40 Bible Doctrine – Gill’s ‘Body Of Divinity’ And The Table Of Contents

A transcript of the video teaching

I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. We are looking in this study, at the table of contents belonging to John Gill’s ‘Body of Divinity’. Allow me to introduce the subject by referring you to the passage of Scripture read at the opening of our worship hour. When the Apostle Paul called together the gospel preachers who were ministering at Ephesus, it was the last time he would see them face to face, and therefore he took opportunity to give some apostolic instructions and pastoral counsels to the men. By way of example, and for the purpose of encouragement, he told them in Acts 20:27—“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” The word ‘counsel’ means purpose or will. We might say, having taken counsel, I purpose to do this or that. Sometimes this word is used with reference to God’s purpose—His eternal purpose—His eternal decree, having foreordained all that comes to pass in time. But the word may also mean advice, or instruction. For that is what we are receiving when we take counsel from others. They are advising us, instructing us. And that is how the term is used here by Paul. The counsel of God is the advice, or instructions, He gives to His people. That counsel, of course, is none other than the revealed will of God in the Holy Scriptures. Now, there are other avenues God chooses to reveal Himself aside from the Scriptures. For instance, He reveals Himself through the creation of the world, for we can see quite clearly from the things that are made the eternal power and Godhead. He also reveals Himself in the conscience of men and women, having inscribed upon their hearts His law, the transgression of which bears witness against us, our thoughts accusing or else excusing one another. He also reveals Himself through His providential orderings, for there is only one way to know for sure the will of God on any given event, and that is when the event comes to pass throughout the course of history, and in each of our lives. Now you see, these are what we might call general revelations of God to us. They tell us some very important things about God and our responsibilities toward Him, but they are not sufficient to make a sinner wise unto salvation. That information must be given to us through a special revelation, and that is the purpose of this book, the Bible. 

And you see, Paul says to the preachers in Ephesus, I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL the counsel of God. All of it. Not some of it. Not most of it. But all of it. For all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the Lord’s people might be matured in the faith, built up in their faith, furnished unto all good works. The Scriptures alone reveal the way of salvation and therefore are able to make a sinner wise unto salvation which is through Jesus Christ our Lord. And this is why Paul did not shun to declare ALL the Scriptures to the preachers at Ephesus. This word shunned means to withdraw; to conceal; to keep something back. Paul uses the same Greek term in the twentieth verse of the same chapter—Acts 20:20,21: ”And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now you see, Paul didn’t edit the message of God. He didn’t pick out those things which he felt would be acceptable to the preachers, leaving out those things which he considered to be controversial. He didn’t seek to please anybody. He had been given a revelation from God, and commissioned to preach it to others. And that he did. 

And so the term declare is used by Paul. He declared all the counsel of God to them. This words means to announce, to report, to make known, to rehearse. He uses the same term again in Acts 20:20,21: ”And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, how did Paul set forth all the counsel of God? He declared it, showed it. And also testified of it, meaning Paul himself was a personal witness of the things he was setting forth. He was a partaker of these great truths. He was experiencing, and believing and practicing all the counsel of God. And the preachers at Ephesus were the recipients thereof. They were being built up in their most holy faith by the declaration and attestation of Paul’s message. 

Now, my dear friends, before us is John Gill doing precisely the same thing. He is setting forth, declaring, announcing, reporting, testifying of all the counsel of God. And like the preachers at Ephesus, you and I are privileged to sit under the mentorship and tutelage of a faithful guide in the faith. Of course, you and I are not obliged to agree with Gill on every point. But wisdom would direct us to consider every point, in the light of the Scriptures, before arriving at our own conclusions. And our own conclusions must be paramount in our study of doctrine and theology. As students of the Scriptures, we are not here to conform ourselves to the views of others. Rather, we are here to conform our views to that of the Scriptures. And of course, we must give ourselves space to grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures, for if there be one thing I have learned as a student, the more I grow in knowledge and understanding, the more I realize my deficiency in both. I am quite certain the same is true for you. We must be willing not only to learn the truth as it is in Jesus, but also unlearn the falsehoods we have embraced at earlier stages in our journey. Those who come at the Scriptures with that flexibility, will in time, be like Apollos, mighty in the Scriptures.  

