Introducing the Christadelphians
Modern Revival of Apostolic Faith
Concerned people are today confronted with a panorama
of many and varied religions when they seek for Truth in the modern
world. Even the so-called "christian" communities present a
confusing vista of beliefs, ranging from primitive fundamentalism, to
complete liberalism.
It is no wonder that many leave their search
unfufilled, being unable to penetrate the fog of so many superstitious
trends and human traditions.
For a person to arrive at the Truth concerning the
purpose of Almighty God with mankind, and to understand what is in
store for the world in which we live, it is vital to compare the
claims of any religious organization with the Bible - the inspired and
infallible Word of the living God.
The Catholic church has made many changes to its
traditions and beliefs since it was first established in the fourth
century. It does not adhere to the clear statements of the Scriptures,
nor uphold the doctrines plainly revealed therein.
Its Protestant contemporaries are much the same.
Although they separated from the Catholic Church on the grounds of
opposition to the papal infallibility, they retained most of the
doctrines and teachings of their mother-church. In that regard,
neither Catholic nor Protestant religions represent the true original
apostolic faith - which Jesus Christ and his apostles declared is the
only means to personal salvation.
Is there any religious body extant today which adheres
to the true and saving teachings of the Bible?
We believe there is!
They call themselves The Christadelphians, and it is
this community of Bible believers that we now introduce to you. We ask
you to seriously consider their credibility, their teachings, and
their aspirations for the future. Honestly examine the reasons for
their inner conviction; their earnest dedication; their remarkable
hope for the future.
The Failure of Present-Day Christianity
Today popular religion is facing a dramatic change in
direction. No longer are the traditions of the past being maintained.
The clergy are admitting women into their ranks; dress standards of
yesteryear are being discarded; doctrine no longer has the importance
that it formerly rated; attitudes to social problems like
homosexuality and associated diseases are changing, and previously
unacceptable behaviour is now tolerated, and often even encouraged.
Christadelphians stand opposed to all endeavours to
change in order to suit the lowering standards of today's society. We
do not believe that Truth changes merely because people want a more
emancipated environment. In fact, God's Word prophesies of the current
religious attitudes: The apostle Paul wrote: "This know also,
that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more
than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away" (II Timothy 3:2-5).
We see evidence of fulfilment of this prophecy on all
hands. Christadelphians therefore have nothing to do with such a
system, believing that it is essential for God-fearing people to
rediscover the saving Truths of apostolic times.
Christadelphians Claim the Original Apostolic Faith
The Christadelphians are a group of people associated
together by a common belief in the "things concerning the Kingdom
of God and the Name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12). We claim to be
the modern revival of original apostolic faith, and base our beliefs
exclusively upon the teaching of the Bible.
The name Christadelphian is compounded of two Greek
words: Christ and adelphoi, signifying Brethren of Christ. This is a
term used in the Bible to define true believers who understand and
endeavour to fulfil the will of God (Matthew 12:50; 23:8; Hebrews
2:12). In adopting this Scriptural name, Christadelphians acknowledge
that they must manifest the high ideas that Christ set before men.
They also believe that it is important to accept the
clear teachings of the Bible; that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the
"power of God unto salvation to those who believe" (Romans
1:16), and that such a belief must acknowledge the return of Jesus
Christ to the earth, and the establishment of his kingdom upon the
removal of all present systems and governments. Christadelphians
therefore believe that eternal life is a gift of God that will be
bestowed by the Lord Jesus upon his followers at his second coming,
and the setting up of the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:31-34; Daniel
2:44). They believe that the Bible teaches that this divine kingdom
will be set up upon earth when Christ returns; that the reward of the
righteous will be an "abundant entrance into the kingdom"
(II Peter 1:11), at which time they will "reign on the
earth" in company with the Lord (Revelation 5:9-10).
