Reformed & Evangelical Baptist Church

Church History

From a small fellowship formed in commitment to Scripture and gospel truth, Eastside Baptist Church endured seasons of trial, division, and renewal, steadfastly upholding the authority of God’s Word and the 1689 Baptist Confession, growing into a Reformed, confessionally grounded church marked by faithful eldership, gospel-centered ministry, expository preaching, church planting, mercy work, and discipleship—celebrating 40 years in 2025 - as a testimony to God’s sustaining grace and covenant faithfulness.

Baptists and the Reformed Baptist Identity – Essentials

1. Baptists in the Protestant Family Tree

• Baptists are part of the Protestant movement, rooted in the 16th Century

Reformation (AD 1517), which restored the authority of Scripture and gospel truth.

Five key Reformation principles:

1. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone as the supreme authority.

2. Sola Fide – justification by faith alone.

3. Sola Gratia – salvation by God’s grace alone.

4. Solus Christus – Christ alone as Saviour.

5. Soli Deo Gloria – all glory to God alone.

Who Are Reformed Baptists?

Originated in the early 17th century in England, distinct in baptising believers by immersion.

• Particular Baptists affirmed particular redemption (Christ died for His elect).

• Suffered theological decline through hyper-Calvinism (18th century) and modernism/liberalism (19th century), which weakened biblical authority.

• Revival of Reformed theology began in the 1960s, renewing historic Particular Baptist churches and establishing new Reformed Baptist congregations worldwide.

Distinctives of Reformed Baptists (1689 Baptist Confession of Faith)

• Sovereignty of God – God is absolutely in control of creation, history, and salvation; salvation is by grace alone through faith, secured for the elect.

• Primacy of God’s Word – Scripture alone is the rule of faith and practice; preaching is central and expository.

• Purity of Worship – Worship must be God-centered, reverent, and according to Scripture (Regulative Principle of Worship).

• Purity of the Church – The church is a people set apart; discipline and biblical order preserve health and holiness.

• Radical Discipleship – Salvation transforms life; believers live in holiness and zeal for good works, obedient to God’s Word.

Relation to Other Churches

• Fellowship is shaped by shared truth; closest ties with other Reformed Baptist churches.

• Membership in Sola 5 affirms a shared commitment to God-centered Evangelical unity.

The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith

• Provides a clear, faithful summary of biblical truth to guard unity and clarity of doctrine.

• New members receive a copy and are encouraged to study and apply it.

Practical and Doctrinal Considerations

A multicultural Eastside Baptist Church affirms from its foundation that the gospel creates one new humanity in Christ, breaking down every dividing wall of race, status, or culture (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:13–18). Rooted in the conviction that all people are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and united by the blood of Christ (Revelation 5:9), we uphold racial harmony as a core value. This includes affirming the dignity of every person, opposing all forms of racial discrimination, and taking active steps—personally and corporately—to foster unity and cultural diversity in our church and community life. We believe a multicultural church glorifies God by reflecting His purpose for the body of Christ: demonstrating that Christ is Lord of all nations, reconciling sinners to God, and enabling believers to grow through the mutual enrichment of different cultures (1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 13:12). At Eastside, English is our uniting language of worship, chosen to foster corporate unity while acknowledging the challenge this brings to personal expression. We remain committed to planting Reformed Baptist churches in other language contexts where possible, always upholding a culture of biblical inclusivity grounded in Scripture.