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PART 2: OVERVIEW OF THE PROFOUND LIVES OF LILIAS, ALEXANDER, AND THEIR SON JOHN
Quakerism was not a new Doctrine It was a Revival of the New Testament Church that Paul Established
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To understand "why" Alexander, Lillias and John were willing to go to prison because of their beliefs we need to understand "what they believed" and "why they believed it".
Their beliefs were not new or unique rather their beliefs and practices were based on the beliefs of the Apostles and Disciples that followed Jesus and who gave us the blueprint for the Church. Like the great Apostle Paul their deepest desire was to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
On the other hand, the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland which at the time was the state sanctioned Church of Scotland were based on the "Traditions of Man" that Scripture tells us "Nullifies the Word of God". Hence our Scottish Forebears along with the other Quakers who rejected the traditions of man were persecuted by the Government as well as the Presbyterian Church even to the point of death.
Quakerism was just another name for "The Way" a phrase coined by the Apostle Paul: After examining the beliefs of the Quakers, it becomes obvious that there is no theological contradiction between Quakerism and the church established by the great Apostle Paul.
On the other hand, after examining the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland that persecuted the Quakers it becomes obvious that their man made doctrine does contradict the Scriptural teachings of the Apostle Paul and the others who helped Paul in establishing the church.
Scripture also reveals that before the Followers of Christ referred to themselves as Christians they originally referred to themselves as "The Way". In other words, Quakerism was just another name for "The Way".
Acts 24:14 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, (ESV)
Acts 9:1-2 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (ESV)
Acts 19:9 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. (ESV)
Acts 24:14 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: (KJV)
And, just as Paul and those early followers of Christ who referred to themselves as the "Way" worshipped the Lord according to everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets - so did the Quakers. And, just as the enemies falsely accused the followers of the "Way" of heresy - the Presbyterians of Scotland falsely accused the Quakers of heresy.
In other words, the Quakers were followers of the same "Way" that the great Apostle Paul followed.
And, I too am a follower of the "Way" of the Bible. I have never been to a Quaker service but those that I worship alongside with hold to the same beliefs of the Quakers - we are all followers of the "Way" just as the Quakers of Aberdeen, Scotland were. We believe in the same things the Quakers believed in because their beliefs were based on the teachings of the Apostles who established the Church.
Like my Scottish Forebears, my deepest desire is to live a life that outwardly attests to the inner light within my heart. And, like my Quaker forebears I believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And, like my Scottish Forebears I believe the Scriptures are authoritative and that I am to test all revelation by the Scriptures.
Just like the Quakers who worked out their salvation with fear and trembling (quaking) so do I. Philippians 2:12
It doesn't matter what we of the "Way" call ourselves - what matters is that we are true followers of Jesus Christ who said "I am the Way" the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
And, it really doesn't matter that we will be persecuted by the followers of organized religion that calls themselves the Church because anyone who chooses the man made traditions of organized religion - they are only the Church in name.
Even the Quakers of Aberdeen, Scotland themselves considered anyone who believed in Paul's teaching to be their Brethren in Christ regardless of what they called themselves.
And, just as the term Quaker was first used by their adversaries to mock them - the first time the Believers were called Christians was by their adversaries in Antioch who mocked them as followers of Christ
Acts 11:26 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians. NLT
But like the Friends who adopted the name "Quaker" taking the sting out of a word that the enemy meant as a reproach - the followers of Christ eventually embraced the term Christian taking the sting out the word that was imposed upon them by the Gentiles meant as a reproach. The Apostle Peter says it best: There is no shame in being a Christian - Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name!
1 Peter 4:16 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name! NLT
The Quakers of Aberdeen, Scotland were not persecuted because they wrong. They were persecuted because their Biblically "Sound Beliefs" exposed the man made traditions of the Presbyterian Church.
The Quakers were well acquainted with the Scriptures and in their deepest of desires to live according to the Word of God they chose to follow the example of the Great Apostle Paul who said imitate me just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
In other words, when Alexander, Lillias and John left the Presbyterian Church that had a form of godliness but denied the power of God they didn't leave their faith. 2 Timothy 3:5 Rather they chose a personal relationship with God over the man made traditions of the Presbyterian Church.
The organized Church believed that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had ceased - on the other hand - those who were called Quakers and others who were like minded knew from their own personal experiences that were supported by Scripture that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were still in operation and that after Christ was crucified that the Lord still continued to intervene in the daily lives of His people. Both principles rejected by the Presbyterian Church who substituted man made traditions for a personal relationship with the Lord.
