Reformed Baptist Distinctives

[JM]

People often ask, "What is a Reformed Baptist?"

 

[Moderate Mic]

Hello! New here. Just a question for the Reformed Baptists. I’m wondering if you believe that the Sabbath is no longer binding on New Testament Christians, and go to church on Sunday but not with the beliefs that it’s the new Sabbath, can you still be considered a Reformed Baptist. That’s it, thanks!

 

[tampasteve]

Hello! New here. Just a question for the Reformed Baptists. I’m wondering if you believe that the Sabbath is no longer binding on New Testament Christians, and go to church on Sunday but not with the beliefs that it’s the new Sabbath, can you still be considered a Reformed Baptist. That’s it, thanks!

Good question, welcome to the forums.

 

[atpollard]

People often ask, "What is a Reformed Baptist?"

“Someone that actually READ their Bible and believed what they read.”
[I couldn’t resist.]

 

[JM]

Hello! New here. Just a question for the Reformed Baptists. I’m wondering if you believe that the Sabbath is no longer binding on New Testament Christians, and go to church on Sunday but not with the beliefs that it’s the new Sabbath, can you still be considered a Reformed Baptist. That’s it, thanks!

I believe what the confession clearly postulate.

 

[Jonaitis]

Hello! New here. Just a question for the Reformed Baptists. I’m wondering if you believe that the Sabbath is no longer binding on New Testament Christians, and go to church on Sunday but not with the beliefs that it’s the new Sabbath, can you still be considered a Reformed Baptist. That’s it, thanks!

Yes, we affirm that the seventh day has been changed by our Lord to the first day of the week. You will find this position in all the confessions. However, you don't have to be a full-subscriptionist to be a Reformed Baptist. You can take a few exceptions, but many will not consider you "fully" Reformed. I am actually reexamining my own position, but it is strongly a Reformed position.

 

[atpollard]

It might be useful to remember what makes a Baptist, a Baptist … the Baptist Distinctives:

WHAT ARE THE EIGHT BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES?
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Autonomy of the Local Church

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a “member” of any other body.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23

Priesthood of the Believer

“Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God—whether we are a preacher or not.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10

Two Ordinances

The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32

Individual Soul Liberty

Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9


Saved, Baptized Church Membership

Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

Two Offices

The Bible mandates only two offices in the church–pastor and deacon. The three terms—“pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop,” or “overseer”—all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.
1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:17–38; Philippians 1:1

Separation of Church and State

God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1–7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.
Matthew 22:15–22; Acts 5:17–29


From Baptist DistinctivesGARBC
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[atpollard]

Yes, we affirm that the seventh day has been changed by our Lord to the first day of the week. You will find this position in all the confessions. However, you don't have to be a full-subscriptionist to be a Reformed Baptist. You can take a few exceptions, but many will not consider you "fully" Reformed. I am actually reexamining my own position, but it is strongly a Reformed position.

The Baptist Distinctive of “Individual Soul Liberty” would apply here. Unless you believe a heresy (something directly contradicted by scripture - like denying the resurrection), it is a matter between you and God to work out.

 

[Jonaitis]

The Baptist Distinctive of “Individual Soul Liberty” would apply here. Unless you believe a heresy (something directly contradicted by scripture - like denying the resurrection), it is a matter between you and God to work out.

He was asking about the Particular Baptist position. You're in the Reformed section of the forum.

 

[atpollard]

He was asking about the Particular Baptist position. You're in the Reformed section of the forum.

If you do not practice “Local Autonomy”, then you are not a Baptist but a denomination. Therefore the answer will be a local congregation answer only.


Historically, there have been both General and Particular Baptists in most congregations for as long as there have been Baptist Churches. It is “Individual Soul Liberty” that allows this to exist.

While the London Confession of 1644 affirms the change in the sabbath, here is the most current “Faith and Message” from the SBC:

VIII. The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
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This merely acknowledges the worship on the Lord’s Day without changing the Sabbath. I do not believe that “sabbath” is a distinctive, but merely a matter of conscience.

(You are free to disagree).

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[Jonaitis]

If you do not practice “Local Autonomy”, then you are not a Baptist but a denomination. Therefore the answer will be a local congregation answer only.

Baptist = denomination
Reformed = tradition

I agree with the local autonomy, that's essential to Baptist ecclesiology. However, the Reformed tradition is a historical system, including positions of Sabbatarianism, Covenant Theology and Calvinist soteriology. You don't have to be Baptist to be Reformed.