The Particular Baptist Church—What is it? What do Particular Baptists believe?

Particular Baptists are so-called because they believe in “particular,” or limited, atonement. Since they hold a Reformed theological, or Calvinistic, view of the atonement, Particular Baptists are also sometimes called “Reformed Baptists.”

what does the bible say?

Particular Baptists are a historic branch of Protestant Christianity defined by their conviction that Christ’s atonement was purposeful and effective for God’s chosen people, which is why they are often called Reformed Baptists. Particular Baptists are rooted in the Reformation and shaped by figures like John Bunyan and Charles Spurgeon. They hold a Calvinistic view of salvation that emphasizes God’s sovereign grace, human sinfulness, and the certainty that those truly saved will persevere. Their theology is paired with clear practices: believer’s baptism by immersion, congregational church governance, and a strong commitment to religious liberty and church–state separation. Their statement of faith is summarized in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. They seek to order both belief and church life according to what they underst and the Bible to teach. Like all Christian traditions, their claims ultimately call for careful biblical evaluation, reminding us that faithfulness to Christ—not labels—remains central.

from the old testament

While the Old Testament does not mention the Particular Baptist Church by name, it lays the biblical groundwork for key doctrines that Particular Baptists affirm, such as human sinfulness and the need for salvation. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (e.g., Genesis 3; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 14:1–3), showing our need for redemption, which comes entirely from God, rather than by human effort.
Passages that speak of God choosing and calling His people reflect a theme of divine election (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:6–8; Psalm 65:4), supporting the Particular Baptist emphasis on unconditional election (the idea that God chooses individuals for salvation according to His purpose).

from the new testament

Jesus speaks of laying down His life for His sheep (John 10:11–15), which Particular Baptists interpret as teaching that Christ’s atoning work was intended specifically for the elect, not universally applied to all without distinction—the heart of their name “Particular.”
The New Testament repeatedly shows baptism following personal faith (e.g., Acts 2:38–41; Romans 6:3–4), a practice Particular Baptists uphold as normative, rejecting the practice of infant baptism seen in other traditions.
Jesus promises that His sheep will never be snatched from His h and (John 10:27–29), a key New Testament assurance that Particular Baptists connect with the doctrine of perseverance—that true believers endure in faith.

implications for today

Prior to the Protestant Reformation, there were groups that rejected infant baptism in favor of credobaptism for adults; they came to be known as “Baptists.” In Engl and in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, there were Separatist Baptists, who thought the Church of Engl and was apostate and wanted to fully separate, and non-Separatists, who wanted to form their own congregations yet maintain friendly relations with the Church of England. The Particular Baptists were non-Separatists and included figures such as John Gill, William Carey, John Bunyan, and Charles Spurgeon. In Colonial America, the Particular Baptist church grew, especially after the First Great Awakening (1735–1743). They began to be called Regular Baptists, but disagreements on the specifics of atonement created division. Today, the Particular Baptists hold to five-point Calvinism, whereas the Regular Baptists hold to Amyraldism. There are also those who discourage worship with musical instruments and disagree with any organizational entities not listed in the Bible, now known as Primitive Baptists. Particular Baptists, like all Baptists, practice believer’s baptism by immersion and have a congregational church government structure. Baptists also support freedom of religion and adhere to a strong separation between church and state, not wanting any civil authority over the church. Particular, or Reformed, Baptists hold to a Bible-based theology and follow the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Still, as with any church, it is best to compare the doctrines and practices of the specific congregation with what the Bible actually says.

Recap

understand

Particular Baptists believe in limited atonement.
Particular Baptists practice believer’s baptism by immersion and have congregational church governance.
Particular Baptists uphold perseverance of the saints, church-state separation, and follow Bible-based theology.

reflect

How does the teaching of Christ laying down His life specifically for His sheep shape your understanding of God’s grace toward you?
How does believer’s baptism reflect your personal faith and commitment to Christ?
How does the promise that God’s sheep will never be snatched from His h and affect the way you live in confidence and perseverance?

engage

What are the key theological differences between Particular Baptists and other Baptist or Reformed groups, and how might those differences affect spiritual conversations?
How should we discern which teachings to accept and which to question when interacting with Particular Baptists?
How can we lovingly engage with Particular Baptists while maintaining a clear understanding of the full scope of God’s grace and salvation?