To purchase a copy of A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, click here.

Q&A with Rob Ventura

Evan: Tell us about yourself?

Rob: Let me start with my salvation. I was raised on Long Island with no Christian upbringing. I was so spiritually lost that I never heard John 3:16 until I was twenty-two years old. However, around thirty years ago while I was working professionally in the music industry in New York City, God brought some Christians into my life. With the Word of God, they showed me my sin and then pointed me to the only Savior of sinners, Jesus Christ the Lord. In His free and marvelous grace, He saved me and I was radically converted. Eventually I left the music industry and enrolled in Bible school in Manhattan.

While studying the Scriptures and through the influence of Pastor Albert N. Martin and others, I became Reformed in my understanding of theology and church life. I eventually joined a Reformed Baptist church in Englewood, New Jersey. I was later ordained there as a bi-vocational pastor in 2007 after graduating from seminary. Shortly after this, I was called to full-time ministry in another Reformed Baptist congregation in North Providence, Rhode Island (Grace Community Baptist Church). By God’s grace, I have been pastoring this church for over fifteen years.

Evan: What led to this new volume being published on the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689?

Rob: While I was writing a new chapter on the doctrine of adoption as found in the Westminster Confession of Faith for a new book by Dr. Beeke entitled: Growing in Grace (Reformation Heritage Books) I noticed that the Presbyterians had many resources which opened up their great Confession, but Baptists only had one by Dr. Sam Waldron. While Dr. Waldron’s exposition is excellent, I thought that a newer treatment with multiple authors would be helpful for many. After conferring with Dr. Waldron about this, he agreed, so I began gathering some of our best Reformed Baptist pastors to produce this work, including Dr. Waldron himself.

Evan: What did you enjoy about editing this work?

Rob: Enjoy editing? Ha! But, seriously, I actually did enjoy editing this work with the help of others. More importantly, I was delighted to see God’s rich hand of blessing on every aspect of this project. I was also delighted that Christian Focus Publications/Mentor Books was willing to publish this work with a global reach.

Evan: What do you hope that readers will take away from A New Exposition of the LBCF of 1689?

Rob: Having read this new exposition, I believe readers will see the glories and realities of those excellent doctrines most surely believed among us. This new work on the great Baptist confession is extremely practical and pastoral; therefore, I think it will minister to many and build them up in their most holy faith. This is my prayer and the prayer of many. May God grant it to be so!

Thank you so much Pastor Ventura for taking time to do the Q&A! May the Lord bless your labors in this work on the 1689 and may Grace Community flourish in the Gospel!

To purchase a copy of A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, click here.

Endorsements for A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689:

From Conrad Mbewe – “I am grateful that there is a growing interest in doctrinal Christianity here in Africa and all over the world. Whereas there are many books dealing with one or two aspects of theology, it is good to have one book that gives those coming to Reformed Baptist convictions a comprehensive view of what we believe. The New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, written by proven men in ministry, is such a resource. Let us make it available to many. The fruit will be evident for all to see for generations to come!”

From Tom Nettles – “This commentary on the 1689 contains all the riches needed in this peculiarly relevant undertaking. It is set in its rich historical context without destroying its ongoing contemporary relevance. The authors are committed to the confession’s theological position in the context of rigorous biblical exposition. Both the content of the confession and the outlay of its exposition contains all the strengths of doctrinal catholicity, orthodoxy, evangelicalism, and Baptist thought. Each author has a deep grasp of the rich heritage of historical theology and the issues involved in canonical biblical interpretation and brings these to bear on the specific article under discussion. This volume will add richness to the weekly study of a pastor and give an invaluable book for church groups for enriching their biblical knowledge and the contextual consistency and doctrinal coherence of the inspired Scriptures.”

From Joel Beeke – “This is an important resource for Baptists to understand their historic doctrines that were rooted in the Reformation. While I would disagree with some of the comments that argue for credobaptism, many of the chapters are superb in their biblical, theological, and experiential understanding and application of the great truths of Scripture.”

From Derek Thomas – “The 1689 London Baptist Confession, apart from a few issues relating to baptism and polity, is a mirror of the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith (to which I subscribe). Both endorse Calvinism with its robust doctrines of divine sovereignty in creation, redemption, regeneration and final judgement. In an age of relativism and unregulated piety, a return to the doctrines of grace espoused by this confession is urgently needed. The exposition of these truths given in this volume is masterful. May its publication and use aid in the reformation of the church in our time.”

From Ian Hamilton – “It may seem odd that a convinced Presbyterian should write a warm commendation to this volume expounding the 1689 Baptist Confession. However, I do so with pleasure and seriousness. Throughout church history, confessions of faith have served the church admirably, helping to guard the church’s biblical identity and gospel calling. You do not need to agree with every sentence in this 1689 Confession to benefit greatly from its exposition by men of theological orthodoxy and pastoral integrity. Martin Bucer’s maxim, ‘True theology is not theoretical but pastoral; the end of it is to live a godly life’, is richly expounded throughout this fine volume. Read and sink your mind and heart into the rich truths as expressed in this new work.”

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Evan Knies is an elder of North Hills Church in West Monroe, LA. He is husband of Lauren and father to Maesyn. He is a graduate of Boyce College and Southern Seminary.