Sir Walter Mildmay, who founded Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1584, is reported to have told Queen Elizabeth I, “I have set an acorn, which when it becomes an oak, God alone knows what will be the fruit thereof.” Emmanuel College became a hotbed for Puritan theology and preaching. We too have planted an acorn, which we hope will some day become an oak.

As a “church-based” institution, RBS operates under the oversight of the local church and the counsel of an advisory board, academic committee, and other likeminded churches. The seminary’s faculty primarily consists of instructors who not only have biblical knowledge and teaching ability, but also are qualified pastors engaged in pastoral ministry. Finally, RBS requires each student’s pastor to provide general oversight of his training and to serve as his mentor and proctor.  

RBS exists to help churches train men who aspire to gospel ministry, as well as to provide further training for men who are already engaged in gospel ministry. Secondarily, as an extension of the local church’s teaching ministry, the seminary also provides further instruction for laypeople who desire to enhance their understanding of Scripture. 

Holy Scripture

We believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration of both the Old and New Testaments of Holy Scripture (66 books) in their original autographs. We believe that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in all their parts and are, therefore, trustworthy and authoritative in all that they affirm concerning history, science, doctrine, ethics, religious practice, or any other topic.

Reformed Theology

We believe that salvation always has been and always will be through faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone. We believe that this central message of Scripture has been most clearly and accurately expounded in the Reformed Confessions of Faith, especially, in the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, which is the seminary’s confessional standard.

Baptist Distinctives

We believe that baptism and church membership should only be bestowed upon those who make a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ. We also believe that the local church is self-governing and under no other ecclesiastical authority except the Lord Jesus Himself.

Unity and Charity

Reformed Baptist Seminary is committed to presenting a biblical theology and vision of ministry which is in harmony with the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, but which also acknowledges legitimate diversity among Reformed Baptists on some issues and is charitable towards like-minded Christian brothers and sisters from other theological traditions.

As a “church-based ministerial academy,” RBS is committed to help pastors and churches train men who aspire after and show potential for the pastoral ministry, as well as laypeople, church leaders, and men whose aspirations to full-time ministry may still be tentative (Eph. 4:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:2).

For this reason an applicant must be a member in good standing of an evangelical church whose pastor(s) is supportive of his pursuit of theological training. If an applicant is already a pastor, it is assumed that the local church has already recognized the applicant’s gifts and graces and is supportive of his pursuit of more training. 

RBS expects that the applicant will work together with his pastor(s) and home church throughout the course of his training. Practically, this means that the applicant can humbly receive the initial and ongoing assessment of his pastor(s) and church regarding his qualifications if he is pursuing the pastoral ministry. The applicant will also select one of his pastors to serve as his mentor-proctor to provide guidance and input on coursework, writing projects, preaching, and practical ministry. The mentor will also be responsible to proctor the student’s quizzes and exams. By working together with his pastor(s) and home church, the applicant will not only be following the biblical pattern for ministerial training (Eph. 4:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:2), but will be more effectively commending himself to the church (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:15), the world (1 Tim. 3:7), the Lord (1 Pet. 5:5), and his own conscience (Acts 24:16; Heb. 13:18). 

RBS wants its current and prospective students to be assured of the seminary's commitment to educational quality and accountability. RBS is recognized by the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS) with an affiliate status.

Students who desire to obtain a graduate degree accredited by both ATS and ARTS should consider our PRTS Transfer Program. This program allows students to transfer up to 20 credits from RBS and complete either a M.A. or M.Div. degree at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. See here for more information.

Pastor Jefferey Johnson

Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church
860 Peachcrest Court
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Tel: (616) 742-1137
Website

Pastor Jeff Smith

Emmanuel Baptist Church
5391 Johnson Road
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
Tel: (954) 427-2011
Website

Pastor Robert Elliott

Reformed Baptist Church of Riverside
P.O. Box 56595
Riverside, CA 92517
Tel: (951) 780-6704
Website

RBSI is a ministry of Reformed Baptist Seminary that seeks to provide biblical training for pastors and ministerial aspirants who reside outside the United States and have neither the time nor money to pursue an extended, residential, formal theological education. Until Providence opens a door for them to receive a fuller education, RBSI meets the need of offering basic theological training to ground them in the great doctrines of Scripture. RBSI offers a version of RBS's Marrow of Theology program, giving students an introduction to sacred theology and a platform on which to build further theological studies.