JOHN GILL: A CALVINIST BAPTIST OF UNBLEMISHED REPUTATION - The Eighteenth Century (pt.12)

In the Eighteenth Century, God used John Gill to model for us hard work, Bible study, the importance of doctrine, and that we must always preach Christ crucified.

MEMORY VERSE. “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10). 

MEMORY QUOTE. "Without the knowledge of God there can be no true worship of him.” (John Gill). 

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JOHN GILL – A CALVINIST BAPTIST OF UNBLEMISHED REPUTATION

In an era when Baptist theology teetered between Calvinism and Arminianism, Christ raised up John Gill, a prolific theologian and pastor whose writings and faithful ministry modeled diligence, doctrinal precision, and Christ-centered preaching. Through Gill’s extensive commentaries, systematic theology, and unwavering commitment to Scripture, Christ preserved sound doctrine and equipped His people, even paving the way for great men such as Charles Haddon Spurgeon. 

John Gill (1697-1771)

John Gill was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, on November 23, 1697, to Edward and Elizabeth Gill.[^1] His parents were God-fearing individuals of the Calvinistic Baptist tradition. His father served as a deacon in the Baptist work in Kettering.[^2] Gill grew up in a good Christian home. His early years were spent studying in the local grammar school where he excelled in languages.[^3] Unfortunately, he was no longer able to attend by the age of eleven since it was required that students attend morning prayer at the parish church. His parents, being dissenters, would not allow this. This was the end of Gill’s formal education but he spent his time wisely teaching himself and not only excelled in Greek and Latin but was quite adept at Hebrew by the age of nineteen.[^4] Gill was converted to Christ at the age of twelve but was not baptized until he was nineteen on November 1, 1716.[^5] He was married to Elizabeth Negus (d. 1764) in 1718 and they had three children that lived beyond infancy: Elizabeth, John, and Mary.[^6]

  The church at Kettering recognized his gifts as a preacher and in 1719 he became pastor of the famous Horselydown congregation in London. Benjamin Keach had previously served as pastor in this church and eventually C. H. Spurgeon would become pastor of this church.[^7] Gill would become a prolific author and influential theologian of the Particular Baptist cause.[^8] Gill’s writings include The Doctrine of the Trinity Stated and Vindicated (1731), The Cause of God and Truth (1735–1738) which was a response to Daniel Whitby’s Discourse on the Five Points that refuted Calvinism. His magnum opus was his three-volume An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748) and his six-volume Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763). He also wrote A Dissertation on the Antiquity of the Hebrew Language (1767), A Body of Doctrinal Divinity (1767) and A Body of Practical Divinity (1770).[^9] He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Aberdeen in 1748. He would become one of the most influential Baptist theologians ever.[^10]

  The major controversy that has erupted over the influence of Gill has been over the issue of hyper-Calvinism (the belief that unsaved man is not obligated to respond in faith in Christ and therefore preachers should not offer the Gospel to those who are the non-elect). Some have attributed to Gill to be the first systematizer of a Baptist hyper-Calvinist theology. Others have argued that Gill was in fact not a hyper-Calvinist.[^11] Regardless, it was during Gill’s time period when the Particular Baptist Churches began their decline into hyper-Calvinism.[^12] Most likely, hyper-Calvinists used Gill’s theology and went past him to solidify their own theology.[^13] Gill is the first major writing Baptist theologian and his works retain its influence even to this day.[^14] On his gravestone is written, “In this Sepulcher are deposited the remains of John Gill, professor of Sacred Theology. A man of unblemished reputation, a sincere disciple of Jesus, an excellent preacher of the gospel, a courageous defender of the Christian faith. Who, adorned with piety, learning and skill, was unwearied in works of prodigious labour for more than fifty years. To obey the commands of his great master, to advance the best interests of the church, to promote the salvation of men, impelled with unabated ardor, he put forth all his strength. He placidly fell asleep in Christ, the 14th day of October, in the year of our Lord, 1771, in the 74th year of his age.”[^15]

Interesting Facts About John Gill

He had no formal education beyond the age of eleven, yet he learned Latin, Greek, and was a master of the biblical Hebrew language.[^16] He pastored the church that Benjamin Keach once pastored, and the very same that Charles Haddon Spurgeon would one day lead.[^17] He pastored the same church and wrote extensively for fifty-one years in his public ministry.[^18] He wrote a commentary on the entire Old and New Testaments.[^19] He wrote it all by hand, and even did the proof-reading once it returned from the printers before publication.[^20] After completing his entire Bible commentary, Gill wrote a systematic theology, titled, A Body of Divinity.[^21] His first sermon was at the age of nineteen, and he preached from 1 Corinthians 2:2, “I determined to know nothing among you, except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”[^22] When they built a new church building, Gill said this in his opening sermon: “In all places where I record my name, &c.” Upon this occasion, in his sermon, the Dr. said, “We enter upon this new place of worship, by recording the name of the Lord therein; namely, by preaching the doctrines of the grace of God; of free and full salvation alone, by Jesus Christ; and by the administration of gospel ordinances, as they have been delivered to us. What doctrines may be taught in this place, after I am gone, is not for me to know; but, as for my own part, I am at a point; I am determined, and have been long ago, what to make the subject of my ministry. It is now upwards of forty years since I entered into the work, and the first sermon I ever preached was from those words of the apostle, I determined, &c. (1 Cor. 2:2.) Through the grace of God, I have been enabled, in some good measure, to abide by the same resolution hitherto; and I hope, by Divine assistance, I ever shall, as long as I am in this tabernacle, and engaged in this solemn work. I am not afraid of the reproaches of men; I have been inured to these, from my youth upwards; none of these things move me.”[^23] His dying words were, “O my Father, my Father!”[^24]

Theological Lessons from John Gill

John Gill’s life teaches six profound lessons for Christ’s church.

