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Statement of Beliefs This is a statement of beliefs that the early Quakers held in response to many slanderous accusation of Baptists on the island of Barbados in 1671. I place it in prominent view because of similar accusations against or suspicions of what this web site purports; i.e. that we deny the blood of Christ, or that we deny Christ's role in salvation, or that we or the early Quakers deny the Bible - ALL OF WHICH ARE FALSE. - From George Fox's Letter to the Barbados Governor and Legislature We now plainly and sincerely declare that we own and believe in God, the only wise, omnipotent, and everlasting God, who is the creator of all things both in heaven and in the earth, and the preserver of all that he has made; who is God over all, blessed for ever; to whom be all honor, glory, dominion, praise and thanksgiving, both now and for evermore! We acknowledge and believe in Jesus Christ, his beloved and only begotten Son, in whom he is well pleased; who was conceived by the holy ghost, and born of the virgin Mary; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins; who is the express image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature, by whom were all things created that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers; all things were created by him. And we own and believe that he was made a sacrifice for sin, who knew no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; and that he was crucified for us in the flesh, without the gates of Jerusalem; and that he was buried, and rose again the third day by the power of his Father, for our justification; and we believe that he ascended up into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God. This Jesus, who was the foundation of the holy prophets and apostles, is our foundation; and we believe there is no other foundation to be laid but that which is laid, even Christ Jesus; who we believe tasted death for every man, and shed his blood for all men, and is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world; according as John the Baptist testified of him, when he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29. We believe that he alone is our Redeemer and Savior, even the captain of our salvation, who saves us from sin, as well as from hell and the wrath to come, and destroys the devil and his works; who is the seed of the woman that bruises the serpent's head, to wit, Christ Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That he is (as the scriptures of truth say of him), our wisdom and righteousness, justification and redemption; neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we may be saved. He alone is the shepherd and bishop of our souls. He is our prophet, whom Moses long since testified of, saying, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you: and it shall come to pass, that every soul that will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people." Acts 3:22-23. He it is that is now come "and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true." And he rules in our hearts by his law of love and life, and makes us free from the law of sin and death. We have no life, but by him; for he is the quickening spirit, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, by whose blood we are cleansed, and our consciences sprinkled from dead works, to serve the living God. He is our Mediator, that makes peace and reconciliation between God offended and us offending; he being the oath of God, the new covenant of light, life, grace, and peace, the author and finisher of our faith. Now this Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly man, the Emanuel, God with us, we all own and believe in; he whom the high priest raged against, and said, he had spoken blasphemy; whom the priests and elders of the Jews took counsel together against, and put to death; the same whom Judas betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, which the priests gave him as a reward for his treason; who also gave large money to the soldiers to broach a horrible lie, namely, "That his disciples came and stole him away by night while they slept." And after he had risen from the dead, the history of the Acts of the apostles sets forth how the chief priests and elders persecuted the disciples of this Jesus, for preaching Christ and his resurrection. This, we say, is that Lord Jesus Christ, whom we acknowledge to be our life and salvation. And as concerning the holy scriptures, we believe they were given forth by the holy spirit of God, through the holy men of God, who (as the scripture itself declares, 2 Pet 1:21.) "spoke as they were moved by the holy ghost." We believe they are to be read, believed, and fulfilled, (he that fulfils them is Christ); and they are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, (2 Tim 3:16-17), and are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus." We believe the holy scriptures are the words of God; for it is said in Exod 20:1, "God spoke all these words, saying,…" meaning the ten commandments given forth upon mount Sinai. And in Rev 22:18-19, John said: "I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man adds unto these, and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this, prophecy," [not the Bible which had not even been printed a the time of the Revelation's writing; the words of that book of prophecy, Revelations]. So in Luke 1:20, "Because you believed not my words." And so in John 5:47, 12:47, 14:23, 15:7. So that we call the holy scriptures, as Christ, the apostles, and holy men of God called them, namely the words of God. George Fox