The Bible also declares, and Christadelphians believe,
that the destiny of the wicked is "everlasting destruction"
(II Thessalonians 1:9), not eternal torments, and that
"hell" is the grave, the abode of the dead, where the
unrighteous will remain forever. Further, that death came into the
world by the transgression of Adam, and that when sin is personified
in the flesh of mankind, or in governments, it constitutes the devil
of the Bible. The idea that the devil is a fallen angel, as most
religions teach, is unscriptural.
Other Opinions of Christadelphia
Others have examined the claims of Christadelphians
from a sociological viewpoint, curious to know the dynamics of the
Movement. They have been impressed with certain facts that clearly
emerge. For example, in the book Sects and Society, one of a series
published on sociology by the firm of Heinemann & Co., the author
(who is not a Christadelphian) testifies to the keen interest that
Christadelphians show in the Bible, and acknowledges that it is the
book of authority for Christadelphians upon which all their teaching
is based.
The late Bertrand Russell, a world-celebrated
philosopher also wrote of Christadelphians in his work: Power, A New
Social Analysis. He listed the Movement as the best representative of
apostolic Christianity in the earth today. On p. 109 he wrote:
"Christianity was, in its earliest days, entirely unpolitical.
The best representatives in our time are the Christadelphians . . .
"
This claim is supported by others. For example, the
book entitled Through Turmoil To Peace, published in 1932 by the
Seventh Day Adventists, quotes the predictions of Christadelphian
expositor, Dr. J. Thomas in Elpis Israel (published in 1849), and
particulary those relating to the revival of the State of Israel in
the Holy Land prior to Christ's coming, as an example of how clearly
Bible prophecy foretells the future when it is interpreted right. The
author wrote: "Dr. Thomas did not live to see the fulfilment of
Ezekiel's prophecy, for he was laid to rest in 1871. But were he
living now, he would not need to alter a word of the above quotation.
How true are the prophecies of the Bible when they are correctly
applied!" (p. 328).
Among other matters predicted in Elpis Israel on the
basis of Bible prophecy are the following:
IN THE POLITICAL FIELD:
-
The return of the Jews from dispersion (Ezekiel
37:21; Jeremiah 31:10).
-
The revival of Israel as a nation (Ezekiel 37:22).
The rise of Russia to Eurasian supremacy (ch. 38). The decline of
Turkey in world politics. Growth of Russian power and clash of
ideologies (Revelation 16:12-16).
-
A Russian stimulated political conflict in the
Middle East.
-
The division of nations into two camps: the East
and the West.
IN THE MORAL FIELD:
-
The proliferation of materialism coupled with the
repudiation of godly principles (II Timothy 3:1-5).
-
Increase of violence, of divorce, and the decline
of moral standards, with the decline of the family unit (Luke
17:26-30).
-
Growth of juvenile delinquency, repudiation of
religion, and the worldwide economic instability (II Timothy
3:1-17).
The fulfilment of these and other predictions confirm
Christadelphians in their understanding of the Bible, and whilst there
is no body of people who feel more deeply the obvious deterioration in
human affairs, they rejoice in the knowledge that there are clear
signs heralding the imminent return from heaven of Jesus Christ to set
up on earth the kingdom of God.
Christadelphians Believe in Christ's Literal Coming
The Bible teaching concerning the return of Jesus
Christ to the earth is clear, simple, and easily understood. It was
proclaimed to the apostles in the following terms: "This same
Jesus which is taken from you into heaven shall so come in like manner
as ye have seen him go." (Acts 1:11).
Christ is to return to the earth to put down "all
rule, authority and power" (I Corinthians 15:24), and to
establish on earth the kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44). This will involve
tremendous political, religious and social changes. Instead of
international antagonism as today, there will be one universal rule
(Zechariah 14:9). Instead of humanity being divided in ideology and
religion and looking to different centres for political guidance,
Christ's teaching and laws will emanate from Jerusalem, his capital,
to edify and unite all peoples (Isaiah 2:2-4). In consequence, crime
and immorality will be reduced, and peace will replace the violence
and warfare of today. The result will be a world order that will
reflect "glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and
goodwill toward men".
