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 and knowledge?
The 1689 Second London Confession of Faith (1.9, 10)
Paragraph 9
The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.
Paragraph 10
The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.
Interpreting the Bible
Scripture is its own best and final interpreter. When we read the Bible and come across an obscure or confusing passage, we have a temptation to run to our favorite Bible teacher or commentator. While they may be helpful in the end, the Confession reminds us that we ought to instinctually run first to other portions of Scripture. The Bible is its own infallible interpreter.
While the Scriptures are clear, they are not equally easy to interpret, and therefore we ought to build our theology first from those passages which are most clear and straight forward. Bad things happen when we begin to build doctrine from obscure passages of Scripture. Instead, we ought to interpret the obscure parts of Scripture in light of the clear.
For instance, there are churches in the Western part of my state who believe it’s normal and even commanded for Christians to handle venomous snakes in their worship services. They base this view on a single verse at the end of Mark’s gospel. (Mk. 16:20) They have made a minor reference in Mark a feature and hallmark of their entire ministry. This is not wise interpretation of Scripture.
Another example would be preachers who promise health and prosperity to people based off a lop-sided reading of the Bible. Does the Scripture promise health to those who trust in Christ? Of course it does. But it also promises suffering. Our interpretation must take into account all the Bible says on a particular subject. This is why we should be familiar with every part of Scripture, not just a few comforting passages.
Let me give you a short list of practical rules for interpretation:
- Consider Authorial Intent: What did the Biblical author (both human and divine) intend to communicate.
- Genre Matters: The Bible is full of different species of literature. There’s historical narrative, law, wisdom literature, poetry, prophecy, epistolary, apocalyptic and more. Each of those genres must be interpreted according to its own style and structure. You do not interpret prophecy the way you interpret a narrative.
- Typology Connects the Testaments: In Luke 24, Jesus Christ says that all the Scripture point to and reveal him. The Old Testament is full of shadows and prefigurements of Christ.
- Theology Gives Guardrails: If you’ve never read a systematic theology, you ought to consider doing so. A systematic theology is a book that summarizes what the entire Bible teaches on a given subject such as God, Jesus Christ, the church, or sin. An easy-to-read intro to theology is Essentials of the Christian Faith by R. C. Sproul. You could also familiarize yourself with the Second London Confession. A good systematic theology keeps us from veering of the road while interpreting individual passages.
The Final Authority
The final paragraph of the first chapter of the Confession reminds us that Scripture is the supreme judge. The Bible is the rule of faith. It is the ruling rule. Creeds and Confessions, while helpful, are ruled rules. In other words, they are ruled by the Bible. So, our confessions and creeds are only authoritative to the degree that they agree with the teaching of Holy Scripture.
Our private impressions or thoughts are not authoritative and must be submitted to the Word of God. The teaching we listen to must be compared with Scripture. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 we commended as more noble than the Thessalonians because they listened to Paul’s preaching and then examined the Scriptures for themselves to see if he was telling the truth.
Conclusion
The Confession sets forth what we might call a high view of the Scriptures. Baptists have always been people “of the Book.” We’ve sought, from the beginning of our denominational roots, to order and structure our churches in light of Holy Scripture. That’s not to say that other denominations have not. But Baptists especially concern themselves with the reading, teaching, and proclaiming of the Bible.
As we move to chapter two of the Confession, I pray you will review the first chapter again, familiarize yourself with its teaching, and then go read the Book it so highly exalts.
In Christ,
Pastor Jonathan