We believe in one true and living God and that there is a trinity of persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and yet there are not three Gods but one only.

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.

We believe in the fall of Adam and that by his transgression all his posterity fell and were made sinners, and in the corruption of human nature, and the impotency of man to recover himself by his own free will or ability.

We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and that good works are the fruits of faith and follow after justification, and are evidences of our gracious state.

We believe that the saints shall be preserved in grace and not one of them shall finally be lost.

We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead and a general or universal judgment and that the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.

We believe that the visible church is a congregation of faithful persons who have given themselves up to the Lord and one another, having agreed to keep up a godly discipline according to the rules of the gospel.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the great head of the Church and that the government thereof is with the body.

We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are gospel ordinances and are to be continued until His second coming, and that true believers are the only fit subjects of baptism and that dipping is the only gospel mode, and that the example of washing the saint’s feet should be observed in the church.

We believe that none but regularly baptized members have a right to commune at the Lord’s Table.

We believe the Lord’s Day ought to be observed and set apart for the worship of God, and no work or worldly business ought to be done or transacted thereon, works of necessity only excepted.

First, the basic meaning of the term gospel is good news, or glad tidings. If this definition can be understood and the actual meaning of the word gospel can be recognized and accepted, a good understanding of the teaching of Primitive Baptists might be recognized and appreciated.

In order for there to be any “good news” or “glad tidings” there must be some events to have taken place. The gospel must be based on some actual facts that have taken place. The gospel of salvation is the “good news” of salvation. The “good news” declares the wonderful success of the workings of the Triune God in achieving the actual factual salvation of the family of God.

There is much comfort to a child of God when he can believe the gospel (“good news”). However, the fact of salvation accomplished by the sovereign workings of God is a fact whether the report of it is ever made, or not. The preaching of the gospel (the announcing of the “good news” ) does not add anything to the actual work of salvation. The failure of the gospel (good news) to reach the elect does not negate the actual work of salvation.

The fact of salvation must be accomplished in order for there to be any “good news” to announce. Thus the purpose of the gospel is for information and knowledge concerning the facts of the actions of the Trinity.

The gospel has no power to transport the family of God from earth to heaven. The gospel was not designed for that purpose; the gospel was designed to give the information of who and what will provide that transportation from earth to heaven. The transportation will take place even for the members of the family of God who do not have the understanding of how it will take place. The design of the gospel is to provide information fhat will be helpful in giving understanding to a child of God while he lives here in the world. The simple point of the gospel is to remove ignorance and to impart knowledge and understanding.

The gospel makes a revelation of the righteousness of God as stated in Romans 1:17, and the gospel brings to light the life and immortality that a child of God must already possess before it is possible for that life and immortality to be shown. Therefore the gospel does not produce the life and immortality; it only reveals what is already there. (II Timothy 2:10)

When a person can understand the truth of the gospel he will experience a great timely deliverance. He will no longer ignorantly labor to establish his own righteousness as demonstated by Romans 10:1-4. He will recognize that his righteousness is actually in Christ and believing this will “save” him from the error of thinking that he must establish his own righteousnes. The gospel is the power to save from ignorance while one is still living in the “here and now”.

When one can understand the purpose of the gospel, he will see the actual importance of it. It is designed for the comfort and instruction of the family of God while they live in this world. The overwhelming majority of the family of God are in ignorance. The power of the gospel is to tell the children of God the truth and to deliver them from ignorance. The minister of the true gospel has a great task of letting the children of God know the “good news” of the accomplishments of Christ and to open their understanding to the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. The work of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit is not dependent upon the proclamation of the gospel, but the knowledge and understanding of the children of God is increased by their appreciation of the truths of the gospel.

Wherever there is ignorance and lack of understanding of the “good news”, there is a field of labor for the gospel minister. His message of truth will not take anybody to heaven, but the message will tell of the One who will provide the transportation based upon the work of the Triune God. There is plenty of work to be done because there is much ignorance in all areas of this world, even in the supposed “Christian” countries.

