Lecture: Understanding Reformed Baptist and Evangelical Denominations

Key Concepts

• Evangelicalism
  • Not a denomination, but a collection of denominations.
  • Defined by belief in salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
  • Distinct from Roman Catholicism which has different gospel beliefs.
• Reformed Baptist vs. Evangelical
  • Reformed Baptist is a denomination under the evangelical umbrella.
  • Evangelical is not a denomination but a category encompassing various denominations including Reformed Baptist.

Reformed Baptist vs. Calvinistic Baptist

• Calvinistic Baptist Example
  • John MacArthur: embraces 5 solas, 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP), but not fully Reformed.
• Reformed Baptist Example
  • Votie Baucham, James White, Joel Webb: fully embrace 1689 Second London Baptist Confession.

Differences in Doctrine

• Reformed Baptist
  • Confessional: Holds to historic Reformed confession (1689).
  • Christian Sabbatarianism: Observes Sunday as Sabbath.
  • Covenant Theology: Sees continuity between Old and New Testament.
  • Typically Amillennial or Postmillennial eschatology.
• Calvinistic Baptist
  • Non-confessional in Reformed sense.
  • May reject Christian Sabbatarianism.
  • Dispensationalism: Sees discontinuity between Old and New Testament.
  • Typically Premillennial eschatology.

Evangelicalism and Roman Catholicism

• Evangelicals and Catholics have different core gospel beliefs.
• Council of Trent: Roman Catholic doctrine that opposes evangelical core beliefs.

Conclusion

• Evangelicalism serves as a broad category for gospel-believing Christians across denominations.
• Distinctions exist between different Baptist expressions under evangelicalism, influenced by doctrinal adherence to historic confessions and interpretations of theology and eschatology.

Additional Information

• Announcement of a conference with speakers including Dr. James White and others, emphasizing early registration due to price increases after Reformation Day.