Friendly Theology: Barclay’s Catechism – Chapter 4

CHAP. IV.

Of the New Birth, the Inward Appearance of Christ in Spirit, and the Unity of the Saints with him.

Q. Doth Christ promise then to come again to his Disciples?

A. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come unto you [John 14:18].

Q. Was this only a special Promise to these Disciples? or is it not the common Priviledge of the Saints?

A. For thus saith the High and Lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity, whose Name is Holy, I dwell in the High and Holy Place, with him also that is of a Contrite and Humble Spirit, &c. [Isa. 57:15].

For ye are the Temple of the Living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them [2 Cor. 6:16].

Behold I stand at the Door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the Door, I will come in to him, and sup with him and he with me [Rev. 3:20].

Q. Doth the apostle Paul speak of the Son of God’s being revealed in him?

A. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my Mothers Womb, and called me by his Grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Heathen [Gal. 1:15-16].

Q. Is it needful then to know Christ within?

A. Examine your selves, whether ye be in the Faith, prove your own selves; Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates [2 Cor. 13:5].

Q. Was the Apostle earnest that this Inward Birth of Christ should be brought forth in any?

A. My little Children, of whom I travel in Birth again, until Christ be formed in you [Gal. 4:19].

Q. What saith the same Apostle of the Necessity of this inward Knowledge of Christ, and of the New Creature beyond the Outward?

A. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the Flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the Flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any Man be in Christ, he is a New Creature; Old things are passed away, behold all things are become New [2 Cor. 5:16-17].

But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the Truth is in Jesus, That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful Lusts; and to be renewed in the Spirit of your Mind; and that ye put on the New Man, which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness [Eph. 4:21-24].

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After asserting the dual humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, Robert Barclay now asserts that Jesus Christ is revealed to all people at all times.

Barclay makes the assertion that Christ was not only revealed to the few disciples who traveled with Christ during his life, but to all people who would come after Christ. Barclay quotes Paul’s personal testimony of Christ being revealed to him on the road to Damascus; Barclay also quotes Paul in 2 Corinthians instructing the Christians in Corinth to look for that of Christ that is living within each of them.

For a person to be a Christian, a Quaker, a Friend, they must experience the formation of Christ within. There must be a rebirth of the Spirit into a life with Christ.

It is through the recreation of our hearts and souls that Christ becomes the Lord of our life and we become children of God.

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