A LITTLE ABOUT US
We are a community of believers in Christ, organized in groups found throughout the world. Wherever we exist we have a fellowship founded upon an agreed basis of beliefs. Fundamental to our faith is the principle that what Christ and his apostles taught in the first century was the truth, and it is still the truth today. The Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are our sole authority.
Our community has no paid ministry, no robes or elaborate ceremonies, nor has it any “head of church” or legislative council. Our groups (we call them “ecclesias” – the New Testament word for ‘church’) organise our own affairs, though the pattern is similar everywhere. Like the “elders” of New Testament times, members are appointed to manage the affairs of the ecclesia and to preside at its meetings. At the meeting for the “breaking of bread” on “the first day of the week” there are hymns, prayers, readings from the Scriptures and an exhortation, or sermon. The bread and the wine circulate among all the “brothers and sisters” present. Voluntary collections are taken to meet all the expenses. If some of the early followers of the apostles in the first century could attend such meetings, it is believed that they would immediately recognise what was going on, for it is patterned on New Testament worship. Like Jesus’ early disciples, we also proclaim his message of life to all who are willing to hear; we instruct our children and young people in Sunday Schools and Youth Groups, and promote among our members the life of faith and prayer, and obedience to Christ’s commands.
To preserve our identity our community had to have a name. “Christadelphian” was chosen because it means “brothers and sisters in Christ”. It has been used to distinguish our community for more than 140 years.
THE BIBLE MESSAGE
What is the message of the Bible, and why is it different from popular “Christian”ideas? It arises from the important principle that the Bible must be understood as a whole. It is easy to uphold certain teachings by accepting some parts of the Scriptures and neglecting others. For instance, it is popular today to dismiss much of the Old Testament. Yet these documents – the Law, the Psalms and the Prophets – were accepted by Jesus and his apostles as “the word of the Lord”. The Bible is a unity: God’s revelation to mankind begins in the pages of the Old Testament and is continued and expanded in the New. The “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) is to be derived from the whole book. As Christadelphians, we accept that the Bible is the wholly inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). We therefore read it carefully and regularly. A reading plan, called The Bible Companion, enables everyone to read the Old Testament once in a year and the New Testament twice. If you want to join it, look at the Resources page on this website whee today’s readings are displayed.
There is another point of great importance. If we are to truly to understand the Bible, we must be prepared for the fact that it is absolutely frank about all issues, and primarily about ourselves. It is the most realistic book in the world, confronting the stark issues of life without wishful thinking. Human problems, both of the race and of individuals, are frankly assessed. The Bible explains the origin of the problems we face and gives us God’s solution to them. The Bible is the only book in the world to do this in harmony with the facts of history and of human life.
Christadelphians know from the Scriptures that the present age of man’s dominion is coming to an end. While there is still time, we invite you to examine – or re-examine – the true teachings of the Bible. The Bible gives the sincere inquirer an understanding of “the truth”, an appreciation of a new view you will gain, both of your own life and of the world in general. Thus informed, you will be better equipped to face life as it is, with its mingled joys and sorrows, fortified by faith in the power of God and in the truth of His Word, sustained by the assurance that God is a merciful Father and that Jesus is our intercessor. In this life of service and faith, you will enjoy the encouraging fellowship of others who believe the same things.
God is still calling out a people for His Kingdom. Your future depends on your response!