The millennial reign of Christ on earth of one
thousand years (Revelation 20:4) is closely related to the
resurrection of believers. The Bible does not teach of immortal souls
in heaven, but of bodies raised from the grave at the advent of
Christ, to inherit eternal life on earth. Christ will raise from the
dead those who have lived in accordance with his teaching, and reward
them (together with living believers) with eternal life (Revelation
22:12; I Corinthians 15:20-23,52-54). Clothed with immortality
(Philippians 3:21), possessing divine nature (II Peter 1:4), the
resurrected and glorified followers of the Lord Jesus will become his
associated in the governing and administration of the nations
(Revelation 2:26; 5:9-10). They will constitute an immortal
aristocracy under an immortal king (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 20:6),
exercising authority over the mortal peoples of the world for a period
of one thousand years (verse 4).
This was the original, apostolic Christian belief; the
foundation doctrine upon which early communities of Christ's followers
were founded. This fact is established, not only by the teaching and
preaching of the apostles as recorded in the Bible, but by the records
of history.
In the 15th chapter of his Decline and Fall Of The
Roman Empire the historian, Edward Gibbon clearly establishes this as
a fact, and proceeds to show how that the original beliefs of
Christians were changed and supplanted by error over the course of
time. He wrote: "The ancient and popular doctrine of the
millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ .
. . a joyful sabbath of a thousand years: when Christ, with the
triumphant band of the saints and the elect who had escaped death, or
who have revived, would reign upon earth . . . The assurance of such a
millennium was carefully inculcated by a succession of fathers from
Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, who conversed with the immediate disciples
of the apostles, down to Lactantius, who was preceptor to the son of
Constantine."
But this teaching was gradually supplanted with error
as the doctrines of the Bible were altered to conform to the demands
of the church. Gibbon records: "The doctrine of Christ's reign
upon earth was first treated as a profound allegory, was conquered by
degrees as a doubtful and useless opinion, and was at length rejected
as the absurd invention of heresy and fanaticism."
This triumph of error fulfilled the predictions of the
Bible. Paul had warned Timothy: "The time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"
(II Timothy 4:3-4). Peter prophesied: "There shall come scoffers,
saying: Where is the promise of his coming?" (II Peter 3:3-4).
This departure from Truth is evident in the erroneous teachings of
both Catholic and Protestant denominations.
However, in these last days, the original apostolic
teaching of the millennial reign of Christ on earth, has been revived
in Christadelphian beliefs, and forms an essential doctrine of the
Christadelphian faith. It is not only believed by all its members, but
it constitutes the grand hope of this community, as the divine answer
to the horrendous problems of society.
How the Apostolic Truth Continued Down the Ages
During the centuries that followed the establishment
of a Church that claimed to be Christian, but which had changed the
saving Truths of the apostles into their own form of religion, as the
Bible had prophesied would occur, there continued a long record of
persecution and apostacy. Thousands, whose only offence was their
determination to follow Christ at all costs, were ruthlessly opposed.
A rigorous censorship was imposed on all doctrine, and people had to
think in accordance with what the official body taught. The arms of
Rome were not only used to destroy the enemy on the frontier, but also
to suppress conscientious citizens whose only crime was their
determination to worship God according to their understanding of the
Bible.
Although all who the Roman Church persecuted did not
hold the apostolic Truth, there have always been those "few"
(Luke 12:32) who have kept the light of Truth shining brightly amid
the prevailing darkness of ignorance. In the past these groups
included the Donatists of the fourth century, the Waldenses,
Paulicians, Huguenots and others of succeeding times, who suffered
terribly from Catholicism through the Inquisition. Amongst these have
been minority groups that have held to the important apostolic
teachings of the first century. Each little group through the ages,
like links in a chain, connects the testimony of the apostles with the
same doctrines held today by the Christadelphians.
