Known by many today as New Testament Churches which are Primitive  in nature by design and Baptist in practice by commandment.

 Understanding our terms: Philip asked the eunuch "Understandest thou what thou readest"? (Acts 8: 30-39). In order to communicate one with another, it is very important that we have a mutual understanding of the meaning of the terms we use. The following terms and definitions are given for this purpose.

 PRIMITIVE: (an adjective) which means: Pertaining to the origin; First or Original. That which existed first or was first-formed and has not changed much by evolution [growing and developing] in time. Our use of the word Primitive refers to the First or Original New Testament Churches.

 BAPTIST: Is more than a name for identification. It primarily describes the scriptural activity of the individual or church, namely "one which baptizes" [by immersion]. The First (Primitive) Church was one that Baptized. Therefore, the church that carries out authoritative scriptural baptisms via a duly ordained Minister is called a Baptist Church. Any church that does not BAPTIZE according to Scripture is not and can not be recognized as New Testament in nature. History shows that those which use alternative methods to scriptural Baptism do not have their ORIGIN with the Primitive Church that Jesus founded. When we use the words Primitive and Baptist together to describe a New Testament Church, we are not referring to the Denomination known as "Primitive Baptist". The word Baptist originally never indicated a Denomination of churches with a National Headquarters.   Among the Primitive New Testament Churches, there is no denominational structure or headquarters. There is no such thing as THE Baptist Church or THE  Primitive Baptist Church,  although the term is used generically to speak of ALL New Testament Churches which are Primitive in nature by design, and Baptist in practice by commandment. Denominations and church headquarters are the inventions of men.

 CHURCH: Comes from the Greek word "Ekklesia" meaning "A Called Out Assembly" of people. In the case of the "Town Council" in Acts 19:39, citizenship was required. In the case of a local, visible assembly, referred to as "the church or churches" in Scripture, membership is made up of Born Again, Believers who are Baptized (and it must be in that order). The word church is some times understood to be the invisible body of God's elect in Christ Jesus, which he will "present to himself a glorious church" (Eph. 5:27). The "elect of God" include ALL the chosen of God, from righteous Abel (a Gentile) [or Adam, depending on where one starts], including Jews and Gentiles, (but not all of either) until the last elect child of God, has been quickened by God, according to His eternal purpose in Christ. It should be obvious that all elect children of God, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and even Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) and David, Solomon and most Prophets etc., were not "members" of the New Testament Church - but were members of the "Elect Body" or the "Chosen" which were redeemed by Jesus Christ. Membership in a local, visible New Testament Church does not determine one's eternal destiny.

 The New Testament Church is not a continuation of the Jewish economy, sometimes called the Old Testament Church. Jesus said, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached -- " (Luke 16:16 KJV). The New Testament Church is the King dom of God on earth. It is the spiritual fulfillment of Zion, (i.e. Heavenly Jerusalem) here on earth.

 For the purpose of this overview, the word church will be used to speak of local visible churches only. The word Ekklesia is translated Church 115 times in the KJV; 36 times as church (singular), and 79 times as churches (plural). Using a contextual method of interpretation, in the opinion of the author, the primary application is always to the local, visible church or churches.

 In order to examine and understand a chain of events, you must start at The Beginning. That is what we have tried to do in the overview (outline) of Scriptural events below. We welcome any suggestions for improving our work. Therefore we may, from time to time, see the need to revise and enlarge upon that which we have written.

 There was a man sent from God (John 1:6-8). He shall be great in the sight of the Lord -- He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias - To make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:15-17). John the Baptist was About 30 1/2 years old { 26 AD } or six months older than Jesus when he began his ministry. (Matt 3:1-2).

 A. John's water baptism was not of men, but of God. Matt 21:23-27 2. John baptized all the disciples which Jesus called. Acts 1:16-22

 II. -- JESUS CHRIST THE MESSIAH

 Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the Bridegroom of the bride [church] was baptized by John the Baptist, at which time he was about 30 years old (26-27 AD), and upon which he began his earthly ministry. Matt 3:13-17, Mk 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23, John 1:29-34

 A. JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY by "Calling Out" his disciples & organizing the First Baptist Church (Matt 4:18-22, Mark 3:14-19, John 1:35-51). Jesus passed the authority to baptize on to his disciples who baptized more disciples, but Jesus himself did not baptize (John 3:25-30 with John 4:1-3)

 B. JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS CHURCH (disciples) about proper attitude, character and conduct and warns about persecution and false prophets in the kingdom of God or kingdom heaven [being interchangeable terms Matt. 19:23-24]. Matt 5:1 - 7:22

 C. JESUS REVEALS TO HIS CHURCH (disciples) that the spiritual REVELATION and understanding that "He is the Christ, the Son of the living God" comes, not by man, but directly from His Father to the called, and that he will build [as a family builder] and PERPETUATE his church on HIMSELF, the Rock. Matt 16:13-18

 D. JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS CHURCH (disciples) on matters concerning personal offenses and how THE CHURCH IS TO HANDLE DISCIPLINE. Matt 18:15-20 Note: Jesus used the word Church only three (3) times during his ministry. It is obvious from this passage that two (2) times he spoke of a local visible church.

