The Two by Twos, also known as Cooneyites or “The Truth”, are a religious movement that originated in Ireland in the late 19th to early 20th century. The group takes its name from their practice of sending out preachers two by two into communities to spread their message. Here is an overview of their key beliefs and practices:
Origins and History
The Two by Twos movement was founded by William Irvine in Ireland around 1897. Irvine was originally part of the Faith Mission movement, but he broke away to start his own ministry. He was joined by Edward Cooney and others, and they began preaching a message of simplicity, holiness, and separation from the world. They rejected formal church buildings and salaried clergy. The name “Cooneyites” comes from Edward Cooney, while the term “Two by Twos” reflects their evangelistic method.
The movement spread from Ireland to England, Scotland and beyond. It arrived in North America in the early 1900s. There are now Two by Two assemblies in many countries around the world. However, the group has remained largely unknown to outsiders.
Beliefs and Practices
Two by Twos follow a very simple, back-to-basics interpretation of the Bible. Here are some of their key beliefs:
- No formal church or clergy – They do not use church buildings or formal denominational names. Each assembly is independent and guided by local elders and senior preachers (workers).
- No paid ministers – Workers do not receive salaries and are expected to live by faith.
- Home meetings – Members meet in homes midweek for prayer, ministry and communion. On Sundays they meet in homes or rented halls for worship.
- Bible only – They reject all Christian creeds and traditions. Only the Bible is authoritative for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Baptism – Only professing adult believers are baptized. (Matthew 28:19)
- Lord’s Supper – Communion is celebrated weekly. Only the bread and wine are used. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
- No musical instruments – Singing in worship is unaccompanied by instruments, which they see as a man-made addition. (Ephesians 5:19)
- Outward holiness – There is an emphasis on modest, plain dress as an expression of inner holiness. Television, radio, movies, alcohol, and tobacco are avoided. (1 John 2:15-17)
- Separation from the world – Members are expected to be separate from worldly influences, systems and associations. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
- Pacifism – They oppose violence and war. However, members can serve in non-combat roles.
- Oral tradition – There is no official written creed or doctrinal statement. Teachings are passed on orally from generation to generation.
- Second coming – They emphasize the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The current age is seen as evil. (1 John 2:18)
- Judgment – There will be a coming day of judgment for professing Christians. (Matthew 7:21-23)
- Heaven and hell – The saved go to heaven. The unsaved go to eternal punishment in hell. (Matthew 25:46)
In addition to these beliefs, Two by Twos practice and emphasize personal holiness, separation from the world, ministry through home meetings, and frequent gospel efforts by workers. Outreach and conversion remain central focuses of the group.
Church Structure and Leadership
Two by Twos have a very flat, non-hierarchical church structure. Each assembly is self-governing under the oversight of local elders. They have no formal central organization, headquarters or leadership structure binding assemblies together.
The most prominent leaders in the movement are the workers (preachers):
- Workers are men and women who have “sacrificed their lives” to preach full-time. They are not paid and support themselves through personal savings, part-time work, or the hospitality of members.
- Workers travel and preach two by two. They generally work in pairs, with an older companion mentoring a younger one.
- Becoming a worker usually involves a period of apprenticeship, training and preparation.
- Workers are expected to remain unmarried and celibate. Marriage is seen as a distraction from their focus on ministry.
- Each worker is directly accountable to their worker companion rather than to any organizational structure.
Elders provide oversight for local assemblies. They are senior male members who display maturity and leadership gifts. Elders work with the workers in coordinating preachers, meetings and outreach activities.
Growth and Demographics
Due to their reclusive nature, it is difficult to determine accurate statistics on Two by Two membership. Published estimates of worldwide membership range from 50,000 to 300,000. They likely have a few thousand members in the United States and Canada.
The lack of evangelism and restrictive lifestyle make it challenging to attract new converts. Most new members come through marriage or family connections. Growth has been modest to flat in North America and Europe. The movement experiences more rapid expansion in developing nations through missionary work.
Two by Twos tend to appeal to rural and isolated communities where an independent, anti-institutional faith thrives. They are found primarily in English-speaking countries like the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and parts of Africa and Asia.
Relationships with Other Groups
Two by Twos are sharply critical of all denominations and churches. They view themselves as the only true followers of original Christianity. Other churches are considered to be corruptions of the original gospel message and New Testament pattern. As a result, members are prohibited from attending services or associating with other Christian groups, whom they regard as disobedient to Scripture.
This stance has resulted in Two by Twos being viewed as divisive and legalistic by many Christians. Their claims to be the only faithful remnant and their rejection of all other churches are problematic to outside observers. Some discernment ministries even classify them as heretical or cultic.
Two by Twos themselves ignore criticism and remain aloof from other churches. They believe they are following the narrow way of Jesus while the rest of Christianity has compromised itself. They remain focused on maintaining their own personal and congregational holiness according to their interpretation of Scripture.
Controversies and Criticisms
Here are some of the major controversies and criticisms that have been leveled against the Two by Twos over the years:
- Exclusivism – Their claim to be the only true followers of Jesus is viewed by many outsiders as arrogant. They are criticized for rejecting all other Christian groups. (Matthew 7:1-5)
- Secretiveness – The lack of public identity and reclusive habits of Two by Twos is troubling to some observers. Some claim they have things to hide. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
- Authoritarian leadership – Workers and elders exercise rigid control over members’ lives. People who leave the group are shunned. Dissenters claim the movement is authoritarian. (Matthew 20:25-28)
- Isolationism – They forbid involvement in politics, military service, professional associations, etc. Their separatism and disengagement from culture is seen as extreme. (John 17:14-16)
- Prohibitive standards – The list of forbidden activities (TV, radio, movies, etc) seems restrictive, legalistic and unbiblical to many. Critics claim members live in unnecessary fear. (Colossians 2:20-23)
- No financial transparency – Members and workers do not disclose finances. There is no external accountability or auditing. Some claim this enables abuse and fraud. (2 Corinthians 8:20-21)
Defenders of the Two by Twos argue that they are just seeking to faithfully follow the teachings of Scripture on holiness, leadership and separation from the world. They avoid criticisms by remaining separated from other groups as much as possible.
Comparison to Other Groups
The Two by Twos share some beliefs and practices with other conservative holiness movements that emerged in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. These include:
- Minimal church organization
- Non-paid clergy
- Informal fellowship meetings
- Emphasis on obedience and holiness
- Separation from the fallen world
- Pacifism and non-participation in politics
- End times urgency and expectation
Some specific groups the Two by Twos resemble include:
- Amish – Separatist, rural, plain dress, pacifist
- Mennonites – Nonviolence, emphasis on discipleship
- Quakers – Informal meetings, pacifism, plain dress
- Plymouth Brethren – Rejecting formal institutions
- Churches of Christ – Restorationist, Bible-only outlook
- Jehovah’s Witnesses – Door-to-door evangelism
However, each of those groups have more developed theologies and organizational structures than the Two by Twos. Of those movements, the Two by Twos most closely resemble the Amish in their rural, informal, separatist practices.
Conclusion
In summary, the Two by Twos are a small, tightly-knit conservative holiness movement that seeks to return to simple New Testament Christianity. They emphasize personal holiness, separation from the fallen world, independent fellowships, home meetings, unpaid ministers, pacifism, and end times readiness. While controversial in some of their beliefs, they continue working quietly to spread their understanding of the gospel message.
