Religious Society of Friends (Quaker)

[Nick]

Religious Society of Friends, otherwise known as Quaker. Came across them online today. What's your opinion on this denomination? This Wikipedia page is quite good at explaining their beliefs if you weren't familiar. I"m not sure what to think about this denomination. I haven't fully read the article, but they seem to have a lot in common with JWs, and have a large proportion of liberal Christians, from what I can see.

 

[Strangelove]

Religious Society of Friends, otherwise known as Quaker. Came across them online today. What's your opinion on this denomination? This Wikipedia page is quite good at explaining their beliefs if you weren't familiar. I"m not sure what to think about this denomination. I haven't fully read the article, but they seem to have a lot in common with JWs, and have a large proportion of liberal Christians, from what I can see.

I always think of missionaries when I hear the word Quakers.

Heres a list of what I found on their doctrines:



Doctrines:

1. 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).
   
2. 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).
   
3. 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).
   
4. 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).
   
5. Of Salvation: We are saved through Faith, the grace of God, (Eph.2: 8, 9, 10).
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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.
   
8. Of Worship: True worship is done in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4: 23,24).
   
9. 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).
   
10. Of quaking and trembling: We must tremble at the Word of God (Isa.66: 5, Jer.33: 9).
    
11. Of pacifism: Christians should not fight with carnal weapons (Matt5: 39, Lk 6:27, 28, 29, 2 Cor. 10: 3,4,5).
    
12. Of oaths: We should not swear at all (Matt. 5:33-37).
    
13. 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).

Can't find TOO much to flog them over in there.

Justification by faith - check (most important one)
Deity of Christ - check (not sure about the trinity def.)
Holy Scriptures inspired by Holy Spirit and work of God - check

Christians are free from sin - ?? hmmmm (I suppose if they are saying we are free from sin because of the righteousness imputed to us by Christs death then thats ok. But not that Christians DON'T sin. Lolz)
Trembling at the Word of God - che...//// huh? Um.....dunno what thats all about??

If quaker congregations involve people falling around, shouting, screaming..laughing hysterically, making animal noises or in any other way creating an atmosphere of chaos then I would say that sounds very much like the Charismatic signs and wonders crowd and I would stay away.

 

[kiwimac]

I'd be fascinated what you think Quakers & JW's have in common actually. :shocked!

 

[Nick]

I always think of missionaries when I hear the word Quakers.

Heres a list of what I found on their doctrines:



Doctrines:

1. 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).
   
2. 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).
   
3. 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).
   
4. 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).
   
5. Of Salvation: We are saved through Faith, the grace of God, (Eph.2: 8, 9, 10).
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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.
   
8. Of Worship: True worship is done in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4: 23,24).
   
9. 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).
   
10. Of quaking and trembling: We must tremble at the Word of God (Isa.66: 5, Jer.33: 9).
    
11. Of pacifism: Christians should not fight with carnal weapons (Matt5: 39, Lk 6:27, 28, 29, 2 Cor. 10: 3,4,5).
    
12. Of oaths: We should not swear at all (Matt. 5:33-37).
    
13. 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).

Can't find TOO much to flog them over in there.

Justification by faith - check (most important one)
Deity of Christ - check (not sure about the trinity def.)
Holy Scriptures inspired by Holy Spirit and work of God - check

Christians are free from sin - ?? hmmmm (I suppose if they are saying we are free from sin because of the righteousness imputed to us by Christs death then thats ok. But not that Christians DON'T sin. Lolz)
Trembling at the Word of God - che...//// huh? Um.....dunno what thats all about??

If quaker congregations involve people falling around, shouting, screaming..laughing hysterically, making animal noises or in any other way creating an atmosphere of chaos then I would say that sounds very much like the Charismatic signs and wonders crowd and I would stay away.

Generally, I agree with your take on their doctrines. From what you've posted I don't see too much to question. I certainly don't see any herritical statements there. They seem to have the Christ Alone, Grace Alone and Scripture Alone basis, which is the most important thing. Interesting that they believe in the Trinity, but there is no separate bullet point for the Holy Spirit, but there is for the Father and the Son. Interesting .

