Who Was John Knox?

John Knox lived from (1513-1572).  He was the most important figure during the Reformation in Scotland.  Little is known about his early life.  In the early 1540's he was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest.  By the mid 1540's he had been influenced by Reformed teaching and had adopted Reformation principles.  

For a while the Reformed movement made progress in Scotland.  But then the Catholics regained control and Protestants were imprisoned.  John Knox spent 18 months in prison.  In 1549 Knox returned to his work of reforming the church in Scotland.  He was then sent into exile and arrived in Geneva in 1554.  

While in Geneva John Knox was greatly influenced by John Calvin and his teaching.  When Knox returned to Scotland in 1559 he set out to do what Calvin had done in Geneva.  Knox referred to Calvin's Geneva as "the most perfect school of Christ there ever was on earth."  

By 1560 Knox had established Presbyterianism as the church of Scotland.  He is credited as the founder of Presbyterianism.  Knox laid out three marks of a true church.  The preaching of the Word, the right administering of the sacraments or ordinances (the Lord's Supper and baptism), and the practice of church discipline.  Knox also conducted a massive educational effort.  Scotland became a mostly literate country.  Knox led the church in Scotland for over a decade.