The Latter-Day Revival of the Truth
The early 1800's witnessed a dramatic revival in the
study of the Bible. This was stimulated by the formation in 1804 of
The British and Foreign Bible Society which resulted in widespread
renewal of Bible reading. A revivalist movement headed by Alexander
Campbell, attracted thousands of people. They were organised into
churches under the name of Campbellites, later changed to The Churches
of Christ. Among those so drawn was an English medical man, Dr. John
Thomas. A person of considerable ability, he was induced by Campbell
to take a leading part in the movement. This forced Dr. Thomas to a
close, personal study of the Bible. He began to publicly teach what he
found expressed therein, but this brought him into wordy conflict with
the leaders of the sect. He found that they were prepared to give
lip-service to the Bible, but not to accept its true meaning. The
opposition Dr. Thomas received forced him to study the Bible more
closely, to make certain that his teaching was sound. This
strengthened him in his belief, for he found overwhelming support for
his teachings from the pages of the Scriptures.
Public debates made this even more apparent, and
forced him to the conviction that current Christianity was not only
not founded upon true Bible teaching, but that its very teaching
destroyed the hope of salvation in those who embraced it. By now,
however, those who once sought his aid refused him permission to
teach.
The Christadelphian Community Established
Nevertheless, though the door of utterance was closed
against him as far as the churches were concerned, Dr. Thomas
continued to proclaim Bible truths by pen and voice, and gradually
others were attracted to these teachings, recognising their truth.
However, the gospel, is an appeal to a person's intellect, and not
merely to the emotions, so that the number of converts was
comparatively small. Still the movement grew, and communities - often
small, but fervent - became established in all parts of the world. The
are know today as The Christadelphians.
Dr. Thomas was not divinely inspired to reveal a new
teaching. He was a medical man, whose attention was drawn to the
Bible, and who, by systematically studying it, was able to set before
men the clear, simple principles of its teachings. The doctrines he
taught had been proclaimed for centuries before him. All he did was to
revive the Truth from the accumulation of false teaching that had
submerged it since apostolic days.
In 1849 he published his findings in a book entitled
Elpis Israel, being an Exposition of the Kingdom of God.
A reading of this book will demostrate the strength of
the Christadelphian position in regard to the teaching of the Bible.
Since the last century, many sincere people have
analytically considered the teaching of Elpis Israel in light of the
Bible. They have found that Dr. Thomas' doctrinal conclusions are
sound, and have accepted the teaching of the Bible by submitting to
baptism as commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16), and
consequently, have commenced a walk that will result in eternal life
in the Age to come (Romans 2:6).
Bible Prophecy Remarkably Fulfilled
Dr. Thomas was not an inspired prophet, but a
keen student of Bible prophecy. This enabled him to write of events
then in the future, and many of his prognostications have since been
remarkably vindicated. Here are some examples from the book Elpis
Israel which show that Bible prophecy clearly reveals the future when
correctly interpreted:
Concerning the Jews then in dispersion:
"There is, then, a partial and prmary
restoration of Jews before the manifestation (second advent of
Christ) which is to serve as the nucleus, or basis, of future
operations in the restoration of the rest of the tribes after he has
appeared in the kingdom. The preadventual colonisation of Palestine
will be on purely political principles; and the Jewish colonists
will return in unbelief of the Messiahship of Jesus, and of the
truth as it is in him. They will emigrate thither as agriculturists
and traders, in the hope of ultimately establishing their
commonwealth, but more immediately of getting rich in silver and
gold by commerce with India, and in cattle and goods by their
industry at home under the efficient protection of the British
power" (page 441).
The British were given a mandate over Palestine
following the conclusion of World War I, and immediately sponsored the
return of the Jews. Since then the State of Israel has come into
existence, and the nation has established itself in trading and
commerce, as Dr. Thomas was able to foresee by a correct understanding
of the Biblical prophecies.
