are they just suddenly obvious (or perhaps it’s different for each one)? I was thinking about this already, and then your father gave the examples about early Anabaptists in his sermon.
~ Thank you
I guess you must be seeing something that is posted on the web with those old sermons. So, in short, my dad was raised in a Methodist church and he came to years and he graduated early from HS and received the primary appointment to West Point and as he waited to get old enough to enroll, he traveled and came ended up at some Tent Revival Meetings, apparently they had intensive preaching and lasted for days. That experience resulted in more such and in his direction to preach. As he began that path, and to study the Bible and more, and went to Bible schools, years were passing and he was soaked in learning. He could, by reading the words that are written in the book, immediately identify error. Much of the traditions of men that are passed off as religion and doctrine are demonstrably FALSE by the words that are written in the book! NOT ROCKET SCIENCE! I have early memories of the process of coming to grips with some of the matters. Like women covering their heads in the service. We did not do that when I was very young. But once we got that clear, we did it. Once we nail a matter down, we don’t revisit and we don’t look back. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the COMMAND of God. That God that said LET THERE BE LIGHT! THAT is the very God that commands his creatures to hear or NOT to hear. HE alone is able to open the eyes of our understanding and he does that at his good will and by his good pleasure! THAT is what the scripture says.
Rebels say, I accepted Jesus as my own personal savior, even thought Jesus said – YOU DID NOT CHOOSE me, but I choose you! So inasmuch as the promise of God to his people is this: THE PATH of the just is as the shining light, it shineth more and more unto the perfect day. AND this, light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. If God gives you a heart to know and to fear and to love him, THAT is the ONLY WAY you get such. God does not leave his people to walk in darkness, he opens the eyes of your understanding and shows you the path that you must take. There are WAY more good words on that. So as my dad put his hand to understand those scriptures, God showed him and directed his path.
I cannot conclude this discussion without including some words about The Comforter! HE has the job of teaching and leading into all truth and more, check out these amazing and beautiful words from a sermon that Christ preached found at John 14, 15 16 and his prayer at 17. You find The Comforter spoken of four times in the New Testament and it is all in that sermon, to wit:
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
That is amazing and that sermon and prayer is a MUST READ for every person that has any interest in their soul.
In short, it is learning from the words, from God, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. See Isaiah for more on that good concept.
Thanks for writing!