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INTRODUCTION

In light of a few congregants having inquired as to the nature of a “Reformed Baptist Church”, we’ve felt it a valuable opportunity for us all to learn more about the historic theology of Reformed Baptists among evangelical Protestants, as it relates to our church.

The first Reformed Baptist congregations grew out of the English Reformation, arising from independent reformed churches in the 1630’s, during the earliest days of the emerging Baptist Movement. These churches held to a reformed and baptistic theology that would become chiefly expressed in the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (which influenced the substance of our own KBC Doctrinal Statement). Amidst other Baptists, Reformed Baptist churches have historically been identified by two particular marks:

The Five Solas of the Reformation & Reformed Soteriology

THE FIVE SOLAS OF THE REFORMATION

The term ‘sola’ comes from the Latin word meaning “alone”. Thus, the basic elements of historic, biblical Reformed theology – like that found throughout most of the Ancient and Medieval periods, and again during the Reformation – are summarized in the Five Solas:

1. Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”): God’s inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word is the sole infallible authority in all matters of Christian faith and practice. All other rightful sources of authority in the Church – including Tradition and Reason – are thus subject to sacred Scripture upon the aforementioned basis.
2. Sola fide (“by faith alone”): Sinners are justified by faith in Christ alone, and no amount of human works of the Law can merit righteousness in the eyes of God.
3. Sola gratia (“by grace alone”): The salvation of sinners, from beginning to end, is by the grace of God alone. God is truly sovereign over the entire process of our salvation – from His foreknowing, predestination, and calling of us unto salvation, through to our justification, sanctification, and eventual glorification.
4. Solus Christus (“through Christ alone”): The sinless and law-fulfilling life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Christ alone is the basis for a sinner being declared righteous in the eyes of God (otherwise known as the ‘Imputed Righteousness of Christ’). In Christ, we live and move and have our being.
5. Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”): God alone is worthy of glory and worship for all His mighty works of creation and redemption. He alone is to be venerated and worshipped through prayer, praise, devotion, and sacrifice.

In fact, the KBC Doctrinal Statement explicitly includes a summary of these Five Solas: “By the authority of Holy Scripture alone: we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – to the glory of God alone.” Furthermore, the theology of all Five Solas can be found in the Articles of the KBC Doctrinal Statement, as well.

REFORMED SOTERIOLOGY

The theological term ‘Soteriology’ simply refers to the Doctrine of Salvation – coming from the Greek σωτηρια (soteria “salvation”). In the earliest days of the Baptist movement, such churches that held to the biblical, reformed Doctrine of Salvation were referred to as ‘Particular Baptists’ – named so as to reflect the reality of whom Christ was sacrificed to atone for: His particular people (the elect/the chosen people/the Church/Christians). This was in distinction to ‘General Baptists’, who denied the reformed evangelical doctrines concerning such subjects. Today, we are known simply as ‘Reformed Baptists’.

The reformed Doctrine of Salvation has been defined by what are known as the ‘Doctrines of Grace’ – which, historically speaking, have been summarised by an acrostic: ‘T.U.L.I.P.’ This particular formula stands for ‘Total Depravity’, ‘Unconditional Election’, ‘Limited Atonement’, ‘Irresistible Grace’, and ‘Perseverance of the Saints’. As with the Five Solas of the Reformation, the substance of the Doctrines of Grace can likewise be found in the KBC Doctrinal Statement. So, let us now examine what these theological terms mean (with references to the relevant Articles of the KBC Doctrinal Statement):

1. Total Depravity: The doctrine that all of mankind is affected by the curse of original sin (introduced at the Fall). This does not necessarily mean that every person behaves as bad as he possibly could at all times; it does mean that the Fall corrupted every aspect of human nature and that fallen man is dead in sin. His will is enslaved to sin – thus, he is not born a ‘blank slate’ (see KBC Article 5).
2. Unconditional Election: The doctrine that God’s election of sinners unto salvation is not conditioned on anything outside of God’s nature. The Lord is not dependent in any way upon His creatures. Likewise, our election unto salvation is not dependent upon our good works, nor on some inherent worthiness. Faith is a gracious gift of God, who loves us in spite of our fallen state (see KBC Article 7).
3. Limited Atonement: The doctrine that is otherwise commonly known as ‘Definite Atonement’. This means that rather than making redemption simply possible, Christ actually accomplishes the redemption of those for whom He died. His sacrificial death upon the cross as a substitute for us paid the just penalty for all the sins of His beloved people (known as ‘penal substitutionary atonement’). His sacrifice is entirely sufficient and effective for all the elect throughout the ages (see KBC Article 6).
4. Irresistible Grace: The doctrine that the Holy Spirit will successfully regenerate all those for whom Christ died. While unbelievers may resist the external call of the Gospel, the elect among them will hear and respond to the internal call of the Holy Spirit; He will regenerate them, and give them the gift of faith. God is truly sovereign in achieving the total redemption of His people (see KBC Article 7).
5. Perseverance of the Saints: The doctrine that those who have been chosen by God, for whom Christ died, and who have been called out of death and into life (true, regenerate Christians) – God will preserve by His grace until the end. No one will ever snatch them out of their Father’s hand; no one who truly comes to Christ will ever be cast out (see KBC Articles 7, 8, and 12).

Numbering those like John Bunyan, John Gill, William Carey, A.W. Pink, Charles Spurgeon, and others among our iconic historical figures, the wonderful and endearing biblical truths of Reformed Baptist theology have continued to be taught and experienced by countless Christians across the centuries.

CONCLUSION

In all, Katoomba Baptist Church itself aligns with the definition of a Reformed Baptist church, with regards to the Five Solas and Reformed Soteriology. Given the fact that there are different types of Baptist churches, it is important for a congregation to define and distinguish what type it is (Reformed, General, Charismatic, etc.). Thus, the reference to KBC being a “Reformed Baptist Church” on the homepage of its website (constructed in 2020 under the previous leadership) is not, for example, an innovation in the life or teaching of KBC, nor some sort of new name/title for the church. Rather, it is a valuable and helpful descriptor that accurately reflects what has already been over the years at our church, and that appropriately aligns with the theology of our Doctrinal Statement. Additionally, this descriptor (in conjunction with the rest of the KBC Website) helps visitors and those seeking a new church home to more readily identify and learn what we as a church teach and practice theologically.

KBC also recognises that we as fellow Christians may have varying views with regards to certain kinds of topics (e.g. Eschatological matters related to the nature of Israel, biblical prophecies, etc.). Consequently, the KBC Doctrinal Statement upholds the essential biblical dogmas of Christianity concerning such subjects (e.g. KBC Articles 11 and 12), whilst maintaining reasonable room for matters of personal conviction within our unity beneath Christ Jesus.

With regards to the history of doctrinal codification at KBC: a provisional edition of the KBC Doctrinal Statement was first formulated in September 2018. Following the construction of the new KBC Website in late 2020, the official KBC Doctrinal Statement was formally adopted by the Members of the church in 2021, to reflect the observably reformed nature of the church’s Baptist theology, as well as its consistent teaching from the pulpit.

We certainly hope that this brief article has been helpful in explaining and exploring some of the basic elements of Reformed Baptist theology, as it relates to our beloved church. If you have any further questions about the content herein discussed, we as Pastors are always happy to share in reasonable, good faith discussions, in order that we might all grow in our knowledge of and devotion to our common Lord – Jesus Christ.

Daniel Thomas & Michael Woolley
Pastors
Katoomba Baptist Church