What is the Bible? Which books should be included in the Bible? Should some books be excluded? How do we interpret Scripture? As a local church pastor, I’m asked questions such as these all the time. To address these questions and more, I wrote a series of letters to my church introducing the Scriptures using the first chapter of the London Baptist Confession. I also recorded a podcast in which I recorded audio versions of …
THE 1689 SECOND LONDON BAPTIST CONFESSION: OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (1.9, 10)
Letter from the Pastor 1/28/2026
Introduction
As we come to the end of the first chapter of the London Confession, the final two paragraphs circle back to the question of authority, particularly as it relates to the interpretation of the Scriptures as well as the judgment of all other councils, opinions, and teachings of men. In other words, what is the highest authority in Biblical interpretation and to what must we compare all human wisdom …
Preparing for Persecution
Introduction
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise …
Elder Nomination Prayer Guide
Tomorrow we’ll kick of a week of prayer as Lake Wylie Baptist prepares to nominate Elders. Download a digital version of our prayer guide below.
Elder Nomination Prayer Guide
…Preparing to Appoint Elders: Part 1
Preparing to Appoint Elders: Part 1_______________________
Letter from the Pastor 12/23/2025
Introduction
The last-minute rush of Christmas is upon us! Final presents are being purchased and wrapped. Cinnamon rolls are being prepared for Christmas morning. Family is arriving from out of town, or you’re preparing to leave town to visit family! I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas as you think on the incarnation of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
But even as this busy …
1689 1.7, 8 – The Clarity, Transmission, and Translation of Scripture
The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession: Of the Holy Scriptures (1.7, 8) ________________________________________
Letter from the Pastor 12/9/2025
Introduction
As a Pastor, I feel an incredible responsibility not just to explain the Bible to others, but to help them understand the Bible for themselves. Years ago I had coffee with a prospective church member who was as Christian, yet he confessed to me, “Jonathan, I’m biblically illiterate.” And he was. At that time, he did …
1689 1.6 – The Sufficiency of Scripture
The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession: Of the Holy Scriptures (1.6)________________________________________
Letter from the Pastor 12/2/2025
The 1689 Second London Confession of Faith (1.6)
Paragraph 6
The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions …
1689 1.4, 5 – The Authority of Scripture
The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession: Of the Holy Scriptures (1.4, 5) ______________________________________
Letter from the Pastor 11/18/2025
Introduction
Twenty years ago, Dr. Ivan Spencer, one of my professors in college, asked me to read a book with him outside of class. The book was The Universe Next Door by James Sire which introduced me to the idea of “worldview.” In the book, Sire listed seven questions that, when answered, would reveal a person’s …
1689 1.3 – The Apocrypha
The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession: Of the Holy Scriptures (1.3)______________________________________
Letter from the Pastor 11/12/2025
Introduction
As we continue our consideration of the canon of Scripture from last week, we come to paragraph three of chapter one of the Second London Confession which addresses the canonicity of the Apocrypha.
The 1689 Second London Confession of Faith (1.3)
The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the …
The Canon of Scripture – 1689 1.2
Introduction
What constitutes Holy Scripture? Which books belong in the Bible, and which do not? These questions are answered in paragraphs two & three of chapter one of the confession. Today we’ll consider paragraph two and the sixty-six books of the Holy Scriptures.
The 1689 Second London Confession of Faith (1.2)
Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, …