16 Quotes & Sayings By George Whitefield

George Whitefield (1714-1770) was a Baptist preacher whose sermons and writings were instrumental in the development of the First Great Awakening in America. Whitefield was born at Cranborne, Dorset, England, on December 8, 1714. He joined the Baptists as a young man and preached as a traveling evangelist after he converted to Christianity at age 20. In 1739 Whitefield was appointed pastor of the congregation of Newbury, Massachusetts Read more

In 1741 he moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. In 1745 he joined the Believers' Church, a split from the Baptists over the issue of primitive immersion. He continued his preaching on both sides of this controversy for some years before adopting the name George Whitefield on March 18, 1749.

Over the course of his ministry Whitefield made several trips to America where he preached against slavery and established several churches for free blacks. In 1770 he died from a fever during a visit to England.

1
If one evil thought, if one evil word, if one evil action, deserves eternal damnation, how many hells, my friends, do every one of us deserve, whose whole lives have been one continued rebellion against God! George Whitefield
2
Most talk of a catholic spirit but it is only till they have been brought into the pale of their own church. This is downright sectarianism, not Catholicism. How can I act consistently, unless I receive and love all the children of God, whom I esteem to be such, of whatever denomination they may be? George Whitefield
3
If you are going to walk with Jesus Christ, you are going to be opposed.... In our days, to be a true Christian is really to become a scandal. George Whitefield
4
When a poor soul is somewhat awakened by the terrors of the Lord, then the poor creature, being born under the covenant of works, flies directly to a covenant of works again. And as Adam and Eve hid themselves… and sewed fig leaves… so the poor sinner, when awakened, flies to his duties and to his performances, to hide himself from God, and goes to patch up a righteousness of his own. Says he, I will be mighty good now— I will reform— I will do all I can; and then certainly Jesus Christ will have mercy on me. George Whitefield
5
It is better to wear out than to rust out. George Whitefield
6
Take care of your life and the Lord will take care of your death. George Whitefield
7
No, the religion of Jesus is a social religion. George Whitefield
8
And now let me address all of you, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to accept of mercy and grace while it is offered to you; Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation; and will you not accept it, now it is offered unto you? George Whitefield
9
Nothing is more generally known than our duties which belong to Christianity; and yet, how amazing is it, nothing is less practiced? George Whitefield
10
Although believers by nature, are far from God, and children of wrath, even as others, yet it is amazing to think how nigh they are brought to him again by the blood of Jesus Christ. George Whitefield
11
For it pleased God, after he had made all things by the word of his power, to create man after his own image. George Whitefield
12
Fight the good fight of faith, and God will give you spiritual mercies. George Whitefield
13
Among the many reasons assignable for the sad decay of true Christianity, perhaps the neglecting to assemble ourselves together, in religious societies, may not be one of the least. George Whitefield
14
Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you. George Whitefield
15
But he is unworthy the name of a minister of the gospel of peace, who is unwilling, not only to have his name cast out as evil, but also to die for the truths of the Lord Jesus. George Whitefield