For the purposes of this section I want to address three of the many Biblical principles that Alexander, Lillias and John believed in and give Scriptures to support why they believed in them.
1. They believed that the Light of Christ refers to God's presence within us and it is the Light of Christ within us that enables us to have a personal relationship with God who guides us with this light. They further believed that our spiritual understanding comes from that light.
2. They believed in the continuing revelation of the Holy Spirit
3. And, they believed that the presence of God is found in individuals not in a building or through a man made ministry such as that of the Church sanctioned Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Paul made the contrast between the letter of the law that kills and the spirit of the law that gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 And, so it was with the Presbyterian Ministers. Even though Scripture supports their beliefs concerning the Light of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit the Quakers were still persecuted by the Presbyterians, the state sanctioned church of Scotland, whose beliefs were based on the "Man-Made" traditions that nullify the Word of God. The Presbyterian Ministers could teach the "Letter of the Law" but they had no spiritual understanding of the "Spirit of Law" that gives life.
Following are my notes, with supporting Scriptures, that (1) the Light of Christ refers to God's presence within us and it is the Light of Christ within us that enables us to have a personal relationship with God who guides us with this light and (2) the continuing revelation of the Holy Spirit:
To begin with:
And, God said "Let there be Light" and there was Light - Genesis 1:3
Quakerism was not a New Doctrine - it was simply a revival of the Church as set forth by the Great Apostle Paul who taught that Jesus who is the Light of the World is the Light that Shines in our Hearts.
2 Corinthians 4:3-7 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (NLT)
The Quakers Simply Followed the Example set by the Great Apostle Paul
1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (NKJV)
Like Paul's Church, the hearts of the Quakers were full of the light. And, whatever path of inquiry, instruction, or action the Quakers took, it led them as well as others to Christ.
John 8:12 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (NLT)
The Light of Christ refers to God's presence within us which enable us to have a personal relationship with God who guides us with this light. And, our spiritual understanding comes from that light.
In the beginning, God said let there be light and there was light, and this Light that God created on the first day was a Foreshadowing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who is the "Light" of the World. Christ Jesus is in Himself the "True Light" of the World - He is the one who gives light to men. Genesis 1:1-4; John 1:1-4; 2; John 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:2-6
Needless to say, there is a Spiritual Aspect to the Natural Light that God created at the Beginning of Time. And the spiritual aspect of the light God created is the "Revelational Light" that the Quakers were drawn to. The light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that dispels the darkness of our hearts is likened to the light God separated from the darkness when He created the heavens and the earth - Genesis 1:2-2
John 8:12 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (NLT)
The revelation of God becomes the light of the soul and the light of the world. And, that Spiritual Aspect is Christ Himself.
From their own personal experience - my Scottish forebears knew that the divine "Light of God" (the revelation of God) was within God's people. They understood that the presence of God is found in individuals not in a building or through a man made ministry such as that of the Church sanctioned Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Anyone can read Scripture but not everyone has understanding as to what the Scriptures means or how to apply a particular Scripture to whatever is going on in someone's life at that particular moment. It's the inward light of the Scriptures that enables us to understand what we are personally going through at any given time of our lives.
Head knowledge is quite different than being enlightened. Head knowledge does not equate to holiness. But when we respond to the revelation that comes from the Lord (the divine light within us) and apply that revelation to our own personal life then the knowledge of the Scriptures will lead to holiness. We are to walk the talk - signs of our faith should be evident on a daily basis - our faith should be a way of life.
Like the Quakers my spiritual experiences have been life changing. And, like the Quakers my spiritual experiences always made sense to me because when establishing the church, in his letters, the great Apostle Paul would write about his personal life changing "Spiritual experiences".
Again, Quakerism was not a new doctrine - it was simply a revival of the church as set forth by the great Apostle Paul. Unlike the Presbyterian Church, that was only a form of godliness, Quakers did not deny the power of God. They believed in all that the Book of Acts taught about the Church.
And, even though I have never attended a Quaker meeting my personal walk with the Lord is just like my Scottish forebears who were Quakers - simply because I responded to the light within my heart - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Like my forebears I know that the Holy Spirit (the light of Christ) still functions in our lives. I know that because of my own personal experiences with the Lord.
Like the Quakers I believe the Bible is authoritative and as such our personal experiences with the Lord can never contradict the Scriptures. And, in this way, the Scripture will always be a safeguard against any self-deception. The Bible is the light unto our path. And, the true understanding of Scripture only comes through illumination of the Holy Spirit.
