The Brethren Church seeks to be a company of brothers and sisters joined in a fellowship and community of love and mutual edification. The Spirit of God within believers binds them together. Many Brethren enjoy a simple and unadorned life, dressing in plain clothing, covering women’s heads at church services, and making moral purity a high priority among members. They generally abstain from worldly amusements, do not engage in lawsuits or go to war, and often greet each other with a holy kiss.
Alexander Mack (1679–1735) and seven other German believers founded the Brethren movement in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. All of them had been heavily influenced by the Pietists, who abhorred dead orthodoxy and said Christianity was a faith to be lived and experienced, and by the Anabaptists, who wanted not to reform the existing church but to build a New Testament church from the ground up. Mack and his friends felt the churches in their area had become spiritually stagnant, and they sought a spiritual awakening. They wanted to return to the vitality and commitment of the first-century church. With the New Testament as their only creed, they stressed personal discipleship and desired that their lives be shaped by a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ.
Their movement started with small meetings in peoples’ homes for the purpose of prayer and Bible study. They referred to themselves as Brüder-Gemeinde (“Community of Brothers”). Mack was their first leader and minister. The new movement experienced rapid expansion in Germany.
Because they were not supporting the state church, their actions were interpreted by German authorities as disloyalty to the state, and they began to suffer persecution. This persecution took the form of confiscation of members’ property and the imprisonment of some in the movement. They were eventually driven out of Germany, and in 1723 they migrated to Germantown, Pennsylvania.
In their new locale, their zeal, honesty, and hard work yielded many conversions, and the movement expanded at a fast pace. Soon enough, congregations emerged in Kentucky and Ohio (1790s), in Missouri and Illinois (1810s), and in California and Oregon (1850s).
Distinctive Ideas in Brethren Churches
• Brethren churches are composed of a company of brothers and sisters in fellowship.
• Most members live a simple lifestyle.
• Plain clothing is predominant.
• Women cover their heads during church services.
• There is a strong resistance to worldly influences.
• Most believe in a baptism by threefold forward immersion. (The three dunkings are in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)
Founded: 1708
Members: 134,840
Congregations: 1070
Beginnings
In 1908, the Brethren movement started by Alexander Mack and his associates in 1708 (see above) adopted the name Church of the Brethren. Brethren, to church members, reflected the brotherhood that existed in New Testament times. The term portrays Christians as kindred spirits.
In the early years of the movement, a number of factors distinguished the Brethren from other Christians. Church leaders were not salaried or expected to receive a formal theological education. They had a strong commitment to church discipline when members fell into sin. Members opposed any involvement in the military, avoided taking any oaths, and separated themselves from all secular influences. They dressed quite plainly, and their living arrangements avoided extravagance.
In the 1900s, the Brethren made some changes. At their 1911 conference, the dress code was modernized, and people were now allowed to wear whatever they wanted. Church leaders started earning a salary and were formally trained. In 1957, women became eligible for church ordination.
Despite such changes, the denomination remained committed to following Christ in simple obedience in all things. They took Romans 12:2 seriously: “Do not be conformed to this world” (NASB). To this day, they continue to remember the instruction of Alexander Mack that people in the world would recognize the Brethren “by the manner of their living.”
The Bible. The Bible is divinely inspired. What is meant by inspiration is debated. Some in the denomination believe in verbal, plenary inspiration. Others believe the biblical writers merely had a heightened sense of spiritual awareness when they wrote. In any event, the Bible is viewed as a sufficient formulation of truth.
God. The one true God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is triune. Reference is made to the fatherhood of God, the lordship of Christ, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, is both Lord and Savior. He is the head of the church.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in the world. He guides believers in every aspect of life, thought, and mission.
Sin and salvation. All humanity is fallen in sin. To be saved, human beings must repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The church. The church is a fellowship of redeemed and baptized believers. It is a community of faith and commitment. By undergoing baptism, a person becomes a full member of the Brethren congregation and of the larger body of Christ. Government is both presbyterial and congregational. Final authority rests in the annual conference of elected delegates.
The sacraments. Baptism is by a threefold forward immersion. The person kneels in the water of the baptistery, publicly acknowledges his decision, and is immersed three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (The Brethren are often referred to as “dunkers.”) Baptism is for confessing believers only and is a symbol of the believer dying with Christ and being raised to engage in Christ’s work.