In conclusion, please notice the work of the Triune God beautifully described in these words of scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:14 “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”

Another beautiful expression is found in this scripture:

Job 23:13 “But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.”

These are “gospel” words that bring “good news” and “glad tidings” to the family of God who need to know that the “warfare” has been accomplished.

Just read Isaiah 40 from beginning to end and relish the “good news” that brings comfort to those who are victorious through the grace of God. What a “power” to blast ignorance is found in the explosive dynamite of the gospel of Christ when delivered by a minister who has been called of God and sent to deliver it!!!

Elder Darrel Chambers

Elder Chambers was born April 21, 1961, to Hulen and Jean Chambers in Marshall County, Alabama.  He was the first of three sons born in this family.   Darrel  joined  Pilgrim’s  Rest  Church  at  Rainsville, Alabama  at  the  age  of  nine,  being  baptized  by  his  uncle, Elder Guy Hunt.  He since has been a member of Pine Level Church  at  Atmore,  Alabama,  Flint  River  Church  at Huntsville,  Alabama  and  Union  Church  at  Woodville, Alabama.    His  membership  is  presently  at  Union  Church where he was ordained and serves as one of the pastors.

Darrel was ordained as a deacon at Flint River Church in 1982 at age 21 and performed those duties until he was ordained  to  the ministry  in April of 1996.   From age five, he has shown great interest and concern in spiritual matters and to the church and it’s function.

He  is married  to  the  former Donna  J. Kennamer and  they have  two daughters, Laura age 15 and Jessica age 13 and one son, Benjamin age 8.  All are members of Union Church.

Elder Leon Etheredge

Elder J. Leon Etheredge was born November 16, 1931 at Ozark, Dale County, Alabama the fourth of five children born to Elder S. W. Etheredge and Lena Hester. Elder  Leon  was  raised  in  a  God  fearing,  devout  Primitive  Baptist  home.  After graduating  from high school, and spending  four years  in  the US Air Force he used the GI bill and earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University in December 1957.

While in college he married Betty Jo Spurlock of Ozark, Alabama. His wife had a  small  son  from  a  previous marriage  and  there were  three  children  born  to  this union. His experience of being called out of nature’s darkness into God’s marvelous light happened the first Sunday in December 1963. His loving companion had taken the  three  boys  and  gone  to  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  of  her  membership, leaving him at home with their daughter. While languishing in bed that Sunday morning, a very strong urge moved him to search for a church he had seen which had indications of being a Primitive Baptist Church.

At a nearby home he  learned  that  the church was of  the Primitive Baptist  faith and  that  there would be  services second Sunday night at 6:30. They went home and when his wife returned,  their daughter ran  to her and said “Mama, Daddy has  found  a  church.” He  shared his  experience with his wife  and  she  agreed  to  go with him  the next Sunday night.

He  said  that was  longest week  he  ever  spent. The  time  finally  came  to  go  to  church. He  and  his  family  arrived shortly after 6:00 PM and those who came were friendly and warmly welcomed them.

He  and his wife were baptized  into  the  fellowship  of Bethel Church by Elder  S.W. Etheredge  in April  of  1964, among a flood of tears. Elder Leon says  that  if he was ever called to preach  the Gospel of the Son of God,  it was  the same day he had the urge to go look for the church building described earlier.

At  the  request of Elder Gene Thomas, Elder Leon made his  first  effort  to  speak  in  the name of God  at Bethel Church in June 1965, and was ordained to the full work of the Gospel Ministry in June of 1966. He was soon called to serve  three Primitive Baptist Churches of  the Mud Creek Association. A  few  years  later, he was  called  as one of  the pastors of another church  in the Mud Creek Association. Since that time, he has continuously served as pastor of four churches in the area. As of February 2000, he serves Hurricane Church of the Flint River Association and Bethel, Union and Bethlehem Churches in the Mud Creek Association.