A DECLARATION
TO ALL THE
WORLD
OF This is written that all people upon earth may know by whom, and how we are saved, and hopes for eternal life; and what we believe concerning God, Christ, and the Spirit, and of the things that are eternal, appertaining to all mankind to know and believe. Concerning God, Christ, and the Spirit, this we believe. First: That there is only one true God, who is a Spirit, and his presence fills heaven and earth, and he is eternal and everlasting, the creator and preserver of all things, and heaven and earth, and all things therein, by him were framed and brought forth, and all things remain unto this day by his Power, and whatsoever, he will in heaven and earth, he brings to pass by his word and power. We believe that this God only is, and ought to be feared, loved, obeyed and worshipped by all creatures, and no other thing besides him in heaven or earth. And we believe, that his worship, and obedience, and fear, and love, is to be given in spirit, even in what his own Spirit moves and leads his people unto. We believe his true worship, required and accepted of him, is not by the traditions of men, in outward observances, or set days, or places, but is worshipped only in spirit and truth, without respect of time, places, or things, and that none can worship him in righteousness but his children who are born of his spirit, and are led and guided thereby. We believe that this God has given his Son Christ Jesus into the world, a free gift unto the whole world, and that every man that comes into the world is enlightened by him, that every man might believe, and be saved. We believe that he is given into the world, and no nation, country, or people excepted, but unto all mankind is he given of God, and has enlightened them, and every man through the World, that believes in, and receives Christ, who is the wisdom and power of the Father, shall be saved with eternal salvation; and every one that believes not in him, shall be damned, and shall possess everlasting misery. We believe that salvation, justification, and sanctification, is only in him, and wrought by him, and no other, for there is no other name given under Heaven but him alone, by which salvation is. We believe all that receives him, and believes in him are reconciled to God, and are made alive to God, to live to him in all things, and do receive the forgiveness of sins, and are set free from all unrighteousness, and from the body of sin and death, and has the witness of the Spirit in them; and the Spirit of the Father they have received, and it witnesses in them of the Father and of the Son, and of the things that belong unto their peace; and it is the earnest of the inheritance, and the Seal of the promise of eternal life; and by it are the deep things of God revealed to mankind; and by it the Father and the Son dwells in the Saints; and by it have they fellowship one with another; and the Father, Son, and Spirit are one. This we faithfully believe. Again, Concerning Christ: We believe that he is one with the Father, and was with him before the world was; and what the Father works, it is by the Son, for he is the arm of God’s salvation, and the very power and wisdom of the creator, and was, is, and is to come, without beginning or end. We believe that all the prophets gave testimony of him, and that he was made manifest in Judea and Jerusalem, and did the work of the Father, and was persecuted of the Jews, and was crucified by his enemies, and that he was buried, and rose again, according to the scriptures. We believe he is now ascended on high, and exalted at the right hand of the Father for evermore; and that he is glorified with the same glory that he had before the world was; and that even the same that came down from Heaven, is ascended up to heaven; and the same that descended, is he that ascended. We believe even he that was dead, is alive, and lives for evermore; and that he comes, and shall come again to judge the whole world with righteousness, and all people with equity, and shall give to every man according to his deeds at the day of judgment, when all shall arise to condemnation or justification, he that has done good shall receive life, and he that has done evil, everlasting condemnation. We believe he is to be waited for in spirit, to be known after the Spirit, as he was before the world was, and that is the knowledge unto eternal life; which all that believe in him do receive. He subdues death and destroys him that has the power of it, and restores from death to life, and quickens by his Spirit all that the Father has given him; and we believe such he justifies and sanctifies, and such are taught of him; but he condemns all that believe not, but continues in unbelief, and are not taught of him. This we faithfully believe. We believe that to all people upon the face of the whole earth, is a time and day of visitation given, that they may return and be saved by Christ Jesus, who is given of the Father to call the worst of men to repentance, and the most ungodly of sinners are convinced by him of their ungodly deeds, that they might believe, and be converted, and saved. We believe herein is the love of God manifested to all mankind, and that none is shut out by him before they were born into the world; but unto all men is a visitation given, and they