What defines Christadelphianism as a religious movement?

Overview of Christadelphianism

Christadelphianism emerged in the mid-19th century, primarily through the teachings of John Thomas (1805–1871). The name “Christadelphian” comes from the Greek words for “Brethren in Christ.” This movement is known for its emphasis on biblical study, non-Trinitarian theology, adult baptism, and the belief in a future Kingdom of God on earth. While smaller than many other Christian denominations, Christadelphian congregations can be found worldwide, characterized by a shared conviction in the authority of Scripture and anticipation of Christ’s second coming.

Historical Context and Founding

John Thomas, a British physician who later lived in the United States, began advocating for a return to what he believed to be the purity of New Testament teaching. Dissatisfied with denominational creeds and traditions, he studied the Bible extensively, comparing Scripture passages to develop a systematic theology. In 1864, amid the American Civil War, Thomas’s followers adopted “Christadelphians” as their official name for conscientious objector status.

Christadelphians often stress that their group did not “begin” in the 19th century but rather that they continue the earliest apostolic beliefs described in the New Testament. Nonetheless, the formal organization took shape under Thomas’s leadership, leading to distinct fellowship circles and doctrinal statements.

Scripture as the Sole Authority

Christadelphians hold that the Bible is the complete and inspired Word of God, relying exclusively on Scripture for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is God-breathed…”). They believe the Bible provides a unified message of salvation that culminates in Jesus Christ’s future reign on earth. Most traditional Christadelphian teachings emphasize the literal interpretation of the Bible, though members may differ on the extent of figurative or symbolic understanding in prophetic passages.

Non-Trinitarian Theology

A significant hallmark of Christadelphian belief is a non-Trinitarian view of God. Christadelphians believe in one eternal God (Isaiah 45:5: “I am the LORD, and there is no other…”), but they do not embrace the traditional Christian view of three coeternal Persons in one Godhead. Rather, they assert that Jesus is the Son of God, begotten by the Holy Spirit, yet not co-eternal or co-equal with the Father. Many point to passages such as John 14:28 (BSB: “The Father is greater than I.”) to underscore their conviction that Jesus, though supremely exalted, remains distinct and subordinate to the Father.

Regarding the Holy Spirit, Christadelphians interpret it as God’s power or influence rather than a Person. They typically view the Spirit as the means by which God accomplishes His will, inspires Scripture, and works miracles.

Jesus Christ and the Atonement

Christadelphians affirm the virgin birth and sinless life of Jesus while emphasizing His humanity. They teach that Jesus’s sacrifice reconciles humanity with God, a central tenet of their faith. His resurrection is considered the decisive victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). Nonetheless, they do not regard Jesus as the second Person of the Trinity but as God’s uniquely begotten Son, whose obedience and sacrificial blood provide a means of salvation for those who believe and are baptized.

Baptism and Salvation

Adult baptism by full immersion is a core Christadelphian practice. They hold that baptism is essential for salvation, interpreting scriptural directives such as Mark 16:16 (BSB: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…”) as requiring mature understanding and personal repentance.

Salvation is seen as a future reality culminating in resurrection and entrance into the Kingdom of God on earth. This future orientation aligns with passages pointing to a literal resurrection and the restoration of creation (Romans 8:19–23).

Belief in a Future Kingdom on Earth

Christadelphians firmly believe that Jesus will physically return to the earth to establish God’s Kingdom. They interpret Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 2:2–4) and New Testament passages (e.g., Revelation 5:10: “…they will reign on the earth.”) to support a literal, future Kingdom with Jesus as King.

They anticipate a time of global renewal under Christ’s reign, during which the faithful who have been resurrected or changed at His coming will reign alongside Him. This earthly kingdom will bring peace, justice, and the fulfillment of biblical promises made to Abraham, David, and others.

Rejection of the Immortal Soul Doctrine

Distinct from much of mainstream Christianity, Christadelphians reject the notion of an inherently immortal soul that departs to heaven or hell immediately upon death. Instead, they hold a conditional immortality view, teaching that the dead remain in the grave until the resurrection. They often cite Ecclesiastes 9:5 (BSB: “…the dead know nothing…”) and other passages as evidence that immortality is granted only through resurrection at Christ’s second coming.

Communal Structure and Worship

Christadelphian congregations, often called “ecclesias,” operate in a congregational model without an overarching denominational hierarchy. Each ecclesia self-governs, though there may be shared statements of faith or fellowships. Worship typically includes Bible readings, exhortations, prayer, and the weekly observance of the “breaking of bread” in remembrance of Jesus’s sacrifice (following Acts 2:42).

Their gatherings often reflect a solemn devotion to biblical study. Christadelphians frequently use comprehensive daily Bible reading plans, such as the “Bible Companion,” to ensure familiarity with the entire biblical text.

Ethical and Practical Living

Christadelphians generally encourage upright moral conduct, non-involvement in warfare, and conscientious objection based on Jesus’s teaching to love one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44). They often choose not to participate in conventional politics, believing that true peace and justice will only be achieved through Christ’s future Kingdom.

Relationship to Other Christian Movements

While Christadelphians identify strongly with the early church’s teachings, their non-Trinitarian stance often sets them apart from mainstream Christian denominations. They hold certain things in common with other restorationist groups—namely an emphasis on Scripture alone—but remain distinct due to some of their doctrinal differences, such as conditional immortality and a strictly future Kingdom of God on earth.

Archaeological and Historical Considerations

Though the Christadelphian movement itself traces to the 19th century, it draws heavily on biblical history and often references archaeological findings supporting the reliability of Scripture. Discoveries at sites like Jericho, Jerusalem, and regions around the Dead Sea have provided tangible context for biblical narratives. These findings are frequently cited to reinforce belief in the literal fulfillment of prophecy and God’s ongoing plan for humanity.

Modern-Day Expression and Outreach

Despite being a smaller movement, Christadelphians engage in missions, printed literature distribution, and online outreach to share their beliefs. They frequently hold public lectures titled “Bible Talks” regarding prophecies, doctrines, and the promised Kingdom. Their approach centers on personal study, encouraging individuals to rely on their own reading of the Bible to confirm any doctrinal claims.

Summary

Christadelphianism stands out for its dedication to Scripture as the primary authority, the belief in a future Kingdom on earth under Christ’s reign, the rejection of the Trinity, the necessity of adult baptism, and the expectation of physical resurrection as the believer’s hope. Rooted historically in John Thomas’s advocacy for a return to primitive Christianity, this movement prioritizes lay-led congregations, thorough study of biblical texts, and a strong belief that only through God’s promise of resurrection can humanity partake in everlasting life.

These characteristics define Christadelphianism as a unique religious movement focused on the central teachings of Scripture, expectancy of Christ’s return, and a straightforward, congregational approach to practicing faith.