Reformed Baptist vs. Baptist: What’s the Difference?
Occasionally, we’re asked what the difference between a Reformed Baptist church and a Baptist church is. Admittedly, the question is a little difficult to answer because every Baptist church is autonomous and as such, every Baptist church is free to choose how they function and what exactly they believe. Thus, it is easy to broadbrush Baptist churches and even caricaturize them when there needs to be room for nuance in describing various churches. However, considering the distinctive doctrinal beliefs and practices of Reformed Baptist churches gives us the primary differences between Reformed Baptists and non-Reformed Baptist churches (see https://grbcpa.org/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-reformed-baptist). Reformed Baptist churches are known for being confessional, covenantal, adherents to the regulative principle, and adherents to Baptist polity.
Confessional – truly Reformed Baptist churches affirm one of the Reformed Baptist confessions of faith. In our case, we affirm the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith (also known as the 2nd London Baptist Confession); however, there are other Reformed Baptist confessions including the First London Baptist Confession, The Philadelphia Confession, and the Abstract of Principles. The confession that a Reformed Baptist church affirms provides the local church’s theological framework. By contrast, non-Reformed Baptist churches may or may not affirm an historical confession. Many non-Reformed Baptist churches have actually written their own doctrinal statements or statements of faith, which may be held by other churches (see the Baptist Faith and Message) or may be unique to their own local church. In some cases, non-Reformed Baptist churches hold to the creed, “no creed, but the Bible,” which is intended to say that they simply believe what the Bible teaches.[1]
Reformed Baptist churches typically have theological differences from non-Reformed Baptist churches based on the Reformed confession that they affirm. For instance, all Reformed Baptist churches affirm the Doctrines of Grace, which highlights the sovereignty of God in salvation, but non-Reformed Baptist churches tend to highlight human free will in salvation. In addition, Reformed Baptist churches will emphasize God’s sovereignty over salvation and all of life, but non-Reformed Baptist churches typically are uncomfortable with doctrines like predestination and election. Ecclesiastically, Reformed Baptist churches are elder-led congregational churches that emphasize a converted church membership, church discipline, and a means-of-grace model for corporate worship. Non-Reformed Baptist churches tend to be deacon-led or committee-driven with varying degrees of emphasis concerning church membership and discipline. Lastly, consistently Reformed Baptist churches will have some doctrine concerning the Sabbath (though they may differ on how exactly to apply Sabbatarian teachings), whereas most other Baptist churches will not see the Sabbath as a continuing command.
Covenantal – because Reformed Baptist churches are confessional, their framework for biblical interpretation is grounded in Covenant Theology—albeit from a distinctly credobaptistic rather than paedobaptistic perspective. Covenant Theology views all of Scripture as one unified redemptive storyline based on God’s covenants with mankind and rooted in the eternal covenant within the Trinity. In contrast, most non-Reformed Baptist churches tend towards Dispensational Theology (or some variation of it), which interprets Scripture through distinct historical eras or “dispensations” that reflect different ways in which God relates to mankind.
This foundational difference shapes how each group understands the Old Testament, Israel, the Church, and even eschatology. Reformed Baptist churches see the Old Testament as an integral part of the Christian canon, while some non-Reformed Baptists treat it as largely irrelevant for believers today. Reformed Baptists affirm that Israel and the Church together constitute one people of God—that is, only those in Israel who truly believed were ever part of the redeemed people of God. In contrast, most non-Reformed Baptist churches view Israel and the Church as two distinct peoples in God’s plan. Finally, Reformed Baptist churches typically allow for intra-congregational diversity concerning the end times, so long as core doctrines remain intact. By contrast, non-Reformed Baptist churches that hold to Dispensational Theology often require adherence to a premillennial, pretribulational eschatology as part of their doctrinal distinctives.
Regulative Principle – almost all Reformed Baptist churches hold to some level of the regulative principle of corporate worship. The regulative principle states that during our corporate worship meetings, that the Bible dictates how the church is to worship. Reformed Baptist churches following the regulative principle will only do explicitly what Scripture commands in corporate worship settings. In contrast, most non-Reformed Baptist churches hold to the normative principle of worship. The normative principle states that during corporate worship meetings, anything that isn’t condemned in Scripture is welcome in worship. Churches following a normative principle of worship will include other elements within their corporate worship setting—just as long as Scripture doesn’t condemn a certain practice.
Practically, what this means is that churches adhering to the regulative principle of worship tend to be simple. These churches will stress the ordinary means of grace, highlight Scripture (both its reading and preaching), emphasize prayer, and give opportunities for believers to partake in the ordinances. In contrast, churches that adhere to the normative principle of worship can be complex. These churches often include additional components to their worship service—e.g., some may use videos, dramatic productions, flashing lights and fog machines, or other props.[2]
Baptist Polity – arguably, concerning Baptist polity, Reformed Baptist and non-Reformed Baptist churches are almost identical in their beliefs. The two exceptions deal with the offices of the local church and the ordinances. While all Baptist churches claim to believe that there are to be only two local church offices, many non-Reformed Baptist churches have switched from a plurality of elders/pastors and deacon model to a singular elder/pastor, deacon, and trustee model—effectively sidelining the biblical model of shared elder leadership. Of course, since every Baptist church is autonomous, they are free to choose their own polity concerning offices. Concerning the ordinances, non-Reformed Baptist churches almost always hold to a symbolic view; whereas, Reformed Baptist churches believe that the ordinances, while symbolic, are also means of grace—believers are spiritually nourished by the Holy Spirit, and their faith is strengthened as they commune with Christ by faith.
Of course, Because each local Baptist church is autonomous, there will naturally be variations—even among non-Reformed Baptist churches, some may reflect elements of Reformed theology or practice. However, Reformed Baptist churches are far more consistent and unified in their doctrine, worship, and structure due to their confessional commitments. This isn’t to say that non-Reformed Baptist churches are not Christian or lack genuine faith. Rather, the differences are meaningful enough—in theology, worship, and church life—that visitors will often notice a distinct contrast between Reformed and non-Reformed Baptist churches.
[1] Of course, the “no creed but the Bible” crowd need to then answer, “what about the Bible do you believe?”
[2] Derek Thomas has an excellent article arguing for the usefulness of the Regulative Principle available here: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/regulative-principle-worship. In addition, Matt Everhard released a book dealing with this issue called Worshiptainment: The Modern Church’s Golden Calf, which is recommended.
