The Brethren Movement

[1watchman]

This very conservative view seems fundamental to Christian faith, and may not be known to many Christians.

Overview Of Brethren From 1827
A Brief View Of The So-called Brethren Movement​

While most Christians have heard of the major religious organizations, denominated sects, and cults of Christendom, few know about the revival of circa 1800; and the universal fellowship established in 1827 AD, and referred to as "the brethren movement" by some. It is in various towns and cities worldwide.

While there seems to be a trend today toward mega church gatherings and various new independent gatherings with popular names and innovative ways, some believers in Christ want to have a fellowship close to the scriptural order as found in Acts and the Epistles. This was and is the intent of this Christian fellowship.
　
The history shows this signal display of recovery by God ---of church truth in the early 1800’s, has continued to express to mankind the scriptural order for God’s testimony in the world. It is not popular nor entertaining so is not often accepted, but many saints worldwide have embraced it as true to God’s Word.

This fellowship mostly avoids taking any name or practice not given by God in His Word. Some of us believe it is the most scriptural gathering of believers in Christ in the world, but the faithful followers of this way also know that many Christians would not accept that. So, they just commend them to God and not press the subject on anyone.

It should be noted that there were a few other new efforts to return to the Word of God for church truth in circa 1800, as God moved to recover His testimony from the confusion of the Middle Ages ---though they did not continue to stay clear of denominational entrapments, such as appointed leaders, various innovations, traditions and creeds, entertainment, carnal involvements; and some groups that set rules and control of people's lives.

There were those who wanted their own versions and innovations, so some went out from this revival of brethren from 1827 in later years, and started some variations (which denies the truth of expressing "the one body"). God was surely working in circa 1800 to recover His testimony after the tyranny and bondage of those "Dark Ages" ---about AD 500-1500; also the sectarian spirit in years to follow.

The problem hindering "unity of the faith", as God shows, is in Christians not wanting to hold to the Word only, and they will sometimes try to have a form of gathering kind of like the truth, but keeping the things they prefer and are popular. Many who approach this truth want to keep a mixture with all believers who want the world and the flesh to be allowed in an assembly fellowship. The "born again" believers really need to take the Gospel message to all, but faithful saints within the Assembly need to know, show, and bow to God and His Word.
　
One can read much about this fellowship at Bible Truth Publishers in Addison, IL. or the Bible Counsel web site, and pray to know if it seems true to the Word and of some interest. – R. DeWitt, 05/12: from biblecounsel.homestead.com.

 

[Willie T]

So, basically just another in the long list of denominations claiming they are the only true church, right?

 

[JM]

Brethrenism or Gospel Hall churches were instrumental in forming what became Fundamentalism.

 

[MrJim]

We have lots of Brethren churches around here~Church of the Brethren and Brethren in Christ mostly...and various liberal/conservative congregations of them...

 

[1watchman]

Well, certainly one will not know the truth of it unless they make a serious and honest effort to know. Those who are sincere seekers might inquire and pray earnestly over it to see what God reveals, rather than stand off and guess what it is.

This will give some an opportunity to learn something of this revival and ask God for leading, and others will continue with what they choose.

 

[Albion]

In other words, read the website of Bible Truth Publishers or else 1Watchman will have to post his advertisement again, either here or on one of the other forums.

 

[actionsub]

We have lots of Brethren churches around here~Church of the Brethren and Brethren in Christ mostly...and various liberal/conservative congregations of them...

That would be a much different movement from what the OP is promoting. The Church of the Brethren and "Brethren in Christ" churches are Anabaptist offshoots, close in doctrine and polity to Mennonites.

The Brethren movement spoken of by the OP is more a product of John Nelson Darby's ministry in the UK and later the US.

 

[faroukfarouk]

So, basically just another in the long list of denominations claiming they are the only true church, right?

Not my impression.I would rephrase it: it's a case of a local independent church trying to pattern itself according to the New Testament pattern, and on a case by case basis in the locality encouraging fellowship with those who are like-minded. I reckon Gospel preaching there would be pretty similar to the way it's preached in many evangelical or fundamentalist churches.