 E. JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS CHURCH (disciples) concerning the ORDINANCE or Memorial of the Lord's Supper which is to be observed, and the EXAMPLE of Feet Washing to be followed. Matt 26:26-30, Mk 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, John 13:2-17

 F. JESUS COMMANDS THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES, which became Apostles (meaning sent ones versus disciples which means learners or followers of) to go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature [i.e. one made a new creature in Christ ( Mark 16:15 with II Cor. 5:17)], to make disciples, to baptize them and teach them to keep all his commandments. (The Eleven did what they were commanded - Romans 10:18) Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:4-8,

 Note: Jesus was about 33 1/2 years old (30-31 AD) when he had organized, taught and com- manded The Primitive (First or Original) Baptist Church at Jerusalem. At the end of his 3 1/2 year ministry - in the midst of the 70th week of Daniel's Prophecy (Daniel 9:24-26) - and in the midst of the actual week on a Wednesday (not Friday - see the chart on Christ Our Passover), Messiah was cut off, (He was crucified, buried and resurrected according to the Scriptures - Matt. 26:53-54 Luke 24:25-27, 44-48, I Cor. 15:1-3)

 III. -- THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH ERA BEGINS: THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST CONTINUES THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE APOSTLES ACTS 1:1-4

 A. The First Church holds it FIRST BUSINESS MEETING prior to Pentecost. Purpose: to choose a disciple to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:15-26). Note very carefully the qualifications required for the candidate (v 21-22)

 B. The Primitive Church RECEIVES THE PROMISED POWER and is BAPTIZED with the power and presence of the HOLY GHOST ON PENTECOST.

 Note: See the Article on "Scriptural Conclusions About The Holy Ghost". Note: The Apostles spoke with other tongues [languages] which were understood by those from different countries. Acts 2:1-13

 C. Peter preaches THAT JESUS IS BOTH LORD AND MESSIAH [Christ]. Three thousand gladly receive his word, are converted, baptized and ADDED TO THE CHURCH. "And the Lord added daily to the church such as should be saved" Acts 2:14-47, Acts 3:12-4:4,

 D. THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM suffers persecution and is SCATTERED. Many go every where preaching the word of God. Acts 8:1-4 The Apostles, with others, remain in Jerusalem Acts 8:12-16, 15:1-2

 E. THE CHURCH BECOMES THE CHURCHES Following Paul's Conversion and beginning of his ministry (Acts 9:1- 22) Following the SCATTERING Philip went to Samaria (Acts 8:1-4, 5-25) Then had THE CHURCHES REST (Acts 9:31) Note: This is the first of the 79 times the plural term churches is used.

 F. Then CHURCHES were established throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria according to the SAME PATTERN & APOSTLES DOCTRINE as THE CHURCH in Jerusalem. Acts 9:31, 2:41-47, Eph. 2:19-22

 G. CHURCHES WERE KNOWN by the city or region in which they were located, such as the church at Ephesus or Corinth, or churches of Galatia. (Galatians 1:2)

 NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES HAVE NEVER BEEN FREE OF HUMAN ERROR. Being made up of sinners saved by grace there has always been error in judgment and understanding of some doctrine and practice. One purpose of Holy Scripture is for "correction and instruction in righteousness" so we can walk the strait and narrow path. Jesus rebuked six of the seven churches of Asia because of some departure in dedication, doctrine or church practice. He said that He would remove their "Candlestick" or "Light" [their witness as a church] if they did not repent. but they were HIS CHURCHES. This teaches us that the status of a New Testament Church is based on Doctrine and Practice, but the first consideration must be based on ORIGIN or relationship.

 In order to be a citizen of a country, you must be born a citizen or become a citizen by "legal" means. If a citizen violates certain laws he can be "disfranchised" and even lose his citizenship. In order to be a member of a family you must be a descendent of that family [born into that family] or be adopted by legal means. Should a "family member" becomes disorderly he can become "unrecognized" by the rest of the family without loosing his "relationship by birth". So it is with NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES.

 New Testament Baptist Church Succession then is not based solely on PURITY IN DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. However, that is the most evident way of making identification. The ORIGIN of a New Testament Church as to IT'S BIRTH and IT'S BAPTISM must also be considered. Jesus promised PERPETUITY FOR HIS CHURCH and the gates of hell have never prevailed against it. There has always been a NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH here on earth since the time Jesus established it, giving witness to grace and truth, and preaching the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ - proving that A NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH is neither Catholic nor Protestant.

Proof of this is provided below in statements taken from "The Trail of Blood" by Dr. J.M. Carroll.

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Cardinal Hosius (Roman Catholic, 1524 - seven years after the start of the Protestant Reformation) as President of the Council of Trent: "Were it not that the Baptist have been grievously tormented and cut off with the knife during the past twelve hundred years, they would swarm in greater number than all the Reformers". (Hosius, Letters, Apud Opera, pages 112, 113)

Sir Isaac Newton: "The Baptist are the only body of known Christians that have never symbolized with Rome".

Mosheim (Lutheran): "Before the rise of Luther and Calvin, there lay secreted in almost all the countries of Europe persons who adhered tenaciously to the principles of modern Dutch Baptist".

Edinburg Cyclopedia (Presbyterian): "It must have already occurred to our readers that the Baptist are the same sect of Christians that were formerly described as Ana-Baptist. Indeed this seems to have been their leading principle from the time of Tertullian to the present time" Tertullian was born fifty years after the death of the Apostle John

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 The Chronological Chart on the following pages has been compiled to illustrate the perpetual existence, the Antiquity and Perpetuity of New Testament Baptist Churches, from the time of Jesus Christ to our present day. It is not for the purpose of claiming a "chain link" between each and every church. Such a task is impossible because the records that would be required for this have been destroyed by both the pagan and religious persecutors of the church. But God's Word is "forever settled in heaven" and Jesus said "Upon this Rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" and again "I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world". We believe this to be true, and were there ever a time that a true church of the Lord Jesus Christ did not exist upon the face of this earth, it would make him a liar and unworthy to be our Lord and Saviour. There has been are still are many false prophets that teach they got their instructions from "new revelations" directly from the Lord himself. Again, if such be true, it would mean that Jesus Christ was a liar, and unworthy to be trusted. But the true church remains steadfast "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2).

  Presented in love for the truth, Elder Bob Allgood