HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN MOVEMENT Origin Beliefs Development

HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN MOVEMENT Origin, Beliefs, Development and Today

THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND # 1 Brethren are not the first group of believers who have sought to follow the Scriptures as their guide in every area of life including church life. “The Pilgrim Church” by E. H. Broadbent. “The author of this book, believing that the teaching given by the Apostles to the first Christians contained principles of permanent validity, gave himself to many years of exhaustive research in the realm of Church history, convinced that thre has never been a generation without simple local congregations of believers existing who succeeded in maintaining these principles…. Known by different names in various countries, these communities kept the faith, frequently at great cost to themselves. ” (Comment on Back Cover)

Conditions in the Early 1800’s • . During the Medieval Period the Roman Catholic Church ruled in Europe. • . During the Reformation (1525) the Church of England (through the Reformers) came out of the RC Church. The Puritan’s, the Quakers, and the Methodist’s were formed by people who were C of E members. • . By the early 1800’s the Church of England was in a sad spiritual condition. The clergy was accused of being corrupt and negligent in their duties, only interested in money, their sermons were lifeless and boring !! • . There were many “dissenting churches” because they “dissented” from the Church of England. These included Methodist’s, Baptist’s, Congregationalist’s, the Quakers and the Presbyterians. • . It wasn’t’ easy for these churches because the C of E was the State Church. Marriage licenses were issued through the state church system. Even funerals, political activities and education was run by the Church of England. Added to all this “sectarianism” permeated all these churches so unity was rare.

The Beginning • The brethren movement began in Dublin, Ireland.

Early Brethren

THE MOVEMENT SPREADS • Establishment of assemblies moved out of Dublin to other parts of Ireland, Scotland England.

THE PRINCIPLES • 1. The Centrality of the Lord’s Supper. • 2. Unity – Emphasis on the Oneness of the Body. • 3. The Authority of the Scriptures. • 4. Church Principles. • 5. Devotion to Christ.

The Principles - Continued • 6. • 7. • 8. The Priesthood of all Believers. Freedom to exercise Spiritual Gifts. Dependence upon God for Financial Needs. • 9. The Expectation of the Return of Christ. • 10. The Importance of the Gospel.

Looking Back • Despite all of the shortcomings of this movement there is no doubt it was raised up by God and has been greatly used by Him. So we should give thanks.