Epistle 341
George Fox emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and living in unity through the power of God.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of knowing God and Christ as our teacher, highlighting that believers are heirs of the new covenant and the gospel of peace. He encourages unity among believers, urging them to maintain their meetings in the power of God and to keep their faith strong against adversaries. Fox reassures that those who oppose them will eventually fade away, while the truth and order of the gospel will prevail. He calls for a collective spirit of love and unity, reminding them that they are baptized into one body under Christ, the true head. Ultimately, he praises God for His eternal glory.
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My friends,--All you that do know God and Christ your teacher, and are come to be the sons and daughters of the Lord God [2 Cor 6:18], and are in his new covenant; in which you all do know the Lord, and need not any man to say unto you, know the Lord [Jer 31:31-34]. And are heirs of the gospel of peace and salvation, that hath brought life and immortality to light [2 Tim 1:10]; and that by the power of God, the gospel [Rom 1:16], you do see over him, the adversary and the destroyer, that hath darkened you. And so do know, that the power of God is the authority of your men's and women's meetings; in it keep them, and all other meetings. And all such as be heirs of grace, and heirs of life [1 Pet 3:7], and heirs of the gospel, keep your men's and women's meetings in the power of God, the authority of them; and they that cry against them, or you, strive not with them, for they will in God's time die of themselves, and wither away; but keep your testimony of the life, and of grace, and of the gospel, and of the order of it, and your faith in him, your teacher, who bruises the head of the serpent [Gen 3:15], the author of all disorder and ill government; even Christ, of the increase of whose government (in his truth, and power, and righteousness) there is no end [Isa 9:7]. Glory to the Lord God for ever.
And so all strive to be of one mind, and heart, and soul [Acts 4:32], and spirit, and faith, living together in unity, and in the love of God, all drinking into one spirit, by which you are baptized into one body [1 Cor 12:13], having one head, who is heavenly and spiritual; and in the one spirit, by which you are circumcised, which putteth off the body of the sins of the flesh [Col 2:11]. So as you do keep to the spirit of Christ [Rom 98:9], it will keep you to be one body, and to him the one head, Christ Jesus, the Amen [Rev 3:14].
G. F.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding our identity as children of God
- The significance of the new covenant
- The role of Christ as our teacher
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II
- The power of God in our lives
- Authority in meetings and gatherings
- Maintaining faith amidst opposition
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III
- Unity in the body of Christ
- Living in love and harmony
- The importance of spiritual baptism
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IV
- The eternal nature of Christ's government
- The call to keep our testimony
- The assurance of God's glory
Key Quotes
“And are heirs of the gospel of peace and salvation, that hath brought life and immortality to light.” — George Fox
“So all strive to be of one mind, and heart, and soul, and spirit, and faith, living together in unity.” — George Fox
“The power of God is the authority of your men's and women's meetings.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Strive to deepen your relationship with God as your teacher.
- Commit to maintaining unity and love within your community.
- Keep your testimony strong in the face of opposition and challenges.