Christadelphianism is a Christian denomination that formed in the 19th century as the result of the teachings of John Thomas. The name “Christadelphian” comes from Greek and means “brethren in Christ”. Some key beliefs of Christadelphians include:
- The Bible is the only source of true knowledge about God and His purpose. Christadelphians reject extra-biblical ideas such as the immortality of the soul and the Trinity.
- God is one indivisible being, not three persons in one (the Trinity). Jesus Christ is the Son of God, not God himself.
- Jesus had to be fully human in order to save mankind. He was not born with a “sin nature” but was tempted in every way we are. Through His suffering and sacrifice, Jesus defeated sin in the flesh and made salvation possible for humanity.
- Baptism by complete immersion in water is essential for salvation. It must be preceded by belief, repentance and good works demonstrating faith.
- There is no consciousness after death. Everyone ceases to exist until the resurrection and judgment day. The dead will be raised either to life eternal or permanent death.
- God’s Kingdom on earth will be established when Jesus returns. The earth will be restored to a paradise and Jesus will reign with His immortalized followers.
- Hell does not exist as a place of eternal suffering. The wicked will be annihilated, destroyed forever in the “second death”.
Christadelphians believe they are returning to the original, uncorrupted Christian faith. Some of their beliefs are shared by other Christian groups, while others are unique to them. Their doctrines come solely from the Bible; they do not accept later Christian creeds or traditions.
Origins
Christadelphianism was founded by English physician and Bible scholar Dr. John Thomas (1805-1871). After arriving in America in 1832, Thomas was disturbed by the state of Christianity. He found denominations to be in conflict with the Bible’s teachings.
Through extensive study, Thomas came to believe mainstream Christianity had departed from Biblical truth. He laid out his conclusions in an 1848 book titled Elpis Israel (Hope of Israel). It explained his doctrinal positions based on a literal reading of Scripture.
Thomas rejected the Trinitarian view of God. Based on verses like Deuteronomy 6:4, he taught God was a singular being, not three persons. Jesus was the Son of God, but not equal to God. The Holy Spirit was God’s power, not a person.
Other core beliefs included the mortality of man, the kingdom of God on earth, and the importance of baptism. Followers initially called themselves the Royal Association of Believers. In 1864, they adopted the name Christadelphian.
Beliefs
Christadelphians view the Bible as the complete, inerrant word of God. They try to understand and organize their beliefs based solely on its content. Some of their key doctrines include:
God
There is one almighty, omniscient God. He is eternal, infinite and all-powerful. God is one unified being, not three persons in one (Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6). The Holy Spirit is God’s power, not a person.
Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23). He was fully human, not part God. Jesus lived a sinless life and died as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from the curse of Adam’s sin.
After His death, God raised Jesus from the dead. Christ ascended to heaven and was glorified, now immortal and unable to die again (1 Timothy 6:16). He will return to judge mankind and establish God’s kingdom on earth.
The Devil/Satan
The Devil is not a fallen angel or evil cosmic being. Devil and Satan simply refer to human sin, temptation and opposition to God in the Bible (James 1:13-14; Matthew 16:23).
Human Nature
Humans do not have immortal souls. Death is unconsciousness until the resurrection (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The dead will be raised for judgment when Christ returns.
Man does not have an inherent “sin nature” but is inclined towards sin. Jesus was born with the same nature yet lived sinlessly, demonstrating salvation is possible (Hebrews 2:14-18).
Salvation
Salvation requires belief in the gospel, repentance and baptism by full immersion in water. Baptism joins believers to the death and resurrection of Christ, allowing them to partake in eternal life (Romans 6:3-5; Mark 16:16).
Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God will be established on earth at Christ’s return. Jesus will begin reigning from Jerusalem, restoring Israel and subduing mankind. The righteous will be made immortal to rule with Him forever.
Hell
Hell is not a place of eternal torment. The wicked will be destroyed completely in the “second death” and cease to exist (Malachi 4:1-3). Eternal suffering would be unjust and at odds with a loving God.
Practices
Christadelphians try to strongly adhere to Biblical principles. Typical practices include:
- Baptism – Baptism by full immersion is performed on confessing believers. This sacrament is essential to salvation.
- Communion – The breaking of bread ceremony is held on Sundays to remember Christ’s sacrificial death. Wine and unleavened bread represent His blood and body.