On their point of freedom of sin, since it says after that statement that we should aim for perfection, then I would assume that they believe with what you hoped they believe. I didn't get the feeling that they believe we are sinless. If we were, then why should we then aim for perfection?

I'd be fascinated what you think Quakers & JW's have in common actually. :shocked!

Pacifism and can't take oaths come to mind. I"m not really comparing their beliefs to JWs though, as JWs preach herresy. Just the two things that I mentioned reminded me of JWs, that's all.

 

[Strangelove]

On their point of freedom of sin, since it says after that statement that we should aim for perfection, then I would assume that they believe with what you hoped they believe. I didn't get the feeling that they believe we are sinless. If we were, then why should we then aim for perfection?

Good point. They can't be saying that Christians are sinless.

 

[Pard]

Quakers are very liberal in their faith. They believe that once you accept Jesus and are saved you can turn back into your sinning. Now this is more modern, as anyone who knows Quaker history will know that they were once extremely devout people.

What I do like about the Quakers is their preaching method. Instead of have a pastor who does all the talking every member of the congregation becomes the speaker. They sit in a circle (or something) and sit around until someone is compelled to speak. Then when they finish speaking they sit down and wait until the next person is compelled to speak. I like this because it gives everyone a chance to share God and it also leaves lots of time to commune with God (in between the talking).

 

[Strangelove]

Quakers are very liberal in their faith. They believe that once you accept Jesus and are saved you can turn back into your sinning.

This doesn't sound right.

Can you cite any Quaker documentation that expounds on this doctrine that you are free to go about willfully sinning.

I mean....were all sinners...always will be but...

.....are you saying they encourage sinning or what>? :

Doc.

 

[Pard]

This doesn't sound right.

Can you cite any Quaker documentation that expounds on this doctrine that you are free to go about willfully sinning.

I mean....were all sinners...always will be but...

.....are you saying they encourage sinning or what>? :

Doc.

Lookup up "Ranters". They are a division of the Quakers and they believe that anything that was sin is no longer sin when you have accepted Christ. It was once a very small minority of Quakers who felt this way, but you know how the ways of the world are and the devil jumped on that idea and has let it flourish in modern times. The term "ranter" is not used (usually) but if you attend a Quaker meeting for long enough you will tend to see that this idea is popular.

 

[Strangelove]

Lookup up "Ranters". They are a division of the Quakers and they believe that anything that was sin is no longer sin when you have accepted Christ. It was once a very small minority of Quakers who felt this way, but you know how the ways of the world are and the devil jumped on that idea and has let it flourish in modern times. The term "ranter" is not used (usually) but if you attend a Quaker meeting for long enough you will tend to see that this idea is popular.

Ranters? LOLZ. They sound like they'd be right at home on these forums!

Seriously though. Once you accept Christ then you can't sin? That would make them a liar I believe.

If what you say is true. It still sounds incredulous to me.

They have found perfection or they are still aiming for it?

Do we have a Quaker on the boards?

 

[jasoncran]

Religious Society of Friends, otherwise known as Quaker. Came across them online today. What's your opinion on this denomination? This Wikipedia page is quite good at explaining their beliefs if you weren't familiar. I"m not sure what to think about this denomination. I haven't fully read the article, but they seem to have a lot in common with JWs, and have a large proportion of liberal Christians, from what I can see.

the state of pennsylvania was founded by a quaker called william penn.

 

[kiwimac]

Ranters? LOLZ. They sound like they'd be right at home on these forums!

Seriously though. Once you accept Christ then you can't sin? That would make them a liar I believe.

If what you say is true. It still sounds incredulous to me.

They have found perfection or they are still aiming for it?

Do we have a Quaker on the boards?

The Ranters died out in the 17thC. Only some became a part of the SoF. So let's not try this tarring with a broad brush, OK?