60-second overview
A Protestant theological tradition emphasizing God’s sovereignty, salvation by grace, covenant, the authority of Scripture, and a confessional understanding of church and sacraments.
History and identity
Reformed theology developed in the Swiss, French, Dutch, German, Scottish, and other Reformations. It is broader than the five points of Calvinism. Historic Reformed churches are usually paedobaptist and confessionally governed; Reformed Baptists adopt much of the soteriology and covenantal structure while retaining believer’s baptism.
What the group says about itself
What this group teaches and practices
God’s sovereign grace in salvation. Covenant and redemptive-history frameworks. Confessions such as Westminster and the Three Forms of Unity. Strong doctrine of church, preaching, sacraments, and discipline.
Core teachings and practices
- God’s sovereign grace in salvation.
- Covenant and redemptive-history frameworks.
- Confessions such as Westminster and the Three Forms of Unity.
- Strong doctrine of church, preaching, sacraments, and discipline.
Variation across churches
Moderate variation within the groupWhat it shares with the Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs
This group is within historic Nicene Christianity, with broad agreement on the Triune God and Jesus Christ’s full deity and humanity. Other important differences may still remain.
Important differences from the Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs
The Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs lie within the broader Reformed theological tradition. Reformed theology includes paedobaptist and presbyterian church forms as well as Baptist appropriations; these are internal variations rather than one position held by every Reformed theologian.
How it relates to historic Nicene Christianity
Inside historic Nicene ChristianityThis group is within historic Nicene Christianity.
Boundary guideRelated groups
Sources
The group’s own sources come first, followed by outside context and the guide’s comparison.
- Orthodox Presbyterian Church — Westminster Confession of FaithVerifiedHistoric confession
- Christian Reformed Church in North America — The Three Forms of UnityVerifiedHistoric confession
- Presbyterian Church in America — BeliefsVerifiedOfficial doctrine
- Presbyterian Church in America — Westminster Confession of FaithVerifiedHistoric confession