Concerning Egypt:
"God will bring Britain's rulers to see the
desirableness of Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba, which they will be
induced, by the force of circumstances, probably, to take possession
of. They will, however, before the battle of Armageddon, be
compelled to retreat from Egypt and Ethiopia." (page 445).
In 1882, Britain occupied Egypt, and from this centre
drove the Ottoman influence from Palestine in preparation for the
Jewish return. General Allenby of the British Expeditionary Force
entered Jerusalem in 1917, and expelled the Turkish power therefrom.
In recent years, however, Britain has been forced out of Egypt, and
Bible prophecy has been vindicated.
Concerning Britain:
"I know not whether the men, who at present
contrive the foreign policy of Britain, entertain the idea of
assuming the sovereignty of the Holy Land, and of promoting its
colonisation by the Jews: their present intentions, however, are of
no importance one way or the other, because they will be compelled,
by events soon to happen, to do what, under existing circumstances,
heaven and earth combined could not move them to attempt . . . The
finger of God has indicated a course to be pursued by Britain which
cannot be evaded, and which her counsellors will not only be
willing, but eager, to adopt when the crisis comes upon them"
(page 442).
The only "fault" one could find with this
statement is that the events did not happen as "soon" as
anticipated, but otherwise, the truth of the statement is beyond
question, and the boldness of the prediction is a startling witness to
the truth of Bible prophecy.
Concerning the Overthrow of Germany:
"The Austrian and German empire is doomed to
extinction by fire and sword; so that when this is broken up the
Gogueship [leadership] will be assumed by the Autocrat, or 'prince
of Ros, Mosc, and Tobl' [or Russia]" (page 432).
Current political conditions in Europe vindicate the
above statement. The overthrow of Hitler's Germany was followed by the
domination of eastern Europe of Russia. Today Russian influence
affects Western Europe and, notwithstanding some reverses, its power
will continue to increase in Europe and Asia.
Concerning Russia:
"Russia mission is to reduce all the nations of
the Old World save Britain and her dependencies into one imperial
dominion represented in the book of Daniel as the Image of
Nebuchadnezzar. Licentiousness will again break loose . . . the
contest will end in the discomfiture of the Continent, and Russia,
like a mighty inundation, will overflow the nations, and dash her
waves upon their shores, from the Danish Belts to the Dardanelles.
Britain will rage, and shake the world with her thunder; but, as in
the days of Napoleon, her alliance will be fatal to them that trust
in her, and only precipitate their fall. Let Russia, however,
beware! Europe and Turkey will be his; Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, and
at length, Egypt; but in Palestine [today Israel] the power of
Russia will be broken" (Preface to 4th Edition).
Within the last fifty years, Russia has gradually
asserted her power more and more over Europe, as anticipated above.
Already economic and polititical influences are causing the Turkish
and Middle Eastern areas to become attractive for acquisition. These
predictions are based on Bible prophecy. The events they forecast are
signs telling of the imminence of Christ's second coming to set up on
earth his power (see Acts 1:11; Daniel 2:44).
Contending For The Faith
The Christadelphian Movement has been subjected to
challenge by those who disagree with its teachings. Soon after it was
established in Australia it came under attack in Adelaide, South
Australia, by a prominent clergyman, Dr. Maughan. In a sermon
delivered in the Methodist New Connexion Church, Franklin Street,
Adelaide, on 11th September, 1866, he made reference to the teaching
of Dr. Thomas, and particularly to the Doctor's predictions that
Russia would dominate Europe; that the smaller European powers would
then be doomed; that Britain would plant a colony of Jews in
Palestine; that Russia would lay siege to Jerusalem; that Britain, in
its extremity, would appeal to America for aid. Dr. Maughan ridiculed
the idea that these predictions (made at the time by Dr. Thomas) would
ever be fulfilled. He wrote: "It is now a matter of history that
the so-called battle of Armageddon has not yet been fought", and
in sarcastic vein concluded: "We may therefore be permitted, for
a little longer time, to breathe freely, to thank God and take
courage" (Memoirs & Sermons of the Rev. J. Maughan, page 25).