- Discipleship – Diligent Bible study, spreading the gospel, and obedience to God’s commandments.
- Separation – Members are called to live in the world but not be “of the world”. They avoid fellowship with non-believers and politics.
- Pacifism – Most Christadelphians are conscientious objectors and abstain from military service.
Congregations are led by elected elders. There is no formal clergy or hierarchy. Worship style is simple, focused on Bible reading, hymn singing, prayer and lectures.
Presence Today
In 2020, the worldwide Christadelphian community was estimated at around 60,000 members. The denomination exists in over 120 countries, though membership is concentrated in English-speaking areas.
The largest population of Christadelphians is found in North America, with an estimated 14,000 members. Australia, the United Kingdom, Africa, and Asia all have significant communities as well.
Despite small numbers, Christadelphians remain active in evangelism. They believe Christ will not return until the gospel is preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14). Many members dedicate themselves to full-time preaching work at home and abroad.
Distinctive Beliefs
Some beliefs of Christadelphians stand out as unique from other Christian groups:
- Jesus had to be a sinless human to be the perfect sacrifice. He was not partly divine as orthodox Christians believe.
- Denial of the Trinity – God is one person, not three. The Holy Spirit is not a person.
- The devil is not an actual being but personification of sin and temptation.
- Hell does not exist. The wicked will be eternally destroyed, not tortured forever.
- No immortality of the soul. Humans totally cease consciousness when they die until resurrection.
- Strong emphasis on baptism as essential for salvation.
These views set Christadelphians apart from Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant churches. Their non-trinitarian theology has roots in some earlier antecedent movements.
Relation to Christianity
Despite differences, Christadelphians still identify as Christian:
- They believe salvation comes through faith in Christ.
- Jesus Christ is central to their teachings.
- They use the Bible as sole authority.
- Christian terms like gospel, resurrection, judgement and kingdom of God shape their beliefs.
However, mainstream Christians often classify Christadelphianism as unorthodox or heretical due to its denial of the Trinity and other core doctrines.
In some ways, Christadelphian beliefs have more in common with restorationist groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These groups also claim to recover original Christian beliefs and practices.
Criticisms & Controversies
Christadelphians have been critiqued for several of their beliefs and practices over the years:
- Exclusivism – Their claim to possess the only complete truth is arrogant to some. Christians should be more humble about mysteries.
- Insularity – Isolation from society and avoiding non-Christadelphians is seen as extreme.
- Prophecy views – Christadelphian end-times teachings are complex and frequently re-interpreted after failing.
- Shunning – Ex-members who openly criticize the faith can be completely shunned, even by family.
- Baptismal regeneration – Linking salvation to baptism is criticized as unbiblical legalism.
Christadelphians claim these criticisms are unfounded and based on misunderstanding. They say separation and other practices are biblically based.
Notable Christadelphians
Some prominent members and former members of the denomination include:
- Charles Taze Russell – Founder of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Raised Christadelphian but later split.
- Herbert W. Armstrong – Founder of Worldwide Church of God. Influenced by Christadelphian doctrines.
- Sir Laurens van der Post – South African author and adviser to Margaret Thatcher.
- Jeff Carter – Australian rules football player. Drafted to Carlton Football Club.
- Jack Hunter – Welsh footballer who set goalscoring records playing for Swansea City A.F.C.
While small in number, famous Christadelphians show the denomination has had influence beyond its size.
References in Pop Culture
Due to their obscurity, references to Christadelphians in pop culture are rare. Some include:
- H.P. Lovecraft horror story The Horror at Red Hook mentions Christadelphians.
- Ken Follett historical novel Fall of Giants features Christadelphian characters.
- Comedy sketch show Big Train parodied Christadelphians in the “Religion Today” skit.
- Welsh rock band The Alarm included Christadelphian influences in songs like “The Dilemma.”
Though scarce, these references show even small religious groups can work their way into the popular consciousness at times.
Conclusion
Christadelphianism occupies a unique place among Christian denominations. For over 150 years, it has tried to revitalize early church teachings based solely on the Bible. This has led it to stray from mainstream doctrines like the Trinity.
While relatively few in number, Christadelphians have spread worldwide, committed to restoring what they see as uncorrupted first century faith. Their endurance shows appeal in attempting to reconnect modern Christianity to its foundations.
