Reformed Minded

What does “Reformed-Minded” mean?

The Five Solas

First, Legacy Baptist Church is Reformed-Minded in the sense that we believe in emphasizing the essential elements rediscovered during the Reformation.

Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone

We believe in Sola Scriptura, or Scripture Alone, as the basis for our faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:15-4:4; Psalm 19:7-9; 119:1-176; 2 Peter 1:3-11). Within this reformed distinctive is the foundation of all we do, i.e., that the Bible is sufficient for what we do and how we do what we do. We do not believe the local church is to be a place for entertainment with skits, drama, lights and show, but the drawing near to God in passionate worship in song, prayer and listening to the preaching of sacred Scripture, which alone is able to grow us toward the likeness of Christ.

Solus Christus – Christ Alone

Central to our burden and that of the Reformers is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose Person and work are at the core of all our assembled worship times (1 Cor. 2:1-5; Luke 24:25-32; John 5:39; Col. 1:15-2:23, etc.). We believe the local church is a family where the beauty of Christ is to be set forth in the powerful explanation of Scripture, where His majesty is set before us continually and talking of Him becomes a natural aspect of our Christian lives. We further believe that the wonders of Christ, His centrality and our sufficiency in Him should be the theme of our praise in song.

Sola Gratia – Grace Alone

Further, we believe that salvation is a free and gracious gift by God, not earned by anyone (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-13; Matt. 11:29-30; Isa. 55:1-2, etc.). It is the favor of God given to His people, based on nothing in them but only upon His own love and determination. In essence, grace is the Apostle Paul’s shorthand for the whole wonder of salvation that not only forgives sin and removes our guilt but really transforms us progressively into the image of Christ by the mighty working of the Spirit. The Reformed distinctive of grace alone not only freed the thousands who were in Roman Catholic bondage but gave them a sense of awed jubilation, a song in their heart, a smile on their faces and a deep joy to share – salvation by grace through faith.

Sola Fide – Faith Alone

We also believe that salvation is through faith alone (i.e., sola fide), without some kind of religious ritual or good works somehow buying our way into heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-31; 4:1-25; Gal. 3:1-4:31, etc.). Within this reformed distinctive is the glorious good news that Jesus Christ offers salvation as a free gift to anyone who places their faith in His Person and work.

Soli Dei Gloria – Glory to God Alone

Obviously, the whole of salvation and the whole of life are focused toward the glory of God. This is the Reformers’ conclusion of the other sola statements, i.e., as God is seen to be at the center of the whole process of gracious salvation and also at the center of all of life and eternity. Reading the sermons of Luther and Calvin one comes away with a refreshing high view of their passion for the glory of God, almost a fanatical god-centeredness that consumed them. All that they did, thought, said and taught was to promote the glory of God.

The Doctrines of Grace

Second, Legacy Baptist Church is Reformed-Minded in the sense that we affirm the Doctrines of Grace that have been espoused by men like Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, George Whitefield, and Jonathan Edwards, as well as great Baptists like John Newton (who wrote Amazing Grace), Matthew Henry (MH Commentary), Charles Spurgeon (known as the Prince of Preaching), John Bunyan (author of Pilgrims Progress), Roger Williams (founder and pastor of the first Baptist Church in America), John Broadus (namesake of Broadman Press), JP Boyce (founder of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), BH Carroll (founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary), William Carey (Baptist pastor known as the Father of Modern Missions), and AW Pink (author and Baptist pastor).

Total Depravity – Rebels Without A Cause

Man's will is in complete bondage to his nature. Man is free to choose according to the way his nature dictates, but his nature is so wholly corrupt that he could never choose what is good. He is free to choose, but he cannot contradict his nature. With a sinful nature it is impossible to take an action that would be anything other than sinful and rebellious. It is impossible to choose a righteous or pleasing work capable of pleasing a holy God. Similarly God is able to choose according to His free will, but cannot contradict his nature, which is perfect. Therefore God could never take an action that was anything but perfect and holy. (Genesis 6:5, 8:21; Isaiah 64:6-7; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; Romans 3:10-18, 8:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:25, 26)

Unmerited Favor – Grace Before Time

God's election is entirely unconditional and He makes the ultimate choice for salvation. God foreknows who will be His elect and this is based on His decree, plan and purpose. He chooses people for His good pleasure and in His will. God brings His chosen people, through the Spirit, to a willing acceptance of Christ. His choice has nothing to do with man's free will. God the Father chooses people for reasons we do not know or understand. God did not see that these people would make a choice for Him and choose them on that basis. (Matthew 11:27, 13:11, 15:13, 20:23; Mark 13:20; Luke 10:21,22, 12:32, 13:24; John 5:21, 6:44, 65, 8:43-47, 10:26-30, 12:37-40, 13:18, 15:16, 17:6; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:28-30, 9:11-13; Galatians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Ephesians 1:3-5, 11, 2:4-7; Colossians 1:26, 27, 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 13,14; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:1,2; 1 Peter 2:7, 8;
Jude 4)

Limited (Particular) Atonement – Mission Accomplished

Christ took the sins of the elect upon Himself on the cross. He provided a full and effectual (fully adequate) atonement for their sins. He did not provide only the potential for atonement, but actually provided the effectual atonement. His death secured everything necessary for salvation. This includes faith, which the Spirit applies to the lives of the elect. Though Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for the entire human race, it is only imputed (given) to the elect. Were Christ to sacrifice and die for someone and then that person did not choose to be saved, it would make Christ's work a failure. (Psalm 34:22; Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 1:21, 20:28; Mark 14:24; John 10:11, 13:1, 17:9; Luke 1:68; Acts 20:28; Romans 4:24, 5:6-8, 5:19; Ephesians 5:2, 5:25; Hebrews 10:14; Revelation 5:9)

Irresistible Grace – Intoxicating Grace

There are two ways God calls people to repentance. The first is the outer call which is extended to anyone who hears the gospel. This can be and often is rejected. The second is the internal call which is extended only to the elect and can never be rejected. In our natural state we are spiritually dead and as dead men we are incapable of responding to anything. Therefore we must be brought to life before we can respond to God. The Holy Spirit, in cooperation with the electing will of the Father, in the fullness of time, gives the gift of salvation to the elect who are powerless to resist God's grace. God then bestows to us the faith which Christ secured for us at the cross. Finally the Spirit leads us to cooperate with God and repent. The order of salvation is regeneration, followed by faith and finally repentance. The Spirit’s work of regeneration must precede both faith and repentance lest they be acts of man. (John 1:12-13, 6:37-39; 6:44; Romans 8:8, 9:19; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:1-10; Philippians 2:12-13)

Perseverance of the Saints – No Lost Causes

Because God authors and finishes our faith, we cannot fall away from salvation. Having been born again, we cannot be unborn. The elect, then, will persevere in righteousness and will never fall away from God. If someone who once professed Christ no longer appears to, one of two things must be true. Either he is still a believer and has fallen away from following God for a time (though not from salvation), or he was never saved. (Matthew 24:24; Luke 15:11-32; John 3:36, 4:14, 6:39, 10:28; Romans 8:28-30, 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24; 2 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 10:14; 1 John 2:19; Revelation 3:5)