About The Christadelphians
Christadelphians
We are located in many countries throughout the world with large groups of Christadelphians in the United Kingdom and Europe, Australia and New Zealand, North America, South East Asia, and Africa. Like the early Christians, we meet in homes, rented rooms, and, in some cases, our own halls. Acts 1v13-14, 2v46-47, 18v7, 19v9, 28v30
We are a lay community patterned after first-century Christianity. Each congregation is called an “ecclesia” (the New Testament word for church). We have no paid clergy or church hierarchy. Members of each congregation are addressed as ‘brothers’ or ‘sister’, and all are involved in organising our activities. All members contribute their time and energy voluntarily in service to God. A strong common belief binds our brotherhood together. Rom 12v4-8,1Cor 12v4-27, Gal 3v28
The Bible Our Guide
We accept the Bible as our only guide and believe it to be the inspired word of God. Membership is extended to those with similar beliefs after being baptised (fully immersed in water).
Many believers since the apostles have held the same faith as the Christadelphians. There have been countless independent communities around the world who have eagerly studied the Bible and accepted its simple teachings.
The Christadelphians trace their history to the mid-1800s. In 1830, an English physician named John Thomas sailed to America. On the voyage, the ship met some unexpected bad weather and nearly sank. For the first time, Dr Thomas faced the reality of his own mortality and was dismayed to discover that he was not sure what lay beyond death. In the midst of the storm he vowed that, should he survive, he would not rest until he had found a satisfactory answer.
He did survive and kept his vow, beginning a life-long search for the truth. It soon became evident that many of the doctrines that were popularly taught and believed were inconsistent with the Bible. Dissatisfied, Dr Thomas devoted himself to a careful independent study of the Scriptures. He made no claim to any vision or personal revelation.
The work of Dr Thomas attracted the support of others in America and Britain who were convinced of the truth of his conclusions. Together they formed the Christadelphian community. Since then, Christadelphian communities have been established in many countries all over the world.
Some Important Differences
Often we are asked, “How are you different from other Christian groups”? Apart from our distinctive organisation (with no clergy or hierarchy), some of our doctrines are quite different from most churches.
For example, we reject the doctrine of a ‘Trinity’. This doctrine developed in the 300 years after Jesus died as a result of disputes within the orthodox church. The Bible teaches that Jesus was the Son of God but nowhere does it speak of him ‘pre-existing’ in heaven as “God the Son”.
We also reject the idea of an “immortal soul” that goes to heaven at death. The Bible teaches that the only hope for eternal life is through a resurrection when Jesus returns.’
Another difference is that we believe that baptism is essential and for adults only. We believe that sprinkling of babies is not baptism.
We also believe that the Bible uses the ‘devil’ as a symbol of sinful human nature, and so we reject the doctrine of a supernatural tempter.
Our Way of Life
The Bible gives effective direction to our lives. We try to rely fully upon God and develop a faith which is active in prayer and good works. At the same time, however, we recognise that salvation is by grace.
With God’s help, we seek to please and obey him every day, striving to imitate Christ who faithfully obeyed his Father. We therefore endeavour to be enthusiastic in work, loyal in marriage, generous in giving, dedicated in preaching and happy in our God.
A widespread custom amongst Christadelphians is to read the Bible every day using a reading plan which enables us to systematically read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice each year. Of course, many read much more widely than this.
We may also attend one or more evening Bible classes each week. Every Sunday, we attend a service we call the “Memorial Meeting” or “Breaking of Bread”. This is similar to the”Communion” of some churches. All members partake of bread and wine and an ‘exhortation’ is given based on the Bible. Attendance at this service is the focus of our religious life.
We also have Sunday Schools and Youth Groups; a weekend away at a Bible Study camp is always popular with Christadelphian young people.
Some members travel overseas on mission work; others care for the elderly in our nursing homes and hostels. There are several monthly magazines to read (and write).
The Christadelphians are a close-knit community working in God’s service in whatever ways we can.