ORIGIN AND PERSONAGES OF CONDITIONAL TIME SALVATION (Santamaria)

Elder J.R. Respess (1840–1927) was a prominent Primitive Baptist preacher and writer, widely respected for his contributions to the Primitive Baptist publications and theological discussions. Here is a list of his significant writings, with a focus on his contributions to the Primitive Baptist movement:

📚 Key Writings of Elder J.R. Respess:

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1. "The Primitive Baptist" (1877–1927)

• Contributions: Elder Respess was a regular contributor to The Primitive Baptist paper, which was a major publication for the Old School Primitive Baptist community. He wrote extensively on salvation, church governance, and the Christian walk.

• Key Focus: Much of his writing emphasized the importance of obedience and faithfulness in the Christian life, while affirming God’s sovereign grace in salvation.

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2. "The Kingdom of God."

• Summary: This work delves into the concept of God's Kingdom, focusing on the spiritual reign of Christ in the hearts of believers.

• Key Themes:

  • The nature of Christ’s kingdom as a spiritual and invisible kingdom.

  • Obedience as a central aspect of life in God's kingdom.

  • The relationship between church life and the Kingdom of God.

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3. "The Absolute and Conditional."

• Summary: In this book, Respess outlines his views on the difference between Absolute predestination (God’s sovereign election) and Conditional Time Salvation (obedience and faithfulness for temporal blessings).

• Key Themes:

  • Eternal salvation is unconditional (solely by grace).

  • Time salvation (blessings in this life) is conditional on the believer's obedience to God’s Word.

  • Explores the doctrinal division between Absoluters and Conditionalists within the Primitive Baptist movement.

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4. "Salvation: By Grace, Through Faith, and Works."

• Summary: This treatise emphasizes the relationship between grace, faith, and works in the believer’s walk.

• Key Themes:

  • The role of faith as the channel of grace.

  • Obedience and good works as the fruit of salvation.

  • The proper understanding of grace that leads to a godly life.

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5. "The Scriptural Doctrine of Election"

• Summary: Elder Respess elaborates on the Biblical doctrine of election, with a strong emphasis on God’s sovereign choice in salvation.

• Key Themes:

  • The eternal election of the saints by God's grace.

  • Election is unconditional; however, experiential salvation depends on the believer's obedience.

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6. "The Great Commission."

• Summary: In this work, Respess discusses the Great Commission given by Christ in Matthew 28, emphasizing the church’s role in carrying out the gospel mandate.

• Key Themes:

  • Evangelistic duty of the church to preach and baptize.

  • Importance of church discipline and maintaining godly order.

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7. "The Sovereignty of God in Salvation."

• Summary: A significant work where Respess outlines his views on the sovereignty of God, especially in the context of salvation.

• Key Themes:

  • God’s absolute control over salvation and eternal life.

  • Emphasis on the unconditional nature of salvation, affirming God's grace.

  • The relationship between sovereignty and free will, in which free will is acknowledged but God’s plan prevails.

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8. "The Faith Once Delivered."

• Summary: In this work, Respess defends the historic teachings of the Primitive Baptists and urges adherence to biblical doctrines that were passed down through the church.

• Key Themes:

  • The preservation of biblical faith through the generations.

  • Importance of staying true to the teachings of the apostles.

  • A defense of Primitive Baptist tradition and its distinctive beliefs.

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9. "Christ's Mission on Earth."

• Summary: Respess examines Christ's earthly mission, focusing on the purpose of His coming and the nature of His work.

• Key Themes:

  • Christ’s work as Redeemer and Savior.

  • The spiritual transformation that believers undergo in Christ.

  • Christ’s sacrifice and its implications for the believer’s life.

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📚 Other Contributions:

In addition to these specific works, Elder J.R. Respess also contributed to various sermons, articles, and periodicals throughout his life, particularly in the publications of the Primitive Baptist denomination. Many of his writings emphasized the sovereignty of God, the importance of Scripture, and the necessity of faith and obedience for experiencing God's blessings in this life, while affirming that eternal salvation was always by grace alone.