George Fox emphasizes the evolution of the apostles' preaching, starting with the proclamation of Christ's death and fulfillment of prophecy, moving to the revelation of Christ within believers. He highlights that while the apostles preached repentance and faith to the world, they also taught that Christ dwells in those who believe, transforming them and making them new creations. Fox points out that for the redeemed, the teachings of repentance and baptism become unnecessary as they are already brought to God. He stresses the importance of recognizing the eternal priesthood of Christ, who is without beginning or end, and encourages believers to embrace this truth.

Friends,—There was a time when the apostles preached Christ that died at Jerusalem; and they witnessed him forth, and brought (for proof) the prophets' testimonies who prophesied of him. And they that preached Christ's sufferings at Jerusalem, showed the fulfilling of the prophets and the law, and all that was written of him. And after, the apostles preached Christ the substance (the end of the types and figures) [Col 2:17] amongst them that had the prophets' words, and the law, and the outward temple; and they showed them out of the prophets' words, and out of the law, that that was the Christ that died at Jerusalem, and suffered without the gate [Heb 13:12]. And then there was a time that the apostles preached Christ in them, to them that did believe and had received him; ‘Know ye not, that Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?’ [2 Cor 13:5] And, ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ [Col 1:17] And, ‘If Christ be in you, the body is dead.’ [Rom 8:10] And, ‘They that are Christ's, have crucified the affections and lusts, and all things are become new.’ [Gal 5:24] But this was spoken to them that believed, who where the saints, to them ‘Christ in them’ was preached, the substance of what the prophets prophesied of; and to believe in him who was risen, the resurrection. But to the world the apostles preached repentance [Luke 24:47], and to believe in Jesus Christ; and taught faith towards God. But to them who were redeemed out of the world, in and to whom the son of God was made manifest, (who were brought to God, the judge of all, and to the church in God, and to the innumerable company of angels [Heb 12:22], and to the spirits of just men, who were made perfect [Heb 12:23] in him through faith towards God,) preaching repentance and the doctrine of baptism was needless, in whom it was fulfilled, to and in such as were brought to God. He that can receive this may, for to it there is no private meaning. There is a time of preaching faith towards God; and there is a time to be brought to God. But such as are here deny the first priesthood, <144> and witness the second with the eternal spirit of God; who witness him without father or mother [Heb 7:3], a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedeck [Heb 6:20]. G. F.