Communion is celebrated once or twice a year and follows the threefold actions of Christ in the upper room. First is a foot washing, which symbolizes humility and servanthood. Then comes a common fellowship meal, which symbolizes family. Following this is the sharing of the bread and cup, symbolizing the Savior. The service closes with a hymn.
The end times. Heaven is a place of blessing reserved for believers. Hell is the place of final punishment for the wicked. Some in the denomination believe God may eventually empty hell so that all souls will be restored to heaven.
Website
Different Views of the Inspiration of Scripture
Theory
Explanation
dictation
God raised up men, prepared their vocabularies, and then dictated Scripture to them.
natural inspiration
The writers of Scripture were men of great genius with talent like Shakespeare. There was no supernatural involved.
mystical
The writers of Scripture were Spirit-filled and Spirit-guided believers.
neo-orthodox
The Bible is a fallible and often unreliable “witness” that points to Christ.
concepts
The concepts, but not the very words of Scripture, were inspired.
Although the Bible contains many factual errors, it still has “doctrinal integrity” and thus accomplishes God’s purpose for it.
partial inspiration
The parts of the Bible that were otherwise unknowable were inspired.
correct view
God superintended the human writers so that, while allowing for their own personalities and writing styles, they recorded without error God’s Word to man.
BRETHREN CHURCH (ASHLAND, OHIO)
Founded: 1883
Members: 10,300
Congregations: 120
Beginnings
In 1882, some progressive-minded members of the Church of the Brethren (see above) withdrew from the main body because they desired a church that, unlike their present church, had an educated and paid clergy, Sunday school classes, a missions program, a congregational church government, and more liberty and freedom in the worship service (including more freedom in how one dresses).*
Within a year, these dissenting Brethren organized a convention called the Brethren Church. They allowed more modern dress, developed a missions program, and allowed an educated and salaried ministry leadership. Their present headquarters is in Ashland, Ohio.
The denomination emphasizes that how one lives the Christian life is more important than doctrine. Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) plays a major role in showing believers what the Christian life should look like.
Beliefs
The Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God. The Bible is authoritative, trustworthy, and true in every respect. The New Testament is the final rule of faith and life for the church.
God. The one true God is eternal, infinite, personal, and perfect. He is the Creator of the universe. He is eternally manifest in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is God from all eternity. He eventually became flesh, was born of a virgin, and lived a perfect life. He was the ultimate revelation of the Father. At the cross, He gave His life as a ransom for human sin. He was then resurrected, ascended into heaven, and now intercedes on behalf of believers.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit inspired Scripture, assisted Jesus during His three-year ministry, and opens the minds of believers so they can understand Scripture. He empowers believers for service; fills, seals, and baptizes them; gives them spiritual gifts for service; and enables them to grow in Christlikeness.
Sin and salvation. Because of Adam’s sin, the effects of guilt and corruption have passed on to every human being. Sin dwells in all people, making them unable to please God in their own efforts. The penalty for sin is spiritual death (spiritual separation from God).
People receive salvation by repentance from sin and personal faith in Jesus Christ, both witnessed by water baptism. God adopts these individuals into His family, forgiving their sins. Believers demonstrate the genuineness of their faith by obeying Christ’s commands.
The church. The church is the visible body of God’s followers, composed of those who have received Jesus as Lord. This body finds expression in local communities of believers (local churches). Through mutual submission they covenant together for worship, spiritual nurture, evangelism, and service. Government is congregational. Churches are semiautonomous. Conferences do not have authority over local churches except in those areas that the local churches authorize. Women can be ordained, though this issue is debated among many congregations.
The sacraments. Baptism is by immersion three times (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Communion takes place in the evening service and has three components based on Jesus’s example in the upper room: foot washing, which symbolizes cleansing and the need for humility; a common fellowship meal; and the sharing of the bread and cup.
The end times. Jesus will one day return personally and visibly as King of kings. All people will be resurrected and face judgment. Believers will enjoy eternal life, living with the Lord in the new heavens and new earth. The wicked will be confined to eternal punishment.
Website
• Moses and the Israelites sang praise to God in response to His deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 15:1-21).
• Deborah and Barak sang praise to God in response to being delivered from the Canaanites (Judges 5).
• Many of the psalms were originally accompanied by music.
• Isaiah’s songs of praise most often focus on God’s deliverance of Israel from exile and His future blessings on the nation (Isaiah 12:5-6; 27:2; 30:29; 42:10-11; 44:23).
• Believers are exhorted to sing new songs of praise (see Psalm 33:3; 40:3; Revelation 5:9; 14:3).