that do perish, it is because they do not believe in Christ. And destruction is of a man’s self, but salvation is of God, through believing in his Son, who takes away sin, and renews into his own image, that they may become heirs with him. We believe that there is a crown of eternal glory, and an inheritance of eternal life to be enjoyed for evermore by all that believe and are chosen of God. And that there is everlasting, misery and destruction to be possessed by all that believe not, but continues in the state of reprobation, and are not changed from the ways of sin and death, but walks after the ways of their own hearts lusts, fulfilling the will of the flesh, in the evil of this world, and follows not Christ the Light of the world, that they may be saved. And we believe upon all such the wrath of God abides, and that they have no part in the inheritance of God. We believe that it is only he that is born again of the Spirit, and that walks after the Spirit, who is changed from death to life, and who is redeemed out of the world and all its ways. Such only must inherit the Kingdom of God, and they only have right thereunto, and none besides, except those who are washed and cleansed from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus, by which their sins are remitted. For his blood cleanses from all unrighteousness and sin, in they who walk in the light which Christ Jesus has enlightened the world withal. We believe that the saints upon earth may receive forgiveness of sins, and may be perfectly freed from the body of sin and death, and in Christ may be perfect, and without sin, and may have victory over all temptations by faith in Christ Jesus. We believe every saint that is called of God, ought to press after perfection, and to overcome the devil and all his temptations upon earth; and we believe they who wait for it shall obtain it, and shall be presented without sin in the image of the Father, and these do not walk after the flesh, but after the spirit, and are in covenant with God, and their sins are blotted out and remembered no more, for they cease to commit sin, being born of the seed of God. And we believe the Gospel of Christ is the Power of God unto salvation, and that it ought to be preached freely unto all people, and Christ to be held forth to all mankind by the ministry sent of him. We believe this ministry is received by the gift of the Holy Ghost and all they that receive it, are lawfully called to the ministry, and they may preach the gospel of Christ freely, as they have received it freely; and this ministry is not of man, but of God, and is made powerful to the converting of sinners, and to the bringing of people to God, and to the knowledge of his ways. We do not believe that any man is a minister of Christ without the gift of the Holy Ghost, or that the gospel can be received by natural learning or education. We believe any, who preach for a salary, are not the lawful called ministers of the gospel of Christ; but such as are proud, and high minded, and covetous men, who do not profit the people at all. Those who preach for money have run ahead, and were never sent by Christ, who calls by his spirit into the work of the ministry; and as every one has received the gift of that his Spirit, so he may administer to others. Concerning rulers and governors: We believe that there ought to be rulers and governors in every nation, city, country, or town, and they ought to be men who fear God, and hate every evil way. They should judge for God, and not for man, and will judge righteously, equally, and justly, and will give true and sound judgment unto all men, without bribery, or respect of persons, not regarding the rich above the poor, but being a praise unto all that do well, and a terror to all evil-doers whatever, having knowledge in the pure Law of God, and themselves continually exercised therein. We believe that every Law of man ought to be grounded upon the Law of God, the foundation of which is pure reason and equity; so, that God's witnesses in every man may answer to it; and the law ought to be known unto all people before a transgression is charged or punished in any man. We believe that every transgression ought to be punished according to its nature, and that the punishment not exceed the greatness of the transgression; neither ought any transgressor to escape unpunished; neither ought any upon false suspicion or jealousies be allowed without the testimony of true men, or the confession of the party. We believe that the executors of the law ought to be just men, and not given to drunkenness, or any other evil whatsoever, and ought to be chosen every year, or otherwise, by the common consent of all people, and that no man be stopped of his free choice. We believe that all governors and rulers ought to be accountable to the people, and to the next proceeding rulers, for all their actions, which may be inquired into upon occasion; and that the highest of the rulers be subject under the law, and punishable by it if they are transgressors, as well as the poorest of the people. And thus true judgment and justice will be brought forth in the earth, and all that do well will have praise, and live in rest and peace and all evil-doers whatsoever may stand in awe, and be afraid of God, and just men, and the execution of good laws. Concerning Religion: We believe that it is only the Spirit of the Lord that makes men truly religious, and that no man ought to be compelled to, or from any exercise