The official name of the "Quakers" was the "Religious Society of Friends". Interestingly, the first ones to refer to the Friends as Quakers were their enemies who used the term to mock the Believers because they believed that we are to work out own personal salvation with fear and trembling (quaking). Philippians 2:12
By embracing the term Quaker the Friends were able to neutralize its mocking and irreverent nature. According to Strong's Concordance [G5156] the word "Trembling" in Philippians 2:12 means to "Quake with Fear". More to the point, like the Philippians, the Quakers worked out their own salvation with fear and Quaking. In the context of Philippians 2:12 the reference to fear and trembling simply meant that they did not want to fall short of their goal in following Christ 1 Corinthians 9:26 and Hebrews 4:1.
Philippians 2:12 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; NKJV Like the Quakers, I believe the Bible is God's inspired revelation - but inspiration is not limited to Scripture - nor is the Holy Spirit confined to the reading of the Bible. For example, I believe that the Lord still gives us revelation concerning our own personal lives as well as why things happen in the world that we live in - from a spiritual perspective.
And because Scripture is the inspired Word of God, I always turn to Scripture to confirm all inspired revelation concerning my personal life, etc. In other words, any inspiration or revelation that is contradictory to Scripture is false and should be rejected. And, in this way the Bible is our safeguard against "self-deception".
The Quakers beliefs were founded on their Biblical understanding of what it means to live in the new covenant that was established by the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as taught by the Apostle Paul, Peter, James and John. Like the New Testament writers our relationship with the Lord is a covenant in which the human relationship with God is founded on a direct, inward encounter with Christ in Spirit rather than via the mediated outward forms of the Temple worship, the Law and the Levitical priesthood.
The Quakers believed that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the universal light, was deposited in the hearts of all people. But, to become a Believer, that person must respond to that light. And, when someone responded to the light, the message of the Gospel, then would begin the process of sanctification which takes place over a period of time and it is through sanctification that Christ is formed within us and we are able to have victory over the sin in our lives. Victory over sin doesn't mean that we are without sin but it means that sin no longer rules over us. We are able to fight temptations to sin.
Holiness does not mean sinless perfection - but it means we ought to pursue after righteousness - to daily forsake unrighteousness and set our minds to overcome the devil and all his temptations. Perfection is something that we should earnestly pursue. Philippians 3:14
A personal experience will sound strange to the carnal minded Believer as well as the unbeliever who never experiences the light. And, neither will ever experience the light because they love the darkness more than the light. And, they hate the light and refuse to go near the light for fear that their sins will be exposed. John 3:18-21
Nonetheless, Christ is to all men either their Savior or for those who refuse to walk in the Light and choose to walk in the darkness - He will be their Judge.
The following are only a few of the many Scriptures concerning the "Light":
John 1:1-14 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. 11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. 12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)
John 12:46 46 I
have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me
would not remain in darkness. (HCSB) Genesis 1:1-4 1 In
the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void;
and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God
moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And
God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it
was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. (KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:2-6 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV)
John 1:4 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. (NLT)
Revelation is when God gives us the understanding of the Scriptures - it's far beyond head knowledge of the Scriptures.
Luke 8:10 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ (NLT)
The Most Profound Prophetic Word that Jesus Spoke
The Rock that the Church is Built Upon Is upon our Ability to Hear from God the Father that Jesus will Build His Church Matthew 16:13-17
And, just like Alexander, Lillias and John I too believe in the continuing revelation of the Godhead and that the Rock that Christ builds His Church upon is our ability to hear from God the Father. Matthew 16:17; Galatians 1:15, 16 John 10:16; John 10:27; Acts 9:5; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 10, 11; 1 Corinthians 2:13
And, like my Scottish forebears I too know that the presence of God is found in individuals not in a building or through a man made ministry such as that of the Church sanctioned Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
There were two profound revelations at Caesarea Philippi.
Revelation #1: God the Father revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Son of God, and Revelation #2: Jesus revealed to the disciples that it was upon that revelation from God the Father that He would build His church.
Another name for Caesarea Philippi is “The Gates of Hell”. And it was while standing at the Gates of Hell that Jesus revealed to the disciples and to the Kingdom of Darkness that it would be upon our ability to hear from God the Father that He would build His Church and the Gates of Hell would not prevail!
One of Satan’s tactics to cause discouragement, confusion and doubt in a believer is to “sift” a believer’s faith in their ability to hear from God. Many believers, who truly hear from God, share a word they have received from God with their pastor or fellow brethren, only to be told by them that it is not a word from God and that they are not hearing correctly. This produces fear and doubt, leaving the believer wondering just who it is that they are hearing from and diminishes their ability to move in faith. This article explores the importance of hearing from God, Satan’s plan to disrupt our hearing, and how to stand against this wile of the enemy.
