Westgate Baptist is a Reformed Baptist, age-integrated ministry in Dothan, Alabama. In the Reformed tradition, the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice is and must be the Bible alone. However, we hold the Abstract of Principles as a very simple and helpful means of clarifying our positions about Scripture. This, along with the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689, although imperfect, are an excellent summary of the things most surely believed among us. And, we find them to be an assistance in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness.

What is a Reformed Baptist church? 

Our church is Reformed, meaning that we hold to the principles of the Protestant Reformation. This includes the Five Solas:

  • Sola gratia – We are saved by God’s grace alone (not by our own merit)
  • Sola fide – We are saved through faith alone (not through works)
  • Solus Christus – We are saved in Christ alone (not with the help of any other mediator)
  • Sola scriptura – The infallible guide to knowing and obeying God is Scripture alone
  • Soli deo gloria – All things are accomplished to the glory of God alone

Our church is also Baptist, meaning that we hold to several Baptist distinctives, including:

Baptism of believers only –  We believe that baptism is to be administered only to those who have confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and who have begun to demonstrate the fruits of salvation in their life, evident to both their immediate family and church family.

Regenerate church membership – While only God knows the heart, we believe membership in a local church should be for those who have made a credible profession of faith and have been baptized.

As mentioned in the first paragraph above, we believe that the Bible has the ultimate authority to determine what we believe and we do.

That being said, many that affirm this same Bible arrive at different conclusions on what it teaches. In light of this reality, to promote clarity and transparency, we have adopted several written standards that express our understanding of the Bible’s vision for the church.
 
   1.Our confession of faith (the Second London Baptist Confession) defines the official teaching of the church.
  2. Our constitution governs the administration of the church.

  3. Our membership covenant (contained within the constitution) conveys the practical holiness we strive for in the life of the church.

Additionally, we use the Baptist Catechism as a tool to teach the basics of the faith to our children as well as one another.