What are the distinctives of "Reformed Baptist"?

[Jerome]

The term "Reformed Baptist"....Its genesis goes back to nearly 60 years ago to Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, PA.

Tom Chantry, who grew up in the Carlisle, Pa. church you mention, made a website explaining the brief history of this kind of 'Reformed Baptists':

ChantryNotes • Reflections on Reformed Baptists' History

 

[JesusFan]

The distinctives are the same with all 5 pt. Calvinists.

TULIP and Covenant Theology.

Actually, there are Calvinist Baptists who hold to just doctrines of Grace, while those who hold to Covenant theology and Confessions are Reformed Baptists

 

[JesusFan]

Reformed posted on another thread: "I'm careful about championing Christian celebrity preachers. However, Voddie Baucham was the real deal. He truly was a giant (figuratively and literally) in Reformed Baptist circles. He leaves behind a faithful legacy and a godly example. He is missed."

What are the distinctives of "Reformed Baptist"?

A Baptist who would hold to the Doctrines of Grace, Covenant theology, and abide by a Confession of Faith, usually 1689 edition

 

[JesusFan]

I have been a member of numerous Baptist Churches over the past sixty years. I never heard the term "reformed" mentioned in any of them. Yet, they all where in compliance with Biblical (Reformed?) doctrine.

If you consider how "Reformed Theology/Doctrine" has been applied across the so-called Christian spectrum, it is a bucket of worms! What do "reformed" denominations have in common? Very little - at most. Just about anything is OK under the blanket of "Reformed Theology" - from infant baptism to speaking in tongues.

R. C. Sproul stated: "Reformed Theology is nothing but Biblical Theology". According to his statement, the reformers placed them selves above the Holy Spirit's revelation!

I ask my rhetorical question: What did the reformers reform that needed reforming?

The Gospel itself, as very nearly died while under the Chaining of Rome, as well as the Bible to and for all, and that individuals can understand bible for themselves , can pray to God directly etc

 

[JesusFan]

The term "Reformed Baptist" is really an American invention. Its genesis goes back to nearly 60 years ago to Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, PA. There is a long history there. At its core Reformed Baptists are nearly identical to 17th century English Particular Baptists. The particular part has to do with the doctrine of particular redemption (the Calvinist view of election and predestination). The "Reformed" moniker was born out of the closeness that Particular Baptists share with Reformed denominations like Presbyterianism and Dutch Reformed. Most Reformed Baptists churches (but not all) believe in covenant theology. This is similar to the Reformed denominations I mentioned. They also believe in the Doctrines of Grace. Most subscribe to one of the major Baptist confessions of faith like the 1689 LBC, 1644 LBC, or the New Hampshire Confession. These confessions are not equal to scripture, but they are a concise, published summary of what a church believes scripture teaches. Where Reformed Baptist churches differ from other Reformed denominations is over the nature of the New Covenant and baptism. Reformed Baptist churches are in general agreement with non-Calvinist Baptist churches on these two doctrines.

The question was asked about what the term "Reformed" means and what needed reforming. The term was born out of Martin Luther's desire to reform Roman Catholic Church teaching and practice. Luther never intended to separate from Rome. Separation eventually occurred but the "Reformed" name became ubiquitous when describing what history labeled as "the Reformation" and "Protestantism". Today some Calvinistic Baptist churches use the term "Reformed" to declare what they believe. This is no different than "Missionary Baptist", "Free Will Baptist", or even "Primitive Baptist."

So, there it is. Have a blessed day.

if your worship service allows for more than just hymnals, if your church does not subscribe to any Confession, and if you hold to Calvinism, just doctrines of Grace itself, and if not holding to Covenant theology proper. you are a Calvinist Baptist church, not a reformed one

 

[Wesley Briggman]

What do you mean when you say the reformers failed? In what way did they fail?

Martin Luther and other reformers, failed to correct errors of the RCC.

Do you believe otherwise?

