Paragraph by paragraph through the 1689 LBCF.
I have created a link to the tabular comparison here.
Week 78, Thursday, March 11, 2021.
Robert, Caleb & Michael finished off the Confession. Link to teaching.
Week 77, Thursday, March 4, 2021.
Steven got us through the rest of chapter 31. Link to teaching.
Week 76, Thursday, February 25, 2021.
Caleb explained chapter 31, paragraph 6, and Michael 7-8. Link to teaching.
Week 75, Thursday, February 18, 2021.
Greg went through paragraph 30.2 and recommended a book. More than a Memory. Robert explained the proper and improper use of the elements in paragraphs 3 & 4. Caleb explained paragraph 5 and applied it to our assurance.
Week 74, Thursday, February 11, 2021.
Steven finished baptism and Greg started the Lord’s supper. Link to teaching.
Week 73, Thursday, January 28, 2021.
Steven taught from the first two paragraphs of chapter 29. He explained a lot of the paedobaptist arguments as well as the baptist arguments for whom to baptize, and reminded us that our baptism is a sign for us. Link to teaching.
Week 72, Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Caleb finished chapter 27, speaking of our obligation to edify the church and help other churches. Michael made it through chapter 28 where we learn what Baptism and Communion are and who should administer them. Link to teaching.
Week 71, Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Caleb taught through the first half of chapter 27. Michael forgot to record it!
Week 70, Thursday, January 7, 2021.
Robert completed this chapter and helped us out understanding about church associations, our need to prayer, the importance of gathering even if we take offense and we had a nice discussion. Link to teaching.
Week 69, Thursday, December 31, 2020.
Greg taught about how church pastors ought to be able to preach but also other men may be considered qualified as well. Then from paragraph 12 Greg taught that Christians are bound to join a local church and submit to the government thereof. Link to teaching.
Week 68, Thursday, December 24, 2020.
Michael taught from paragraph 8 regarding what are the two offices of a particular local church. Steve went into detail about how to choose elders. Caleb recommended this book about Deacons. We also discussed the necessity of supporting your elders financially. Here is a link to the free guide by Nehemiah Coxe from Chapel Library. Link to teaching.
Week 67, Thursday, December 17, 2020.
Michael taught from paragraph 6 regarding how local churches are formed and gather and for what purpose and Corey got through paragraph 7 where we learned about their authority and how to do church discipline. A lively discussion ensued with real-life challenges we’ve face! Link to teaching.
Week 66, Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Caleb explains that churches have a mixture of purity and error, but that God will always have his remnant on the earth! He also explained that Christ is the only head and the pope cannot be. Michael led off paragraph 5 and explained how believers gather into local churches, the necessity thereof, and the error of avoiding this. Link to teaching
Week 65, Thursday, December 3, 2020.
Robert started us off on the doctrine of the church. Link to teaching
Week 64, Thursday, November 26, 2020.
Greg taught about legal and illegal types of marriages and admonished believers to marry in the Lord. Link to teaching
Week 63, Thursday, November 19, 2020.
Steve taught on the first two paragraphs about marriage and we had some thoughtful discussion about the difficulties we face due to sin in marriage (polygamy, divorce, fatherlessness, etc.). Link to teaching
Week 62, Thursday, November 12, 2020.
Corey returned and taught about lawful oaths and the seriousness of keeping our word before God from chapter 23. Link to teaching
Week 61, Thursday, November 5, 2020.
Michael taught about our obligation to pray for our leaders and submit to them according to the Scripture. Link to teaching
Week 60, Thursday, October 29, 2020.
Caleb taught about the magistrate and whether a Christian can become one and the magistrate’s responsibilities. Link to teaching
Week 59, Thursday, October 22, 2020.
Robert taught the last 3 paragraphs about Oaths and Vows. Corey should follow up next week with the first two. Link to teaching
Week 58, Thursday, October 15, 2020.
Andrew taught about worship on the Sabbath as well as family and individual worship, the components and the necessity thereof.
Link to teaching
Week 57, Thursday, October 8, 2020.
Michael taught from 22.7-8 regarding the Christian Sabbath. Thankfully, we resolved all controversies surrounding it.
Link to teaching
Week 56, Thursday, October 1, 2020.
Caleb explained the necessity and duty of prayer.
Link to teaching
Week 55, Thursday, September 24, 2020.
Steve explained the necessity that liberty is not used as sin and Robert kicked off the discussion of the RPW from chapter 22 explaining that we only worship God as He has told us to!
Link to teaching
Week 54, Thursday, September 17, 2020.
Corey reminded us from 20.4 of the necessity of regeneration and we discussed who the god of this world is from 2 Cor 4:4. Then Steve debuted with a well-done explanation of 21.1-2 about the liberty of the conscience that Christ has bought for us.
Link to teaching
Week 53, Thursday, September 10, 2020.
Andrew taught us why chapter 20 is in the confession and pointed out the dangers that not following it can create. Corey reminded us that is it the preaching of God’s Word that is required for salvation! Amen.
Link to teaching
Week 52, Thursday, September 3, 2020.
Robert taught from 19.6 about God’s law and Michael followed up with 19.7. God’s law is good!
Link to teaching
Week 51, Thursday, August 27, 2020.
Corey explained the ceremonial and judicial uses of the law, including that some ceremonial laws are also moral, and Robert swooped in and reminded us that the gospel doesn’t dissolve our obligation to God’s law, but rather strengthens it.
Calebe recommended a book
From the Finger of God: The Biblical and Theological Basis for the Threefold Division of the Law
by Philip S. Ross (Author)
Link to teaching
Week 50, Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Michael taught the beginning of the law of God and explained that the law is good, it is written on the hearts of men, and that Jesus fulfilled it for His people.
Link to teaching
Week 49, Thursday, August 13, 2020.
Caleb taught from the last 2 paragraphs of chapter 18.
Link to teaching
Week 48, Thursday, August 6, 2020.
Andrew dug deep into assurance of grace through paragraphs 1 & 2 of chapter 18 pointing out the false doctrines of Catholicism and Arminianism that lead people to deny the truths therein. We discussed counseling people who lack assurance as well.
Link to teaching
Week 47, Thursday, July 30, 2020.
Corey led things off by explaining the perseverance of the saints from the perspective that it is God who keeps us, then Robert talked about some of the grievous sins that believers can fall into yet not lose their election. Andrew began chapter 18 about assurance.
Link to teaching
Week 46, Thursday, July 23, 2020.
Caleb taught about the good works that the unregenerate do and how we should view those things in light of God’s Word. Michael started chapter 17 about the perseverance of the saints.
Link to teaching
Week 45, Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Andrew stirred up our affections for Christ and Jason pointed us Heavenward.
Week 44, Thursday, July 9, 2020.
Corey taught 16.3. Our good works are wrought only by the Holy Spirit. Yet this does not excuse us from stirring ourselves up to do them. Robert taught 16.4 and explained supererogation. This is a Roman Catholic doctrine that teaches that we can do more than God requires. This is IMPOSSIBLE!
Link to teaching
Week 43, Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Michael taught 16.2. We had a good discussion about the importance of good works in the Christian life.
Link to teaching
Week 42, Thursday, June 25, 2020.
Jason taught 15.5 which included a review of 15. Caleb started off chapter 16.
Week 41, Thursday, June 18, 2020.
Corey taught 15.2, Robert 15.3, and Andrew 15.4. “The Holy Spirit is the Calvinist’s best friend” –Andrew Beebe
It was a good day of teaching and reminders of God’s grace over our sinfulness. Our need for constant repentance was highlighted. We must have a view of our sin that leads to repentance and worship of God for His goodness and grace.
Week 40, Thursday, June 11, 2020.
We had a few comments from Jason’s teaching on 14.2. Then Caleb finished chapter 14 on faith and Michael lead the discussion with Chapter 15 paragraph 1. We prayed for Dale’s baby and Robert asked for prayer for his preaching this Sunday.
Week 39, Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Andrew started off “Of Saving Faith” by teaching 14.1 and reminding us of the glory the Holy Spirit deserves for His work in the lives of saints. Jason taught 14.2 and exalted the Word of God splendidly.
Psalm 119:72 – The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
I will delight in your statues, I will not forget your word. Ps119:16
My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right Ps 119:172
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart. Jer 15:16
I have stored up your word in my heart. Ps 119:11
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. Ps 119:67
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Ps 119:103
I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. Ps 119:162
The sum of your word is truth, Ps 119:160
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Ps 138:2
All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O YHWH, for they have heard the words of your mouth. Ps 138:4
…not one Word has failed of all the good things that YHWH your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. Josh 23:14
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. Job 23:12
Psalm 19:7–11 [7] The law of YHWH is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of YHWH is sure, making wise the simple; [8] the precepts of YHWH are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of YHWH is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] the fear of the YHWH is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the YHWH are true, and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. [11] Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Week 38, Thursday, May 28, 2020.
Michael covered 13.3 and the men discussed this and various ways we counsel people as they deal with sin.
Week 37, Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Corey Bailey covered 13.1 and Robert covered 13.2.
Week 36, Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Michael taught about adoption and then we had a good discussion. A few points:
- We must identify as God’s children and not with our sin.
- We must be grateful for the chastening of the Lord although it’s unpleasant.
- We will persevere to the end because we were justified.
Caleb recommended this book on hermeneutics.
Week 35, Thursday, May 7, 2020.
Caleb rounded off chapter 11. Michael started chapter 12 and will finish next week.
Week 34, Thursday, April 30, 2020.
Andrew covered 11.4 and Jason 11.5. I forgot to update this right away so nothing stands out to me as far as a good summary. I know it was a good day, though.
Week 33, Thursday, April 23, 2020.
Robert made some closing remarks about 11.1 and reminded us of the hymn Man of Sorrows. Michael taught 11.2 where we recall that saving faith is never alone, but is accompanied by works done in love. Dale taught penal substitutionary atonement and included 7 other theories of the atonement that people have espoused.
Week 32, Thursday, April 16, 2020.
Corey taught about the outward call that is heard by many, but who are not saved without the inward call of God. We had a good discussion about the assurance of salvation. One of the main takeaways was that we ought not follow celebrities or even just one man, but groups of Christian (which the Confessions provide).
Week 31, Thursday, April 9, 2020.
Caleb went through the effectual call and its relation to elect infants. We had a good discussion about how to think about these things, interact with other Christians, and pastoral counsel people.
Week 30, Thursday, April 2, 2020.
Andrew continued the effectual call from 10.1 showing that we ought to be more prayerful people if we say we believe this doctrine. Jason Roberts taught 10.2 and reminded us that we ought to be a most grateful people as well.
Week 29, Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Dale taught 9.5. He quotes John Wesley and some other people to show the contradiction between the differing views of when we can or will achieve perfection.
Andrew taught the importance of understanding the effectual calling of God as an intro to chapter 10.
Week 28, Thursday, March 19, 2020.
Corey explained the state of innocence and instability from 9.2. We had a good discussion surrounding God and His glory. Caleb recommended Better Than the Beginning by Barcellos and Andrew added Getting the Garden Right as a good resource.
I will add that this podcast episode from Theology on the Go also has an interesting insight into Heaven that is germane to the discussion.
Robert explained that total inability is the consequence of total depravity, explaining that we are slaves to sin and are unable to choose good. We discussed the importance of this doctrine.
Michael explained in 9.4 the battle we all face as Christians with the flesh and a few practical implications of that.
Week 27, Thursday, March 12, 2020.
Andrew taught from 8.9 regarding the uniqueness of Christ as our mediator and contrasted it to other religions. Jason explained the necessity of Christ as our mediator based on our human failings from 8.10. Caleb handled free will from the 1st paragraph of 9.1 and we had some discussion about the nature of the will.
Week 26, Thursday, March 5, 2020.
