Reformed Baptist Churches (1689 London Baptist Confession)
Reformed Baptists are Calvinist Baptist churches that hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, which adapts the Westminster Confession for a Baptist ecclesiology. They affirm TULIP soteriology (total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, perseverance of saints), believer's baptism by immersion only, and a strict regulative principle of worship. Unlike paedobaptist Reformed churches, they reject infant baptism while maintaining five-point Calvinism. Reformed Baptist congregations are typically independent with loose associational ties.
Theology
Trinity
Affirms
One God in three coequal, coeternal persons affirmed in Nicene orthodoxy
Nature of God
Affirms
God is eternal, immutable, all-powerful, all-knowing, sovereign, and absolutely simple
Holy Spirit
Affirms
Third person of Trinity; indwelling, regenerating, sanctifying; cessationist on sign gifts
Christology
Nature of Jesus
Affirms
Eternal God the Son; Chalcedonian two natures, one person; sinless humanity
Virgin Birth
Affirms
Mary's perpetual virginity denied; virgin conception of Jesus Christ fully affirmed
Pre-existence of Christ
Affirms
Eternal generation of the Son; preincarnate activity; Covenant of Redemption
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Calvinist salvation through grace alone via monergistic regeneration and faith
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Penal substitution; definite atonement for the elect; limited to those Christ redeemed
Predestination
Affirms
Double predestination; unconditional election to life; reprobation of the lost
Original Sin
Affirms
Total depravity; inherited guilt and corruption through Adam; bondage of will
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul in conscious intermediate state; bodily resurrection and eternal judgment
Hell
Affirms
Eternal conscious torment; lake of fire; just punishment for sin and unbelief
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal dwelling with God; glorified bodies; new creation; beatific vision
Second Coming
Affirms
Literal, visible, bodily return of Christ; final judgment; renovation of all things
Millennium
Nuanced
Amillennial majority; some historical premillennialism; no rapture doctrine
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
Congregational polity; plural elders; regulative worship principle; sola scriptura
Clergy & Priesthood
Affirms
Male elders and deacons; no sacerdotal priesthood; priesthood of all believers
Sacraments & Ordinances
Nuanced
Two ordinances: believer's baptism by immersion; Lord's Supper (memorial/spiritual presence)
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
Protestant 66-book canon; Old Testament and New Testament complete revelation
Biblical Inerrancy
Affirms
Verbal, plenary inerrancy of original manuscripts; Chicago Statement affirmed
Extra-biblical Revelation
Denies
Sola scriptura; no new prophecy or revelation after apostles; cessationism affirmed
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Logos fully divine, Second Person of the Trinity, eternal with the Father
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Virgin birth prophesied in Isaiah 7:14; fulfilled in Jesus's Incarnation
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Denies
Rock is Christ not Peter; confession of faith is foundation
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Affirms
Gods unconditional election; vessels for honor prepared
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Nuanced
Works justify faith before people; faith alone justifies before God
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Baptism in Trinitarian name; formula central to valid administration
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christs deity affirmed; seated on eternal throne
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Amillennial or postmillennial reading; thousand years symbolic
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created all things; six-day creation; historical truthfulness
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 included with textual notation; authenticity disputed
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
John 7:53-8:11 included with textual evidence noted
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Denies
Comma Johanneum not in original manuscripts; rejected
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Apocryphal books rejected; not Scripture; 66-book canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas non-canonical; lacks apostolic authority
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Affirms
Christian Sabbath on Sunday; Fourth Commandment binding; regulative worship principle
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
Blood transfusions permitted; dietary laws abrogated; medical care affirmed
Military Service
Affirms
Military service permitted; just war theory affirmed; civic duty recognized
Holidays
Nuanced
Christmas and Easter observed by some; regulative principle leads others to abstain