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Christadelphians

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The Christadelphians are a nontrinitarian religious denomination holding a theology at variance with mainstream Christianity. Although their current name developed in Britain and North America in the 19th century, they claim a long line of believers, going back to Apostolic times, who have always been committed to upholding the purity of the gospel as understood by the original Apostles. They are primarily found in the English-speaking world, but are growing elsewhere, with Christadelphians living in approximately 130 countries.

Beliefs

Christadelphians base their beliefs wholly on the Bible, and accept no other texts as inspired by God. Christadelphians believe that God is the creator of all things and the father of true believers. He is a separate being from his son, Jesus Christ. They believe that the Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is not a person, but the power of God used in creation and for salvation, and at certain times in history has been given to believers.

Jesus is the promised Messiah, in whom the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament (particularly those to Abraham and David) find their fulfilment. Jesus is the Son of Man, in that he inherited sin-prone human nature from his mother, and Son of God by virtue of his miraculous conception by the power of God. Although tempted, he committed no sin, and was therefore a perfect representative sacrifice to bring salvation to sinful humankind. God raised him to immortality, and he ascended to Heaven, God's dwelling place. Jesus will return in person to establish the kingdom of God on earth. His throne will be in Jerusalem and he will be king over the restored kingdom of God in Israel. Jesus will also rule over the whole earth.

People become disciples of Christ only by belief in his teachings, by repentance, and through baptism by total immersion in water. Although saved by faith in God's grace, real faith will manifest in works, thus the disciple should seek to live a life consistent with Bible teaching. Christadelphians point to clear teachings in the Scriptures that death is the complete cessation of life. After death, believers are in a state of non-existence, knowing nothing until the Resurrection at the return of Christ. Following the judgment at that time, the accepted are given the gift of immortality, and live with Christ on a restored Earth, helping him to establish the Kingdom of God, and to rule over the mortal population for a thousand years (the Millennium). Christadelphians view the future Kingdom of God as the focal point of the Gospel taught by Jesus and the apostles. They point to fulfilled Bible prophecy, particularly as regards the nations, as clear evidence that the Scriptures can be trusted.

Christadelphians reject a number of doctrines traditionally held by the mainstream Christian denominations, notably the immortality of the soul, the Trinity, and the pre-existence of Christ. They believe that where the words devil or Satan occur in the Bible, they should be understood as the inherent evil within man (i.e. sin) and his inclination to disobey his Creator. These terms may also be used in reference to specific political systems or individuals in opposition or conflict. Hell, is understood to simply refer to the grave to which all men go, rather than being a place of eternal torment.

Christadelphians believe the doctrines they reject were introduced into Christendom after the 1st century, and cannot be demonstrated from the Bible. They believe that many of the beliefs of mainstream Christianity can be clearly shown, from Scripture, to be in direct opposition to clear Bible teaching.

Christadelphians are conscientious objectors (but not pacifists), and refrain from involvement with politics, joining the armed forces, the police force, or other organised bodies such as trade unions. There is a strong emphasis on personal Bible reading, bible study, prayer, and morality. Congregational worship, which usually takes place on Sunday, centres on the remembrance of Christ.

History

The name Christadelphian, derived from the Greek words for "Brethren in Christ," was coined by John Thomas. From the mid-19th century, there were groups in many parts of Britain and North America which held to the beliefs outlined above, and who were loosely associated with one another. Of particular significance was the writing in 1848-9 of Thomas's work, Elpis Israel in which he laid out his understanding of the main doctrines of the Bible. Groups associated with him met under various names until the time of the American Civil War, when a church affiliation was required to register for conscientious objector status.