 

[A New Dawn]

My grandparents were members of the Closed (or Exclusive) Brethren in Baltimore. I remember attending the meeting with them (it was not "church"). They were very fundamental. I don't know what, exactly, they believed, as I was young and didn't get into any doctrinal discussions with them, but even my conservativeness was liberal next to them. LOL.

 

[MrJim]

That would be a much different movement from what the OP is promoting. The Church of the Brethren and "Brethren in Christ" churches are Anabaptist offshoots, close in doctrine and polity to Mennonites.

The Brethren movement spoken of by the OP is more a product of John Nelson Darby's ministry in the UK and later the US.

Ah, around here the CoB, BiC, & Grace Brethren folks are the first to come to mind when someone says "brethren", and yeah the have a lot in common with the menno folks, same wide spectrum of plain/conservative to wildly liberal.

Now that I think about it there are a couple of Plymouth Brethren congregations in the county, bet they are closer to the Darbyites..?

 

[A New Dawn]

Ah, around here the CoB, BiC, & Grace Brethren folks are the first to come to mind when someone says "brethren", and yeah the have a lot in common with the menno folks, same wide spectrum of plain/conservative to wildly liberal.

Now that I think about it there are a couple of Plymouth Brethren congregations in the county, bet they are closer to the Darbyites..?

Yes, the Plymouth Brethren are related to the Darbyites. That is the type of Brethren my grandparents belonged to. I don't know much about the others, though I assumed that they were related.

 

[1watchman]

Not my impression.I would rephrase it: it's a case of a local independent church trying to pattern itself according to the New Testament pattern, and on a case by case basis in the locality encouraging fellowship with those who are like-minded. I reckon Gospel preaching there would be pretty similar to the way it's preached in many evangelical or fundamentalist churches.

Yes, farouk, that fellowship does seek those who are like-minded and hold to Bible-only "according to the New Testament pattern" as you say; however, what the paper speaks of is worldwide of "one mind" as scripture shows, and not just for a local assembly. Gospel preaching is true to the Word like many fundamental sects as you say.

Those who are entrenched in various sects will ignore it (or like some we see who prefer to mock it). I just share this here for those who might be honest seekers. Look up always!

 

[faroukfarouk]

Yes, farouk, that fellowship does seek those who are like-minded and hold to Bible-only "according to the New Testament pattern" as you say; however, what the paper speaks of is worldwide of "one mind" as scripture shows, and not just for a local assembly. Gospel preaching is true to the Word like many fundamental sects as you say.

Those who are entrenched in various sects will ignore it (or like some we see who prefer to mock it). I just share this here for those who might be honest seekers. Look up always!

You will probably find almost as many variants and differing local conditions as there are individual local churches.

Hence the need to test everything by the Word of God, and not just accept at face value either what people say about their local church, or what others may say to rubbish them.

 

[actionsub]

Ah, around here the CoB, BiC, & Grace Brethren folks are the first to come to mind when someone says "brethren", and yeah the have a lot in common with the menno folks, same wide spectrum of plain/conservative to wildly liberal.

Now that I think about it there are a couple of Plymouth Brethren congregations in the county, bet they are closer to the Darbyites..?

That would be correct. The Plymouth Brethren (or simply Brethren) are the spiritual descendants of Darby. If the name of the church is like "Gospel Chapel" or "Gospel Hall", that would be a Plymouth Brethren church, though I'd bet half the people that attend may have never heard that name.

 

[faroukfarouk]

That would be correct. The Plymouth Brethren (or simply Brethren) are the spiritual descendants of Darby. If the name of the church is like "Gospel Chapel" or "Gospel Hall", that would be a Plymouth Brethren church, though I'd bet half the people that attend may have never heard that name.

Remember also that Darby's writings (and others) influenced the Scofield notes, but only a fraction of people who would identify with dispensationalism and Scofield's notes would be regarded as 'Darbyites', or whatever.

 

[1watchman]

As I have often said: one can learn more about this testimony if interested, at the biblecounsel.net site and at BibleTruthPulishers.com; also one can write me at PM. Sincere seekers will be helped to understand it more fully. It is better to not speculate and guess.