Our Church


The Escondido Reformed Baptist Church was officially constituted as a true, local Church of Christ in May of 2001. A true church is defined by the standards of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. A true church: (1) regularly and rightly ministers the Word of God for the salvation of all peoples called unto Christ and the obedience thereof, (2) regularly and rightfully practices and submits to the God-ordained ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and (3) regularly and rightfully carries on all orders in worship and church discipline.

Shortly after becoming a true church, the Escondido Reformed Baptist Church joined S.C.A.R.B.C. (Southern California Association of Reformed Baptist Churches) in the month of September in 2001. This association of local churches is informal, serving as a means of local fellowship between the likeminded, confessional Reformed Baptist churches every fifth Sunday of the month at an appointed meeting place for laymen and officers of the church alike.

In the month of March in 2002, the Escondido Reformed Baptist Church joined a formal association of churches named A.R.B.C.A. (Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America). We believe that like-minded individual churches are to be so joined in communion with one another in order to meet together through appointed messengers for the betterment of each church joined in formal association with the others. A.R.B.C.A. serves that function. It is in this association of churches where we find commonality, communion, encouragement, and advice through our subscription to the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689.


Though all confessions, creeds, and statements of faith are neither inspired, nor infallible, we believe that the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 is the best and most concise expression of the Christian faith as found in the only infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Bible. It is our confession, the London Baptist Confession of Faith, that binds us in association with other churches, and from which we derive our foundational standards.

 

Our Church Officers

The oversight of our true, local church is always that of Christ, who is our chief Shepherd, but such shepherding is delegated, by God's appointment, to certain men and officers within the autonomous individual churches, namely the offices of elder and deacon. The Escondido Reformed Baptist Church is currently overseen by Elder James Renihan and Elder Bradley Knepp, who regularly minister the word of God, administer the sacraments, and will, if necessary, lead our church in the practice of church discipline if such an occasion arises. It is through these men, who are called by God and appointed by the church, that we, as a local church, are guided by Christ in all obedience to the Scriptures.

 

The Way We Worship

Our worship is relatively simple because of the Regulative Principle of Worship.

1. This principle is simply the understanding that Scripture should regulate worship. Basically, if Scripture does not prescribe something for public worship, then it shouldn't be included. Scripture prescribes for woship these elements: reading and preaching of God's word, prayer, singing, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

2. This principle leads us to resist our personal desires for worship. Since worship should be God-centered, it should not be about our preferences, our tastes in music, our entertainment, or any other thing which we may pursue at other times. We believe worship should reverently and joyfully honor and glorify God-- and that the focus should be on God alone.

3. Because of sin, we know that no matter how well-intentioned we may be, our worship is far from perfect! Scripture teaches that just as we need Jesus Christ for salvation from sin, we also need him to make our worship pleasing to God. Only Christ can perfect our worship.

That last point implies that worship that pleases God is only possible for those who have been saved by Christ. If you are not saved, turn from your sin and trust in Christ today

 

Things to Know About Us

Aside from both of our elders preaching, we also have rotating seminary students that minister the word of God. These men are all gifted speakers that we look forward to sending "out into the world to preach the gospel" once their education is complete.

We are a smaller, close knit congregation. If you have children, you may keep your children with you for worship, or we have staffed nursery care for restless little ones. At this time, we use a hotel room for our nursery; room card keys are on the table to your left, just inside of the conference room. If the keys are gone, notice the nursery room number on the pink 5x7 card located on the table, and take your child to that room for care.

We take part in the sacrament of communion on the first Sunday of every month during worship service. We also have a church potluck at one of the elder's homes once a month; please ask for more information regarding this fellowship. We'd love to have you join us!