Christadelphians suffered two divisions early on in their history when two groups separated from the main body. In 1873 a group left and eventually became known as the Nazarene fellowship. Then in 1885 a dispute arose concerning the inspiration of the Bible. Robert Ashcroft, the assistant editor of The Christadelphian magazine, wrote an article which challenged commonly held views about inspiration. In the controversy which followed ("the Inspiration Controversy") the Birmingham ecclesia withdrew fellowship from Robert Ashcroft. Some members, while not agreeing with Robert Ashcroft's views on inspiration, did not consider his views to be of a nature which required fellowship to be withdrawn. This group eventually left the Birmingham ecclesia and formed a new ecclesia which became known as the Suffolk Street ecclesia. Other ecclesias throughout the world which supported the stand taken by the Suffolk Street ecclesia, as opposed to the position of the Birmingham ("Temperance Hall") ecclesia became known as the "Suffolk Street fellowship". The name ‘Christadelphian’ continued to be used by both groups of believers.

In 1923 a major division of the Temperance Hall Fellowship took place over the issue of military service. The two groups were more or less evenly divided with one continuing to be known as the Temperance Hall Fellowship and the other being known as the Berean fellowship.

A union of the Temperance Hall and Suffolk Street fellowships occurred in the UK in 1957, thus forming what became known as the Central fellowship. In Australia and New Zealand a union occurred in 1958 of a group of ecclesias calling themselves "Central fellowship" and the "Shield fellowship". (The editor of The Christadelphian magazine had some time previously stopped publising any intelligence from Australia in the magazine as it was unclear which fellowship in Australia was closest to the Central fellowship in the UK). The "Shield" group took their name from The Australian Christadelphian Shield, a magazine which was begun by John Bell of the Sydney ecclesia with the encouragement of Robert Roberts, editor of The Christadelphian, during one of his visits to Australia. Some "Central fellowship" members did not accept the reunion since the reasons for separation remained. These Central members formed the Old Paths Fellowship. The Old Paths fellowship continues to hold the Birmingham Temperance Hall Fellowship position to this day.

The Berean fellowship experienced division in 1942 over divorce. The majority believed that divorce and remarriage was contrary to Bible teaching, and adopted the name Dawn fellowship. The minority continued to be known as the Berean fellowship. The Central fellowship was joined by a number from the Berean fellowship in the 1950s, and from the Dawn fellowship in the 1990s. During the mid 1990's some from the Central Fellowship joined the Dawn Fellowship. However, both Dawn and Berean fellowships continue to grow in a number of countries to this day.

Christadelphians from different fellowships associate with one another, and there are usually continuing attempts to resolve areas of disagreement. By far the majority of Christadelphians belong to the Central fellowship.

Organisation

Christadelphians usually call their congregations ecclesias. There is no central Christadelphian organization or hierarchy. Ecclesias are autonomous to a degree and co-operation between most of them is based on a common acceptance of the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith. The Unamended fellowship use the Unamended Statement of Faith. Anyone who publicly assents to the doctrines described in this statement and is in good standing in their "home ecclesia" is generally welcome to participate in the activities of any other ecclesia.

Christadelphians do not have paid ministers. Most male members are eligible to teach and perform other duties, and these are usually assigned on a rotation, rather than having a designated preacher. Governance follows a democratic model, typically with an elected committee for each individual ecclesia. This unpaid committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ecclesia and is answerable to the rest of the ecclesia's members.

Christadelphians make a distinction between the roles of male and female members. Christadelphians believe the scriptures teach that women are not eligible to hold elected offices or to lead services. They are however generally allowed to participate in discussions, teach children, perform music, vote on business matters, and engage in most other activities.

Christadelphian ecclesias actively preach to their neighbours and co-operate at a regional, national, and international level in prosetelyzing. There are also ecclesially-accountable committees for youth and Sunday School work, military service issues, care of the elderly, and humanitarian work. These do not have any legislative authority, and are wholly dependent upon ecclesial support. Ecclesias in an area may hold occasional joint activities combining youth groups, fellowship, preaching, and Bible study.

There are currently approximately 50,000 Christadelphians in around 130 countries, many as part of established ecclesias, preaching and worshipping in their local languages.

Christadelphian Websites

  • Other Websites and Forums relevant to Christadelphians
  • Christadelphian Truth Alive - a place as a mainstream alternative to Truth Alive where moderation is kept to a minimum.
  • Truth Alive - a place where Christadelphians and former Christadelphians can meet together to discuss the practical application of their faith.
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