Who Are The
Christadelphians?
Note:
The information below contains Bible passages. These passages contain the name of the book within the Bible, and the chapter and verse where the reference is found. For example, Acts 1:13; 2:46 refers to the book of Acts chapter one verse 13 and Acts chapter two verse 46.

Are Christadelphians a new group?

The Christadelphians (pronounced "crist-a-del-fee-ans") are a small religious body who have deliberately attempted to get back to the faith and character of the early Christian church. Using this name, they have been in existence for well over 100 years, although groups with the same beliefs date back to the first century. The name "Christadelphian" means "brother (or sister) in Christ."

Where are they found?

Christadelphians are located in most countries throughout the world. Like the early Christians, they meet in homes, rented rooms, and in some cased, owned halls and buildings. (Acts 1:13; 2:46; 18:7; 19:9; 28:30).

How are Christadelphians organized?

They are a community without ministers or clergy, patterned after first century Christianity. Members of each congregation are addressed as "brother" or "sister", and all have an equal joint responsibility for the welfare of the church. A strong common belief binds world-wide congregations together. There is no central governing authority; each congregation is autonomous. A number of elders who are the servants of the congregation organize activities. Many congregations work together at common activities including missionary work, welfare for the poor, and organizing Bible schools and various conferences. (Matthew 23:8-12; Romans 12:4-6; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 12:4-27; Galatians 3:28).

What do Christadelphians believe and teach?

Christadelphians believe that the Bible is God’s only revealed message to mankind, given to bring responsive individuals to the obedience of faith. The Bible is their only authority, and it is taught that it should be read prayerfully and with care at every opportunity. (Romans 16:26; John 17:17; Acts 17:11). Certain key teachings stand out:

God   There is only one eternal, immortal God. Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit is His power. (Isaiah 45:5; 1 Timothy 1:17; Ephesians 4:6; Luke 1:35; 24:49; Acts 1:8).

Man   Man is mortal and a sinner before God. His whole being is prone to sin, and the punishment for sin is death — real death, the end of all life. (Job 4:17; Romans 3:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 9:1-6; Psalm 6:5; John 11:12-14).

Jesus   In His love, God sent the man Jesus into the world to save men from their sins. Those who believe in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. (Matthew 1:21; John 3:16).

Hope   The only hope of live after death is the resurrection of the body and everlasting life in God’s kingdom on earth. (Psalm 49:12-20; 1 Corinthians 15:12-50; Acts 24:15; John 11:25; Acts 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Acts 17:30-31).

Sacrifice of Christ   Jesus was sinless. He died to show the righteousness of God and to redeem from death those who receive this sacrifice by faith. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, gave him immortality, granted him authority in heaven and on earth, and set him as the mediator in heaven, between God and man. (Acts 2:23-36; Ephesians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; Romans 3:21-26).

Return of Christ   Jesus will return to the earth soon. At that time he will raise many of the dead, judge them with the living, and give his faithful followers everlasting life in the Kingdom of God. (Revelation 22:12; Luke 21:20-32; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 25:34).

Kingdom of God   The Kingdom of God will be established on earth with Jesus as king. His capital will be Jerusalem, his dominion will be worldwide, and his government will bring righteousness and peace without end. (Daniel 2:44; 7:14, 27; Acts 3:21; Jeremiah 3:17; Isaiah 2:2-4; Psalm 72; Isaiah 9:6-9; 11:1-9; 61:1-11).

The Promises   The gospel is inseparable from the promises which God made to Abraham and David in Old Testament times. These promises find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:6-9; 16, 25-29; 2 Peter 1:2-4; Genesis 13:14-17; 22:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Luke 1:31-33).

The Way of Salvation   The way to enter the kingdom of God is by faith. This involves belief in His word — the Bible — and obedience to its requirements that men and women confess their sins, repent, be baptized, and follow Jesus faithfully. (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:37; Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5; Matthew 16:24-27).

What kind of Life do Christadelphians Lead?

God’s way of salvation 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 recognize that salvation is by grace. (Colossians 1:3-11; 1 Peter 2:1-5; 2 Peter 1:5-11; James 2:17; 5:16; Ephesians 2:5-10).

With God’s help, we seek to please and obey Him every day, trying to imitate Christ who faithfully obeyed his Father and unselfishly gave himself for mankind. (Philippians 2:1-5; 13; 4:13; Ephesians 3:20; 5:1-2; Romans 12:1-2).

We therefore try our best to be enthusiastic in work, loyal in marriage, generous in giving, dedicated in preaching, cheerful in living, and happy in our God. (Ephesians 5:5-6; 2 Corinthians 9; 2  Timothy 4:1-5; John 16:33; Matthew 5:1-16; Philippians 4:4-7).

For More Information

For more information visit Christadelphia.org. If you live in Manitoba, Canada please leave e-mail here.