No works, no effort of man, no “pulling one up by their own bootstraps” goes into the salvation process.
For more information on this series, click here.
I haven’t always held to Reformed theology, or “the doctrines of grace.” I grew up in a similar denomination, attending church every time the doors were open and enjoying those early days of Sunday School story boards, memorizing hymns for treats, and tucking Scripture away in my heart via Bible Drill. It wasn’t until I was an adult that my eyes were opened to Reformed theology, and I became what is officially known as a Reformed Baptist.
My husband already held to these truths when we met, and it wasn’t until he pressed for us to go to a reformed church that I really started investigating their doctrines. At first, one might say I went kicking and screaming. I’m not a fan of change, and this was a big change. Hearing the presentation of reformed theology first brought out an anger in me that was hard to describe. There were tears, slammed books, and a lot of loud conversations with my husband and frustrated prayers with the Lord as I sought to make sense of it against my childhood beliefs.
Then one day, after hearing a guest speaker at a youth rally where I was volunteering, something started to shift in my heart. My defenses fell and my guard lowered. I approached the speaker privately afterward, and through a series of conversations that weekend, the switch flipped for me. I left the youth event reformed in my heart, and I knew there was no going back. The Holy Spirit had revealed it to me, and it was done.
Hundreds of years ago, Reformed theology was born out of a response to the beliefs held by the Roman Catholic Church. Upon leaving that religion, Reformers sought to rebuild the church using the teachings found in the New Testament, holding tightly to what they interpreted in Scripture.
But like with all denominations, there are variants that don’t carry over between every individual church. Some Reformed Baptist churches follow a Baptist Confession, such as the London Confession (1689) which is modeled closely after the Presbyterian Westminster (1646), while other churches follow points of an official confession, but not every nuance of one. If you’re visiting a new congregation, it’s important to find out which confession they hold to (if any) because there could be varying elements that affect your decision to join.
Also, like with all denominations, there are many misunderstandings and assumptions. Reformed theology, which is largely known as “Calvinism”, often gets a bad reputation from said misunderstandings and assumptions. Some shy away from Reformed theology because they believe it follows the teachings of an individual man (John Calvin) rather than the Bible. Reformed Baptists over history, however, have included many notable names of influence such as Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, John Piper, John MacArthur, Jr., and Al Mohler.
Spurgeon himself is attributed to saying, “Reformed theology is nothing other than Biblical Christianity.” The doctrine didn’t spring from one man, but rather, from the Word of God and biblical truth.
Other misunderstandings and assumptions include the claim that all Calvinists are arrogant and prideful, and therefore not to be trusted. While it is noted that some newly converted Reformers enter a “cage stage” of coming across brash in stating their doctrine, most Reformers are quite humble, and simply passionate about their beliefs.
While there are many misconceptions among every denomination, here are two truths and a lie about Reformed Baptist theology.
Truth 1: Reformed Baptists Hold to the Five Solas of the Reformation
They are:
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
Sola Gratia (grace alone)
Sola Fide (faith alone)
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (to the Glory of God)
While somewhat self-explanatory, the above Solas hold to the truths that Scripture is inerrant and sufficient, and we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, and it’s all to the glory of God alone. Amen! No works, no effort of man, no “pulling one up by their own bootstraps” goes into the salvation process. We can’t earn or strive our way into heaven and will never be good enough without the righteousness and perfection of Christ covering our sin.
Truth 2: Reformed Baptists Hold to the Doctrines of Grace (Often Summed Up with the Acronym: TULIP)
Total Depravity. This is the doctrine that men are born in sin, under Adam, and in this natural state, men are sinful and enemies of God.
Romans 5:12 (ESV) "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…"
Unconditional Election. This points out the truth that because man is dead in his sin, man is unable to initiate a response to God. It’s only by God’s grace and the drawing of the Holy Spirit that man can be saved and brought to a new life in Christ.
Romans 11:5-6 (NKJV) "Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace."
Limited Atonement. This belief clarifies that all whom God elected and whom Christ died for will be saved. It holds to the belief that none of Christ’s blood and sacrifice was wasted on people who did not “choose Him”, but rather, accomplished the purpose for which it was pre-destined to accomplish before the foundations of time, for whom God chose.
Ephesians 1:3-4 (ESV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."
Romans 8:29-30 (ESV) "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
Irresistible Grace. This teaching simply means that God changes the hearts of sinful men to draw them to Himself. He doesn’t save anyone against their own will, but those whom He draws are saved. (My favorite example of this in the Bible is Saul/Paul as found in Acts 9 and Acts 22.)
John 1:12-13 (ESV) "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
Perseverance of the Saints. Also known as “preservation of the saints”, this belief is a breath of fresh air, as it holds to the truth that man cannot save themselves or maintain their salvation. Instead, God will finish the good work that He started in them. None will be lost or snatched from His hand.
John 17:12 (ESV) "While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled."
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Lie: Reformed Baptists Believe in the Election, or “Pre-Destination.” Therefore, No Need to Witness.
I hear this often when trying to explain my denomination to others. At first pass, it certainly can sound like that might be the case. “If you believe God chooses people and they don’t choose God, then what’s the point in even witnessing? Won’t He just save whoever He’s going to save regardless?”
The answer is both yes and no. God’s Word clearly states that He will save those whom He will save. Romans 9:15-16 ESV says, "For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
But that doesn’t mean we are any less commanded in Scripture to proclaim the Gospel:
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Reformed Baptists believe that one of the ways God orchestrates His will is by using His children—to preach, to evangelize, and to share the Gospel. Hearing the Gospel message is necessary for salvation.
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV) "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Consider Jonathan Edwards, who was reformed and played a large role in the Great Awakening of the 1700’s, and famous missionary William Carey—clearly neither of them shied away from preaching! Not to mention Paul, who wrote Romans, suffering endlessly for the cause of Christ. One might say he was as evangelistic as they come! If Paul, who wrote Romans 9 under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, still passionately preached the Gospel, then clearly this lie isn’t true.
The bottom line? God could do it without us—but He chooses to let us participate. It’s a blessing to share the good news of the Gospel and proclaim His kingdom, and it’s not for us to know who will be saved and who won’t be. So we obey the Word and preach loudly and passionately to all, while trusting the Spirit to draw whom He will. We can be confident in sharing the Gospel, knowing that God will save His people through it.
Photo Credit: ©Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