With that said, I do not mind confessing that I know myself to be unqualified to serve as your primary guide through an exhaustive study on doctrine and theology. Indeed, I am only 48 years old. Even Gill waited until he was in his seventies, just a few years before his death, before he undertook such a task. Of course, I have my system; I have my framework; I have settled views on many issues. But at this particular point in my journey with the Lord, I do not feel I am in a position to lead you through a detailed investigation on all the counsel of God. “What then,” you may ask, “is the purpose of your series on Bible Doctrine?” Well, it has been my goal from the start to make John Gill our guide in these matters. I would like for us to take a journey together through Gill’s Body of Divinity, allowing him to serve as our mentor and teacher. What say you, my dear friend? Would you not like to sit under the teachings of John Gill? The Apostle Paul could say he sat at the feet of Gamaliel, when instructed in the teachings of the Old Testament. Would you not like to say one day, that you have sat at the feet of John Gill? Well, if that is something you value; if it is something you think will build you up in your most holy faith; if it is something you believe will ground you in the truth; then I hope you will join me week by week for these studies in Bible Doctrine. 

It will be my goal to tackle one chapter of Gill’s Divinity per week. I will provide for you an outline of the chapter, highlighting what I believe to be the salient points, and aligning the teachings with the Framework of Sovereign Grace. You will then be given the assignment to read that chapter, using the outline and framework as a guide. Of course, there is a learning curve when picking up a new author, for every author has his style. You will therefore need to exercise patience at the initial stages of our journey, but in a relatively short time, you will come to understand the writing style of Gill and I believe will very much appreciate the orderliness with which he presents his teachings. 

For the remainder of this study, I would like to introduce you to the Table of Contents of Gill’s Divinity. Not only will this prepare you for the teachings to follow, but it will, in itself, serve as a type of grounding to your faith, giving you a broad and exhaustive view on the grand scheme of systematic theology. 

As we have seen in previous studies, John Gill published his Body of Divinity in two sections. The first is a body of doctrinal theology, published in 1769. The second is a body of practical theology, published in 1770. Both publications were the product of his regular teaching ministry at the Carter-lane Chapel. Let’s begin with Gill’s doctrinal body of theology. 

This work was published in two volumes, arranged under the heading of seven “books”. Each book deals with a particular branch of theology:

Book 1: Of God, His Word, Names, Nature, Perfections And Persons

Book 2: Of The Acts And Works Of God

Book 3: Of The External Works Of God

Book 4: Of The Acts Of The Grace Of God Towards And Upon His Elect In Time

Book 5: Of The Grace Of Christ In His States Of Humiliation And Exaltation, And In The Offices Exercised By Him In Them

Book 6: Of The Blessings Of Grace, And The Doctrines Of It

Book 7: Of The Final State Of Men

There are thirty-one chapters belonging to the first book—Of God, His Word, Names, Nature, Perfections And Persons

Chapter 1—Of The Being Of God

Chapter 2—Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 3—Of The Names Of God

Chapter 4—Of The Nature Of God

Chapter 5—Of The Attributes Of God In General, And Of His Immutability In Particular

