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Introducing the Introducing the Christadelphians

Walking down the streets of your town, you may have noticed a hall with “CHRISTADELPHIANS” on the sign outside. Who, you may wonder, are these people, and what do they stand for?

hristadelphians are found in most to return from to be a king on C countries of the world. We believe the the earth, bringing justice and peace. As is ’s handbook for life, and read this could be any time, we try to live as it daily for comfort and advice. We model pilgrims, ready to leave and be with him. If our beliefs and practices as closely as we die, we hope to be raised back to life we can on the first century , which when comes. We believe the Jews makes us different to most other Christian are still God’s people, and will be restored groups. For example, we have no paid to him. And we follow these simple rules priests or pastors, because there were – love God, love each other, love your none in the time of the apostles. We do neighbours, and remember Jesus in bread not feel bound to tithe our income, or keep and wine. If this sounds interesting, please Sabbaths, or burn incense, because these read on to find out more about us! practices were left behind with the Law of Moses, and not repeated in the New THE NAME Testament. We call each other ‘brother’ “Christadelphians” is a bit of a mouthful. or ‘sister’. We practise only adult . Literally it means “brothers in ”. Like the early Christians, we expect Jesus There is a precedent – Jesus called his followers his brothers, and the Apostles addressed their letters God’s handbook for life to “the brothers”.1 The members of Christadelphian congregations call each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister’. We treat one another as ‘family’, with practical help, sympathy, kindness and love.

1 Matthew 12:49 (Matthew chapter 12 verse 49), Colossians 1:2, James 1:2

01 HOW CHRISTADELPHIANS the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd ARE ORGANISED the flock of God which is among you, Christadelphians often refer to their serving as overseers, not by compulsion but congregations as ‘ecclesias’. The New willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; Testament word translated as ‘church’ in nor as being lords over those entrusted most is the Greek word ‘ekklesia’. to you, but being examples to the flock” This means an assembly or gathering of (1 Peter 5:1‑3)2. people. ‘Church’ could be mistaken for a building with a steeple, but ‘ecclesia’ WHAT TO EXPECT AT A emphasises the congregation and not ECCLESIA building. Christadelphians meet in a variety of buildings. Some ecclesias have their The organisation, lifestyle and practices of own building; some rent village halls or the Christadelphians follow as closely as schools. Others hold their meetings in the possible the way the Christian community homes of members of the congregation. was formed in the first century. We do not There is nothing ostentatious about a have a hierarchy of rulers. Each member is Christadelphian meeting place. The focus equal in the sight of God, and there is no is not on the place of , but the source of authority other than the Bible. members. Christadelphian ecclesias can be found all The ecclesia looks after all its members, over the world. Each group is responsible and this is reflected in the weekly schedule. for its own decisions and organises its A typical week might run like this: own affairs. There is no central authority. The only link between ecclesias is Sunday – a memorial service to remember a common in an agreed list of the of the Lord Jesus Christ; a essential teachings. Most ecclesias will school for young people and children; have a group of non-paid elders (often and a public Bible Hour when a talk on an termed ‘arranging brethren’) appointed by aspect of Bible teaching is given. the congregation. Their role is to ensure Mid-week – a Bible study class to study the smooth running of the group, including and learn from a section of the Bible; a preaching the , caring for the elderly mother and toddler group; a young people’s and sick, and teaching the young. The youth group; and a meeting of the elders to elders do not rule over the congregation, discuss the affairs of the ecclesia. but give advice and guidance, as the Saturday – a ‘fraternal’ (brotherly apostle Peter instructs: meeting) where brothers and sisters “The elders who are among you I exhort, I

who am a fellow and a witness of the 2 Bible quotations are from the New King sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of James Version (NKJV)

02 from the locality are invited to listen to saying, ‘This cup is the in Bible talks and enjoy worship and praise my blood. This do, as often as you drink and a meal together. Saturday is also a it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as convenient day for committee meetings. you eat this bread and drink this cup, you The Christadelphian community has many proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes” activities which involve many ecclesias. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

We remember Jesus every week by sharing bread and wine

So, for example, there are committees In the quietness of the meeting room, the for editing magazines, running residential baptised believers take a small amount homes, preparing literature, and organising of bread and drink a sip of wine to preaching work overseas. Each ecclesia remember Jesus until he comes again. adjusts its activities to the needs of its They each review their own conduct and members and the local population. There attitude, comparing themselves with the will be cultural differences, for example, in Lord Jesus. the programmes of overseas ecclesias. Why is Sunday the usual day for the THE MEMORIAL SERVICE memorial service? In Bible reckoning, The focal point for a Christadelphian is the Sunday was the first day of the week, and Sunday memorial meeting. The apostle in the first century that was the day for Paul left these instructions: this gathering:

“For I received from the Lord that which I “Now on the first day of the week, when the also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus disciples came together to break bread, on the same night in which he was betrayed Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke took bread; and when he had given thanks, to them and continued his message until he broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is midnight” (Acts 20:7). my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same What do the bread and cup symbolise? manner he also took the cup after supper, Paul answers:

