John Nelson Darby Quotes

The Reformation did not directly touch the question of the true character of God's church.

- John Nelson Darby

This truth of the gathering together of God's children is in Scripture seen realised in various localities, and in each central locality the Christians resident therein composed but one body: Scripture is perfectly clear on that head.

- John Nelson Darby

Christ preferred the poor; ever since I have been converted so have I.

- John Nelson Darby

I go farther, and say, that it is plainly our duty to desire pastors and teachers to take the care of such congregations, and that God did raise up such in the church as we see it in the word.

- John Nelson Darby

During my solitude, conflicting thoughts increased; but much exercise of soul had the effect of causing the scriptures to gain complete ascendancy over me.

- John Nelson Darby

Some respected and beloved brethren insist that the forming and organising of churches is, according to God's will, the only means of finding blessing in the midst of that confusion which is acknowledged to exist.

- John Nelson Darby

I add, that those who are bent on restoring the whole church ought to be well instructed in the word, and to abstain from doing anything under the pretext of simplicity.

- John Nelson Darby

The presence of the Holy Spirit is the keystone of all our hopes.

- John Nelson Darby

I held apostolic succession fully, and the channels of grace to be there only.

- John Nelson Darby

I had always owned them to be the Word of God... the careful reading of the Acts afforded me a practical picture of the early church; which made me feel deeply the contrast with its actual present state; though still, as ever beloved by God.

- John Nelson Darby

Nationalism - in other words, the dividing of the church into bodies - consisting of such and such a nation, is a novelty, not above three centuries old, although many dear children of God are found dwelling in it.

- John Nelson Darby

It is the desire of our hearts, and as we believe God's will under this dispensation, that all the children of God should be gathered together as such, and, consequently, as not of the world.

- John Nelson Darby

I know that those who esteem these little organised associations to be the churches of God, see nothing but mere meetings of men in every other gathering of God's children.

- John Nelson Darby

The Epistle is a correction of profession without life, and most valuable in this respect.

- John Nelson Darby

The salvation of the elect was as certain before His advent, though accomplished by it, as afterwards.

- John Nelson Darby

But the more we search the Scriptures, the more we perceive, in this doctrine, the fundamental truth of the gospel - that truth which gives to redemption its character, and to all other truths their real power.

- John Nelson Darby

After deep exercise of soul I was brought by grace to feel I could entirely.

- John Nelson Darby

I can say, Christ has been my only object; thank God, my righteousness too... Hold fast to Christ.

- John Nelson Darby

If real churches exist, such persons are not called on to make them.

- John Nelson Darby

Nothing is more prominently brought forward in the New Testament than the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

- John Nelson Darby

Jude has a very different character. It is not the cradle of Christianity, or of the assembly on earth: it is its decay and its death here below. It does not keep its first estate.

- John Nelson Darby

God is sufficient in all ages for His church.

- John Nelson Darby

To rest satisfied with existing evils, as if we could do nothing, is not obedience; but neither is it obedience to imitate the actions of the apostles.

- John Nelson Darby

The cross is the centre of all this in every respect.

- John Nelson Darby

Every Christian will allow that sin is an evil, and that it is our duty not to commit sin.

- John Nelson Darby

Among the children of God, it was they who were most able to rightly divide the word of truth.

- John Nelson Darby

Obedience to the word in humility of mind never confuses.

- John Nelson Darby