Who is a Reformed Baptist?
The term "Reformed Baptist" succinctly encapsulates our beliefs and the way we practice our faith within the church.
Being "Reformed" connects
Being "Reformed" connects us to the Protestant Reformation during the sixteenth century, where emphasis was placed on biblical truths like God's sovereignty in salvation, which teaches that individuals are made right with God through the work of the Holy Spirit, not by their own actions. Additionally, it highlights the concept of the priesthood of all believers, affirming that Christians can directly approach God without human mediators because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
On the other hand, "Baptist" signifies our belief that baptism is an act of obedience to Christ, symbolizing our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. This rite is reserved for those who have embraced faith in Him. Baptists also hold that the local church is the primary institution through which God accomplishes His purposes, and no higher authority should govern it.
The movement of Reformed Baptists emerged in the 1950s and 60s as a revival among Baptists in the United States and Britain, as they rediscovered the significance of their theological heritage. Typically, Reformed Baptists are characterized by their independence as local, congregational churches, governed by a group of elders and deacons, and adhering to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
Our Confession
Our church adheres to one of the oldest and most widely utilized Baptist Confessions of Faith. Similar to the Savoy Declaration of the Congregationalist churches, the 1689 Confession is a Baptist counterpart to the Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith. You can access the Confession from an external source.
We understand that some might question the emphasis on distinctives. At one level, we prefer not to overly highlight them, as we consider ourselves first and foremost as Christians and feel united with all who love the Savior. Consequently, we don't display our distinct beliefs prominently every Sunday in church.
However, we also recognize the contemporary movement seeking to eliminate labels and denominations, viewing them as divisive and poorly reflecting the gospel. While we acknowledge this perspective, we believe that denominations exist due to sincere differences rather than insincerity. Therefore, we find it better to be upfront about our distinctions rather than denying their existence.
It is essential to clarify that being Baptists and Reformed does not imply that we regard ourselves as the exclusive Christians or possess absolute correctness. Instead, we believe that we understand certain aspects more accurately than not. Otherwise, we would have nothing to express or report except our lack of knowledge. As a result, we prefer to be honest and thorough in articulating our doctrines and convictions. It is worth noting that everyone holds a doctrine, even those who criticize it, so we consider doctrine as a vital aspect rather than a negative term.