If Dr. Maughan were alive today, would he suggest that
these predictions will never be fulfilled? Would he repeat his
sarcastic conclusions? Would he suggest that the smaller powers of
Europe are not under tremendous pressure? That Russia will not
challenge world peace for its own purposes? That Britain has not
planted a colony of Jews in the Holy Land? That she has not appealed
to America for help? That Russia will never lay seige to Jerusalem?
Would he intimate that the world does not face terrible moreal and
political crises? That Armageddon is a real threat? Would he imply
that such predictions are not found in the Bible? He might, but it
would be in the face of the clear facts of Truth. Christadelphian
exposition of Bible prophecy has certainly been vindicated by time.
A Baptist Attack
Dr. Maughan has had many imitators. In 1933, a book
was published by Baptist minister, H. E. Hughes, containing a foreword
by Mr. F. Lade, one time President General of the Methodist Church in
Australia. It was entitled The Second Advent of Our Lord, and,
mentioning Christadelphians by name, it ridiculed their beliefs. Like
Dr. Maughan, Mr. Hughes swept aside the concept that Bible prophecy is
fulfilled in political events. In a chapter on the return of the Jews
to Palestine, he boldly predicted that the whole experiment would
prove an abject failure. At the time his book was published, the total
population of Palestine was only 850,000, and of this number, the Jews
represented only 165,000. Mr. Hughes predicted that the Arabs would
ultimately drive the Jews from the land.
Christadelphians believed otherwise. They did not
overlook the difficulties then facing the heavily outnumbered Jewish
people, but they had implicit confidence that Bible prophecy would
prove true, notwithstanding present circumstances. On the other hand,
Mr. Hughes believed the difficulties were insuperable. He wrote:
"Suppose a gigantic miracle were to be worked - God can work
miracles - and the Moslems and Christians were persuaded to depart
from Palestine, would the repatriation of the Jews be a simple matter?
Would their age-long dream then be easy of realisation? Far from
it?" (page 38).
He went on to state disparagingly that even if God
would work a miracle and removed the Arabs, the Jews still would not
return.
But, in 1948, the miracle which Christadelphians were
anticipating, occurred. In that year the Israeli State was proclaimed,
and the Arab armies massed upon the borders of Palestine. So greatly
outnumbered were the Jews, so heavy the preponderance of Arab arms
over those of Israel, that the combined Egyptian-Arabian command
loudly boasted that the Jews would be driven into the Mediterranean in
a matter of days. They advised all Moslems in the area to temporarily
vacate their dwellings, and to retire into the territory of Jordan, in
the assurance that an Arab victory would be rapidly effected, and they
would then be able to return in peace and safety to their homes.
Consequently, some 700,000 Arabs voluntarily left Palestine to await
the expected victory. But the Arabs were decisively defeated, and in
such a remarkable way, that the word "miracle" is constantly
used by Jews to describe their success.
Again after remarkable victories in 1967, Israel's
borders were dramatically extended, so that today Jerusalem is in
Jewish hands after 2,000 years of banishment therefrom, exactly as
Jesus Christ foretold in Luke 21:24. Since then, Jews have flocked
back to the land, and established their national identity as a
political Body in the Middle East.
Christadelphian exposition of prophecy had again been
vindicated by events; the Bible had again been proven true.
Growth of The Christadelphian Movement
The teachings of Dr. Thomas gained interest in
America, and quickly spread throughout the English speaking world.
Communities of Christadelphians have been established in many parts of
the world, holding to the truths of the Scriptures, and endeavoring to
continue the original apostolic standards. They prefer to be known as
Ecclesias (an Anglicized form of the Greek word rendered
"churches" in the AV of the Bible, but actually signifying
"a people called out by divine invitation" - see (Acts
15:14)), believing that they have been privileged to separate from the
general religious communities extant which no longer believe and teach
the pure apostolic doctrine of Truth.
