Reformed vs. Southern Baptist

Attribute	Reformed	Southern Baptist
Denomination	Reformed	Southern Baptist
Theology	Calvinist	Arminian
Sacraments	Presbyterian polity	Autonomous churches
Church Government	Elder-led	Congregational
View on Baptism	Infant baptism	Believer's baptism

Beliefs

Reformed theology, also known as Calvinism, emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all things. It holds to the five points of Calvinism, known by the acronym TULIP: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. Reformed believers typically hold to a high view of Scripture and believe in the doctrines of grace. On the other hand, Southern Baptists hold to a more traditional evangelical theology. They believe in the authority of Scripture, the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith, and the priesthood of all believers.

Church Government

Reformed churches are typically governed by a presbyterian system, where elders and pastors have equal authority in the church. Decision-making is done through a series of church courts, with the highest court being the presbytery. Southern Baptist churches, on the other hand, are congregational in their government. Each individual church is autonomous and makes its own decisions without oversight from a higher authority. This allows for more flexibility and independence in the Southern Baptist Convention.

Sacraments

Reformed churches typically practice two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. They believe in the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper and practice infant baptism as a sign of the covenant. Southern Baptists, on the other hand, practice believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as symbolic acts. They do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the elements and see baptism as a public profession of faith.

Worship

Reformed churches tend to have a more formal and liturgical style of worship. They often follow a set order of service, including prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and a sermon. Southern Baptist churches, on the other hand, have a more informal and contemporary style of worship. They may incorporate praise bands, modern music, and multimedia presentations into their services. Both traditions place a strong emphasis on the preaching of the Word.

Missions and Evangelism

Both Reformed and Southern Baptist churches are committed to missions and evangelism. Reformed believers emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation and believe that God is the one who saves sinners. They may focus on planting churches and engaging in social justice issues as part of their mission. Southern Baptists, on the other hand, have a strong emphasis on personal evangelism and reaching the lost with the gospel. They are known for their missionary efforts around the world through the International Mission Board.

Conclusion

While Reformed and Southern Baptist churches share many core beliefs, there are significant differences in their theology, church government, sacraments, worship styles, and approaches to missions and evangelism. Reformed churches tend to be more traditional and formal in their practices, while Southern Baptist churches are more flexible and contemporary. Both traditions have a strong commitment to the authority of Scripture and the Great Commission, but they express their faith in different ways. Ultimately, both Reformed and Southern Baptist churches seek to glorify God and make disciples of all nations.