The True Christian’s Faith and Experience #020 The Movement of the Holy Spirit and the Old Serpent. Artwork

Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

This is a podcast of Ohio Yearly Meeting. We are a collection of Conservative Quaker Meetings based primarily in Ohio. By conservative, we do not mean politically conservative. Conservative Friends are known for their commitment to conserve the Original message of the first generation of Quakers. These Quakers, in turn, saw their movement as a revival of primitive Christianity. We hope the installments of our podcasts will present the understandings of Conservative Quakerism.

So, if thee is interested in learning the differences between Conservative Quakers and other Quakers, or would like to understand differences between Quakers and other Christians, thee may well be at the right place. On the other hand, the Conservative Quaker perspective is so strikingly unique in contemporary society, that it will be a balm to many seeking spiritual fulfillment. To assist these seekers is the true intent of publishing our podcast.

A good many of the podcast installments will be presented by Henry Jason. Henry is knowledgeable in the Greek of the New Testament and has a fascinating way of tying the meaning of the original words with the writings of early Friends. Listening to him provides a refreshing view of scripture and is an excellent way to learn about original Quaker theology. Henry's podcasts are usually bible classes and so they are often interspersed with discussions, questions and insightful comments by his students.

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Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

The True Christian’s Faith and Experience #020 The Movement of the Holy Spirit and the Old Serpent.

April 06, 2023 • Henry Jason

This session is devoted to Chapter 14 on the true Christian’s faith and experience concerning the movements in the hearts of men of the spirit of God and the spirit of the serpent.

The true Christian is empowered with a heavenly spirit of discerning. He perceives the power of sin and how the old serpent in the Garden of Eden has grown so powerful in the hearts of men in whom he rules, that he no sooner commands and they obey. His motions toward evil have grown so powerful that among nominal Christians he is perceived too powerful to overcome and conquer while on this side of the grave. These titular Christians have become such slaves that they have let in that apostate faith which says they can never resist or disobey the devil’s commands till the death of their natural bodies.

The nominal Christian acknowledges that the impulses of the devil are powerful. However, he does not believe that the spirit of God is so near and present with him with sufficient power, to be able to preserve him from obeying the impulses and temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. He professes it to be an illusion that the spirit of God is moving in him to do good works. He concludes that the workings of the Holy Spirit are not known in these days. It is as if God has left the world to be wholly guided by the motions of the devil. This is the faith of devils, not the faith of the true Christian. He is a witness of the movement of the spirit of God towards every good word and action. Holy men in former ages spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and as they were led and guided by that spirit. This is testified repeatedly in the holy scriptures and has accompanied the righteous in all ages and guided them into the way of peace. Those who obey the Holy Spirit bring forth its fruits. Those who obey the spirit of the serpent bring forth its fruits. One moves to gentleness and humility, the other to the delusion of self-exaltedness, hardness and high-mindedness.

References:

The True Christian’s Faith and Experience Briefly Declared.
The quote in our introduction is from Lewes Benson’s article "That of God in Every Man" -- What Did George Fox Mean by It? That article was published in Quaker Religious Thought volume 12 number 2 in the spring of 1970.

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Those interested in exploring the distinctives of Conservative Friends waiting worship should consider checking out our many Zoom Online Worship opportunities during the week here. All are welcome!

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