Reformed Baptist?
What’s that?
The term “Reformed” connects us to the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, which brought renewed emphasis to biblical truths such as the sovereignty of God in salvation (that people become right with God, not by anything that we do, but by the work of the Holy Spirit producing faith in the hearts of sinners), and the priesthood of all believers (the belief that, because of the death of Christ on the cross, Christians need no human mediators to enter the presence of God).
The term “Baptist” identifies us with those who believe that baptism is an act of obedience to Christ, symbolizing identification with His death, burial and resurrection, and is to be carried out by those who have turned to Him by faith. Furthermore, Baptists believe that the local church is the fundamental institution through which God intends to accomplish His purposes and that no higher institution has authority over the local church.
ARTICLE V – CONFESSION OF FAITH
We agree with and accept the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (2LBCF) as our doctrinal standard which we judge to be an accurate and helpful summary of Christian doctrine. These are a few Statement of Faiths from Africa, Europe and Asia that influence the 2LBCF: Irenaeus Rule of Faith, Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Creed of the Council of Chalcedon, Athanasian Creed, 1644 London Baptist Confession and 1644 Westminster Confession. However, as its first chapter declares in the 1689 Confession, “the supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined….and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.”
We recognize and appreciate the 2LBCF but “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.” No matter of the societal changes, God’s word is still the standard of Christian life. Reformation Church Detroit desire to apply Scripture to all issues in the church, it is our duty to identify other areas of importance for the prospering of biblical clarity and unity. We believe in the biblical principle “always reforming” to continually grow spiritually and practically in the faith.
What We Believe
Sola Scriptura (By Scripture Alone): The Bible is the only inspired and authoritative word of God, is the only source for Christian doctrine and is accessible to all.
Sola Fide (By Faith Alone): Justification (interpreted as, “being declared right by God”), is received by faith only, without any mixture of or need for good works, though saving faith is always evidenced by good works.
Sola Gratia (By Grace Alone): Salvation comes by God’s grace or “unmerited favor” only — not as something merited by the sinner. This means that salvation is an unearned gift from God for Jesus’ sake.
Solus Christus (Christ Alone): Christ is the only mediator between God and man, and there is salvation through no other.
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone): All glory is to be due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his will and action — not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross, but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit.