David Beale

𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 · 1689 2LCF · Husband · Father · Pastor @CovGraceTN · Business development executive

[David Beale @dbeale12]

How I Went from IFB to Confessional Baptist

I grew up in an Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) church where we prided ourselves on having no creed but the Bible.

But over time, I began to see cracks in that mindset.

Here’s how I became confessionally Reformed 🧵👇

[Steve Meister @SteveMeisterVDM]

No, the Bible does not call Christians to constant self-examination over whether they’re still Christians.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Cor 13:5) was an exhortation to a church entertaining a false gospel (see 11:3-4) – it’s a call to reject false teaching and hold fast to the gospel.

[Patrick Crandall @patcrandall]

God’s design for your life is not to deprive but to delight you- so trust and obey.

[David Beale @dbeale12]

@Nerd_Sesh You’re obviously free to reject the historic biblical view on sexuality. But dismissing it as obvious bigotry is not thoughtful analysis. Isn’t it a bit arrogant to just wave away nearly all of human history as simply wrong until modern views became fashionable five minutes ago?

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“This day He who is, is born; and He who is becomes what He was not.” —John Chrysostom

Happiest Christmas, dear brothers and sisters, from my sweet, loud, crazy, wonderful, loving family to yours.

[Jeffrey Perry® @JeffreyPerry09]

The law directs the path of sanctification, but only the gospel gives the power to travel that path.

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“The moral law (written on the heart & the Ten Commandments; cf. 19.1–2) doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof; and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it; neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.”

— 1689 London Baptist Confession, Of the Law of God, 19.5

[Tom Hicks @TomHicks2LCF]

When we say that the law does not motivate obedience but the gospel does, what we mean is that the gospel supplies us with proper motives that produce true obedience: gratitude for redemption, love for Christ, joy in Him, reverential and filial fear, etc. We do not mean that the gospel dulls the commanding authority of the law. The law’s commanding authority DIRECTS and even goads (Eccl 12:11) the believer who now has the right motives by faith in the gospel.

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”

Proverbs 26:21

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
Proverbs 27:6

[David Beale @dbeale12]

@JeffreyPerry09 The Grinch flicked the strap on the spoils, bound for his lair, and said with a grin, “That’s not going anywhere.”

[David Beale @dbeale12]

I’ve seen a lot of talk about law/gospel distinction.
A faithful distinction is not:

Law bad, gospel good.

It is:
• The law exposes sin and condemns the sinner… the gospel justifies him
• The law reveals the good path to walk in… the gospel supplies Christ’s strength to walk it

Both are God’s servants. The Spirit uses both.

In the name of law/gospel distinction, some seem to advocate a law/gospel division.
May it not be so, brothers.

[David Beale @dbeale12]

Affirmations and denials mean nothing without a clear recanting of confusing or false teaching.

Avoid teachers who affirm orthodox terms while quietly redefining them. They use “verbal coverings as hiding places for their errors.”

“To the extent that doctrinal ambiguity is tolerated or embraced, Christ’s sheep are imperiled and His glory is obscured.”

If you care about clarity and the purity of Christ’s church… read this.

This article offers “some profound insight into the nature and behavior of hypocrites and heretics who profess to believe Scripture, but in theology and works violently oppose it.”

https://t.co/ZJc6mlz6ry

[David Beale @dbeale12]

@JeffreyPerry09 Man, that coffee got mugged pretty bad there.

[Drew Grumbles @pastorgrumbles]

I wrote "Even the Demons" to address claims like this by @Muddamalle: "Is it possible that there is room for more than one god in Christianity? You may be surprised at my answer – yes."
(Stranger Theology Substack, paywalled)

These statements greatly confuse Christ's sheep.

[Jeff Wiesner @JeffreyPWiesner]

Just a reminder that there’s no such thing as a non-confessional, “no creed but the Bible” church.

Only churches with public confessions that can be scrutinized, and those with private confessions that can’t be (usually whatever the church’s pastor is into at the time).

[David Beale @dbeale12]

@SaucepanChamp Glad to be addressed as a brother… though it usually carries more weight…

The irony of hearing it from someone who won’t show their name or face is its own kind of comedy.

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“Unity without verity [truth] is no better than conspiracy.” – John Trapp

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth.” ―Matthew Henry

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“If your Lord call you to suffering, be not dismayed; there shall be a new allowance of the King for you when ye come to it. One of the softest pillows Christ hath is laid under his witnesses’ head, though often they must set down their bare feet among thorns.” —Rutherford

[David Beale @dbeale12]

“Whenever I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord’s choicest wines.” —Samuel Rutherford

Brother and sister, don’t fear the cellar… it’s often the very place where Christ keeps the vintage of His deepest peace:

- Richer communion with Him
- Renewed resting in His righteousness as your own
- A heart humbled and shaped by His grace
- A sure hope in His covenant faithfulness