or practice in religion, by any outward law, or power, but every man ought to be left free, as the Lord shall persuade his own mind in doing, or leaving undone this, or the other practice in religion; and every man of whatever profession in religion ought to be protected in peace, providing he is himself a man of peace, not seeking the wrong of any man’s person or estate. We believe that to reprove false opinions, and unfound doctrines and principles, seeking to convince them that oppose themselves, by exhortation, or sharp reproof, by word or writing, ought not to be counted a breach of the peace; or to strive about the things of the Kingdom of God, by men of contrary minds or judgments, this ought not to be punishable by the magistrates and their laws; for we believe that the outward Law and Powers of the earth is only to preserve men’s persons and estates, and not to preserve men in opinions; neither ought the law of the nation to be laid upon men’s consciences, to bind them to, or from such a judgment or practice in religion. We believe that Christ is, and ought only to be Lord and exerciser of men’s consciences, and his Spirit only must lead into all truth. We believe that obedience and subjection in the Lord belongs to superiors and that subjects ought to obey them in the Lord that have rule over them; and that children ought to obey their parents, and wives their husbands, and servants their masters in all things, which is according to God, which stands in the exercise of a pure conscience towards God. But where rulers, parents, or masters, or any other, commands or requires subjection in anything which is contrary to God, or not according to him, in such causes all people are free, and ought to obey God rather then man; and we believe that herein God will justify them, being guided and led by his spirit in all that which is good, and out of all that which is evil. Again: We believe concerning election and reprobation, that there is a state of election, and a state of reprobation; a state chosen of God; and a state rejected of God, and that all mankind is in one of these states; all that are elected, are elected in Christ, and all that are out of him are in the state reprobate, bringing forth fruits of death and darkness, being a child of wrath and disobedience, in the alienation and separation from God, in the transgression, not reconciled to God, the enmity ruling in the heart, being in the fall, and not restored to God again, but ignorant of his power, and of his wisdom, having his understanding darkened that he cannot see nor perceive the things that are eternal; and in this condition his best works are sin, and in whatsoever he does, he cannot be accepted with God, for he is dead to God, and alive to all evil, bringing forth all his works out of that ground which is cursed. This is the condition of all mankind upon the face of the Earth, in the first Adam; and this is the state of reprobation, and all that abide herein are rejected of God, and shall never inherit eternal life, but goes into perdition. Yet all have such a day of visitation so that they may return out of the state of reprobation. But hating knowledge, and despising the love of God, they continue in the reprobate state, and the wrath of God abides upon them. But they that are chosen of God are delivered from wrath, for they believe in the light, and becomes children of the light, and are renewed in mind and heart, and receives the love of the Father, and is planted into Christ the second Adam, and are chosen in him to bring forth fruit unto the Father, and all their fruit springs from that ground which is blessed, for they are led by the Spirit of the Father, and such are in the estate of election, who is made heirs with Christ of the everlasting inheritance that never fades away. This we faithfully believe that mercy is not shown to the reprobate, nor judgment to them that are chosen of God. This is to go to all in the world that all people may understand what we believe, and what we have received of God; and they that believe this shall by the Spirit of the Father be saved; but they that believe not, but are disobedient to the truth, shall be condemned because they do not believe. Much more might be written, but in love, this is provided by one who has believed and received the knowledge of these things from God; A Friend to all people, Edward Burrough London, 1657 We are of the seed that has been slain from the foundation of the world, We are of the seed, the anointed, George Fox and from another section of George Fox's Journal God was the first teacher of man and woman in paradise; and as long as they kept to and under his teaching, they kept in the image of God, in his likeness, in righteousness and holiness, and in dominion over all that God had made; in the blessed state, in the paradise of God. But when they hearkened to the serpent's false teaching, (who was out of truth), disobeyed God, and obeyed the serpent, in feeding upon that which God did forbid; they lost the image of God, the righteousness and holiness, came under the power of satan, and were turned out of paradise; out of the blessed into the cursed state. Then the promise of God was, "That the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head," break his power that man and woman were under, and destroy his works. So here were three states and three teachers. God was the first teacher in paradise; and while man kept under his teaching, he was happy. The serpent