FELLOWSHIP OF GRACE BRETHREN CHURCHES
Founded: 1939
Members: 30,375
Congregations: 260
Beginnings
The Brethren Church (Ashland, Ohio) suffered a division in 1939. The conservatives of the denomination spoke out against what they perceived to be liberal tendencies of the Brethren Church. These “liberals” (the mainstream of the Ashland group) were Arminian in their theology, while the conservative dissenters (the “grace” group) were Calvinist in theology. The “grace” group split off and in 1939 founded the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible is verbally inspired in all parts. It is the infallible Word of God, wholly without error in the original manuscripts. It is the only authority for doctrine and practice.
God. The one true God is infinite in perfections. He exists eternally in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is eternal God and Lord. In the Incarnation, He became a man, begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death on the cross. He was resurrected bodily and ascended into heaven, where He now intercedes for believers at the right hand of the Father.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit baptizes and indwells believers at the moment of regeneration. He fills and empowers them for Christian life and service.
Sin and salvation. Adam fell into sin, thereby becoming spiritually dead. As a result, all humankind is dead in sin. A new birth is necessary for salvation. Salvation is received as a gift of God through personal faith in Christ and His finished work. Salvation is secure in Jesus.
The church. The church is the body and bride of Christ, composed of all true believers of the present age. Members are organized in local churches for worship, edification, and a worldwide gospel witness. Each church is autonomous but cooperates with other churches in fellowship and in working toward fulfilling the Great Commission. Church government is congregational. Churches send delegates to the denomination’s annual convention.
The sacraments. Each believer is baptized by a threefold forward immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a testimony of one’s conversion and obedience to Jesus. Communion includes a threefold service: foot washing, a common fellowship meal, and the sharing of the bread and cup.
The end times. There will be a pretribulational and premillennial coming of Christ. In the end, all people will be resurrected and judged. Believers will be rewarded and experience eternal life in heaven. Unbelievers will suffer eternal punishment.
Website
• sharing in Christ’s glory (Romans 8:17)
• no more death (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
• a reunion with Christian loved ones (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
• praising and worshipping God and Christ (Revelation 7:9-10)
• satisfaction of all needs (Revelation 7:16-17)
• serene rest (Revelation 14:13)
• intimate fellowship with God and Christ (Revelation 21:3)
Founded: 1778
Members: About 24,000
Congregations: 248
Beginnings
This denomination was founded in 1778 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It emerged out of the spiritual awakening in Pennsylvania during the late 1700s. This revival was rooted in the preaching of German Reformed minister Philip Otterbein (1726–1813) and Mennonite evangelist Martin Boehm (1725–1812). These and other individuals—heavily impacted by the Pietists and Anabaptists—had grown discontent with the formalism and spiritual dryness that predominated in the churches of their area. By 1767, a loosely structured movement of people impacted by the revival had emerged. About a decade later (1778), this loose movement solidified into the Brethren in Christ Church. (However, Otterbein and Boehm themselves became affiliated with another Brethren denomination—the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.)
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the authoritative and reliable Word of God and the final authority for faith and practice for believers.
God. The one true sovereign and living God is the Creator and Preserver of all things. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, and He transcends time and space. He is perfect, just, good, and holy. He is self-existent as a perfect unity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is eternal God. He has perfect equality and unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. In the Incarnation, He became fully human, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived without sin, died as an atonement for sin at the cross, was resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven, and now intercedes for us.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit eternally coexists with the Father and Son. He convicts sinners, awakens sinners to their need for salvation, regenerates the penitent, empowers and fills believers, illumines the Word of God so believers can understand it, equips believers for service, produces virtuous character (fruit) in believers, and intercedes for them.
Sin and salvation. Because of Adam’s sin, a sinful nature has been transmitted to all his descendants. Moral depravity and death thus became an inherent part of human experience. All humans are corrupted by a sinful nature and are unholy, self-centered, self-willed, and rebellious toward God.
Redemption is found only in Jesus. All who repent and turn to Christ in faith are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, and become children of God. They are acquitted of guilt (justified) and become part of the church. Those who walk in obedience to Christ’s lordship are secure in their salvation. Those who persistently rebel against God can lose salvation.
The church. The church consists of all who have trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is a covenant community, a redeemed community—God’s new community. As a covenant community, believers practice mutual accountability among members. The functions of the church are worship, fellowship, discipleship, and missionary work. The local church is largely autonomous, but it receives guidance from bishops. Churches submit to the general conference, which is the highest authoritative body in the denomination. Women can be ordained.
