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Metropolitan Tabernacle: Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
The Tabernacle fellowship dates back to 1650, when the English Parliament banned independent [[Christianity|Christian]] organisations from meeting together. This congregation braved persecution until 1688, when the Baptists were once again allowed to worship in freedom. At this point, the group built their first chapel, in [[Horsleydown]], | The Tabernacle fellowship dates back to 1650, when the English Parliament banned independent [[Christianity|Christian]] organisations from meeting together. This congregation braved persecution until 1688, when the Baptists were once again allowed to worship in freedom. At this point, the group built their first chapel, in [[Horsleydown]], Southwark, an area of London immediately south of the present-day Tower Bridge.<ref name=MThistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/Church-Details/History |title=Brief History | publisher =Metropolitan Tabernacle |access-date=2014-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol6/pp100-117 | title=Bermondsey: Tooley Street | British History Online }}</ref> | ||
In 1720, [[John Gill (theologian)|John Gill]] became pastor and served for 51 years. In 1771, [[John Rippon]] became pastor and served for 63 years. During these times, the church experienced growth and became one of the largest congregations in the country. Afterwards decline set in and by 1850 the congregation was small.<ref name= early>{{cite book |last1= Spurgeon |first1= Charles |last2= Spurgeon |first2= Susannah (compiler) |last3= Harrald |first3= Joseph (compiler)|title= C. H. Spurgeon Autobiography: The Early Years, 1834–1859 |location= Edinburgh |publisher= Banner of Truth |publication-date= 1962 |isbn= 978-0-85151076-7}}</ref> | In 1720, [[John Gill (theologian)|John Gill]] became pastor and served for 51 years. In 1771, [[John Rippon]] became pastor and served for 63 years. During these times, the church experienced growth and became one of the largest congregations in the country. Afterwards decline set in and by 1850 the congregation was small.<ref name= early>{{cite book |last1= Spurgeon |first1= Charles |last2= Spurgeon |first2= Susannah (compiler) |last3= Harrald |first3= Joseph (compiler)|title= C. H. Spurgeon Autobiography: The Early Years, 1834–1859 |location= Edinburgh |publisher= Banner of Truth |publication-date= 1962 |isbn= 978-0-85151076-7}}</ref> | ||
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[[File:Review of reviews and world's work (1890) (14758340366).jpg|thumb|Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1890]] | [[File:Review of reviews and world's work (1890) (14758340366).jpg|thumb|Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1890]] | ||
During Spurgeon's ministry, it was decided that the church should move permanently to larger premises. The location chosen was at [[Elephant and Castle]], a prominent position near the | During Spurgeon's ministry, it was decided that the church should move permanently to larger premises. The location chosen was at [[Elephant and Castle]], a prominent position near the River Thames in South London, partly because it was thought to be the site of the burning of the [[Marian Persecutions |Southwark Martyrs]]. The building, with a 6,000-seat auditorium, designed by [[William Willmer Pocock]], was finished in 1861 and dedicated on 18 March.<ref>Stephen J. Hunt, ''Handbook of Megachurches'', Brill, Leiden, 2019, p. 50</ref> In 1881, the church had 5,500 members.<ref>William Cathcart, ''The Baptist Encyclopedia'', Volume 3, The Baptist Standard Bearer, USA, 2001, p. 1095</ref> | ||
Spurgeon also founded a college for preachers and church workers (now [[Spurgeon's College]]), and orphanages for girls and boys, and wrote many Christian books which are still in print today.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tabernaclebookshop.org/collections/books-test/Spurgeon | work =Books | title = Spurgeon | publisher = Tabernacle Bookshop |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> | Spurgeon also founded a college for preachers and church workers (now [[Spurgeon's College]]), and orphanages for girls and boys, and wrote many Christian books which are still in print today.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tabernaclebookshop.org/collections/books-test/Spurgeon | work =Books | title = Spurgeon | publisher = Tabernacle Bookshop |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> | ||
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==Church basic policies== | ==Church basic policies== | ||
The Metropolitan Tabernacle is an independent | The Metropolitan Tabernacle is an independent [[Reformed Baptist]]. The following seven points show the key biblical policies followed, laid down by forebears, such as [[Charles Spurgeon]].<ref name=dall /><ref name=sheehan>{{Citation | last = Sheehan| first =Robert | title =Spurgeon and the Modern Church| place = Phillipsburg NJ | publisher = Presbyterian & Reformed Pub Co |date=Jun 1985 | isbn = 9780946462056}}</ref><ref name="Nettles">{{Cite book | last = Nettles | first = Tom | title = Living By Revealed Truth The Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon | publisher = Christian Focus Publishing| location = Ross-shire | pages = 700 | date = 21 July 2013 | isbn =9781781911228 }}</ref> | ||
* Doctrines of grace, commonly called [[Calvinism|'Calvinistic']]. | * Doctrines of grace, commonly called [[Calvinism|'Calvinistic']]. | ||
* [[Free offer of the Gospel]] | * [[Free offer of the Gospel]] | ||