was the second teacher; and when man followed his teaching he fell into misery, into the fall from the image of God, righteousness, and holiness, and from the power that he had over all that God had made; and came under the serpent whom he had power over before. Christ Jesus was the third teacher; of whom God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear you him;" and who himself said, "Learn of me." This is the true gospel-teacher, who bruises the head of the serpent the false teacher, and the head of all false teachers and false religions, false ways, false worships, and false churches. Christ, who said, "Learn of me," and of whom the Father said, “Hear you him," said, “I am the way to God, I am the truth, I am the life, and the true light." So as man and woman come to God, and are renewed up into his image, righteousness, and holiness by Christ, they come into the paradise of God, the state which man was in before he fell; and into a higher state than that, to sit down in Christ who never fell. Therefore, the Son of God is to be heard in all things, who is the Savior and the Redeemer; who has laid down his life, and bought his sheep with his precious blood. We can challenge the entire world. Who has any thing to say against our way? Our Savior? Our Redeemer? Our prophet, whom God has raised up that we may hear, and whom we must hear in all things? Who has any thing against our shepherd Christ Jesus, who leads and feeds us, and we know his heavenly voice? Who has any thing against our bishop, in whose mouth was never guile found, who watches over us in his pasture of life, that we do not go astray out of his fold? Who has any thing against our priest, Christ Jesus, made higher than the heavens, who gives us freely, and commands us to give freely? Who has any thing to say against our leader and counselor, Christ Jesus, who never sinned, but is holy, harmless, and separate from sinners? God has commanded us to hear him, and he said, "Learn of me;” and if we should disobey God's and Christ's command, we should be like our father Adam and mother Eve, who disobeyed God's command, and hearkened to the serpent's teaching. Man commands, and would force us to hear the hirelings, who plead for sin and the body of death to the grave; which doctrine savors of the devil's teaching, not of Christ's. But we resolve to hear the Son, as both the Father and he command; and in hearing the Son, we hear the Father also, as the scripture testifies. For the letter to the Hebrews says, "God, who at sundry times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his Son:" mark that, God has spoken to us (his apostles, disciples, and church), by his Son. And where, some have objected, "That although Christ did speak both to his disciples and to the Jews in the days of his flesh, yet since his resurrection and ascension he does not speak now;" the answer is, as God did then speak by his Son in the days of his flesh, so the Son, Christ Jesus, does now speak by his spirit. For which reason, John said in the Revelations, "He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit said to the churches." Rev 2:7. "And Christ is said to speak from heaven" Heb 12:25. "See that you do not refuse him who speaks; for if they did not escape who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven." Whoever resisted Moses' law (who spoke on earth), died for it without mercy, which was a natural death; but whoever refuses him who speaks from heaven, neglects and slights their own salvation, and so die a spiritual death through unbelief and hardness of heart. Therefore was the exhortation given of old, “Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation," Heb 3:15. They, who neglect or refuse to hear the voice of Christ now speaking from heaven in this his gospel-day, harden their hearts. Therefore let all mark well these three states and teachers: the God of truth was the first teacher, while man was in paradise and in innocence; the serpent was the second teacher, the false teacher, who by his false teaching came to be the god of the world which lies in wickedness; Christ Jesus, that bruises the serpent's head, is the third teacher, who said, "Learn of me;" of whom God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear you him;" and of whom the testimony of the saints of old was, "That God has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Thus they, that come to be renewed up again into the divine heavenly image in which man was at first made, will know the same God "that was the first teacher of Adam and Eve in paradise, to speak to them now by his Son, who changes not; glory be to his name for ever!' And, dear friends, strive to excel one another in virtue that you may grow in love, that excellent way which unites all to Christ and God. Stand up for God's glory, and mind that which concerns the Lord's honor, that in no way may his power be abused, nor his name evil spoken of by any evil talkers or walkers; but that in all things God may be honored, and you may glorify him in your bodies, souls, and spirits, the little time you have to live. My love to you all in the holy seed of life, that reigns over all, and is the first and last, in whom you all have life and salvation, and your election and peace with God, through Jesus Christ, who destroys him that has been between you and God; so that nothing may be between you and the Lord but, Christ Jesus. Amen. George Fox This web site's purpose is to show how to become |
