In his first sermon
ever at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon declared:
I would propose . . . that the subject of the ministry of this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshippers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist. . . . but if I am asked what is my creed, I think I must reply--'It is Jesus Christ.'
My venerable predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a body of divinity, admirable and excellent in its way; but the body of divinity to which I would pin and bind myself forever, God helping me, is not his system of divinity or any other human treatise, but Jesus Christ, who is the sum and substance of the gospel; who is in himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth.
--Charles Spurgeon, quoted in Lewis Drummond,
Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers (Kregel 1992), 288
In his first sermon ever at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon declared:
3 comments:
I have a great regard and respect for Spurgeon. He is not called the ‘Prince of Preachers’ for nothing. There are many things that he said which cannot be improved on. I personally own both his volumes of ‘The Treasury of David’ and his ‘Morning and Evening-Daily Readings’ and read them regularly for my edification.
But his above statement needs to be defined.
Spurgeon has said – “if I am asked what is my creed, I think I must reply--'It is Jesus Christ.' My venerable predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a body of divinity, admirable and excellent in its way; but the body of divinity to which I would pin and bind myself forever, God helping me, is not his system of divinity or any other human treatise, but Jesus Christ, who is the sum and substance of the gospel ..”
It does not help to say that one’s creed is just ‘Jesus Christ’. For there are many Christ’s! We have the Romish Christ, the Mormon Christ and every other cult which defends its authority by Scripture claims to believe in ‘Jesus Christ’.
So it behooves us to define the Christ we believe in by Creed and doctrine!
Our Lord was concerned much about doctrine and directly asked those who claimed to believe in God how THEY understood the Scriptures. “He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest THOU”? [Luke 10:26]. He not only taught the right doctrine but fought against false doctrine and was ultimately hounded to death for His doctrine! ‘And they sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people were ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE’. [Mark 11:18]
The early disciples not only centered their lives around the right doctrine but admonished the church not to entertain those who differed doctrinally. ‘And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers’. ‘If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed’ [Act 2:42; 2Jn 1:10]
Much more could be said on the importance of creeds and doctrines. But suffice it to say, it is not enough to say that your creed is just ‘Jesus Christ’!
Is the Jesus I believe in the third person of the Godhead?! Is He very God of very God and one substance with the Father!? Is He the absolute sovereign who hath mercy on whom He will and hardens whom He will!? Is he the frustrated saviour who desires the salvation of all men hoping that they will choose him of their own ‘free will’ or is He the Omnipotent Lord who makes His people willing in the Day of His power!? [Psalm 110:3]
The right answer to just the above questions will eliminate and expose the myriads of false Christ’s that pervade the land!
Hi Mike. Thanks for the comment.
From what I know of Spurgeon, the last thing he means here is that he wants his creed to be Jesus Christ *to the exclusion of* a doctrinal framework. The point, rather, is that Jesus himself is the irreducible core of, and the one who gives life through, our doctrinal framework. And while it is impossible to have Christ without a doctrinal skeleton, it is easy to have a doctrinal skeleton and lose a sense of Christ.
Spurgeon knows how easily we begin to focus on the theological framework instead of the Christ it is meant to illumine--like looking at, rather than through, our glasses.
Bless you brother.
Hi Dane. Thanks for clarifying. Just writing to say that I really enjoy your website and the material you post here. It is very edifying and more than anything it keeps me informed on a wide variety of subjects. Keep up the good work brother, and may God's blessing be on you and yours!
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