Will The Real Reformed Baptist Church Please Stand Up

Here’s an interesting Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog, dated May 30, 2007, challenging any and all Reformed Baptist Churches to perform a self-identity check to see how they measure up to be deemed worthy of the title, “Reformed.”

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Reformed Baptist what?  Are you a recovering Baptist or something?  Baptists can’t be Reformed!  Reformed Baptist churches are new therefore they can’t be trusted.  What exactly do Reformed Baptists believe?  What exactly is a Reformed Baptist church?

These kinds of questions and statements are common these days.  Most Reformed Baptist pastors have to deal with such sentiments on a regular basis. The Head of the Church has been gracious to American Evangelicalism in recent years; Calvinism seems to be enjoying a bit of a revival.  Conferences, books and high profile speakers abound.  Rejoice Zion!

Yet, this has not come without causing some consternation to our small group of churches; we are often misrepresented by those who do know what the Reformation was about, and misunderstood by those who don’t.  Most of the time, this is not hard to bear.  It is our privilege to explain what we believe and why it is so important to us.

The real challenge is when a church that has little in common with us beyond the so-called “Five Points of Calvinism” and yet claims to be a Reformed Baptist church.  Observe that these brethren may:

• reject the Regulative Principle of worship as outdated,
• the Law is despised as burdensome,
• Sabbath observance is considered legalistic,
• or Covenant theology is compromised with a commitment to Dispensationalism,

I would like to see some honesty in advertisement.

In an attempt to help explain what we believe, I offer the “Five Points Of Reformed Baptist Church.”

These are not completely original to me.  I first heard them from Richard Barcellos, who in turn heard them from Pastor Greg Nichols.  I have added the sub-points and modified some of the terms of the major points.

I will go out on a limb and say that a Reformed Baptist church may be more than what is here, but it will not be less.  Some of our churches may sing Psalms exclusively while others are completely committed to the hymns. Home-schooling or public school and many other concerns are matters to be resolved with Christian prudence and charity (yes, RB churches recognize adiaphora).  But for our small group of churches, these “Five points” are beyond dispute.

The five points of Reformed Baptist Churches (A brief out-line of our distinctive convictions)

A. Reformational.

1. Sola Scriptura – The Bible is the complete, closed and clear authority in all matters of faith.
2. Solus Christus – Our confidence is in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
3. Sola Gratia – Grace secured redemption without reference to works.
4. Sola Fide – We are declared righteous by God through faith alone.[1]
5. Soli Deo Gloria – Goal of creation and redemption is God‘s praise.

B. Calvinistic.

1. Total Depravity – The fall of Adam affected the totality of man’s person.[2]
2. Unconditional Election – Election is not based on foreseen faith or works.[3]
3. Limited Atonement – Redemption was accomplished by Christ for elect.[4]
4. Irresistible Grace – Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is efficacious for elect.
5. Perseverance of the Saints – God will, by grace, complete what He began in regeneration.

C. Puritan.

1. Godliness in Worship – Regulative Principle of Worship[5], and the Lord’s day as a Christian Sabbath.
2. Godliness in Preaching – Primacy of preaching. Both exposition and application emphasized.
3. Godliness in Instruction – Confessional and catholic. Publishing what we believe the Bible teaches.[6]
4. Godliness in Family – Parents are to instruct (catechize) and discipline their children in the Lord.
5. Godliness in Behavior – Maintaining a good conscience before God and man.

D. Covenantal.

1. Unity of the Bible – Many parts yet one message.
2. Christ-centered interpretation – Jesus’ person, work and kingdom is the theme of the Bible.
3. Law / Gospel distinction – Law[7] commands and condemns. Gospel saves.[8]
4. One way of salvation – Christ has saved all the elect throughout all the ages.
5. Optimistic view of history – Jesus Christ is now King ruling over all. He will soon come again.

E. Baptist.

1. Biblical Church Practice – Ordinances for believers only.[9] Church discipline lovingly exercised.
2. Biblical Church Freedom – The state is not to intrude into matters of conscience.
3. Biblical Church Government – Elders and deacons. The local congregation chooses its leaders.[10]
4. Biblical Church Growth – Gospel proclamation to the world. Repentance and Faith demanded of all.
5. Biblical Church Ministry – Priesthood of all believers.[11]

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[1] This is an imputed alien righteousness. Justification is perfect, neither waxing nor waning.

[2] We agree with Martin Luther that man‘s “will comes from the devil and from Adam”

[3] A Calvinistic understanding of Salvation: We reject all man centered understanding of salvation.

[4] “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matt 1:21 cf. John 10:11,14-18,24-29; Acts 20:28; Isa 53

[5] As opposed to the “Normative principle” which states that what is not forbidden is allowed. Our worship service is built around the Scriptures read, preached and sang.

[6] We hold to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith 1689. Additionally the Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian and Chalcedonian creeds express our understanding of orthodoxy.

[7] We recognize the “Three uses of the law.” First, the law serves as a guide to society in promoting civic righteousness. Secondly, the law convicts sinners and drives them to Christ. Thirdly, the law directs Christians in holy living. (See July 2, 2007 blog article for more information.)

[8] Law and Gospel are in both Old and New Testaments. The gospel is the promises of God to His elect.

[9] Infant baptism is alien to the practice of the New Testament. Likewise, immersion is the proper mode of baptism.

[10] “A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church.” We recognize no greater authority than the local church.

[11]  The local church is a spiritual family where relationships are to be open and honest. All matters are handled in charity and patience. Only through every-member participation can individuals grow in grace and love.