QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

Declaring it ... without Pretense

The early Quakers declared it:

And we found this light to be a sufficient teacher, to lead us to Christ, from whence this light came, and thereby it gave us to receive Christ, and to witness him to dwell in us; and through it the new covenant we came to enter into, to be made heirs of life and salvation. And in all things we found the light which we were enlightened withal, (which is Christ,) to be alone and only sufficient to bring to life and eternal salvation; and that all who did own the light in them which Christ hath enlightened every man withal, they needed no man to teach them, but the Lord was their teacher, by his light in their own consciences, and they received the holy anointing.

John Wilbur and those who share his faith declared it:

"faith in the immediate renewing of the Divine Spirit ..."

Wilbur, John, 1774-1856. Journal of the life of John Wilbur : a minister of the gospel in the Society of Friends (Kindle Location 2643). Providence : G. H. Whitney.

Many have declared it. And, in the Presence, I declare it:

There is a faith that anchors consciousness and informs conscience in the immediate and direct experience of Presence. This faith is unmediated by outward religious, political, social, educational, economic, institutional forms. The faith stands independent and free of institutional and doctrinal structure. The faith sufficiently governs, not outward forms.

There is also a faith that anchors consciousness and informs conscience through adherence to outward forms like religious practice, doctrine, theology, scripture, etc.; also through political agendas imposed and enforced by outward political institutions.

I do not share this faith.

The early Quakers and John Wilbur demonized this faith anchored in and informed by adherence to outward forms. While I share their faith, in the Presence of Christ, there is no leading to demonize, however, there is a leading to distinguish. In Presence, I embrace and acknowledge the distinction and do not seek its resolution.

It is mine to share the sufficiency of a consciousness anchored in and a conscience informed by the immediacy of the presence of Christ. It is mine to distinguish this faith from a faith that anchors consciousness and informs conscience through adherence to outward forms and to hold this distinction between two fundamentally different and unequatable faiths in the Light.

0 members like this

Comment by Patricia Dallmann on 3rd mo. 22, 2014 at 12:05pm: The faith you declare, Keith, is not only articulated in your words, but manifested in them as well. I am glad to see it, and I'm sure there are others who are likewise refreshed by reading your witness. The Church, the people of God, spans centuries and cultures. Yet, there is a unity among us throughout time in that we know and obey Christ, the Living Presence Within. As Fox said, "The power of the Lord is over all." Here no self can stand.

Comment by Keith Saylor on 3rd mo. 23, 2014 at 8:10am: Patrice. There is a release that happens after engaging the tension between a faith anchored in outward forms and the natural faculties and a faith anchored in inward Presence (a renewed mind and new Self) and openly declaring against the worldly polity and, instead, for the realm of Presence.

I rested in this release all day yesterday and awoke in its glow this morning. And, at the same time, there is a tinge of the mellow hues of sadness, that, in Presence, you know will longer partake in the things of the worldly polity; in trust and faithfulness to the sufficiency of the presence of Christ.

A page has been turned, now (after a time in the Rest) to the task of witnessing, without equivocation or pretense, to the faith that adopted me from the worldly polity, the ancient and current faith of the early Quakers and the primitive and current faith of the apostles.

Comment by Keith Saylor on 3rd mo. 24, 2014 at 11:36am: There are those who cannot abide a testimony proclaiming a faith anchored in and informed by the immediate presence of Christ. Instead of merely acknowledging they do not share this faith, they set out to attack it by deprecation and even demonization.

Holding this difference between a faith anchored in and informed by Immediacy and a faith anchored in and informed by outward forms in the Light and affirming personal faith in and experience of the former, has liberated consciousness and conscience from the sting of their insults. In the Presence their arrows pass right through.

I praise this faith and give thanks for the strength of the power of Presence within to reach further for the Foundation in all things pleasant and unpleasant. As the inward Light further fills consciousness and conscience and I come closer to that Perfect Day, I will know, more and more, the strength to hold the edge without thrusting the knife.

Comment

You need to be a member of QuakerQuaker to add comments!

Join QuakerQuaker

RSS

Welcome to
QuakerQuaker

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

Support Us

Did you know that QuakerQuaker is 100% reader supported? Our costs run to about $50/month. If you think this kind of outreach and conversation is important, please support it with a monthly subscription or one-time gift.