Elder Gene Thomas

I was born on  January 3, 1929,  in Scottsboro, Alabama. My parents were Joe and Minnie Thomas.

On  the  4th weekend  in  September 1940,  the  Mud  Creek Association  convened with Union Church. On Friday  I was  in  a  quiet, meditative  mood.  That afternoon  my  mother decided  that  we  would go  home  with  Brother and  Sister  Jim Wilborn. Some others went on to Brother Wilborn’s  by  car,  but mother  and  I  and  a  few  others  rode  in Brother Wilborn’s wagon. As we bounced along, tears were formed in my eyes as I became resolved  to offer myself  for membership  in  the church the  following  day. My mother  discerned  that  something  was  bothering me.  She  finally  asked  if  it  was  about  the  church.  I  nodded  in  the affirmative. Not knowing what to say, she could only pat my shoulder.

After  the preaching services on Saturday morning an opportunity  to unite with the church was given. The services were held in a grove of trees and  a  stand  had  been  erected  for  the ministers. As  the  invitation  song began, I walked forward to the stand. I was only eleven years of age and very small for my age. The stand was  too high for me  to climb  into and Elder H. P. Houk, the Moderator, did not notice my coming and standing at  the  edge  of  the  stand.  I  then  reached  up  and  caught  the  cuff  of  his pants and began  jerking  it  to gain his attention. He  looked down, picked me  up,  and  put me  in  the  stand.  Six  others,  including my  older  sister Kathryn, also came forward. My sister and I were baptized by Elder H. P. Copeland.

My first effort in a public way took place on the 3rd Sunday in June of 1948 at Bethlehem Church near Limrock, Alabama. The deacons of my home church approached me on the churchyard a few minutes before the time  of  the  preaching  service.  Brother W. H.  Butler  spoke  to me  and asked if I would take part in the services that day. Feeling that it would be right to be obedient to the desires of my brethren, I replied that I would do  so. When  the  time  came, dear old Elder  J. W. Page  led me  into  the pulpit. I opened the Bible to Ezekiel 16:1-6 and read those verses. I spoke for about  ten minutes on  the subject of original sin and depravity. Amid tears, I  took my seat with a mixed sense of relief and a realization  that a heavy weight of  responsibility was being  assumed. From  this  time  forth there has been no place to turn back. In November  of  1948 Union  Church, while  in  regular  conference, expressed  their  desire  that  I  should  be  set  apart  as  a  gospel  minister. According  to  the  arrangements,  we  met  at  Union  Church,  Woodville, Alabama,  in  the Mud Creek Association, on Sunday morning, December 5, 1948, at ten o’clock, for that purpose. The presbytery was composed of the  following:  Elders  H.  P.  Houk,  John  Page,  H.  P.  Copeland,  K W. Yeager, Henry Autry, B. A. Stephens, M. M. Morton, and sixteen deacons. Elder Houk was  chosen  as moderator  and Brother W. M. Butler,  clerk. The Moderator  appointed Elder Yeager  to  offer  prayer, Elder Autry  to question the candidate; and Elder H. P. Copeland to deliver the charge. I  have  served  as  a  pastor  of Union Church  continuously  from my ordination to the present (February 1998). Through the years I have been called at various other churches as pastor or to fill regular appointments. Among these are Bethel, Mud Creek, Pilgrim’s Rest, Bethlehem, Sweeten’s Cove,  Hurricane,  New  Home,  Mount  Pisgah  and  Macedonia.  At  the present time I am serving Union Church and Macedonia Church.

In  conclusion,  it  has  been  my  sincere  desire  to  uphold  sound, scriptural  principles  of  doctrine  as  well  as  clean,  godly  principles  of practices  in all our churches. I believe  in facing  the problems of our day with  the  answers  as provided  in  the Bible.  It  is my humble desire  to be numbered  among  those who  “earnestly contend  for  the  faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”