We(1) are(2) a Reformed(3) Baptist(4) Church(5).

(Capitalized words denote the official and more detailed doctrinal standards, for further details of our doctrinal standards, please consult them.)

1: “We” signifies the “Covenanting Community.” Church membership becomes less about communion, discipleship, and discipline and more like a country club or a common-interests group when it fails to covenant together. A biblical church—one that not only meets the explicit commands of Scripture, but implicitly follows what is modeled for us in the Scriptures—is one that covenants together under properly called and ordained Elders, alongside properly established Deacons. It is because of this that we expect every member to publicly affirm the CHURCH COVENANT as well as strive to live out what is contained therein.

2: “Are” signifies an important truth: we are the church. The church is not the leadership—though proper leadership is important, as is submission to proper leaders—the church is not the building, and the church is not the worship service— though corporate worship must always remain central to who we are as a church. The church is the people joined in Christ through the Spirit, by means of the public declaration of personal faith and repentance and subsequent baptism.

3: Reformed. We stand in the stream of theological heritage known as Reformed Theology. Reformed Theology is three things: Protestant, Calvinistic, and Confessional.

Protestant: The Protestant Reformers of the 16th century Reformation believed certain things that can be summarized in what is called the “5 Solas of the Reformation.” Sola, being Latin for “alone.” The following sentence is a handy way to remember the 5 Solas, and each are explained in further detail in THE CAMBRIDGE DECLARATION.

We are saved by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, according to Scripture Alone, to the Glory of God Alone.

Calvinistic: We agree with Charles Spurgeon who says,

“I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation[that is, the way he dispenses] of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor.”

In this he touches upon the center of what we say when we claim to be “Calvinistic.” We affirm: 

God’s Sovereignty over all things, especially salvation

The Unconditional Election of God from eternity past

The Particular and Effective Atonement of Christ

Justification by faith, apart from works

The Monergistic (single, divine working of) Regeneration and Effectual and Irresistible Calling of the Holy Spirit

The Radical and Total Depravity, or Original Sin

The Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints

This is commonly known by the T.U.L.I.P. acronym, and is most ably set forth in the CANONS OF DORT (which we affirm broadly, while acknowledging a certain degree of inevitable disagreement, especially regarding baptism).

Spurgeon also said, and we agree, “There is no soul living who holds more firmly to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether I am ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer—I wish to be called nothing but a Christian; but if you ask me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and rejoice to avow it.”

Confessional: Reformed theology has always found it prudent and essential to protect the unity of truth by setting forth doctrine in confessional form. We require substantial, though not strict, subscription to the following standards from our leadership. While we do not require such subscription from members, we do expect that members do not actively and publicly oppose those aspects of the standards that we declare non-negotiable.

THE SECOND LONDON BAPTIST CONFESSION (1689)

Among supplemental confessions, we hold general agreement with the following and find them helpful tools in understanding our main confession.

THE FIRST LONDON BAPTIST CONFESSION (1644/46)

THE CANONS OF DORT (with exceptions as noted above)

THE CAMBRIDGE DECLARATION OF THE ALLIANCE OF CONFESSING EVANGELICALS (1996)

THE CHICAGO STATEMENT ON BIBLICAL INERRANCY (1978)

THE CHICAGO STATEMENT ON BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS (1982)

THE CHICAGO STATEMENT ON BIBLICAL APPLICATION (1986)

The following catechisms we commend to all members as a helpful and accurate introduction to Biblical and Reformed Doctrine.

THE BAPTIST CATECHISM (commonly called KEACH)

AN ORTHODOX CATECHISM

4: Baptist. Reformed Baptist theology, as set forth in the above confessions, holds to a specific type of theology affirming the covenantal nature of God’s saving purposes and interaction with his church; it holds to a congregational church polity, as well as the doctrine that the proper mode of baptism is by immersion and only of professed believers. Baptists also have always found it prudent to band together in associations for mutual edification and communion, and for the purpose of training and sending out head pastors and missionaries.

Currently we are unaffiliated with any outside association, however Treasure Chest Ministries is our fiscal agent.

5: Church. But, in the end, the Church is still the local church. This is a fundamental Baptist distinctive: congregational polity. While we associate with other organizations, the true church is not some organizational structure, but Jesus Christ working through the local congregation. Reformation churches affirm three marks that make a true church.

The Gospel rightly proclaimed

The Sacraments rightly administered

Church Discipline rightly practiced.

We seek to be a “Reformed church always reforming according to the Word of God,” by focusing on these three marks.

6: Family-Centered speaks to our primary discipleship vehicle: the Family. 

See the SDG HARRISBURG MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS for elaboration.