Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren is a group of Protestant churches which began in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany. They were driven from Germany into Holland and Switzerland by persecution. They first came to America in 1719 under the leadership of Peter Becker. They took up the free lands offered by William Penn and settled in Germantown, near Philadelphia.
The Church of the Brethren was always looked at as different and were misunderstood since their arrival in America because of their German language. They opposed war (including the Revolutionary and the Civil war and slavery), and insisted their inner Christian life was more important than any church organization. They printed the first German Bible in America in 1743 and also circulated the first American religious magazine.
The Church of the Brethren focuses on a commitment to follow Jesus Christ in obedience and faithfulness rather than following a set of creeds. They follow the New Testament and believe it to be the guidebook for living. The New Testament is the record of the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the written accounts of the death, and resurrection of Jesus. They believe the Old Testament reveals the purpose for the human family through the Hebrew Scriptures.
They stand for peace and do not bear arms. They give food, medicines, farm equipment and books. They assist in ways they consider beneficial to teach and give aid where needed.
The Church of the Brethren today has great involvement with the World Council of Churches, and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States. They are ecumenical in their outlook.
History
The Church of the Brethren began in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany.
Alexander Mack was the son of a German miller. Mack was influenced by Pietism and Ernest Hochmann, a member of the Separatist wing of Pietism. Alexander Mack founded the Schwarzenau Brethren in Germany in the autumn of 1708. He along with seven others re-baptized themselves as believing adults into a community of faith which originated from the Anabaptism and Pietism. They formed a brotherhood that is dedicated to following the commandments of Jesus Christ. They renounced materialism, participating in government affairs, and infant baptism.
Persecuted in their homeland, the Church of the Brethren was driven into Holland and Switzerland. In 1719, under the leadership of Peter Becker, they came to America, and settled in Germantown, near Philadelphia. Alexander Mack led his group to America in 1730 and they settled in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area.
The Brethren Church experienced a three way split between 1881 and 1882. The Old German Baptist Brethren was the conservative wing and emphasized holding on to their earlier beliefs. Their dress, customs and worship would not accept the modern day trends.
Henry Holsinger led the liberal group and it was called The Brethren Church. This group was more progressive and desired a more progressive life style and emphasized more evangelism. They left the main body of the Brethren in 1882.
The third group was more of a middle of the road Church called The German Baptist Brethren. They were more moderate and the largest of the groups. They changed their name officially in 1908 to The Church of the Brethren. Today it is normally believed that the Church of the Brethren is theologically more liberal than the Brethren Church.
Belief
The Church of the Brethren believes the Bible is the Word of God divinely inspired. They believe the Old Testament reveals the revelation of Himself to man. They believe the New Testament is the last will and covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ. They believe the Bible is the final authority for faith and the conduct of behavior. They believe the Bible is inerrant in the original writings.
The Church of the Brethren believes there is only one living and true God. They believe God is an intelligent, spiritual Being and that He exists in three persons, he Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They believe God the Father reigns over the universe, and is the Father of those who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. They believe God the Son was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary as true God and true man. They believe the death of Christ on the cross made provisions for the redemption of men from sin by Jesus being a sacrifice, that He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and ascended into heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God. They believe He will return in power and glory to receive His disciples and judge the world. They believe God the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person separate from the Father and the Son, but united to both; the Holy Spirit enables people to understand the truth, imparts a new life to those who have salvation, and gives gifts for service to the members of the church.
The Church of the Brethren believes all men were created by the special act of God, in His own image. They believe in the beginning, men were innocent of sin and had the freedom of choice, but the temptation of satan made man sin against God which results in physical and spiritual death and separation from God.
The Church of the Brethren believes salvation is the work of God who rescues people from their sinful state. They believe salvation is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that regeneration is a work of the grace of God where believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus and justification is the grace bought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. They believe it is symbolized by full immersion Baptism.
The Church of the Brethren believes the Bible teaches the three-part love feast; the first part is Feet Washing, Communion, and Baptism, the second part is Anointing with Oil for healing, Laying on of Hands, and Assembling together for worship, and the third part is the Salutation of the Holy Kiss.
The Church of the Brethren believes God will bring the world to an end in His own time, in His own way. They believe Jesus will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. They believe the dead will be raised and Christ will judge all persons in righteousness. They believe the resurrection unto life will occur at the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection unto damnation will occur after the millennial reign of Christ. They believe the unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, which is the place of everlasting punishment. They believe the righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. They believe Jesus will finally deliver up the Messianic Kingdom to God the Father, so He, as the Eternal Son, may reign with the Father in the new heaven and the new earth eternally.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Church of the Brethren:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2648,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Church of the Brethren:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2648,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Church of the Brethren:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2648, (accessed).