03 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it Note that the bread and cup of wine are not the communion of the blood of Christ? only symbols. They are not literally the The bread which we break, is it not the blood and body of Jesus. When he said to communion of the ? For the apostles “This is my body”, Jesus had we, though many, are one bread and one not yet died on the cross. body; for we all partake of that one bread” 1 Corinthians 16:2 also tells us that on (1 Corinthians 10:16,17). the first day of each week there was a collection made for the poor believers. The cup is filled with wine and it represents Most Christadelphian ecclesias take up the blood of Christ, a clear reference to the Sunday collections to cover the costs of death of the Lord Jesus Christ: the ecclesia, the Christadelphian care “you were not redeemed with corruptible homes and preaching work in the UK and things, like silver or gold, from your aimless overseas. conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of THE BIBLE HOUR Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and When you visit a Christadelphian Bible Hour without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19). you will be welcomed by the door-keeper, and provided with a Bible if you have not “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and brought one with you. The service will gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; generally last an hour. There will probably For this is my blood of the new testament, be a , a , a Bible reading, and which is shed for many for the remission then the Bible talk. This will have been of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink prepared by one of the members, or by henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until a visitor from another ecclesia. None of that day when I drink it new with you in my our speakers claim to possess the Holy Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:27-29). Spirit. Their thoughts are The bread reminds us that Jesus was based entirely crucified. Again, the words of Jesus are on their study clear: of the Bible. “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke Afterwards it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my there may be a body which is given for you; do this in discussion. The brothers and remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19). sisters will often The believers are all part of the body of stay around for Christ and make up one symbolic loaf of a while after bread, the body of Jesus. the service is

04 A keen scholar of Greek and Hebrew, he set about searching the Bible for its true meaning. He never claimed to have received a direct revelation from God, or to be inspired. Indeed, John Thomas was not afraid to revise some of the details as his knowledge increased.

John Thomas’ sound reasoning from the finished for a chat. Some ecclesias opt to Bible, passed on through public talks, have Bible seminars, either on Sunday or books and magazines, convinced many mid-week. Seminars are less formal mutual people that his conclusions were based learning sessions with discussion and upon the true teaching of the Bible. questions throughout. Christadelphians today do not consider his writings sacred, but we value his example. WORSHIP Like him, we do not accept anything that Music is important in our worship, cannot be firmly supported by the Bible. as it was in the first century church. The Christadelphian Magazine has been Some Christadelphian hymn books are traditional, others are in a modern style. published on a monthly basis since 1864. Accompaniment may be by piano, organ We also print specialist literature for Sunday or other instruments. Singing classes and schools and youth groups, for Bible study, choral groups practise to give concerts, and for preaching, both in English and in for example Handel’s ‘’, which other languages for use overseas. are always well attended. Some ecclesias stand for , others remain seated. OUR CORE BELIEFS:

BACKGROUND TO THE The Bible says: CHRISTADELPHIAN COMMUNITY “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, There are many Christian groups who and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for claim to be based on the Bible and yet correction, for instruction in righteousness, have contrasting views and beliefs. Why do that the man of God may be complete, Christadelphians deserve your attention? thoroughly equipped for every good work” Over 150 years ago a medical doctor (2 Timothy 3:16,17). called John Thomas came to understand that the beliefs and teachings of God mainstream did not always There is only one God who is both agree with the plain teaching of the Bible. immortal and invisible:

05 “The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, “From within, out of the heart of men, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast proceed evil thoughts, … All these evil love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23). “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” The Nation of Israel in God’s Plan (Daniel 4:32). God said if they disobeyed His laws:

Man and woman “The LORD will scatter you among all The Bible tells us that the first man and peoples, from one end of the earth to the woman broke God’s rules. They sinned, other” (Deuteronomy 28:64). and God’s judgement was that they should But: return to dust: “He who scattered Israel will gather him, “dust you are, and to dust you shall return” and keep him as a shepherd does his flock” (Genesis 3:19). (Jeremiah 31:10).

Jesus Christ In 1948 Israel became a nation once again Before Jesus’ birth God’s angel said to his in the land promised to , exactly mother Mary: as God had said would happen.

“You will conceive in your womb and bring The Return of Jesus forth a Son, and shall call his name JESUS. At Jesus’ ascension into Heaven the Therefore, also, that Holy One who is to angels promised: be born will be called the ” (Luke 1:31,35). “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like The manner as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10,11). The Bible says God created life on the earth, and keeps in touch with His Christadelphians believe that Jesus’ return creation, through His unique power, the could be very soon, because the Jews are Holy Spirit: back in their land. That is a great sign that the end time is near. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). The Kingdom of God Jesus is going to reign over the Kingdom of God, here on earth: The and Jesus says the source of evil deeds is the “Of the increase of his government and human heart, not a evil being: peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).

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