Auto-generated Transcript:
Hello and welcome to another Five Good Minutes, where I answer your theological questions in five minutes or less.
Today’s question: What is a Reformed Baptist—and are you one?
To understand what a Reformed Baptist is, we need to take a brief look at church history.
The Historical Roots of Reformed Baptists
Reformed Baptists trace their origins to the 16th and 17th centuries. During this time, groups broke away from the Church of England, which itself was formed when King Henry VIII separated from the Roman Catholic Church. Dissatisfied with the church’s leadership and theology, reform-minded believers began to emerge.
There were two main groups:
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Separatists – left the Church of England entirely, seeking religious freedom.
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Puritans – stayed within the church, hoping to purify it from within.
Out of these groups came a new movement: the Baptists—especially those who rejected infant baptism and insisted that only believers should be baptized, as taught in Scripture.
General Baptists vs. Reformed Baptists
Even within the Baptist movement, two theological streams developed:
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General Baptists
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Influenced by Arminian theology.
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Believed in free will salvation and that salvation could be lost.
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Held that Christ’s atonement made salvation possible for all, but didn’t secure it for anyone.
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Their theology eventually faded out due to doctrinal instability.
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Reformed Baptists (also called Particular Baptists)
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Believed salvation is by God’s sovereign grace alone.
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Affirmed that Christ died specifically to secure salvation for the elect.
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Embraced the necessity of preaching the gospel and the effectual calling of God.
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What Reformed Baptists Believe
Reformed Baptists are rooted in the theological heritage of the Protestant Reformation, holding to the doctrines of grace and other key tenets of Reformed theology. Here are their defining beliefs:
1. The Five Solas of the Reformation
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Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone is our highest authority.
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Sola Fide – We are saved by faith alone.
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Sola Gratia – By grace alone.
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Solus Christus – In Christ alone.
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Soli Deo Gloria – For the glory of God alone.
2. Expository Preaching
Reformed Baptists emphasize verse-by-verse, expository preaching—making sure the main point of the biblical passage is the main point of the sermon.
3. The Regulative Principle of Worship
They believe worship should include only what Scripture commands—such as reading the Word, preaching, praying, singing Scripture-centered songs, and observing the ordinances.
4. The Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
Also known as Calvinism, these doctrines affirm:
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Total Depravity – Mankind is unable to save themselves.
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Unconditional Election – God chooses whom to save.
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Limited Atonement – Christ died specifically for the elect.
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Irresistible Grace – God’s call to salvation cannot be resisted.
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Perseverance of the Saints – True believers will remain in the faith.
5. Confessional Belief
Reformed Baptists are confessional, meaning they adhere to a written statement of faith. Most hold to the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith, which outlines their biblical convictions in great detail.