The importance of hearing from God on a personal level cannot be underestimated. Scripture reveals that it is our (all believers) ability to hear from God the Father that Christ would build His Church. And, Jesus literally went to the “gateway of hell” to make this declaration. Matthew 16:13-20
And, because of our hearing ability, Satan eagerly seeks to “sift” or test us, just as he did with the Apostle Peter on the night Jesus was betrayed, to weaken our faith.
Satan is not alone in this task as he is able to operate through the carnal mindset of those like the Presbyterian Ministers who persecuted my Scottish forebears.
Standing against the enemy in this area is vitally important for all believers who hear from God. Because of a lack of understanding, those who do not discern that they are being sifted may experience either one or more of the following manifestations when the enemy is not resisted: fear, confusion, doubt, panic attacks, anxiety, feelings of insanity or even a literal nervous breakdown. Fiery darts of fear and doubt, when not resisted, can cause feelings of being emotionally paralyzed as well.
The Voices of the Godhead
Some individuals and even churches teach that God speaks to us only through the Holy Spirit or through Jesus, but not from all three persons of the Godhead. Therefore, first and foremost, it is important to establish from Scripture that all three manifestations of the triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all speak to believers.
The Rock at Caesarea Philippi
In Matthew Chapter 16, we find Jesus traveling to Caesarea Philippi with His disciples. Jesus questioned His disciples asking, “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:15-18 Jesus made two profound statements to Peter. First, that it was God the Father who revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ and called Peter blessed because of this, and second, Jesus declared that He would build His church on this ability to hear from God.
The timing of this declaration is interesting as the disciples had been walking with Jesus for approximately 2 ˝ years by the time they reached Caesarea Philippi and had witnessed first-hand His miracles. And until then it seemed that none of the disciples, other than Peter, had received revelation from the Father as to who Jesus was. This should be encouraging to those of us today who have yet to recognize the voice of the Father. However, Paul tells us to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, which is the ability to hear from God. When we eagerly desire to hear from God the Father, we too will recognize His voice.
Peter’s name means a piece or fragment of rock. This would indicate that Peter alone was not “the” rock, but that Peter was only a piece of a much larger rock that Christ would use to build His church. Our ability to hear from God the Father is what the Church is built upon. And Satan will use false teachers and others to oppose those who hear from God the Father in an attempt to keep the true Church from being built. Satan will work through others around us to constantly try and put doubt in us as to our ability to hear from God the Father or that God the Father actually speaks to His children. Unfortunately some of these attacks will come through the brethren and from those that we trust in. This can be done knowingly or unknowingly.
It is also significant that Jesus made this declaration at Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was a pagan area, geographically located at the foot of Mount Hermon, which Christ had not been to before. Further, it was a High Place where the Greek god Pan was worshipped. According to history, Caesarea Philippi was originally called Paneas in honor of the god Pan whose shrine was located there. The journey to Caesarea Philippi identified the northern limit of Jesus’ travels outside Jerusalem and the journey would not have been easy due to the topography. Why would Jesus make this difficult journey to a pagan High Place to voice such a profound statement?
The answer becomes clear when we examine Caesarea Philippi more closely. Jesus referred to the Gates of Hell in Matthew 16:18 because it was here at Caesarea Phillip that the Gates of Hell were located. Cities around the world have nicknames; for example, Chicago is known as the “Windy City” and New York is known as the “Big Apple”. According to the Library of Congress, Caesarea Philippi’s nickname is “The Gate of Hell”. With the understanding that Caesarea Philippi was a gateway to hell we can now begin to grasp the fuller purpose of Christ’s journey. Jesus boldly walked right up to the Gateway of Hell and spoke a creative word into the spiritual realm Ephesians 3:10 “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God”] and declared to Satan, the father of lies, and to the kingdom of darkness, that all of God’s children, not just the prophets, would have the ability to hear from God the Father and that it was upon our ability to hear that He would build His church.
The following pictures are of me, Grover, my son Jeffrey and my spiritual son Rocklyn at Caesarea Philippi. |
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Quakerism was not a new doctrine - and just as the disciples and apostles were persecuted because of their beliefs - so it was with my Scottish forebears.
The Quakers were persecuted in a much harsher way than other groups because they were the group of Believers that was unwilling to compromise their beliefs.
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