Chapter 6—Of The Infinity Of God, His Omnipresence And Eternity

Chapter 7—Of The Life Of God

Chapter 8—Of The Omnipotence Of God

Chapter 9—Of The Omniscience Of God

Chapter 10—Of The Wisdom Of God

Chapter 11—Of The Will Of God, And The Sovereign Of It

Chapter 12—Of The Love Of God

Chapter 13—Of The Grace Of God

Chapter 14—Of The Mercy Of God

Chapter 15—Of The Longsuffering Of God

Chapter 16—Of The Goodness Of God

Chapter 17—Of The Anger And Wrath Of God

Chapter 18—Of The Hatred Of God

Chapter 19—Of The Joy Of God

Chapter 20—Of The Holiness Of God 

Chapter 21—Of The Justice Or Righteousness Of God

Chapter 22—Of The Veracity Of God

Chapter 23—Of The Faithfulness Of God

Chapter 24—Of The Sufficiency And Perfection Of God

Chapter 25—Of The Blessedness Of God

Chapter 26—Of The Unity Of God

Chapter 27—Of A Plurality In The Godhead; Or, A Trinity Of Persons In The Unity Of The Divine Essence

Chapter 28—Of The Personal Relations; Or, Relative Properties Which Distinguish The Three Divine Persons In The Deity

Chapter 29—Of The Distinct Personality, And Deity Of The Father

Chapter 30—Of The Distinct Personality, And Deity Of The Son

Chapter 31—Of The Distinct Personality, And Deity Of The Holy Spirit

There are sixteen chapters belonging to the second book—Of The Acts And Works Of God

Chapter 1—Of The Internal Acts And Works Of God; And Of His Decrees In General

Chapter 2—Of The Special Decrees Of God, Relating To Rational Creatures, Angels, And Men; And Particularly Of Election

Chapter 3—Of The Decree Of Rejection, Or Some Angels, And Of Some Men

Chapter 4—Of The Eternal Union Of The Elect Of God Unto Him

Chapter 5—Of Other Eternal  And Immanent Acts In God, Particularly Adoption And Justification

Chapter 6—Of The Everlasting Council Between The Three Divine Persons, Concerning The Salvation Of Men

Chapter 7—Of The Everlasting Covenant Of Grace, Between The Father, And The Son, And The Holy Spirit

Chapter 8—Of The Part Which The Father Takes In The Covenant

Chapter 9—Of The Part The Son Of God, The Second Person, Has Taken In The Covenant

Chapter 10—Of Christ, As The Covenant Head Of The Elect

Chapter 11—Of Christ, The Mediator Of The Covenant

Chapter 12—Of Christ, The Surety Of The Covenant

Chapter 13—Of Christ, The Testator Of The Covenant

Chapter 14—Of The Concern The Spirit Of God Has In The Covenant Of Grace

Chapter 15—Of The Properties Of The Covenant Of Grace

Chapter 16—Of The Complacency And Delight God Has In Himself, And The Divine Persons In Each Other, Before Any Creature Was Brought Into Being

There are thirteen chapters belonging to the third book—Of The External Works Of God

Chapter 1—Of Creation In General

Chapter 2—Of The Creation Of Angels

Chapter 3—Of The Creation Of Man

Chapter 4—Of The Providence Of God

Chapter 5—Of The Confirmation Of The Elect Angels, And The Fall Of The Non-Elect

Chapter 6—Of Of The Honor And Happiness Of Man In A State Of Innocency 

Chapter 7—Of The Law Given To Adam, And The Covenant Made With Him In His State Of Innocence; In Which He Was The Federal Head And Representative Of His Posterity

Chapter 8—Of The Sin And Fall Of Our First Parents

Chapter 9—Of The Nature, Aggravations, And Sad Effects Of The Sin Of Man

Chapter 10—Of The Imputation Of Adam’s Sin To All His Posterity

Chapter 11—Of The Corruption Of Human Nature

Chapter 12—Of Actual Sins And Transgressions

Chapter 13—Of The Punishment Of Sin

There are seven chapters belonging to the fourth book—Of The Acts Of The Grace Of God Towards And Upon His Elect In Time

Chapter 1—Of The Manifestation And Administration Of The Covenant Of Grace

Chapter 2—Of The Exhibitions Of The Covenant Of Grace In The Patriarchal State

Chapter 3—Of The Exhibitions Of The Covenant Of Grace Under The Mosaic Dispensation