   First, hard work in study pays off. With formal education only until age eleven, Gill’s self-discipline in learning languages and theology yielded profound influence. Reformed theologian John Owen emphasized, “Diligent study of Scripture equips the believer for every good work, as God rewards faithfulness in pursuing knowledge of Him” (The Nature and Causes of Apostasy from the Gospel, 1676, ed. William H. Goold [Edinburgh: Johnstone and Hunter, 1850], 234).

  Second, the complete Bible is needed to make a complete Christian. Gill’s commentary on the entire Bible underscores this truth. Charles H. Spurgeon declared, “The whole counsel of God must be proclaimed, for partial truth leads to incomplete discipleship” (Lectures to My Students, 1875 [London: Passmore and Alabaster], 112).

  Third, doctrine matters. In A Body of Divinity, Gill systematized truth for the church. Jonathan Edwards taught, “Sound doctrine is the foundation of faith, guarding against error and guiding holy living” (A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, 1746 [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1961], 145). Gill affirmed: “Without the knowledge of God there can be no true worship of him” (A Body of Doctrinal Divinity, 1767 [London: M. and S. Higham, 1839], 23).

  Fourth, the importance of the civil government obeying God’s law. In his commentary, Gill stated: “[Civil Magistrates] are to discountenance and suppress impiety and irreligion; and to countenance and encourage religion and virtue. . . Civil magistrates are appointed for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well” (A Complete Body of Practical and Doctrinal Divinity, Book V, Chapter 4 [London: M. and S. Higham, 1839], 456). Thomas Boston echoed: “Magistrates serve as God’s ministers, enforcing His law for the good of society” (The Whole Works of Thomas Boston, vol. 6, ed. Samuel Colquhoun [Edinburgh: John Reid, 1850], 78).

  Fifth, Christ crucified must be the banner we fly. Gill’s first sermon at nineteen was from 1 Corinthians 2:2. Andrew Fuller affirmed, “The cross of Christ is the heart of the gospel, to be preached without compromise” (The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation, 1785 [London: Houlston and Stoneman, 1840], 92).

  Sixth, the importance of living a blameless life in Christ. Gill’s gravestone reads: “A man of unblemished reputation” (Mickle, Brief Biography of John Gill, 2008, 145). John Calvin taught, “A blameless life adorns the doctrine we profess, commending Christ to the world” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559, trans. Henry Beveridge [Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1863], 3.6.3).

Conclusion: Christ’s Victory in the Eighteenth Century

In the eighteenth century, God used John Gill to model for us hard work, Bible study, the importance of doctrine, and that we must always preach Christ crucified. Despite limited education, Gill’s diligence produced enduring works that fortified Particular Baptists against decline. As Spurgeon reflected, “Gill’s commentaries are a treasury of Reformed truth, equipping the church for generations” (Commenting and Commentaries, 1876 [London: Passmore and Alabaster], 45). His legacy endures in doctrinal fidelity and Christ-centered preaching.

Let us learn from Gill, pursuing hard work in study, embracing the whole Bible, upholding sound doctrine, urging civil obedience to God’s law, preaching Christ crucified, and living blamelessly. May we trust that Christ continues to conquer the nations, building His church for His glory. Let us live boldly, knowing His kingdom advances, unstoppable, until it fills the earth. Amen.

[^1]: John Rippon, A Brief Memoir of the Life and Writings of the Late Rev. John Gill (London: J. Bennett, 1838), 1. 

[^2]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 5. 

[^3]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 12.

[^4]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 15. 

[^5]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 23. 

[^6]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 34. 

[^7]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 45. 

[^8]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 56. 

[^9]: John Gill, The Whole Works of the Rev. Mr. John Gill, vol. 1, ed. David Nutt (London: T. Smith, 1763), preface. 

[^10]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 67. 

[^11]: George M. Ella, John Gill and the Cause of God and Truth (Durham: Go Publications, 1995), 123. 

[^12]: Ella, John Gill, 145. 

[^13]: Ella, John Gill, 156. 

[^14]: Ella, John Gill, 167. 

[^15]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 200. 

[^16]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 15. 

[^17]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 45. 

[^18]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 78. 

[^19]: Gill, An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, vol. 1 (London: Mathews and Leigh, 1809), preface. 

[^20]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 89. 

[^21]: Gill, A Body of Doctrinal Divinity (London: M. and S. Higham, 1839), introduction. 

[^22]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 23. 

[^23]: Gill, Sermon on the Opening of a New Place of Worship (London: G. Keith, 1750), 12. 

[^24]: Rippon, Brief Memoir, 200.

[^25]: John Owen, The Works of John Owen, vol. 13, ed. William H. Goold (Edinburgh: Johnstone & Hunter, 1852), 234. 

[^26]: Charles H. Spurgeon, Commenting and Commentaries (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1876), 45. 

[^27]: Thomas Boston, The Whole Works of Thomas Boston, vol. 6, ed. Samuel McMillan (Aberdeen: George and Robert King, 1850), 78. 

[^28]: Andrew Fuller, The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation (London: T. and J. Swords, 1801), 92. 

[^29]: John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, trans. Henry Beveridge (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989), 3.6.3.