Andrew explained (briefly) the difference between Presbyterian Covenant Theology’s understanding of the Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace and how the OT covenants are viewed. This is because there is a faction of 20th century Baptists who have a more presbyterian view of covenants than the 1689 Federalist view that this group seeks to teach.
Dale described paragraph 8.8 and showed how all 5 points of TULIP are contained beautifully therein and reminded us that we need to preach the gospel for men to be saved and that all those God intended to save will be saved. Dale also shared this link to Shai Linne’s song about the Limited Atonement which provides some good arguments about the extent of Christ’s atoning death.
Week 25, Thursday, Feb 27, 2020.
Corey taught 8.6 and a discussion of dispensationalism ensued.
The Origins of Dispensationalism
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=126101523139
The Spread and Influence of Dispensationalism
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=126101519187
The Teaching of Dispensationalism
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=126101510492
Al Martin On Dispensationalism
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=316111046411
Robert explained the two natures of Christ and how sometimes we will use language that is only proper to one nature while denominating the other nature in 8.7.
Week 24, Thursday, Feb 20, 2020.
Andrew taught 8.4. Notable that he used the movie Shrek to prove a point about Jesus being a great savior.
Dale offered this https://adam4d.com/wives-husbands/
Michael taught 8.5. Jesus is alone our justification!
Week 23, Thursday, Feb 13, 2020.
Corey finished 8.2. Everything in the Bible points to Jesus. Dale taught 8.3. Jesus is one person in two natures, anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure.
Dale read parts of the Athanasian Creed.
Also worth reading:
Week 22, Thursday, Feb 6, 2020.
Robert Gray taught 8.1. Corey taught 8.2. Caleb Hackworth joined us for the first time. Jesus is many things to us including prophet, priest, and king. He is a wonderful saviour and we cannot speak enough about him.
God’s perfect Man, Man’s perfect God. — Robert Gray
Week 21, Thursday, Jan 30, 2020.
7.2 and 7.3
Week 20, Thursday, Jan 23, 2020.
Michael taught 7.1 because Dale was absent due to sickness with his child. Corey was also ill, and God answered our prayers for Corey who felt better shortly. We discussed the covenant God made with men, the fact that it required condescension on God’s part, that it was pleasing to Him, and the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s power to cause men to believe.
Week 19, Thursday, Jan 16, 2020.
Robert taught 6.4 and Corey taught 6.5.
Week 18, Thursday, Jan 9, 2020.
Andrew led off with 6.2 and Jason continued in 6.3. We discussed the Roman Catholic error of requiring that Mary be conceived without sin and how every human being is either represented by Adam or Christ.
Week 17, Thursday, Jan 2, 2020.
Corey finished Chapter 5 and Dale led off chapter 6. We discussed several things surrounding the fall and temptation of man including the question “was Jesus able to sin?” and how we should view the events of the fall (like Eve was deceived, Adam wasn’t). Ultimately, we were in awe of our Savior who came and did what we failed to do in Adam.
Week 16, Thursday, Dec 26, 2019.
Robert taught through 5.5 and we learned that our remaining corruption should lead us to understand that
God oftentimes leaves for a season His children to our temptations and corruptions
1. To chastens us for our former sins
2. To show us the hidden strength of the corruption in our hearts – to humble us
3. To draw us closer to depend upon Himself
4. To make us more watchful against future occasions of sin
5. and for other just and holy ends
What may some of these just and holy ends be? [Listed are a few, for sure there are many, many more throughout the scriptures]
a. To repent and believe the gospel for relief, comfort and healing (Psalm 51; Mark 1:15; 2 Corinthians 7:9-12; 1 John 1:7-9)
b. To teach us and cause us to pray (Philippians 4:4-6)
c. Disciple and teach others (Psalm 32, Matthew 28:18-20)
d. Love God, the saints and our neighbors more earnestly (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 4:8)
e. Study, meditate and to memorize the Word (Psalm 119:9-16, 105; Psalm 119)
f. Seek sanctification (Philippians 2:12, 13)
g. Fear God (Job 28:28, Proverbs 8:13, 14:27, 19:23)
h. Resist the devil (James 4:7-10)
i. Mourn and hate sin (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Ephesians 4:31, 32)
j. Preach the gospel remembering what you deserve (Mark 16:15)
Corey taught 5.6 and we had a good discussion about how to deal with thinking through doctrines like reprobation and election.