Chapter 4—Of The Covenant Of Grace, As Exhibited In The Times Of David, And The Succeeding Prophets, To The Coming Of Christ

Chapter 5—Of The Abrogation Of The Old Covenant, Or First Administration Of It, And The Introduction Of The New, Or Second Administration Of It

Chapter 6—Of The Law Of God

Chapter 7—Of The Gospel

There are fourteen chapters belonging to the fifth book—Of The Grace Of Christ In His States Of Humiliation And Exaltation, And In The Offices Exercised By Him In Them

Chapter 1—Of The Incarnation Of Christ

Chapter 2—Of Christ’s State Of Humiliation

Chapter 3—Of The Active Obedience Of Christ In His State Of Humiliation

Chapter 4—Of The Passive Obedience Of Christ, Or Of His Sufferings And Death

Chapter 5—Of The Burial Of Christ

Chapter 6—Of The Resurrection Of Christ From The Dead

Chapter 7—Of The Ascension Of Christ To Heaven

Chapter 8—Of The Session Of Christ At The Right Hand Of God

Chapter 9—Of The Prophetic Office Of Christ

Chapter 10—Of Priestly Office Of Christ

Chapter 11—Of The Intercession Of Christ

Chapter 12—Of Christ’s Blessing His People As A Priest

Chapter 13—Of The Kingly Office Of Christ

Chapter 14—Of The Spiritual Reign Of Christ

There are fifteen chapters belonging to the sixth book—Of The Blessings Of Grace, And The Doctrines Of It

Chapter 1—Of Redemption By Christ

Chapter 2—Of The Causes Of Redemption By Christ

Chapter 3—Of The Objects Of Redemption By Christ

Chapter 4—Of Those Texts Of Scripture Which Seem To Favor Universal Redemption

Chapter 5—Of The Satisfaction Of Christ

Chapter 6—Of Propitiation, Atonement, And Reconciliation, As Ascribed To Christ

Chapter 7—Of The Pardon Of Sin

Chapter 8—Of Justification

Chapter 9—Of Adoption

Chapter 10—Of The Liberty Of The Sons Of God

Chapter 11—Of Regeneration

Chapter 12—Of Effectual Calling

Chapter 13—Of Conversion

Chapter 14—Of Sanctification

Chapter 15—Of The Perseverance Of The Saints

There are eleven chapters belonging to the seventh book—Of The Final State Of Men

Chapter 1—Of The Death Of The Body

Chapter 2—Of The Immortality Of The Soul

Chapter 3—Of The Separate State Of The Soul Until The Resurrection, And Its Employment In That State

Chapter 4—Of The Resurrection Of The Body

Chapter 5—Of The Second Coming Of Christ, And His Personal Appearance

Chapter 6—Of The Conflagration Of The Universe

Chapter 7—Of The New Heavens And Earth, And The Inhabitants Of Them

Chapter 8—Of The Millennium, Or Personal Reign Of Christ With The Saints On The New Earth A Thousand Years

Chapter 9—Of The Last And General Judgment

Chapter 10—Of The Final State Of The Wicked In Hell 

Chapter 11—Of The Final State Of The Saints In Heaven

And so, we have in Gill’s body of doctrinal theology seven books, or branches of theology, composed of one-hundred-and-seven chapters in total. 

Coming now to Gill’s body of practical theology, this was also arranged under the heading of four “books”, or branches of theology:

Book 1: Of The Worship Of God

Book 2: Of External Worship, As Public

Book 3: Of The Public Ordinances Of Divine Worship

Book 4: Of Private Worship, Or Various Duties, Domestic, Civil And Moral.” 

An Appendix is placed at the end, which is a dissertation on the baptism of Jewish Proselytes. 

