[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica]This seems to cover the basics pretty well......
taken from
http://www.hgst.edu/statement.html
Statement of Faith[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Theological Character and Position Houston Graduate School of Theology identifies with the Quaker movement (the Society of Friends) that arose within the latter part of the Reformation period in England. The Friends church is a form of the historic evangelical Christianity that has persisted from the days of the Apostles to the present, and our spirit and faith include what is held in common by the various evangelical denominations. We confess our faith in Jesus Christ and commit our lives to him and to the service of his church. We affirm our faith, not in order to exclude from the circle of faith those who may differ on some point, but rather to offer a positive witness as to the reality and experience of Christ and the Holy Spirit within our lives and within the community of faith that has nurtured us.[/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]The Friends, though not creedal in emphasis, have produced several statements, which are, for all intents and purposes, evangelical confessions. Our purpose is to affirm the substance and spirit of these:[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica](a) The Letter of George Fox to the Governor of Barbados in 1671.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica](b) The Apology of Robert Barclay, written in Latin in 1676 and translated into English in 1678.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica](c) The Richmond Declaration of Faith, adopted at a major conference of the Society of Friends in Richmond, Indiana, in 1887.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]We believe:[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]In the one, living, and true God, who has created and sustains all things, who is perfect in love and righteousness in all his ways, who is one in essence, but exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]That God is the source of truth, that he discloses himself to humankind in creation, in the history of his dealings with his people, through sacred Scripture, and directly by inward and unmediated revelation, which is necessary for the building up of Christian faith but does not contradict the testimony of the Christian Scriptures.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]In the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the essential and reliable records of divine revelation. Scripture is given by divine inspiration and authority and is fully sufficient for guidance in all matters of faith and practice. The Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures must ever be their true interpreter as he works through the disciplined and dedicated minds of those within his church. Under his guidance scripture is to be interpreted in each of its parts according to their context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the Lord who reveals himself through them.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]That Scripture teaches the truth about the human condition, that we are created in the image of God, capable of abundant life, creative works and fulfillment, and happiness in fellowship with him, but that fellowship was broken through the disobedience of our first parents, and so all persons are estranged from God, under the power of sin, and in need of redemption. God's grace is necessary as the remedy of sin, and his prevenient grace has restored moral awareness and enables all persons to respond to his love and accept his saving grace, if they will.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]In the death of Christ as the necessary atonement for the sins of humanity, the death of him who, though God's only Son, our Lord, was conceived by Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, dead and buried, but rose again from the dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]That those who respond to the light which enlightens every man (John 1:9), the light of Jesus Christ (John 12:26), and receive it through trust in Jesus Christ, are justified and regenerated by God, in a holy, pure, and spiritual birth that produces holiness, righteousness, and purity in them. This imparted righteousness and initial sanctification is not the result of any good works on their part, but it is granted through his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]In the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a sanctifying act of God which brings a cleansing of the heart through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Peter 3:21). This is a pure and spiritual baptism (Galatians 3:27), by which we are buried with him (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12) so that being washed and purged of our sins, we may walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]That the baptism with the Holy Spirit is given to believers who respond in full surrender and trust to God's call to entire sanctification, not in outward manifestations nor as a human achievement, but solely through the sanctifying grace whereby the Holy Spirit delivers them from sin's power and makes possible wholehearted love for God and for others. There is still room for spiritual growth, but the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7) even though there remains a possibility of sinning if the mind is not diligently and watchfully applied to heeding the Lord.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]In the inward and spiritual communion of the body and blood of Christ, whereby through participation in his flesh and blood the inward person is nourished daily in the hearts of those in whom Christ dwells (John 6:35, 53-55; Revelation 3:20).[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]That those who are in such communion with Christ are drawn together into the community of the people of God called the church, for worship, for education, for fellowship, and for service; that God will call and ordain those whom he has given gifts in ministry for leadership and service in the community; and that the church will provide ways for each member to develop and fulfill gifts and callings in ministry in order to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16) and enable the church to fulfill its mission (Matthew 28:18).[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]In the infinite worth of every person and in the sanctity of personality and conscience which respects individual conscience, dignity, and achievements of each person. No person, under pretense of conscience, should prejudice the life or property of his neighbor, or do anything that is destructive to human society or is inconsistent with the spiritual and material welfare of others.[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times][FONT=Arial,Helvetica]That the chief purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his church is to redeem people in all parts of the world from sinful and vain pursuits of this world and to lead them into inward communion with God and into a community of God's people who will live in submission to God and seek peace with all people. This community, called the Church, will find its ultimate consummation in the personal return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the last judgment, and the establishment of God's everlasting kingdom.[/FONT] [/FONT]