Reformed Baptist - Definition and Overview

The name Reformed Baptist does not refer to a distinct denomination but instead is a description of the church's theological leaning. Not all churches that are reformed in doctrine identify themselves as such. There are two associations of Reformed Baptist churches in the United States: the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America, which began in 1997 and the Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (http://www.firefellowship.org). There are also associations in South Africa and New Zealand.

Reformed Baptist churches quite often adhere to either the First or Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1646 and 1689 respectively. These two statements are usually not considered exhaustive or completely accurate, but instead are convenient summaries of a church's belief. All Reformed Baptist derive all of their doctrine directly from the Bible and see it as the sole authority of faith and practice.

Reformed Baptist Churches are distinct in that they are both Reformed (adhering to and showing respect for much of the theology defined by John Calvin) as well as Baptists (believing in baptism for believers only, and that by immersion). Historically, the five points of Calvinism have been central tenets of the Reformed faith, which all Reformed Baptist churches agree with by definition. However, conservative Reformed theology is normally committed to Covenant theology, one application of which is the practice of infant baptism. For this reason more traditional Reformed branches of Christianity (Presbyterian, etc) sometimes refuse to accept their Reformed Baptist brothers as truly Reformed.

Some common traits of Reformed Baptists are:

1. Credalism: historical creeds are considered useful, but not authoritative.
2. Localism: each congregation is a fully independent church, to the point of rejecting Conventionalism.
3. Simplicity: simple forms of church governance and liturgy, specifically subordinating music to the preaching.
4. Multiple pastorship: each church has multiple pastors (aka plurality of elders).
5. Moderate Cessationism: the supernatural Gifts of the Holy Ghost in general, and Revivals specifically, are considered exceptional measures sovereignly bestowed by God, not to be searched as a common policy. Thus a rejection of Revivalism in general and Pentecostalism specifically.
6. The idea of the Sunday as the Christian Sabbath.
7. The centrality of the Word of God: the church takes no part on human schemes for church growth, nor searches for popularity, but sows the Word and trusts God will make it multiply.
8. The reservation of the pastor/elder role for men.

External links

• Founders Ministries (http://www.founders.org/) - a site committed to preserving historic Reformed principles within the Southern Baptist Convention
• What is a Reformed Baptist (http://www.vor.org/truth/refbapt.html) - a Reformed Baptist explains his beliefs
• International Fellowship of Reformed Baptists (http://www.reformation-today.org/ifrb/) - an international body to promote unity among Reformed Baptists
• Johnny Farese's Reformed Baptist Church Directory (http://www.farese.com/rbcd/rbcd.htm) - an informal directory of "churches which either claim to hold to the 1689 Confession of Faith; correspond with and pray for other sister churches; and/or fellowship with other sister churches through family conferences, pastors' conferences, etc."
• Grace and Truth Christian congregation in Israel (http://www.graceandtruthbulletin.org/) - a Reformed Baptist congregation
• New Zealand Reformed Baptist Churches (http://www.rbc.org.nz/) - official site
• Reformed Baptist Association in South Africa Web Site (http://www.reformed.org.za/) - official site, in Afrikaans and English