There are twenty-four chapters belonging to the first book—Of The Worship Of God

Chapter 1—Of The Worship Of God, Or Practical Religion Of The Object Of Worship

Chapter 2—Of Internal Worship, And Of Godliness The Groundwork Of It

Chapter 3—Of The Knowledge Of God

Chapter 4—Of Repentance Towards God

Chapter 5—Of The Fear Of God

Chapter 6—Of Faith In God And In Christ

Chapter 7—Of Trust And Confidence In God

Chapter 8—Of The Grace Of Hope

Chapter 9—Of The Grace Of Love

Chapter 10—Of Spiritual Joy

Chapter 11—Of Peace And Tranquility Of Mind

Chapter 12—Of Contentment Of Mind

Chapter 13—Of Thankfulness To God

Chapter 14—Of Humility

Chapter 15—Of Self-Denial

Chapter 16—Of Resignation To The Will Of God

Chapter 17—Of Patience

Chapter 18—Of Christian Fortitude

Chapter 19—Of Zeal

Chapter 20—Of Wisdom Or Prudence

Chapter 21—Of Godly Sincerity

Chapter 22—Of Spiritual Mindedness

Chapter 23—Of A Good Conscience

Chapter 24—Of Communion With God

There are six chapters belonging to the second book—Of External Worship, As Public

Chapter 1—Of The Nature Of A Gospel Church, the Seat Of Public Worship

Chapter 2—Of The Duties Of The Member Of A Church To Each Other

Chapter 3—Of The Officers Of A Church, Particularly Pastors

Chapter 4—Of The Duties Of Members Of Churches To Their Pastors

Chapter 5—Of Of The Office Of Deacons

Chapter 6—Of The Discipline Of A Church Of Christ

There are eight chapters belonging to the third book—Of The Public Ordinances Of Divine Worship

Chapter 1—Of Baptism

Chapter 2—Of The Lord’s Supper

Chapter 3—Of The Public Ministry Of The Word

Chapter 4—Of The Public Hearing Of The Word

Chapter 5—Of Public Prayer

Chapter 6—Of The Lord’s Prayer

Chapter 7—Of Singing Psalms, As A Part Of Public Worship

Chapter 8—Of The Circumstances Of Public Worship, As To Place And Time

There are six chapters belonging to the fourth book—Of Private Worship, Or Various Duties, Domestic, Civil And Moral.” 

Chapter 1—Of The Respective Duties Of Husband And Wife

Chapter 2—Of The Respective Duties Of Parents And Children

Chapter 3—Of The Respective Duties Of Masters And Servants

Chapter 4—Of The Respective Duties Of Magistrates And Subjects

Chapter 5—Of Good Works In General

Chapter 6—A Compendium Or Summary Of The Decalogue Or Ten Commandments

There are five chapters belonging to the appendix—A Dissertation Concerning The Baptism Of Jewish Proselytes

Chapter 1—A Dissertation Concerning The Baptism Of Jewish Proselytes Of The Various Sorts Of Proselytes Among The Jews

Chapter 2—The Occasion Of This Dissertation

Chapter 3—The Proof Of The Baptism Of Jewish Proselytes Inquired Into; Whether There Is Any Proof Of It Before, At, Or Quickly After The Times Of John And Christ

Chapter 4—The Proof Of This Custom Only From The Talmuds And Talmudical Writers

Chapter 5—The Reasons Why Christian Baptism Is Not Founded On, And Taken From, The Pretended Jewish Baptism Of Israelites And Proselytes

And so, we have in Gill’s body of practical theology four books and an appendix, composed of forty-nine chapters in total. When the body of doctrinal and practical theologies are combined, there are a total of eleven books, one appendix and one-hundred-and-fifty-six chapters in all. Indeed, this is a comprehensive and exhaustive study on systematic theology. If you do not have a printed copy of Gill’s theology, please reach out to me as I can either supply you with a free PDF copy, or point you in the right direction on obtaining a printed copy. 

I do hope, my dear friends, you are excited to look into these matters. I am excited to go through them with you. And with the Lord’s blessing, we will grow together in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.