 

[Wesley Briggman]

The Gospel itself, as very nearly died while under the Chaining of Rome, as well as the Bible to and for all, and that individuals can understand bible for themselves , can pray to God directly etc

Actually, there are Calvinist Baptists who hold to just doctrines of Grace, while those who hold to Covenant theology and Confessions are Reformed Baptists

A Baptist who would hold to the Doctrines of Grace, Covenant theology, and abide by a Confession of Faith, usually 1689 edition

I conclude that Reformed Theology in every and all aspects is a bucket of worms. (repeating myself). These and other posts justify my conclusion.

 

[JesusFan]

I conclude that Reformed Theology in every and all aspects is a bucket of worms. (repeating myself). These and other posts justify my conclusion.

Reformed theology regarding Sotierology is what the Bible affirms

 

[Zaatar71]

Martin Luther and other reformers, failed to correct errors of the RCC.

Do you believe otherwise?

I believe they discovered most all of the primary errors that the RC. Church for sure.
If you are suggesting all the RC. Churches would or should have converted to be Baptists, then no, that did not happen. Is that what you mean?

 

[KenH]

Sovereign Grace Baptists, such as myself, get lumped in with the general term, "Reformed Baptist". Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia page on "Reformed Baptists".

"Sovereign Grace Baptists in the broadest sense are any "Calvinistic" Baptists that accept God's sovereign grace in salvation and predestination. In the narrower sense, certain churches and groups have preferred "Sovereign Grace" in their name, rather than using the terms "Calvinism", "Calvinist", or "Reformed Baptist".
...
All of these groups generally agree with the Five Points of Calvinism - Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Groups calling themselves "Sovereign Grace Baptists" have been particularly influenced by the writings of John Gill in the 18th century. Among American Baptists who have revived such Calvinist ideas were Rolfe P. Barnard and Henry T. Mahan, who organized the first Sovereign Grace Bible Conference in Ashland, Kentucky, in 1954, though groups designated as Sovereign Grace are not necessarily connected to them."

- source: Reformed Baptists - Wikipedia

The mention of Henry T. Mahan is particular important to me as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Ruston where I attend, Richard Warmack, first heard the gospel of the finished work of Christ from Henry Mahan, and then I heard it from Richard Warmack.

 

[Zaatar71]

Sovereign Grace Baptists, such as myself, get lumped in with the general term, "Reformed Baptist". Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia page on "Reformed Baptists".

"Sovereign Grace Baptists in the broadest sense are any "Calvinistic" Baptists that accept God's sovereign grace in salvation and predestination. In the narrower sense, certain churches and groups have preferred "Sovereign Grace" in their name, rather than using the terms "Calvinism", "Calvinist", or "Reformed Baptist".
...
All of these groups generally agree with the Five Points of Calvinism - Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Groups calling themselves "Sovereign Grace Baptists" have been particularly influenced by the writings of John Gill in the 18th century. Among American Baptists who have revived such Calvinist ideas were Rolfe P. Barnard and Henry T. Mahan, who organized the first Sovereign Grace Bible Conference in Ashland, Kentucky, in 1954, though groups designated as Sovereign Grace are not necessarily connected to them."

- source: Reformed Baptists - Wikipedia

The mention of Henry T. Mahan is particular important to me as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Ruston where I attend, Richard Warmack, first heard the gospel of the finished work of Christ from Henry Mahan, and then I heard it from Richard Warmack.

Hello Ken H,
What do Reformed Baptists believe, that you or any other Sovereign Grace Baptists do not?
What is it in the 1689 that you look at it and say, no, I do not believe that!

 

[KenH]

What do Reformed Baptists believe, that you or any other Sovereign Grace Baptists do not?

Sorry, but I do not have a personal knowledge base to get into all of the distinctive differences about such. I would be trying to discuss the subject from a standpoint of ignorance rather than a standpoint of knowledge.

For me, when I hear the term "Reformed", I tend to think of those who might be practicing pedo-baptism and/or using the "Moral Law" as a requirement to prove that one has been saved or using it a "rewards system" or using it much in the way that the Pharisees in Jesus' day did.

But that is just my personal perspective at this point.