If you want to read more on what I mean by "Reformed Baptist" -- I'm thinking of a fellowship of believers that establishes a church along congregational principles, and calls elders to preach and teach consistent with the perspective and interpretation of scripture presented in a historic baptist confession that upholds the principle doctrines of the reformation. The historic baptist confessions will all affirm that only professing believers are to be baptized, and baptism is by immersion.
What are congregational principles? This is where the "keys" to the kingdom are held primarily by the church, the congregation, with specific obligations, responsibilities and authority. The head of the local church is Christ, and there is no external human authority over the faith and practice of that local church. They are to call, support, and submit to a plurality of elders, as well as calling deacons to lead and support them with the gifts God gave them. This article is pretty good for explaining things, probably better than I did.
Why historic? Though they do not address some specific issues in our current culural context, they form a solid foundation for a confession that has been tried and found solid for generations. With a historic confession, you know what you have, and you see hundreds of years of engagement, criticism, and interaction (good, bad, ugly, and indifferent). Take a look at this article that explains the historic Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms, and Covenants in Corporate Worship
The five principles of the reformation that distinguished it from Roman Catholicism, are:
sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone is the ultimate authority
sola fide - justification by faith alone
sola gratia - saved by the grace of God alone (monergism)
solus Christus - through Christ alone - His work, and He is the sole Mediator between God and man
soli Deo gloria - to the glory of God alone
