What to Quakers Historically Believe
The Quakers started in England the 17th Century by George Fox. George Fox asked his friend and Quaker Theologian Robert Barclay to write an Apology of the Quaker Faith, which he did. Robert Barclay also wrote a catechism on the Quakers Faith using as answer Book only the Holy Scriptures. Following are the doctrinal believes he and Friends until the schism believed in. Conservative or Wilburite Friends still hold this Faith today, therefore are the true Society of Friends.
What some Quakers believe today:
Doctrines:
- Of God: God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24). God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in One, yet not three Gods but One (Jn 5:7).
- Of Christ: Christ is God (Jn 1:1). Christ Jesus was born from the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18). Jesus Christ, God made flesh (Jn 1:14). Jesus Christ died for our sins but rose again the third day according to Scripture (1 Cor. 15:3,4). Christ is the only Mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5).
- Of the Holy Scriptures: The Holy Scriptures are inspired by God, therefore true and profitable (2 Tim. 3:15,16,17). But only Christ Jesus is the Word of God (Rev.19: 13-15) as the Scriptures clearly testify. Christians must study the Holy Scriptures (Jn 5:39). One must be led by the Holy Spirit in order to understand the Scriptures if not then there is the danger to fall into heresy (2 Peter 3:16). The Scriptures were written under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 1:20, 21).
- Of the Light of Christ within: Christ has enlightened every man on earth (Jn. 1:9). This means that all people can if they repent of their sins turn to the Light Jesus Christ and be saved (Jn. 12:25). Those who deny the Light (Jesus Christ) do it because they love sin (Jn 3:20) and are already judged for denying Christ. True Christians must walk in the Light (1 John 1:7). The Light can teach all Christians, which is Jesus Christ teaching through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27).
- Of Salvation: We are saved through Faith, the grace of God, (Eph.2: 8, 9, 10).
- Of Freedom from Sin: Christians are free from sin (Rom. 6:2, 7, 11,12, 13,16, 23). And they should aim for perfection in Christ (Matt.5: 48).
- Of the Church: Christ is the Head of the Church (Col. 1:13 and 2:19). The Church is the body of Christ, the people of God.
- Of Worship: True worship is done in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4: 23,24).
- Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper: There is only one Baptism (Eph. 4:5). This is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit not the baptism in water (Acts 1:4,5). The Lord's Supper is also Spiritual (not with the elements of bread and wine) (Jn. 6:32-58 and Rev.3: 20).
- Of quaking and trembling: We must tremble at the Word of God (Isa.66: 5, Jer.33: 9).
- Of pacifism: Christians should not fight with carnal weapons (Matt5: 39, Lk 6:27, 28, 29, 2 Cor. 10: 3,4,5).
- Of oaths: We should not swear at all (Matt. 5:33-37).
- Concerning End Times: Christ will return in body to judge the world. On that day the dead will be resurrected and accordingly some will go to Eternal Salvation and some to Eternal Damnation with Satan (Acts 224:15).
Of course Friends have other doctrines too which come from our understanding of the Holy Scriptures but these are the main ones. There is a minority of Liberals who call themselves "Universalist Friends" and deny these doctrines but can they be really Quakers when they deny our historical Faith? The answer is NO! Most Quakers today are Pastoral (Evangelical) Friends and believe in the main doctrines of Christianity.
One can also read George Fox's letter to the Governor of Barbados in 1671 where he states clearly what Quakers believe about God, the Scriptures, Salvation, etc.
Written by:
Themistoklis Papaioannou
Affiliate member of O.Y.M. (Conservative)
"Friends Christian Ministries" (Quakers). |