The term 'Reformed Baptist' is as recent as the 1960s. Before that, Baptists who held to the Doctrines of Grace and the 1689 Confession (like Keach, Gill or Spurgeon) would have called themselves 'Particular Baptists.' The term was coined by Walt Chantry and Welshman Geoff Thomas when they were studying at Westminster Theological Seminary and were being told by other students that they shouldn't be there because they were not 'Reformed.' "Yes we are Reformed," they replied, "We are Reformed Baptists."
Those who have compared the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Congregational Savoy Declaration with the 1689 Confession will know that there are huge areas of agreement between them, but on baptism and church polity, the Baptists ploughed their own furrow.
One other point: elders (Gk. 'presbuteroi') are biblical, and the word means the same as 'overseers' or 'bishops' (Gk. episkopoi'). This is easily proved. First of all, there was a plurality of 'episkopoi' in the church at Philippi (Phil. 1:1). Secondly, when Paul came to Miletus in Acts 20:17, he 'Sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.' Then in verse 28, he tells them, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers ('episkopoi'), to shepherd (or 'pastor.' Gk. 'poimaino') the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
So 'episkopos' and 'presbuteros' have the same meaning, and there were a plurality of them. Moreover, 'poimen,' meaning a shepherd or pastor also has the same meaning. Therefore the idea of a single monarchical pastor, supported only by deacons is not the Biblical model, though it may be unavoidable in very small churches.
Those who have compared the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Congregational Savoy Declaration with the 1689 Confession will know that there are huge areas of agreement between them, but on baptism and church polity, the Baptists ploughed their own furrow.
One other point: elders (Gk. 'presbuteroi') are biblical, and the word means the same as 'overseers' or 'bishops' (Gk. episkopoi'). This is easily proved. First of all, there was a plurality of 'episkopoi' in the church at Philippi (Phil. 1:1). Secondly, when Paul came to Miletus in Acts 20:17, he 'Sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.' Then in verse 28, he tells them, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers ('episkopoi'), to shepherd (or 'pastor.' Gk. 'poimaino') the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
So 'episkopos' and 'presbuteros' have the same meaning, and there were a plurality of them. Moreover, 'poimen,' meaning a shepherd or pastor also has the same meaning. Therefore the idea of a single monarchical pastor, supported only by deacons is not the Biblical model, though it may be unavoidable in very small churches.
