Why I Left The Baptist Church
There may be some who will not admit what I am about to say about the Baptist Church. It is needless to say that some Baptists will think I am being unfair when I offer to the public my reasons for leaving the Baptist Church. I have no desire but to be plain and to the point. The Baptist Church is not the New Testament church. I give now my reasons for leaving that unscriptural organization to become a member of the Lord's church.
Not For These
To give this subject an honest study, let us first consider some of the reasons that did not influence me to leave the Baptist church.
(1) I did not leave the Baptist church to be with my people. There are those who might think I was influenced to this action in order to be united with my friends and loved ones. The fact is that when I left the Baptist church, I left my relatives behind me; they are all either Baptists or Methodists. Two of my great grandfathers were preachers. One of them was a Baptist, the other a Methodist. My people have considered me an outcast since I gave up error to become a member of the New Testament church.
(2) I did not leave the Baptist church to be popular. Any person who knows anything about the Bible knows that people who believe and do what the Bible teaches will always be unpopular. This is just what Jesus said, "Ye shall be despised in this world".
(3) I did not leave the Baptist church for financial gain. Any honest person knows that most sectarian preachers are paid more not to preach the Bible than gospel preachers are paid for preaching the truth.
But For These
If people who desire to please the Lord will examine Baptist teaching in the light of the Bible, they will see that there are many things which are being taught in the Baptist church which are not found in the Bible. Thus, to be honest with myself and with God I had to give up these errors:
(1) That Christ established the Baptist church. Many good people in this denomination think that Christ established the Baptist church. Jesus said, "upon this rock I will build my church". (Matt. 16:18) Did he ever at any time anywhere or under any circumstances say, "I will build the Baptist church"? You know he did not. Being unable to find where Christ or the apostles ever said that a Baptist church would be built, I gave up the erroneous doctrine.
(2) That Baptist churches are mentioned in the Bible. Some people actually think the Bible mentions such organizations. The fact is this is only some Baptist preacher's pipe dream. In the Bible we find "church of the Lord" (Acts 20:28), "church of God" (I Cor. 1:2), and "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). But no where do we find even one passage that mentions or hints of a Baptist church... (3) That only Baptists are saved. This is a point that some may deny, but every good and loyal Baptist firmly believes it. In his Church Member Handbook, Joe T. Odle says, "We believe that careful study will convince the reader that one church cannot be as good as another in the sight of the Lord. In that spirit Baptists mean most to Christ and the world". (page 23) After studying the Bible I find that Christians are the saved ones. (Acts 2:38; 11:26; 26:28; I Pet. 4:16) Nowhere could I read about Baptists being saved. There are many promises to Christians; none to Baptists.
(4) Once saved always saved. This is the most comforting doctrine in the Baptist church, also the most damnable. There is not one assurance in the Bible that "once saved always saved" is true. On the contrary, we must work and watch. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable... " (I Cor. 15:58). "e;My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not..." (I John 2:1). "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Cor. 10:12). These and many other such passages in the word of God prove that one can fall. In the light of these passages any honest man will have to surrender his belief in the impossibility of apostasy.
(5) Must be voted on before joining the church. This is another doctrine which has no ground in the truth. The Bible teaches that God added to the church those who obeyed him. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47) Thus we find it takes more to get into the Baptist church than into the church spoken of in the Bible.
(6) Baptism not essential to salvation. This is the most rebellious doctrine that Baptists teach. Every Bible student knows that baptism is essential to salvation. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16). "Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38). "And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16). "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us." (I Pet. 3:21). There is not an honest reader of the Book who will deny these passages. Yet Baptist doctrine is that one can be saved without baptism, and can be baptized if he wants to.
(7) That the Baptist Manual is needed. The Baptist Manual serves the purpose of letting members of that church know that they are separate and distinct from other religious peoples. It contains various rules and regulations for Baptists to follow. But Paul teaches that the Bible is all that is needed. "All scripture given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (II Tim. 3:16, 17). Baptists claim to be a Bible believing people, yet they will not take the Bible and the Bible alone as their guide. They use also a Baptist Manual
Questions For Honest Men
In conclusion we need to ask three questions of the honest seeker after the truth.
(1) Why do many Baptists get angry when you deny their teaching? This is a fact that everyone knows to be true who has discussed the matter with Baptists. Could it be that they are afraid they cannot uphold their teaching in the light of the Bible? Baptist preachers at one time would defend publicly what they taught; but there are very, very few of them who will do so now. Why?
(2) Why is it that some Baptists will not listen to the truth when you open up the Bible and read it to them without comment? Is it because they know the truth conflicts with Baptist doctrine? Baptist preachers have so closed the eyes of many of their people that they will not even consider the truth. This is a very sad condition. We need to search and examine all teaching the light of the Bible.
(3) Why do Baptists teach that "there are Christians in all churches" when actually they believe that only Baptists will be saved? Some Baptists may deny this as being Baptist belief; but I was a sincere and devout Baptist for many years. I know what most Baptists believe. I know the teaching and instruction given by Baptist preachers to their people. And it is Baptist belief, even though there may be some Baptists who do not fully accept it.
Friends, I suggest that you forget the teaching of your parents, friends, and preacher; go to the Bible alone for your guide and your rule. If you will do this, you will give up Baptist doctrine, as I gave it up, and will seek to be only a humble member of the Lord's church. Think on these things.
—O—
Doing nothing is the most tiresome job in the world because it is impossible to quit and take a rest.