The sacraments. Baptism involves three forward immersions in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the believer’s submission to Jesus and identification with His death and resurrection. Communion is open to all the saved and commemorates the Lord’s death and resurrection. Christians are to examine their lives before partaking of the elements. Foot washing is also practiced, an ordinance that shows humility and service to one another.
The end times. Christ will return in power and glory, though no one knows the day or hour. The dead will be resurrected and judged. Believers will experience eternal joy and rewards in heaven. The unsaved will suffer everlasting destruction and punishment, being shut out eternally from God’s presence.
Website
CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST
Founded: 1800
Members: 45,000
Congregations: 500
Beginnings
As noted previously, during the late 1700s and early 1800s a spiritual revival occurred among the Germans who migrated into the Pennsylvania area. These revivals were largely led by German Reformed minister Philip Otterbein (1726–1813) and Mennonite evangelist Martin Boehm (1725–1812). These and other individuals had been discontent with the formalism and spiritual dryness that predominated in the churches of the area.
In 1800, Otterbein and Boehm—along with other clergymen who withdrew from their respective denominations, including Presbyterian, German Reformed, Mennonite, and Lutheran—associated to form the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Otterbein and Boehm were elected as the first bishops.
The denomination experienced significant internal disruption from the 1840s through the 1880s as they debated whether members could join Masonic Lodges and secret societies. The General Conference of the denomination was asked to ratify its constitution to allow membership in such societies, and a majority of members went along with this. Eventually, however, this majority group merged in 1946 with the Evangelical Association to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church, which in turn merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church.
Though the majority of members in the denomination merged with other denominations, a minority of the United Brethren in Christ remained. They adhered to the original constitution of the denomination, prohibiting membership in secret societies. Presently, the heaviest concentration of churches in the denomination is in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible is the Word of God. It is the only rule and guide of the Christian faith and contains the only true way of salvation.
God. The one true God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Governor of the universe. He is eternally revealed in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are equal in the divine nature.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully God. In the Incarnation, He became a man, having been begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He provided full atonement at the cross, was buried, rose again, and ascended to heaven. He now sits at the right hand of the Father, where He makes intercession for believers.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is equal in being with the Father and the Son. He comforts the faithful and guides them into all truth.
Sin and salvation. In Adam all human beings are fallen in sin. Through Christ alone we can receive eternal life. To become a Christian, one must repent and believe in Christ. Eternal security is not an official teaching of the denomination, though many within the denomination hold to the doctrine.
The church. The Christian church is a communion of saints. The Lord’s Day is to be kept holy by church members, spending it in exercises of devotion. Government is of a modified episcopal style (denominational bishops assign ministers to congregations instead of congregations choosing them). The highest authority is the General Conference, held triennially. Women can be granted ministerial credentials.
The sacraments. Baptism is celebrated, but the mode of baptism is up to the individual. Communion, which memorializes the sufferings of Christ, is celebrated, but the manner of remembrance is up to the individual. Foot washing is an optional practice.
The end times. Jesus will return one day to judge the living and the dead. There is a literal heaven and hell.
Website
• convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11)
• guides believers (Romans 8:14)
• intercedes for believers (Romans 8:26)
• indwells believers (1 Corinthians 6:19)
• gives spiritual gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:11)
• baptizes believers (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• produces spiritual fruit in believers (Galatians 5:22-23)
• seals believers for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30)
• fills believers (Ephesians 5:18)
• regenerates believers (Titus 3:5)
CHURCH OF GOD (ANDERSON, INDIANA)
Founded: 1880
Members: 250,000
Congregations: 2200
Beginnings
Beginning in 1880, Daniel S. Warner (1842–1925) and some like-minded associates sought to foster a movement that would restore unity and holiness to the church of their day. Influenced by the holiness emphasis of Pietism and Wesleyan theology, these individuals did not originally intend to begin a new denomination (though a new one did eventually emerge) but rather to turn people’s complete attention to Jesus Christ. They felt that loyalty should be to the Lord alone, not to denominations.
Their basic authority was not a creed or denominational statement of faith but rather the Word of God alone, as illuminated by the Holy Spirit. As the movement continued to grow, it eventually formalized as a denomination, taking the name Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).** However, it continued to reject the formulation of a creed or doctrinal statement that would be binding on all affiliate churches. For this reason, some minor variation exists today in the beliefs of affiliate churches. The denomination has no official registration of members, and, in fact, membership is not required.
