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The
gospel regenerationists WANTS TO WEAR the crown; |
Jan 31, 2011, 5:40 AM
Dear Sir,
Please
consider the comment made by Gill on Lydia. A couple of words he uttered need
your kind discernment.
"that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul; concerning the person and offices of Christ, concerning his truths and ordinances, concerning free justification by his righteousness, pardon by his blood, and everlasting salvation by him; these things she hearkened unto in another manner than she had done; before she heard, but did not attend to what she heard; but faith coming by hearing, now she hears with the hearing of faith, and understands what she hears, and cordially receives and embraces it, and put into practice what she heard, submitting to the ordinance of Christ, as follows"
Is Gill a gospel regenerationist? Pray, help Pastor!
In
His Mercy
Xunny
========
Jan
31, 2011, 12:52 PM
Dear Brother Xunny,
You have raised a common inquiry about Gill.
I will bring a copy of a biography on Gill the next time I see you. (I handed a copy to LKM at Armada Hotel some years back, he declined. KL is witness!)
When
reading Gill, please remember these basic points:
-
his ministry spanned over a period of 50 plus years, 1720-1771. That means to
say, his earlier work may not be as mature as his later work. This is
inevitable in a man's ministry. He grows in the knowledge and grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ. So, certain of his earlier teaching may appear to contradict his
latter more matured teaching.
-
his commentary on the bible was compilation of his expository work along his
ministry. This is quite different from his latter and final Body of Divinity
issued under his own supervision two years before his departure to glory. I believe if he had the opportunity, he would
have gone back to rectify some of his wordings in his earlier work.
-
toward the end of his life, in 1769, he published his definitive systematic
Body of Divinity. So whenever there is seeming differences among his writing,
his later work would be definitive of his view.
In addition to all the above, the error of gospel regeneration was not an issue in the old school baptists of Gill time. And because of that Gill come across as being somewhat loose in his use of words. Often he used the terms 'regeneration' and 'conversion' quite interchangeably. But to him, 'conversion' is conversion from the state of sins and death to that of life and salvation. So to us who have to fight the error of gospel regeneration, Gill appears to teach gospel regeneration. It come across like that in several of his commentary in the NT.
For
a classic example of this: his notes on Romans 11:14: "The ministers of
the Gospel may be said to save souls, not efficiently, for the author or
efficient cause of salvation is God only; the Father has chose unto it, the Son
has effected it, and the Spirit applies it; BUT INSTRUMENTALLY, AS THE WORD
PREACHED BY THEM IS THE MEANS OF REGENERATION, FAITH, AND CONVERSION, WITH
WHICH SALVATION IS CONNECTED: and as they show unto men the way of salvation,
and encourage souls to believe in Christ, in whom alone it is. Now the apostle
argues from his office, and the usefulness of it, to some among the Jews, to
saving purposes, to prove that their rejection was not total." Go here and
click on the appropriate place:
Here is a good place to find Gill's commentary:
https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/john-gill/
For
his Body of Divinity, go here:
https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/a-complete-body-of-doctrinal-and-practical-divinity-gill.html
But this PLAINLY and CLEARLY repudiated in his systematic theology, the FINAL WORKS of his long ministry.
Now concerning the commentary you quoted, I don't see anything related to the issue of gospel regeneration. What may be disputed is that Gill assumed that Lydia had heard the gospel before this but did not hear with faith. But this time round she hear the preaching of Paul with faith. So, no one can label Gill a gospel regenerationist from this commentary.
Take
a look here where Gill's view on regeneration was disputed:
http://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-subtle-and-devilish-is-subtle.html
Look at the part (2/5 way down) where on gospel regenerationist quoted from Gill Body of Divinity and misrepresented him in a most horrible way.
I am glad you are reading Gill - possibly the clearest theologian... certainly far excel Calvin the baby sprinkler! If only baptists read this great servant of God, it would do them so much good.
PRESS ON and FORWARD, for that's the only option for soldiers of Christ.
your
brother and servant in Christ,
sing