Jason recommended this song:
Week 15, Thursday, Dec 19, 2019.
Jason taught through 5.4. We were awed by God’s providence and the meticulous nature of His decree. He is altogether righteous and we, the creatures, are the authors of sin. Robert pointed out how each paragraph starts with such awesome depictions of God. Meditate on those descriptions!
Week 14, Thursday, Dec 12, 2019.
Dale resumed by teaching 4.3 which was overlooked. Andrew covered 5.2 and explained the meaning of necessarily, freely, or contingently in a way that folks could understand. Michael taught 5.3 which covered God’s use of (or avoidance of) ordinary means.
Week 13, Thursday, Dec 5, 2019.
Dale resumed by teaching more about the dichotomy/trichotomy concept of soul and spirit of man, establishing that the Bible doesn’t teach any distinction between the two. Corey taught 5.1 which resulted in a lengthy discussion about providence and miracles and how to deal with the suffering of man.
Week 12, Thursday, Nov 28, 2019.
Robert taught 4.1 on Creation and did a good job explaining the need for us to adhere to the Bible’s account of a 6 24 hour day creation. Here’s a resource https://thingsabove.us/ep-019-creation/
Dale taught about the special creation of man and what that means, addressing the soul-spirit controversy and making it clear that we need to address men as spiritual and not just physical.
Week 11, Thursday, Nov 21, 2019.
Jason taught from 3.6 and Andrew from 3.7. Corey called Andrew a doofus, but we said it was “in love” so it was ok. God redeems men, fallen in Adam, by grace and that is to be to his praise. We had a lengthy discussion about how sin in someone’s life seriously affects their assurance.
Week 10, Thursday, Nov 14, 2019.
Corey taught from 3.2, Dale from 3.3, and Michael from 3.4 to 3.5. God is truly awesome and He is glorified in all His work in all creation. We ought to worship Him more! Corey explained why the lbcf does not have a matching paragraph to the WCF 3.7
Week 9, Thursday, Nov 7, 2019.
Andrew Beebe taught from 2.3. Robert from 3.1. It is important to believe the right things about God. Corey reminds us to be a heretic to just keep talking … Dale reminded us of the oft-repeated phrase “Preach Like an Arminian, Pray Like a Calvinist.” Michael fixed it and said, “Repent like an Arminian should.”
Week 8, Thursday, Oct 31, 2019.
Jason taught from 2.2. Great discussion and teaching. We are to do all to the glory of God and He isn’t dependent on any creature. Molinism was brought up. Here’s an article on it: https://www.ligonier.org/blog/molinism-101/
Week 7, Thursday, Oct 24, 2019.
Jason taught from 2.2. Wonderful discussion about what it means to glorify and bless God, and his sovereignty and omniscience.
Week 6, Thursday, Oct 17, 2019.
Michael finished 2.1. We discussed many implications of theology proper, including how it affects our worship.
Week 5, Thursday, Oct 10, 2019.
Corey explained what it means to worship God “in spirit,” and Michael taught about simplicity, immutability, and impassibility.
Week 4, Thursday, Oct 3, 2019.
We discussed God as a most pure spirit, invisible and without a body.
Week 3, Thursday, September 26, 2019.
Very enjoyable time. Had fun but kept it serious.
1.9 – Andrew Beebe
1.10 – Corey Bailey
2.1 – Michael Coughlin began 2.1
Week 2, Thursday, September 19, 2019
Splendid time around God’s Truth.
1.5 – Jason Roberts
1.6 – Jason Roberts
1.7 – Corey Bailey
1.8 – Robert Gray
Week 1, Thursday, September 12, 2019
Andrew Beebe taught 1.1. Michael Coughlin taught 1.2-1.4. Edifying time.