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible is the Word of God and is divinely inspired. It provides the content and guidelines of the Christian faith.
God. The one true God is triune.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully God and became man to bring about our redemption.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers.
Sin and salvation. Humans are sinners as a result of the fall. Forgiveness is available as a result of Christ’s atonement on the cross. To be saved, one must confess sins to God in prayer, ask for forgiveness, and invite Jesus to come into one’s life as Savior and Lord.
The church. The church is a fellowship and community of believers who gather for regular times of worship, instruction, prayer, and fellowship. When a person accepts Jesus as Savior, he or she is born into God’s church. The church has no formal initiation rite and no formal membership.
Worship services are informal, involving expository preaching and singing. Government is congregational. Churches voluntarily associate with other churches. The General Assembly is the highest authority in the denomination. Women are accepted in the ministry.
The sacraments. The ordinances are not mandatory for being a Christian or for being a member of God’s family. They are symbolic of things God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Baptism is by immersion. By this ritual, the believer testifies to his regeneration in Christ and his entrance into God’s family. Communion is for all believers and is a celebration of the liberating death of Jesus, by which our salvation is made possible. Foot washing is symbolic of the servant attitude God desires us to have toward other Christians.
The end times. Christ will personally return, but not to set up a millennial kingdom. This denomination is amillennial, meaning that members believe God’s kingdom is here and now—it is an ongoing reality. There will be a general resurrection of the dead and a general judgment. The righteous will be rewarded and the unrighteous will be punished.
Website
• We will all stand before God’s judgment (Romans 14:10).
• Actions will be judged (Psalm 62:12).
• Words will be judged (Matthew 12:36).
• Thoughts will be judged (Revelation 2:23).
• Knowledge of God’s will is taken into consideration (Luke 12:48).
• Salvation will not be lost (1 Corinthians 3:15).
• Christians should seek to run the race well (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
• Rewards will be received or lost, depending on faithfulness (1 Peter 5:4).
Founded: 1885
Members: 107,300
Congregations: 690
Beginnings
Several theological and religious streams led to the formation of the Evangelical Covenant Church, including the Protestant Reformation, the religious revivals in Scandinavia in the early nineteenth century, and the home Bible study movement affiliated with the Lutheran State Church of Sweden. Those who became a part of this movement had been discontent with the lack of spiritual vitality and the formalism of the Lutheran church in Sweden. They decided to meet in small groups to study Scripture, pray, and sing together. There they found the spiritual vitality they had been lacking.
In the mid-nineteenth century, many of those affiliated with this movement immigrated to the United States. At first, they attempted to stay within Lutheran synods, but their ties to the Lutheran church eventually weakened and dissolved. They began to form their own churches.
In 1885, these churches joined to form a new denomination—the Evangelical Covenant Church. The denomination values the historic confessions of Christianity, especially the Apostles’ Creed. They utilize such creeds instead of their own statement of faith.
The denomination describes itself as evangelical but not exclusive, biblical but not doctrinaire, traditional but not rigid, congregational but not independent. Affiliate churches unite to obey the Great Commandments and to fulfill the Great Commission.
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible—including the Old and New Testaments—is the Word of God. It is the only rule of faith, doctrine, and practice.
God. The one true God is triune.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully divine and is the only begotten Son of God. He is the Lord and Savior of humankind. He died for humankind’s sins.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be Christlike, guides them, and gives them gifts to serve fellow believers.
Sin and salvation. Human beings are fallen in sin. By placing faith in Jesus, people are acquitted of the guilt of sin, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them. Following salvation, believers continue to grow in sanctification through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The church. The church is a fellowship of believers. It is characterized by a mutual participation in and sharing of the new life believers have in Christ. Membership in the church is by confession of personal faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Each church is autonomous. Government is congregational. The highest authority in the church is the annual meeting. Women can be ordained.
The sacraments. Baptism can be by either immersion or pouring. Both infant baptism and adult (new believer) baptism are permitted. All pastors in the denomination administer baptism according to the individual wishes of members. Communion is also celebrated and commemorates the Lord’s suffering at the cross.
The end times. Christ will return in glory, after which He will judge the living and the dead. Heaven is reserved for the saved, while hell is the eternal destiny of the unsaved.
