What We Believe

Given the major splits that have occurred between Friends over the years, saying that we are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) just isn't descriptive enough. Existing Friends' theology covers a broad spectrum from conservative to liberal, and anyplace in between. Though not intended to be an all-inclusive account of our beliefs, the following statements do provide the basic tenants of the faith we hold at Bangor Liberty Friends Church. While we choose to associate together as Friends, we are Christian first with Christ as our Head.

• We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• God is sovereign.
• The Bible is the inspired rule of faith and subject to the Holy Spirit's interpretation.
• Jesus Christ provided the atoning sacrifice for the sin of humankind through His death and resurrection.
• The Holy Spirit leads men and women in the experience of salvation.
• We believe that salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ and that the presence of saving faith is revealed by a life lived in obedience to the will of God.
• The Church is the physical expression of the Kingdom of God on earth under the Headship of Jesus Christ.
• Christian witness is given through word and deed.
• Communion with God and baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit are spiritual realities that go beyond outward sacramental expressions.
• The fulfillment of the Church will be realized in the final resurrection and final judgment of humankind.

A more detailed treatment of these faith issues is on our affirmation page. A partial list of how we are to live out our faith as members of the Church can be found on our responsibilities page.

In addition, our Book of Discipline, which contains the official expression of the doctrines and procedures of Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends, has a section on faith and doctrine, which opens with the following statements regarding the church and her denominations:

1. The Church of Jesus Christ is composed of those persons who, through repentance of their sins and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, have been born into His kingdom by the Holy Spirit. By the revelation of the Holy Spirit, they look to Christ as their Prophet, Priest, and King, and by the Spirit's baptism and power are enabled to resist temptation and to live in obedience to God's holy will.

2. A Christian denomination is an organization composed of those who hold similar views of the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, and maintain certain practices based upon these teachings, and who voluntarily associate themselves for joint participation in worship, for fellowship and mutual help, and for united efforts in the promotion of truth and righteousness. The Society of Friends is such a Christian body.

3. Each denominational body has its own system of government, and rules for the transaction of its business and for individual observance by its members.

Other sections of chapter II, The Belief of Friends, contain the following:

Statement of Essential Truths

Statement of George Fox

A Declaration of Faith

Section 8 includes a list of Queries and Advices.