OUR BELIEFS
ABOUT CHRISTADELPHIANS
The Christadelphians are a small religious group of people who follow the faith and beliefs of the first century Christians as recorded in the Bible. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God and our only guide for life. (Colossians 1:2; Hebrews 2:11)
We have been in existence for over 150 years. The name "Christadelphian" comes from two Greek words that mean "brothers in Christ". We are located in many countries throughout the world, including the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia and Africa. Like the early Christians, we meet in homes, rented rooms and in some cases our own halls. (Acts 1:13-14; 2:46-47; 18:7; 28:30)
Most congregations are called an 'ecclesia' (the Greek New Testament word for church). We have no paid clergy or church hierarchy. Members of each congregation are often addressed as 'brother' or 'sister', and all are involved in organising our ecclesial activities. Members contribute their time and energy voluntarily in service to God. A strong common belief binds our brotherhood together. (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-27; Galatians 3:28). Membership is extended to those with similar beliefs after being baptised (fully immersed in water).
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A Brief History
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 the history of their community 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 lifelong search for the truth. It soon became evident to him 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 ecclesias have been established in many countries all over the world.
Our beliefs on...
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God's only revealed message to mankind, given to bring individuals to belief and faith in God and his Son. The Bible is our only authority and it should be read prayerfully and with care at every opportunity.
Romans 16:26; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Our beliefs on...
God
We believe there is only one eternal, immortal God. Jesus Christ is his only begotten son and the Holy Spirit is his power.
Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2:5; Luke 1:35; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 8:6
Our beliefs on...
Human Beings
We believe human beings are mortal and sinners before God. Our whole being is prone to sin and the punishment for sin is death - the end of all life. But God has a purpose.
Job 4:17; Romans 3:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; James 1:13-15
Our beliefs on...
Jesus
We believe in his love, God sent his son, the man Jesus, into the world to save men from their sins. Those who believe in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.
Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:20-21; 3:17; Mark 12:29-31; John 3:16
Our beliefs on...
The Sacrifice of Jesus
We believe Jesus was sinless. He died to redeem those who receive this sacrifice by faith. God raised him from the dead, gave him immortality, granted him all authority in heaven and on earth, and set him as the mediator between God and man.
Ephesians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16; Romans 3:21-26
Our beliefs on...
The Return of Jesus
We believe that Jesus will soon return to the earth. He will then raise many of the dead, judge them with the living and give his faithful followers everlasting life in the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:12; Luke 21:20-32; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 25:31-34
Our beliefs on...
The Kingdom of God
We believe the Kingdom of God will be established on earth. Jesus will be king in Jerusalem; his dominion worldwide and his government will bring eternal righteousness and peace.
Daniel 2:44; 7:27; 7:14; Acts 3:21; Jeremiah 3:17; Isaiah 2:2-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-9
Our beliefs on...
The Promises
We believe the Gospel is inseparable from the promises which God made to Abraham and David in Old Testament times. These promises find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:6-9, 16; 26-29; Genesis 13:14-17; 22:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Luke 1:31-33
Our beliefs on...
The Way of Salvation
We believe we are saved by God's grace though faith in Him and His son Jesus Christ. This involves belief in the Bible and obedience to its requirements that men and women confess their sins, repent, be baptised and follow Jesus faithfully.
Ephesians 2:4-5; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:37-38; 4:12; Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5; Matthew 16:24-27
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 among Christadelphians is to read the Bible every day. We may also attend Bible classes each week. Following the New Testament example, and Christ’s instruction, we pray to God, our Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus his son. Jesus is our advocate in prayer, knowing our weaknesses. Prayer is an important part of our lives, both individually and in our meetings.
Every Sunday we attend a service we call the "Memorial Meeting" or "Breaking of Bread". All baptised members partake of bread and wine to remind us of the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Attendance at this service is the central focus of our religious life and beginning of a new week.
Since we have no paid ministers, our members take turns to serve our community in all of its functions – Sunday School, Youth Groups, preaching the gospel at home and overseas and caring for people in need. We love to sing and praise God for his amazing character and purpose with us and this is an important part of all our worship.
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), our understanding of the Bible differs from that of other more well-known Christian churches.
We believe the Bible teaches that Jesus was uniquely the Son of God, not God himself. It was an incredible sacrifice of our Father to give the life of His perfect Son for sinners like us to have a way of Salvation. There is no passage in the Bible that speaks of “God the Son”, only “the Son of God”! Jesus Christ had to struggle against sin, learn obedience and grow in his relationship with God and men as we do and in the reality of his death, provided redemption for humans. If he was God, he could not be tempted, neither could he die. We are so in debt to Jesus Christ himself and our Father for this amazing sacrifice of his only begotten Son, who died that we might live. (1 Timothy 2:5, 6:16, 1 Corinthians 11:3, Hebrews 5:8, James 1:13)
The Bible also teaches that our hope for eternal life is in the resurrection when Jesus returns. God’s plan is very clear that He will fill the earth with his glorious character – to be seen in all men! Our hope is to live forever with Christ in this amazing Kingdom to be set up on earth. (John 3:13, Acts 2:34, 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
We also believe that the Bible uses the word ‘Devil’ as a symbol of sinful human nature. We are personally responsible to God for our actions, for it is out of the heart of man that evil is formed. We all need a relationship with God and his forgiveness when we fall, to continue in our faithful walk to His Kingdom. (Isaiah 45:7, Mark 8:33, John 6:70, Hebrews 1:14)