Website
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF AMERICA
Founded: 1950
Members: 369,000
Congregations: 1316
Beginnings
The late 1800s saw a wave of immigration from Scandinavia into the United States. Many of these immigrants left the Lutheran State Church to come to America. Eventually two denominations emerged among these immigrants. The first was the Swedish Evangelical Free Church, established in 1884 in Boone, Iowa. The second was the Norwegian–Danish Evangelical Free Church Association, established in 1912 in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1950, these two denominations merged near Minneapolis, Minnesota, to form the Evangelical Free Church of America. Some 275 local congregations from these two denominations united, based on their common principles, policies, and practices.
The title of the denomination is significant. The term Evangelical points to the denomination’s continual proclamation of the gospel and its commitment to the authority of the Bible. The term Free points to the congregational government of each affiliate church (churches are free to govern their own affairs).
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible is the Word of God. The Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They have absolute authority and are the final rule for faith and practice.
God. The one true God is infinitely perfect. He is the Creator of all things. He is triune, with the three persons in the Trinity being of one divine essence.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is true God. In the Incarnation, He became true man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died for human sin and accomplished a vicarious atonement. He was then resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven. He now intercedes from heaven as our High Priest and Advocate.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. He also regenerates believing sinners. He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers them for godly living.
Sin and salvation. Humankind fell into sin and is therefore lost. Salvation and justification are based on the shed blood of Jesus for all who believe. By receiving Jesus by faith, people can be born of the Holy Spirit and become children of God. Some in the denomination believe in the eternal security of the believer. Others do not.
The church. The true church is composed of persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ. Only those who are members of the body of Christ are eligible for membership in the local church. Membership requires commitment to sound doctrine as expressed in the statement of faith of the denomination. However, the church allows for legitimate differences in the fine points of theology. Each church is autonomous. Government is congregational. Churches elect delegates to an annual conference.
The sacraments. Both baptism and the Lord’s Supper are celebrated, though neither one is necessary for salvation. Baptism is generally by immersion. Communion is for believers only, is celebrated once a month, and symbolizes Christ’s sufferings at the cross.
The end times. Christ’s premillennial coming is imminent. After He comes, He will reign during the millennium for 1000 years. There will be a bodily resurrection of believers to everlasting blessedness and a resurrection of unbelievers to judgment. Believers are destined for heaven, but unbelievers will suffer eternally in hell.
Website
Founded: 1457
Members: 900,000
Congregations: Unknown
Beginnings
The Moravian church was established in Moravia and Bohemia—what is today the Czech Republic—in 1457. Centuries earlier, these countries had converted to Greek Orthodox Christianity as a result of the work of two missionaries—Cyril and Methodius. By the early 1700s, the Moravian church became established in what is today Germany.
In the mid-1700s, German Moravian missionaries came to Georgia in the United States under the leadership of Augustus G. Spangenberg (1735). They relocated to Pennsylvania (1740) and later established a settlement in North Carolina (1753). The movement experienced healthy growth in these areas with significant evangelism among Native Americans.
During this general time, Spangenberg came up with a plan called “The Economy” to make the American Moravians self-supporting communities in the United States. He developed a communal system in which church members gave their time, talents, and labor to the church. In return, they were given a home, food, clothing, and church fellowship. The community was supervised by Spangenberg and a board of directors. This lasted for some two decades before the arrangement dissolved.
The movement experienced increased growth over the next century as waves of new immigrants arrived from Germany. New congregations quickly formed in Wisconsin, New Jersey, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The motto of the church became “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love.”
The Bible. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the sole guide for doctrine and faith.
God. The one true and infinite God is triune.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord and is the ultimate revelation of God. He redeemed humanity at the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven.
Sin and salvation. Humankind is fallen in sin. To be saved, human beings must come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by faith.
The church. Moravian churches offer a diversity of styles of worship. Churches are organized into provinces, with the highest authority being a worldwide synod. Women can be ordained in the church.
The sacraments. Both infant baptism and adult (new convert) baptism are acceptable. In baptism, the believer is united to Christ in His death and resurrection, representing death to sin and newness of life. The usual mode of baptism is sprinkling. Communion celebrates the benefits Christians experience as a result of Christ’s sufferings and death.
The end times. Christ will one day return. When this will occur is unclear.
Website
* As noted previously, the Church of the Brethren eventually updated its dress code, began paying its clergy, and allowed for clergy education.
** Note that this denomination is not related to the Pentecostal churches that go by the name Church of God.