However, though there are many thousands of
Christadelphians, they nevertheless are numerically small in
comparison with other religious organisations.
Why is that? Because, in accordance with the teaching
of Christ, Christadelphians demand standards of belief and practice by
those who accept Christ. There is no doubt that they would have many
more "conversions" if they were to ignore what people
believe, or if they were to waive the obvious requirements of Christ
in regard to his followers.
But Christ has clearly laid down the conditions of
eternal redemption, and man can only change these at the peril of his
eternal salvation. There are three steps to salvation: Belief,
Baptism, Obedience (see (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38)).
Indeed, true spiritual revival demands an intelligent understanding of
God's revelation to man (Romans 1:16; I Corinthians 15:1-2). If people
are too obstinate or lazy to examine the evidence, they renounce the
only way to life eternal. Yet most people refuse to face up to the
challenge. They leave Bible teaching to those whom they describe as
being "professionally qualified to expound it": the clergy!
But frequently these men, gaining their livelihood
from religion, limit their teaching to what people want to hear. The
apostle Paul referred to this situation when he described those who
"will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables" (II Timothy 4:3-4).
Many reject the concept that individual salvation
demands personal understanding of the teaching of the Bible, and in
doing so set themselves outside the bounds of salvation. The Bible
clearly teaches: "This is life eternal to know Thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent" (John 17:3).
"Mankind is alienated from the life of God through the ignorance
that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart"
(Ephesians 4:18).
These references teach that a basic understanding of
God's purpose with mankind is necessary for salvation. They confirm
the commission that the Lord delivered unto the apostles when he
commanded them to go forth and preach the gospel. He added: "He
that believeth and is baptised shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). That
is the reason why Christadelphians insist that interested friends
comprehend the purpose of God in Christ in relation to themselves and
the world at large before accepting them as members of the community.
It is only reasonable that one should understand that to which he is
called. God has designed that those who come unto Him should be
subject to a mental, moral and physical change.
The first is brought about by an understanding of His
truth that enables them to view life from His standpoint; the second
follows when His requirements are given practical manifestation in a
way of life; the third will take place at the coming of Jesus Christ
when eternal life will be granted unto all those who have lived in
accordance with his precepts.
What This Means to You
The Bible reveals that every individual is the arbiter
of his or her own destiny. God has opened a way of salvation; but it
is the individual's responsibility to search it out. God will not
force people to be saved, but He does invite them to avail themselves
of the means that He freely offers to that end (Isaiah 55; John 3:16).
There is no greater reward than that which God has in store for those
who seek Him in truth; no greater heritage that a parent can give his
child than a knowledge of spiritual truths; no greater security for
his family than a revelation of God's way of salvation.
Why not personally investigate the teaching set forth
consistently by the Christadelphians? We shall happy to assist you to
that end by mailing to you free literature explanatory of Bible
teaching and prophecy, or to inform you where public addresses by
Christadelphians are given. A warm welcome awaits you at the local
meeting place; no entrance charge is made, nor collection taken up.
You will find that the address is given by a layman (who is not paid
for his services, for there are no paid ministers in the
Christadelphian community) who will have a grasp of his subject gained
by personal investigation.
Why not test the evidence. It will cost you nothing,
but may lead you to life eternal in the impending kingdom of God that
is about to be set up on earth.
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WHAT THE CHRISTADELPHIANS BELIEVE
THE BIBLE is the inspired and infallible Word of God,
the only authoritative source for the saving truth of the gospel (II
Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20).
There is ONE GOD, the Father and Creator of all
things, dwelling corporeally in the heavens. He is immortal, invisible
and all wise, filling all space by His spirit. He has revealed His
divine will and purpose with mankind and with the earth in the Bible
(Deuteronomy 6:4; I Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 139:7-10;
Jeremiah 23:24; I Kings 8:27; Hebrews 1:1; II Peter 1:21).
