Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was a prominent Baptist preacher and pastor in England during the 19th century. He was known as the “Prince of Preachers” and founded the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, which became one of the largest churches in the world at the time under his leadership.
Spurgeon was born on June 19, 1834 in Kelvedon, Essex, England. He was raised in a Christian home but came to true faith in Christ at the age of 15 after wandering into a small Primitive Methodist chapel while looking to escape a snowstorm. The text being preached that day was Isaiah 45:22 – “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Spurgeon later recounted that as he heard these words, he looked by faith to Christ alone and was converted.
After his conversion, Spurgeon was baptized and began teaching Sunday School in the village of Teversham. It was at Teversham that he first tried his hand at preaching, when he was asked to fill in for a scheduled speaker who did not show up. Though only 16 years old at the time, Spurgeon showed natural giftedness as a preacher. As word spread of his abilities, he was invited to preach in several nearby villages and churches.
In 1852, when Spurgeon was not yet 18 years old, he was called to be the pastor of Waterbeach Chapel near Cambridge. During his time there, the congregation grew quickly, necessitating enlargement of their meeting place. Spurgeon also published his first literary work during this time, a Gospel tract titled “A Defence of Calvinism.”
The next year, in 1853, the prominent New Park Street Chapel in London invited Spurgeon to come preach on a trial basis. He gained such popularity that within a year, at just 19 years old, Spurgeon was called to be their full-time pastor. The congregation continued to multiply under Spurgeon’s leadership, eventually necessitating a move in 1861 to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle, which could seat 5,000 people. Spurgeon preached to packed crowds there several times per week until his death 31 years later.
In addition to his preaching and pastoral responsibilities, Spurgeon was a prolific writer. He published thousands of sermons, many books, devotionals, commentaries, and articles during his lifetime. Notable written works include The Treasury of David (7 vols, commentary on Psalms), Lectures to My Students, Morning and Evening (devotional), and John Ploughman’s Talks. He also founded a pastor’s college, orphanage, and published the widely-circulated periodical The Sword and the Trowel.
Spurgeon was a staunch defender of Reformed theology and the doctrines of grace popularly known as Calvinism. His preaching emphasized human sinfulness and need for salvation, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, justification by faith alone, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. While firm in his theological convictions, he maintained an irenic spirit toward those who disagreed and valued gospel unity among believers.
As a preacher, Spurgeon was known for his direct, approachable style and skillful use of illustrations. He had a tremendous memory and ability to preach spontaneously without relying on notes. His voice carried well and he communicated with clarity and power. Many of his sermons and writings are still widely read today by Christians looking to grow in biblical understanding.
Charles Spurgeon faced numerous health problems later in his life, including depression, rheumatism, and gout. Yet he persevered in ministry until his death on January 31, 1892 at the age of 57. He was survived by his wife Susannah and twin sons Charles and Thomas. He left behind a legacy as one of the most famous and influential preachers in church history.
Spurgeon remained humble amidst his popularity and success. His life verse was 1 Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” He always recognized that any fruitfulness in his ministry was due to God’s grace at work through the only perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.
As Spurgeon himself stated regarding the aim of his preaching ministry: “I have preached THE GOSPEL. Not about the gospel, but the gospel. You have got to preach the gospel all the time, because it is the only power God has put in the world to destroy sin.” Throughout his life, Spurgeon sought to preach the transformative gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully, powerfully, and clearly.
Charles Spurgeon’s writings and sermons are still highly regarded today by pastors and everyday Christians alike. He continues to serve as an example of gospel passion, creativity in communication, and unwavering theological conviction. Spurgeon’s Christ-centered preaching provides a model for proclaiming the timeless message of salvation in Jesus to each new generation.
The life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon stands as a testimony to the power of God’s word to save people from sin and change lives. Through the gospel preached in simplicity and power, countless individuals were converted and discipled during Spurgeon’s ministry and beyond. To God be the glory for granting the church faithful shepherds and preachers like Charles Spurgeon throughout history.
As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. . . For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” Like Paul, Spurgeon made it his aim to faithfully preach “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).
Spurgeon’s Christ-exalting preaching and writing modeled how to clearly proclaim the gospel as revealed in God’s word and see lives transformed by God’s Spirit through trusting in Christ. He lived out and gave testimony to these words from Romans 10:14-15, 17: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’. . . So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Charles Spurgeon was used mightily by God to preach the word of Christ and see many come to saving faith. His legacy stands as an encouragement for preachers today to herald the gospel with boldness, clarity, creativity, and unwavering biblical conviction. Spurgeon’s Christ-centered ministry is a model to emulate in seeking to declare the glories of the crucified and risen Savior until all have heard.
In his own words, this was Charles Spurgeon’s life purpose as one called to preach the gospel: “I believe that my mission is to shut men out from rest in themselves or their ceremonies, and bring them to rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. The true preacher of Christ knows that the more we drive sinners to the Saviour, the more honor we confer upon the law and its author… I have told the great King to His face that I am no flatterer, and so His grace enables me still to labour on.”
May God raise up many more faithful gospel preachers like Charles Spurgeon until the day when faith becomes sight and all believers can worship the Lamb together for eternity.
Key facts about Charles Haddon Spurgeon:
- Born June 19, 1834 in Kelvedon, England
- Converted at age 15 in 1850
- Called as pastor of Waterbeach Chapel at age 17 in 1852
- Called as pastor of New Park Street Chapel, London at age 19 in 1853
- Preached to thousands at new Metropolitan Tabernacle beginning in 1861
- Died January 31, 1892 at age 57
- One of the most famous and influential preachers of the 19th century
- Leading figure in the Baptist denomination
- Defender of Calvinist theology and the doctrines of grace
- Founded pastor’s college, orphanage, and published writings and sermons
- Known for his direct preaching style and skilled use of illustrations
- Stressed the substitutionary atonement of Christ and justifying faith
- Sought to preach the gospel clearly to see lives transformed by Christ
Charles Spurgeon’s life verse:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
The aim of Charles Spurgeon’s preaching ministry in his own words:
“I have preached THE GOSPEL. Not about the gospel, but the gospel. You have got to preach the gospel all the time, because it is the only power God has put in the world to destroy sin.”
“I believe that my mission is to shut men out from rest in themselves or their ceremonies, and bring them to rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. The true preacher of Christ knows that the more we drive sinners to the Saviour, the more honor we confer upon the law and its author… I have told the great King to His face that I am no flatterer, and so His grace enables me still to labour on.”
So in summary, Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a gifted and dedicated preacher used by God to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in 19th century England and beyond. His Christ-centered preaching and writing ministry continues to impact many lives today, serving as an example of faithful gospel proclamation for the glory of God.