Christadelphians

Christadelphians are a small Christian denomination that originated in the mid-19th century, emphasizing a return to the foundational teachings of early Christianity. The term “Christadelphian,” meaning “brothers in Christ,” was coined by John Thomas in 1864 to describe a group of believers who sought to differentiate their views from mainstream Christianity. The Christadelphians hold a distinctive set of beliefs that make them unique among other Christian denominations.

One core belief of Christadelphians is that they do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity. Instead, they believe in the absolute unity of God and that Jesus Christ is His Son, sent to save humanity from sin. They also reject the idea of an immortal soul, emphasizing instead that eternal life is a gift that will be granted at the resurrection to those who have followed Jesus. This view shapes their hope in the Kingdom of God, which they believe will be established on Earth when Jesus returns.

Christadelphians also emphasize Bible study and personal interpretation of Scripture. They believe that the Bible is the only authoritative source of religious truth, and members are encouraged to read and study it daily. There are no clergy or formal hierarchies in the Christadelphian community. Instead, congregations, known as “ecclesias,” are self-governing and led by elected members.

Another distinctive feature is their practice of adult baptism by immersion, which signifies an individual’s conscious commitment to following Christ. Christadelphians believe in living a life that reflects Christian values, focusing on personal morality and avoiding involvement in politics, military service, or activities they see as conflicting with their faith.

Although relatively small in numbers compared to other Christian denominations, Christadelphians are active in their communities and often engage in preaching and teaching efforts to spread their message. The Christadelphian faith is built on a strong sense of community, mutual support, and a desire to uphold what they consider the true teachings of the Bible.

Learn more about Christadelphians and their beliefs to understand how they strive to practice early Christian teachings in today’s world.