I was persuaded and am, that God's way is first to turn a soul from its idols, both of heart, worship, and conversation, before it is capable of worship to the true and living God... the two first principles and foundations of true religion, or worship of the true God in Christ, are repentance from dead works, and faith towards God, before the doctrine of baptism or washing, and the laying on of hands, which contain the ordinances and practices of worship; the want of which I conceive is the bane of millions of souls in England and all other nations professing to be Christian nations, who are brought by public authority to baptism and fellowship with God in ordinances of worship, before the saving work of repentance and a true turning to God.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True worship requires turning from idols and repenting before engaging in rituals like baptism; doing otherwise harms souls.
- In plain terms
- Change your heart and turn from idols before doing religious rituals, or you harm your soul.
- What can you take from it?
- Inner transformation should come before external religious rituals.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What comes first: heart or ritual?
- Are ordinances without faith harmful?
Another view
This prioritization might exclude those who find meaning through ritual first.
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