Deathless Sermon
Encyclopedia
The Deathless Sermon was a sermon
given during the decline of Hyper-Calvinism
in England
. It was preached by Particular Baptist Minister, William Carey on May 30, 1792 at the Friar Lane Baptist Chapel in Nottingham
as an effort to arouse his pastoral contemporaries to intentional evangelistic action.
The message is rooted in the text of Isaiah
54:2-3:
No extant copies of the sermon remain; however church historians almost unanimously recognize its form as having only two points:
Although initially his audience was unmoved, ultimately the sermon was remarkably successful. His oration served as the initial catalyst for the founding in 1792 of the "Particular Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel to the Heathen" (later renamed to the Baptist Missionary Society
), which would commission William Carey as one of their first missionaries. Carey's activity in India
is renowned and placed him firmly in history as the "father of modern missions".
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
given during the decline of Hyper-Calvinism
Hyper-Calvinism
Hyper-Calvinism is a pejorative term referring to a denial of the free offer of the gospel and duty-faith. The term "Hyper-Calvinism" is used in the writings of Iain Murray, Curt Daniel, Peter Toon and others who seek to defend the free offer of the gospel as well as duty faith.The controversy over...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was preached by Particular Baptist Minister, William Carey on May 30, 1792 at the Friar Lane Baptist Chapel in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
as an effort to arouse his pastoral contemporaries to intentional evangelistic action.
The message is rooted in the text of Isaiah
Isaiah
Isaiah ; Greek: ', Ēsaïās ; "Yahu is salvation") was a prophet in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah.Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon; he is the first listed of the neviim akharonim, the later prophets. Many of the New Testament teachings of Jesus...
54:2-3:
- Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
No extant copies of the sermon remain; however church historians almost unanimously recognize its form as having only two points:
- expect great things from God, and
- attempt great things for God.
Although initially his audience was unmoved, ultimately the sermon was remarkably successful. His oration served as the initial catalyst for the founding in 1792 of the "Particular Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel to the Heathen" (later renamed to the Baptist Missionary Society
Baptist Missionary Society
rightBMS World Mission is a Christian missionary society founded by Baptists from England in 1792. It was originally called the Particular Baptist Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Amongst the Heathen, but for most of its life was known as the Baptist Missionary Society...
), which would commission William Carey as one of their first missionaries. Carey's activity in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is renowned and placed him firmly in history as the "father of modern missions".