John Gill (theologian)

John Gill (born at Kettering, Northamptonshire on November 23, 1697 and died October 14, 1771) was an English Baptist, a biblical scholar, and a staunch Calvinist. In his youth, he attended the Kettering grammar-school, mastering the Latin classics and learning Greek by age 11. The young scholar continued self-study in everything from logic to Hebrew. His love for Hebrew would follow Gill throughout his life.

Related Topics:
Kettering - Northamptonshire - November 23 - 1697 - October 14 - 1771 - English - Baptist - Biblical - Calvinist

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About age 12, Gill heard a sermon from his pastor, William Wallis, on the text, "And the Lord called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou?" (Genesis 3:9). The message stayed with Gill and eventually led to his conversion. It was not until seven years later that young John made a public profession when he was almost 19 years of age.

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His first pastoral work was as an intern assisting John Davis at Higham Ferrers in 1718 at age 21. He was subsequently called to pastor the Strict Baptist church at Goat Yard Chapel, Horsleydown, Southwark in 1719. In 1757, his congregation in need of larger premises moved to a Carter Lane, St. Olave?s Street, Southwark. His pastorate lasted 51 years. This Baptist Church later became the Metropolitan Tabernacle and was pastored by Charles Spurgeon.

Related Topics:
Higham Ferrers - Strict Baptist - Horsleydown - Southwark - Baptist - Metropolitan Tabernacle - Charles Spurgeon

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In 1748 Gill received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Aberdeen. He was a profound scholar and a voluminous author. His most important works are:

Related Topics:
Doctor of Divinity - University of Aberdeen

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• The Doctrine of the Trinity Stated and Vindicated (London, 1731)
• The Cause of God and Truth (4 parts, 1735-1738), a retort to Daniel Whitby's Five Points
• An Exposition of the New Testament (3 vols., 1746-1748), which with his Exposition of the Old Testament (6 vols., 1748-1763) forms his magnum opus
• A Dissertation on the Antiquity of the Hebrew Language (1767)
• A Body of Doctrinal Divinity (1767)
• A Body of Practical Divinity (1770).
 
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