Jesus of Nazareth is SON OF GOD and SON OF MAN. He was
divinely begotten by God by the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon
a human mother, Mary, a virgin and descendant of the royal house of
David. He had no corporeal existence prior to his birth and he was
made in all points like his brethren, human. He was put to death on
the cross as a sacrifice for sin, but because of his perfect
obedience, he was raised from the dead for the pardon of all believing
in him (Luke 1:3-35; Isaiah 53:1-12; Hebrews 4:15; Acts 2:24; Romans
4:25; 8:3).
The HOLY SPIRIT is the Power of God, a divine energy
by which He fills all space and creates and sustains all things (Luke
1:35; Psalm 51:11; 104:30; 139:7-12). The miraculous gifts of the
Spirit, as manifested by the believers of the first century, have now
been withdrawn in accordance with I Corinthians 13.
MAN is a mortal creature whose consciousness utterly
ceases at death, and, therefore, renewed life can come only through a
bodily resurrection therefrom (Genesis 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4; Psalm 6:5;
Ecclesiastes 3:18-19; 9:5,6; Isaiah 38:18-19; I Corinthians 15:31-21;
John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2).
THE EARTH shall abide forever, and will ultimately be
filled with a race of righteous and immortal men and women who will
reveal the glory of God in their divine nature and almighty power
(Numbers 14:21; Psalm 72:19; Acts 15:14; Revelation 3:12; 20:6; 21:3;
I Corinthians 15:20-28; Ecclesiastes 1:4; Isaiah 45:18).
THE GOSPEL was preached to Abraham when God promised
him the land of Canaan (modern Israel) for an everlasting possession:
to David when God promised him a Son to sit on his throne forever; to
the Jews when they were informed of God's promises to Abraham and
David, and confirmed when Christ proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom
of God; and to all mankind when the apostles and their associates
carried the same preaching "and the name of Jesus Christ"
into all the world (Galatians 3:8; II Samuel 7:12-29; Luke 1:31-33;
Romans 15:8; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 8:12; Mark 16:14-15; Matthew 28:19-20;
Acts 2:30-35).
THE REDEEMED who will inherit the promised blessings
are those drawn out of all nations by the power of the gospel, and
have rendered obedience to its precepts by baptism and a walk in
faith. There blessings will be bestowed when Christ returns from the
right hand of God to raise dead believers, and together with living
believers, gathers them to his Judgment Seat to reward the righteous
with eternal life, and punish the wicked with everlasting destruction;
finally establishing his glorious kingdom on the earth (Acts 15:16;
Romans 6:3-5; II Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:5-9; Luke 14:15; I
Corinthians 15:51-57; II Timothy 4:1,8).
THE KINGDOM OF GOD was the ancient kingdom of Israel
under David. It will be re-established on the earth with its king, the
Lord Jesus Christ reigning from Jerusalem. To that end, Christ, at his
coming, will complete the restoration of the Jews to the land, and
establish his rule over all the earth. He will reign with the
assistance of his glorified believers. This rule will continue for
1000 years, at the conclusion of which, another judgment will take
place, of those who have lived during the millennium. The righteous
will be given eternal life, the unrighteous will be delivered unto
death; and a perfected earth, in which death itself will have been
eliminated, will ultimately be delivered unto God that He might be
"all and in all" (I Chronicles 28:5; 29:23; Jeremiah 3:17;
23:5-8; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:10-12; 14:1; Zechariah 6:13; I Corinthians
15:24-28). The present restoration of the Jews, and revival of Israel,
is preliminary to this glorious consummation. The Jewish people will
be humbled, disciplined and educated in the truth concerning Jesus
Christ, and will be incorporated as mortal citizens in the kingdom he
will establish on earth, as the commencement of a worldwide conversion
of all peoples.