Grime, J.H. - Why Am I, A Baptist: A treatise on the reasons for being a Baptist

There is a copyright with this particular edition. In the forward, it says it was originally published in the public domain date range, but that this edition was republished by the author's son in 1969.  The author's original work must be used, this edition uses a 1969 copyright and so is NOT public domain until 2065.

Excerpt:
Every person should be able "to give a reason of the hope that is in him." (1 Peter 3:15)

I might say negatively, that no hope of ostentation or worldly ambition impels me to be a Baptist. If I did not feel assured that I was following the teaching of God’s word, and glorifying God in keeping my membership in a Baptist Church, I would certainly withdraw at once.

The first question I propound, is: Do Baptists hold the truth and the whole truth as it appertains to the Christian religion? There are two great systems of doctrine extant—Baptist and Catholic, but they hold nothing in common.. If Baptist Churches are Churches of Jesus Christ, then Catholic Churches are anti-Christ. There is no compromise. It is clear cut, and no basis whatever to mix words Catholics and Baptists are antipodes.

Christian Catholics are anti-Christian. If the Church of Jesus Christ has a just claim of continuity, the Baptist or Catholic, one or the other, must form a link in the chain from 250 A. D. to 1520 A. D. Now to the record.

"There was a man sent from God whose name was John." (John 1:6) Isaiah, the prophet, 62:2, says: "And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name." Baptist, is the only new name ever uttered by the mouth of the Lord, for his people. (Matthew 11:11) This Baptist preacher (John the Baptist) commissioned in heaven by God himself came to "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17) He made them ready, first, by preaching "repentance." (Matthew 3:2) Second, by demanding "fruits worthy of repentance" before he would baptize them. (Matthew 3:1-10) Third he included faith: "Saying unto the people, that they should believe on him that should tome after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." (Acts 19:4) Fourth, he gave the "knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins," (Luke 1:77) Fifth, he baptized them with (Greek in) water, they, confessing their sins. (John 1:3-33; Matt. 3:6) This Baptist preacher then "baptized the Lord—the head of the church." (Mark 1:9) Then the Lord took this material prepared for him by this Baptist preacher, who was commissioned by God for this purpose, and constituted the church; "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." (1 Cor. 12:28) These adverbs of time in this passage, show clearly that the apostles were set in the church before they were given power to work miracles,—"gifts of healings" and "diversities of Tongues." The record says: "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would; and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils," (Mark 3:13-15) Then follow the names that make up the church roll.

About the Author:  ELDER JOHN HARVEY GRIME July 29, 1851 — August 8, 1941