Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0036
W. T. Beasley vs Elder W. C. Davis (Primitive Baptist)
November 10, 1927
Dickson County, Tennessee
(By V. E. Gregory)
This noteworthy discussion began on October 18 and continued four days, four hours each day. It was held in the Jackson Temple meeting house of the Church of Christ in Dickson County, Tennessee.
Two propositions were discussed. Bro. W. T. Beasley, Franklin, Tennessee, was in the affirmation the first two days. "The scriptures teach that faith, repentance, confession, and water baptism are conditions of pardon in the alien dead sinner." This was proven abundantly that Elder W. C. Davis, of McEwen, Tennessee was defeated on both propositions before he came to his own affirmation which was "The scriptures teach that salvation is unconditional to the alien dead sinner."
Both men are good in discussion, and this is especially true of Bro. Beasley. He is one of the best it has been my privilege to hear.
Elder Davis made the usual Primitive Baptist arguments on Romans 8:7-8; I Corinthians 2:4; Romans 9:13; Jeremiah 13:23. Bro. Beasley pressed him hard on all of these, taking them away from him. Elder Davis said: "The preacher has nothing to do in man's salvation." His attention was called to Romans 10:3-17; I Corinthians 1:21; Acts 9:10. Davis also said: "The sinner has eternal life before faith." Hebrews 11:6 ruined him on that. In the case of Jacob and Esau, he said Jacob was born first, thus exposing himself where he thought he was strongest. Davis said "FOR" in Matthew 26:28 was just like "FOR" in Acts 2:38, and when pressed as to which "FOR" he acknowledged it to be the last "FOR". His argument concerning Jeremiah 13:23 was taken away from him when Bro. Beasley showed that this was addressed to Israel, which had apostatized. This proved too much for Baptists. On apostasy Davis claimed that the persons mentioned in I Corinthians 10:5-10 were saved. This was in opposition to the position he and his moderator both had taken on the previous day.
The debate was orderly and was well attended. Elder J. R. Scott moderated for Davis and was fair and gentlemanly. V. E. Gregory moderated for Beasley. Preachers there: J. H. Horton, Dickson; Ed Easley, Nunnelly, Tennessee; G. W. Sullivan, Bon Aqua, Tennessee; J. T. Harper, Nashville; W. N. Abernathy, West Port. Primitive Baptist preachers there: W. R. Rushton, D. M. Still, Milton Deal, and Marable Sanders.
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