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Primitive Baptists (also known as Old-School Baptists) are a group of Baptists that have a historical connection to the missionary / anti-missionary controversy that divided Baptists of America in the early part of the 19th century. Those currently denominated Primitive Baptists consist of descendants of churches and ministers that opposed the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions (organized in 1814), as well as other additions to the church such as seminaries, Sunday schools, and temperance societies. Early leaders include Joshua Lawrence, John Leland, Daniel Parker, Sylvester Hassell, Wilson Thompson, and John Taylor. Other names by which Primitive Baptists are known are Predestinarian Baptists, Old-School Baptists, Regular Baptists, Particular Baptists, and Hardshell Baptists. The word "Primitive" is sometimes taken by those unfamiliar with Primitive Baptists to mean "backward," but in context of this division among Baptists, it means "original." These churches attempt to retain or restore what is seen as primitive (or original) patterns of Christianity, such as baptism by immersion, family integrated worship, a cappella singing, close communion, and feet washing. The division of "Primitive Baptists" and "Missionary Baptists" cannot be recognized as occurring at one particular time. The Baptists of the early 19th century were separated by distance and lack of communication. In addition to this, while some congregations were members of regional Baptist “Associations,” each congregation was autonomous. Though some confusion still existed as late as the 1840s, the declaration now known as the Black Rock Address clearly defined the issues and marked the separation of the two different philosophies. Representatives convened at Black Rock, Maryland on September 28, 1832 and set forth the "Primitive" positions against tract societies, Sunday schools, Bible societies, mission boards, theological schools, and protracted Revival meetings. Though the Black Rock Document illustrated many alterations to Baptist practice, the underlying cause of the modernizations Primitive Baptists rejected was a shift from their historic theological views towards Fullerism, the theological views introduced into the Baptist family by Andrew Fuller[1].
Sub-groups of Primitive BaptistsThe Primitive Baptists can be sub-divided into four main groups: "Mainstream", "Absolute Predestinarian", "Progressive" and "Universalists". MainstreamThe mainstream Primitive Baptists are the largest group, and make up the vast majority of Primitive or Old School Baptists. Since the churches are autonomous, it is difficult to determine the number of churches or members, but a rough estimate would be around 65,000 members in about 2000 churches in the U.S. While opposing the aforementioned "mission boards", churches among this group are still very evangelistic, with ongoing church planting works in the Philippines, India, Tanzania, Kenya, Russia, and Mexico.[2][3] Views on TheologyMainstream Primitive Baptists believe and teach the doctrines of Grace, which are generally dissected into the five following subjects:[4] Mainstream Primitive Baptists are exclusively monergists, denying any means or instrumentality of men or the will of men in the work of regeneration. However man's obedience or will is involved in the preaching of the gospel, belief, repentance and baptism. Good works, repentance, and faith are indeed encouraged, but are seen as evidences of a gracious state rather than the cause of a person’s eternal salvation. [5][6][7] Two Categories of Salvation (Eternal and Temporal)Biblically speaking, mainstream Primitive Baptists do not always interpret the word “save” as having reference to an eternal salvation. While they believe that each of God’s elect have been eternally saved solely by God’s grace, they also maintain that elect people can save themselves from the temporal consequences and practice of sin by personal obedience and discipleship. This temporal salvation associated with discipleship is often referred to as “Time Salvation,” or “Gospel Salvation.” Accordingly, the degree of one’s discipleship, and consequently his temporal salvation, does not influence that person’s eternal standing with God, but only his fellowship and peace during his life. [8] PracticeMinistry: Primitive Baptists recognize the only scriptural titles for a minister as being "elder" or "bishop." However, Primitive Baptists typically refrain from the usage of bishop because of the incorrect impressions that would be conveyed under modern connotation.[9] Primitive Baptists historically reject any sort of a formal seminary for the training of ministers. Rather, younger minsters are trained in a mentor/apprentice relationship with an older, experienced minister, usually his pastor. Also, ministers are expected to learn in the same capacity in which they are expected to teach, in a church setting as opposed to a formal classroom. While Primitive Baptist ministers have no formal ministerial education, biblical scholarship is encouraged and promoted. Additionally, the only curriculum is the Bible. Primitive Baptists ministers are exclusively male.[10][11] Baptism: Mainstream Primitive Baptists practice Baptism by immersion, sometimes referred to as “believer’s Baptism.” Baptism must only be performed by an ordained minister, and is the ordinance by which a person becomes a member of a Primitive Baptist Church. This baptism is associated with personal discipleship and the temporal salvation of the participant. [12] 
Communion (The Lord’s Supper): Primitive Baptists exclusively use unleavened bread and wine during their communion services, and deny the doctrine of transubstantiation. Communion is reserved only for those who have received a proper Baptism by an ordained Elder of like faith. This practice is referred to as “close communion” The majority practice the washing of the saints feet (feet-washing), though there has never been a general consensus among the mainstream.[13] Simple Pattern of Worship: Mainstream Primitive Baptist worship services are very simple in design, consisting of a capella singing, preaching, and public prayer. A capella singing is traditionally four part harmony under the direction of a “song leader.” Worship services are also family integrated. Any segregation by reason of age or gender is discouraged in public worship. [11] Absolute PredestinariansThe Absolute Predestinarians hold to the absolute predestination of ALL things. They reject the teaching that gospel (or "time") salvation is conditioned on obedience. They are often charged with believing that God is the author of sin, but only a minority actually adhere to that idea. They number about 350 churches. ProgressivesThe Progressive Primitive Baptists separated from the main body around the turn of the 20th century, and have adopted such practices as Sunday School, instrumental music, homes for the aged, and various auxiliaries to the church. They have about 8,000 members in over 100 churches. UniversalistsPrimitive Baptist Universalists form the smallest group and consist of 5 or 6 small associations in Appalachia and 2 or 3 in Louisiana that adapted the theory of universal atonement to the doctrines of Primitive Baptists. This group is sometimes referred to as "No Hellers," due to their rejection of the doctrine of the eternal punishment of the wicked. African-American denominationsIn addition to these four predominantly white Primitive Baptist groups, there are at least two types of Black Primitive Baptists - Old School and National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A.. References
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