CHRISTADELPHIAN RESEARCH

For my own reasons I have read much of the earliest church writers aka the early church fathers. I want to include an excerpt from the apology of Aristedes dated about ad 125 in other words within one generation of the close of the new testament. John Thomas did not rediscover the lost Truth, no more than the JWs or Mormons or Seventh Day Adventists. Christianity has been consistent from the beginning:

"The Christians, then, trace the beginning of their religion from Jesus the Messiah; and he is named the Son of God Most High. And it is said that God came down from heaven, and from a Hebrew virgin assumed and clothed himself with flesh; and the Son of God lived in a daughter of man. This is taught in the gospel, as it is called, which a short time was preached among them; and you also if you will read therein, may perceive the power which belongs to it. This Jesus, then, was born of the race of the Hebrews; and he had twelve disciples in order that the purpose of his incarnation might in time be accomplished. But he himself was pierced by the Jews, and he died and was buried; and they say that after three days he rose and ascended to heaven. Thereupon these twelve disciples went forth throughout the known parts of the world, and kept showing his greatness with all modesty and uprightness. And hence also those of the present day who believe that preaching are called Christians, and they are become famous."

Here then is a plain very early acknowledgement of both Jesus pre-existence and also full deity.

From another early source, the Epistle to Diognetus, here is a simple, eloquent explanation of substitutionary atonement which has been ridiculed in the Christadelphian community.

"it should now, through the kindness of God, be vouchsafed to us; and having made it manifest that in ourselves we were unable to enter into the kingdom of God, we might through the power of God be made able. But when our wickedness had reached its height, and it had been clearly shown that its reward, punishment and death, was impending over us; and when the time had come which God had before appointed for manifesting His own kindness and power, how the one love of God, through exceeding regard for men, did not regard us with hatred, nor thrust us away, nor remember our iniquity against us, but showed great long-suffering, and bore with us, He Himself took on Him the burden of our iniquities, He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for them that are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! that the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors! Having therefore convinced us in the former time that our nature was unable to attain to life, and having now revealed the Saviour who is able to save even those things which it was [formerly] impossible to save, by both these facts He desired to lead us to trust in His kindness, to esteem Him our Nourisher, Father, Teacher, Counsellor, Healer, our Wisdom, Light, Honour, Glory, Power, and Life, so that we should not be anxious[ concerning clothing and food."

I apologize for the length of this, but if there are any who wish to read further there are a number of very early texts. Re-reading the marytrdom of Polycarp again, I find a belief in Satan, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and in immediate reward upon death. These writings provide a wonderful glimpse into both the eraliest Christians beliefs and also their manner of life. They have been enormously helpful to me in my journey out of Christadelphia.

This is a very interesting website. It's always good for any religious community to test its beliefs and traditions.

thanks for all this info, it has been very helpful

Pat, I am not surprised the way you were treated, I am not a christo, but had a theological relationship with CD's and know few which I found ok, but bit up themselves that they know it all. At a lecture, one person said that John Thomas was inspired by God to rediscover the truth, but after investigating JT personally, I have found out that he was no different then you and I, he was not moved by God, he did not like everything Christianity preached so he got on the band wagon and started his own religion and passed on his views. Then he wrote books, but copied other writers, called his books " original, authentic ", he was plagarist, but many christos don't know, or do not want to know. I have heard Christos say" that they have been called out by God, that they alone hold the truth, they are priviledged to hold the key of knowledge to unlock the hidden secrets in the Bible, really, I see them now as nutty professors of the theologie, they have written off all other believers, " because we know" CD's like to think that they are kings with knowledge and can search out all. And yes they watch middle east with hawk eyes for signs " Jesus is coming soon ". Christ said " I will come like a thief in the night " so no one knows when, but we can only assume. Are they a cult, perhaps not , but are a cult minded sect.

Are your members aware a group of Christadelphians went so nutty on their doctrine that it resulted in a small migration to Israel?  The folks believed the Second Advent was imminent, and sold all of their houses and possessions and went to await Christ's imminent arrival in the Holy Land.  Of course, the dear one never put in an appearance.  The result was suicide attempts, deportations, divorces, violence, incarcerations, bankruptcies.

And this is not a cult?  By whose definition does it not qualify?  

And this was evident long before the above-mentioned migration.  In one church to which I belonged, the entire meeting was run based on fear of the church's self-appointed firebrand.  

My experiences with this religion were nightmarish.

I was excommunicated for "marrying out of the Truth."  Meaning, I married someone outside of the religion.  Others, who had done likewise, were not excommunicated.  When I protested the double standard, they then changed the reason for excommunication to "being too long absent from the Table of the Lord" (meaning, communion / services).  But I'd had two elderly relatives in diapers and wheelchairs to care for, and had been unable to attend services, because the relatives could not be left unattended.  The church was ten minutes from our house, but no one there came to sit with the old folks, so I could sometimes attend services, and it also occurred to no one to bring communion to us.  Such disciples of Christ.....

So they kicked me out.  And with each passing year, despite initial disorientation and confusion and unhappiness, I have become more and more certain I can never return to their meetings.  They are, it has become clear to me, a cult.

Thanks for letting me. join the site .....

I am so glad that confess Jesus as my Lord in the Holy Spirits power and be thankful for you all in faith for christ in grace and let us be big indeeds with God and be learn of the Holy Spirit and sowing our seed in blessing ,thanks and bless,keijo sweden