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39 Bible Doctrine – The Key To Unlocking John Gill’s ‘Body Of Divinity’
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous studies, I have introduced the life, legacy and writings of John Gill. Out of the twenty-five works highlighted, there are four which I have recommended every Christian should own and read: 1. “The Cause of God and Truth” (1735-38) 2. “An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” (1746-48; 1763-66) 3. “Goat Yard Declaration of Faith” (1729) 4. “A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity” (1769-70) Having given some background, explanations and samples of the first three works, I now come to the last—A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity. Another term for ‘body’ is system, and another term for ‘divinity’ is theology. Henceforth, this is John Gill’s System…
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38 Bible Doctrine – Confessional Statements And Their Proper Use
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous two studies, I have given a historic and doctrinal overview of John Gill’s Goat Yard Declaration of Faith. And then, towards the end of our last study, I pointed out some of the major differences between the 1689 Confession and the 1729 Declaration. In a nutshell, the 1689 Confession is representative of 17th century Hyper-Calvinism, whereas the 1729 Declaration is representative of 18th century Hyper-Calvinism. More specifically, 17th century Hyper-Calvinism, represented by the 1689 Confession, is based on a threefold covenantal framework, pushing to the forefront a conditional covenant of grace. Forthwith, saving faith is viewed as a legal duty imposed upon unregenerate sinners, resulting in a conditional salvation;…
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37 An Examination Of Gill’s Goat Yard Declaration Of Faith (1729)
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous study, I laid out for you a historic backdrop to Gill’s Goat Yard Declaration. For this study, I would like to look at the document itself. However, it seems appropriate, given the fact that the Declaration was designed for a single congregation, that we first take a look at that congregation, to gain a bird’s eye view of its history and doctrinal positions. The Goat Yard Declaration was named after the church for which it was drawn up. It was known as the church meeting at Goat’s Yard Passage, on Fair Street, in Horsley-Down, Southwark, and they met in the Goat’s Yard Chapel. The origin of the church may…
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36 A Historical Backdrop To Gill’s Goat Yard Declaration Of Faith (1729)
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous study, I introduced you to the ministry and writings of an 18th century Baptist theologian named John Gill. Aside from his pastoral duties in London, he was a prolific writer, the author of more than twenty-five works, many of which were large and exhaustive volumes. Of these works, there are four which I recommended you should have and of which you should make frequent use: 1. “The Cause of God and Truth” (1735-38) 2. “An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” (1746-48; 1763-66) 3. “Goat Yard Declaration of Faith” (1729) 4. “A Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity” (1769-70) Having already given an overview and samples of the…
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35 Bible Doctrine – The Significance Of JOHN GILL And His Writings
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous six studies, I have given a historic and theological overview of 17th and 18th century Hyper-Calvinism. I began with a definition—Hyper-Calvinism is any teaching which goes beyond that of Calvin himself. Accordingly, Hyper-Calvinism emerged in two waves. The first began with the publication of Calvin’s Institutes in 1536, culminating in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. This may be regarded as 17th century Hyper-Calvinism. The second began with the publication of two sermons preached by Benjamin Keach in the year 1692, culminating in John Gill’s Body of Divinity in the year 1770. This may be regarded as 18th century Hyper-Calvinism. Both groups were driven by a covenant…
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34 Bible Doctrine – The Believer’s Rule Of Conduct
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous two studies, I have been looking at the three controversial issues which separate 17th century Hyper-Calvinism from 18th century Hyper-Calvinism—the doctrines of duty faith, the free offer and the ten commandments as the believer’s rule of conduct. For this study, we are looking at the ten commandments as the rule of conduct which governs the believer’s life. Those who subscribe to this doctrine assert, that while the unregenerate sinner cannot be justified with God by keeping the ten commandments, yet the regenerate sinner is sanctified by God through his/her obedience to the ten commandments. They believe God has given a law, which they identify as the moral law, which…
