38+ John Nelson Darby Quotes (Prophetic, Dispensationalism And Separatism)

John Nelson Darby was an English clergyman, who is best known for his influence on the early development of the Plymouth Brethren movement. He was a major figure in the development of Christian Dispensationalism, a system of theology which sees a series of distinct periods or ages in the history of God's relationship with humanity. He was also a prolific writer, and his works are still widely read today.

Top 10 John Nelson Darby Quotes

1. God's ways are behind the scenes, but He moves all the scenes which He is behind.
2. I go farther, and say, that it is plainly our duty to desire pastors and teachers to take the care of such congregations, and that God did raise up such in the church as we see it in the word.
3. Separation from evil is the necessary first principle of communion with Him ... Separation from evil is His principle of unity
4. The Reformation did not directly touch the question of the true character of God's church.
5. During my solitude, conflicting thoughts increased; but much exercise of soul had the effect of causing the scriptures to gain complete ascendancy over me.
6. I add, that those who are bent on restoring the whole church ought to be well instructed in the word, and to abstain from doing anything under the pretext of simplicity.
7. Jude has a very different character. It is not the cradle of Christianity, or of the assembly on earth: it is its decay and its death here below. It does not keep its first estate.
8. Obedience to the word in humility of mind never confuses.
9. Every Christian will allow that sin is an evil, and that it is our duty not to commit sin.
10. I held apostolic succession fully, and the channels of grace to be there only.

John Nelson Darby Short Quotes

• Among the children of God, it was they who were most able to rightly divide the word of truth.
• After deep exercise of soul I was brought by grace to feel I could entirely.
• By one Spirit we are all baptised into one body.
• If we wait upon God, there is no danger. If we rush on, He must let us see the consequences of it.
• The presence of the Holy Spirit is the keystone of all our hopes.
• The cross is the centre of all this in every respect.
• If real churches exist, such persons are not called on to make them.
• Christ preferred the poor; ever since I have been converted so have I.
• Let those who like society better have it.
• God is sufficient in all ages for His church.

John Nelson Darby Famous Quotes And Sayings

The Lord Jesus died for the ungodly. He was obedient at all costs : He bore everything, and went down into the dust of death, man's hatred, God's desertion, and Satan's power ; we find Him there at the cost of everything. Everything that was against us was done away. By one man's obedience many are made righteous. — John Nelson Darby

This truth of the gathering together of God's children is in Scripture seen realised in various localities, and in each central locality the Christians resident therein composed but one body: Scripture is perfectly clear on that head. — John Nelson Darby

Some respected and beloved brethren insist that the forming and organising of churches is, according to God's will, the only means of finding blessing in the midst of that confusion which is acknowledged to exist. — John Nelson Darby

But the more we search the Scriptures, the more we perceive, in this doctrine, the fundamental truth of the gospel - that truth which gives to redemption its character, and to all other truths their real power. — John Nelson Darby

Nationalism - in other words, the dividing of the church into bodies - consisting of such and such a nation, is a novelty, not above three centuries old, although many dear children of God are found dwelling in it. — John Nelson Darby

The great guardian principle of all conduct in the church of God is personal responsibility to the Lord. — John Nelson Darby

It is the desire of our hearts, and as we believe God's will under this dispensation, that all the children of God should be gathered together as such, and, consequently, as not of the world. — John Nelson Darby

Nothing is more prominently brought forward in the New Testament than the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. — John Nelson Darby

I know that those who esteem these little organised associations to be the churches of God, see nothing but mere meetings of men in every other gathering of God's children. — John Nelson Darby

As we go forward in attempting to control bump drafting in those areas, there's going to be some very subjective calls being made. That's the reason we'd like to get this under way as quickly as possible. ... Hopefully we don't have to make a call. But if we do make a call in the twins, it wouldn't be quite as painful as having to make it in the Daytona 500. — John Nelson Darby

During my solitude, conflicting thoughts increased; but much exercise of soul had the effect of causing the scriptures to gain complete ascendancy over me. I had always owned them to be the Word of GOD . . . the careful reading of the Acts afforded me a practical picture of the early church; which made me feel deeply the contrast with its actual present state; though still, as ever beloved by GOD. — John Nelson Darby

I can say, Christ has been my only object; thank God, my righteousness too... Hold fast to Christ. — John Nelson Darby

This re-appearance of the doctrine of freewill serves to support that of the pretension of the natural man to be not irremediably fallen, for this is what such doctrine tends to. All who have never been deeply convicted of sin, all persons in whom this conviction is based on gross external sins, believe more or less in freewill — John Nelson Darby

I had always owned them to be the Word of God... the careful reading of the Acts afforded me a practical picture of the early church; which made me feel deeply the contrast with its actual present state; though still, as ever beloved by God. — John Nelson Darby

The salvation of the elect was as certain before His advent, though accomplished by it, as afterwards. — John Nelson Darby

Be assured that God does more in us than we for Him; and that what we do is only for Him in proportion as it is He Himself who works it in us. — John Nelson Darby

To rest satisfied with existing evils, as if we could do nothing, is not obedience; but neither is it obedience to imitate the actions of the apostles. — John Nelson Darby

The Epistle is a correction of profession without life, and most valuable in this respect. — John Nelson Darby

Life Lessons by John Nelson Darby

1. John Nelson Darby's work emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible for oneself and relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2. He was a major proponent of the idea of dispensationalism, which is a system of theology that divides history into distinct periods or ages.
3. Through his teachings, Darby encourages us to have faith in God and to trust in His will, rather than relying on our own understanding.