Western District Baptist Association [TN], 1823,
Abstract of PrinciplesWestern District Association was formed in 1823 in Henry County, TN. It was the first Baptist association in the western territory of Tennessee. The Constitution, Abstract of Principles and Rules of Decorum were adopted at the second meeting, in September of 1823. (Tennessee Baptists, Albert Wardin, p. 32). The association still exists as a Missionary Baptist association, with churches in Henry & Benton Counties.
Bracketing is used for all text that was not readily decipherable and may not be transcribed correctly. The Western District Abstract was transcribed from a photocopy of two original handwritten pages. Though the handwriting is good, the middle part of the first page is very dim. Articles six and seven were especially hard to read, but I came away fairly satisfied with the end result. Thanks to Dr. Albert Wardin for furnishing to me copies of this statement of faith. -- Robert Vaughn
1st. We believe in one true and living God, the farther (sic), the word, and the Holy Ghost.2nd. That the scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the word of God and the only rule of faith and practice.
3rd. We believe in the doctrine of election and that God chose his people in in (sic) Christ before the foundation of the world.
4th. We believe in the doctrine of original sin and man's impotency to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by nature, by his own free will and ability.
5th. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God by the imputed righteousness of Christ.
6th. We believe [in] God's own appointed time [and way, by means of which he has ordained, the elect shall be] called, converted, regenerated, and sanctified [by the Holy] Spirit.
7th. We believe the saints shall persevere in grace and never [finally] fall away; and that [good works] are the fruit of faith, and [follow] after justification.
8th. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, [and that true believers are] the only proper subjects, [and that the only proper mode] of baptism is by immersion.
9th. We believe that the Lord's day ought to be [observed] and set apart for the worship of God, and that [work or] worldly business ought not to be transacted thereon, works of piety, mercy and necessity, only excepted.
10th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and general judgment, and that the punishment of the wicked and [joys] of (sic) righteous will be eternal.
11th. We believe that no minister has a right to administer the ordinances, only such as are regularly baptized, and come under the imposition of hands by a presbytery.
=========== [The document was transcribed and provided by Robert Vaughn, Enterprise, TX. Formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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