Abraham Booth

Early Life and Conversion

Well before His death he was known as “the venerable Mr Booth.” Andrew Fuller, who I discussed on a previous podcast, described Abraham Booth as “the first counsellor of our denomination.”

1734: Born into an obscure family in Derbyshire village of Blackwell. Grew up poor and with little formal education. His father taught him some when there was time after the days work.

1755: Was converted and baptized through the ministry of two men who had been influenced by the Wesleys. Therefore they were Arminian. Soon after his baptism he began preaching through the ministry of a local General Baptist Church. He pastored one of the plants of the church that had baptized him.

1758: Married Elizabeth Bowmar and started a school. Shortly after writing a work attacking Calvinism he became convinced of it.

1763-1764: He became a Particular Baptist, a church was formed where he lived and he began ministering.

Early Pastoral Ministry

Later Pastoral Ministry and Calvinism

In a series of sermons he expounded his beliefs in a sermon series that eventually became his most famous work The Reign of Grace (1768). He wrote out his manuscript for private distribution. Eventually he was convinced to publish it. The publishing of this book would lead to his move to London.

Writing Ministry/Impact

Writing Ministry/Impact

1768-1769: Prescot Street’s pastor suddenly died. A number of members had read Booth’s book and soon traveled from London to hear him preach. He was invited to come preach and was unanimously voted in. He was later ordained there in 1769. He would be one of several notable Particular Baptist Pastors in London. The most well known, John Gill, was in the closing parts of his ministry at New Park Street.

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Once in London he got himself a tutor. Learned Greek and gained a vast knowledge of Church History. His greatest theological influence was John Owen. He preached faithfully at Prescot Street for 37 years. He rarely left to preach elsewhere. He was a faithful preacher with plain style. He was also known as a man of fervent prayer. During his pastorate a total of 452 persons were baptized.

1804: Died

Influence and Controversy

Booth wrote over 30 books and has a multi-volume set of his works still circulating.

Booth was an abolitionist.

Antinomian Controversy: The denial of the moral law as a rule of conduct for believers. Booth published a series of sermons to prove that though believers aren’t under the law as a covenant of works, the law is a rule of conduct for those who had been saved by grace.

Soconianism Controversy: Anti-Trinitarians who denied the deity of Christ and penal substitutionary atonement.

Church Order Controversy: A Defense of Particular Baptist Ecclesiology against Paedobaptism and open communion

Supported the Baptist Mission Society

Andrew Fuller Controversy: Penal Substitution and Limited Atonement

Lessons of Application

1. The need for faithful pastors.

2. The need for disciplined pastors.

3. The need for educated pastors.

4. The importance of the Law and Gospel

5. The importance of the free grace of God

6. The importance of missions

7. The need for irenic engagement with those we disagree

Recommended Reading

The Reign of Grace

The Death of Legal Hope

Essay on the Kingdom of Christ

A Messenger of Grace by Raymond Arthur Cppenger