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“As to the second part of your question, reformed Baptists and reformed Presbyterians such as the OPC and PCA believe in the five points outlined as TULIP...”

I’d have to disagree. At least in theory, the SBC is ‘reformed baptist’. I’ve been attending SBC churches in various locations for most of the last 35 years, and independent baptist churches when I didn’t.

I have never, ever heard a sermon discuss ‘TULIP’, and have only heard a couple of formal discussions involving predestination. Based on the SBC baptists I’ve met, and perhaps 1000 sermons listened to, with more from other baptists, I’d say the reality is:

1. Total depravity - yes, although most Baptists may define it a bit different than Calvin.

2. Unconditional predestination - for believers to be conformed to His son? Yes. For salvation? Very few - perhaps 5% or less. I suspect most agree with Moody: “The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever “won’ts”.”

3. Limited atonement - No. I honestly have never met a Baptist in the SBC or elsewhere who believes in limited atonement, although they may exist. I have never heard one discuss or teach it.

4. Irresistible grace - No. I had never even HEARD of it until reading on FR. I have never talked to a Baptist or listened to a sermon where it has mentioned or accepted. The systematic theology text our Sunday School class is working thru claims to believe it, but the writer contradicts it at least a dozen times on the same page.

In all the sermons I’ve heard preached on John 3: “”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God”, no one has even hinted at believing in Irresistible Grace.

5. Final perseverance - Yes, perhaps 80% or more.

On baptism, Baptists believe “Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person baptised a sign of fellowship with Christ in his death and resurrection, of being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of giving up oneself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. Those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects for this ordinance.”

1. Total depravity - yes, although most Baptists may define it a bit different than Calvin.
2. Unconditional predestination - for believers to be conformed to His son? Yes. For salvation? Very few - perhaps 5% or less. I suspect most agree with Moody: “The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever “won’ts”.”

That's what struck me the most in my discussions with Baptists that they do believe in a loving God that wishes all of us to be saved and also created us in His Holy image.

The Baptism not being a sacrament to the Baptists is a bit strange to me as I had thought that the "timing" of the Baptism is one of the critical differentiators of the Baptist community.

Dr. E.: “As to the second part of your question, reformed Baptists and reformed Presbyterians such as the OPC and PCA believe in the five points outlined as TULIP...”

Mr. Rogers: I’d have to disagree. At least in theory, the SBC is ‘reformed baptist’. I’ve been attending SBC churches in various locations for most of the last 35 years, and independent baptist churches when I didn’t.

As an SBC I'd have to respectfully disagree. The SBC is not "Reformed Baptist" in that it does not teach Reformed theology at its core, as you went on to indicate. Rather, it seems to purposely and ambiguously teach a mixture of Arminianism and Calvinism. IOW, the SBC doesn't take a stand, but it DOES tolerate Reformers in their churches even though the majority is Arminian.

With this in mind one time I read the whole Baptist Faith and Message and, as a lawyer, could tell immediately how carefully it was worded so as not to exclude either Arminians or Reformers. In many cases, both could read the same words, agree they were correct, but for completely different reasons or in completely different ways. :) I laughed out loud at the obvious effort that went into this wording and how no one would notice who wasn't looking for it. :)

So, I would say that a Reformed Baptist could very easily be SBC, but the majority of SBC is not Reformed Baptist. And, I agree with you that SBC sermons never or almost never make a point of distinguishing Arminianism from Calvinism. I have been looking for it for years and haven't caught our Pastor once. :)