- =[ Christadelphian History ]= - Information on the history, practices, and implications of the Christadelphian cult. Followers of christadelphianism and history of christadelphia cults

The History of Christadelphianism

In presenting information on the history, practices, and implications of Christadelphianism, the presenter at this site - Branson Hopkins - communicates from a position of intimate experience, having been attracted into this religious group, becoming a speaker and apologist for the group in Britain and elsewhere.

In a series of books he has summarily brought into focus the historical developments of the Christadelphian sect, their religious controls and his own subsequent enlightenment. Not seeking to malign the many in the movement who zealously seek "life", he directs attention to the founding principles of Dr John Thomas and today's consequences.

Please browse through this website using the links at the top of the page for more information on Christadelphian theology, and pointers to where you can obtain further information.

A recent correspondent wrote:

"We now see that everything in life happens for a reason, God is leading us to where he wants us to be - to be able to help others. We received Branson's books on 9th December, I was overjoyed when I read them. At last someone was brave enough to speak out."

Yet another wrote:

"It is sad that so much of the past history of the Christadelphian faith has been 'division, contention and exclusivity' as you put it. When I read your personal testimony of your life as a Christadelphian I could see the source of your disillusionment - the emphasis on division of fellowship that existed then. In the last ten years the divisions in some areas became less marked and less bitter, and there have been some improvements. Perhaps on of our greatest failings has been the over-emphasis on doctrinal correctness, not over the major doctrines but over the tendency to make major issues out of minor technicalities, instead of emphasizing our common love and fellowship. Hopefully this situation seems to be improving, particularly with the amalgamation of Dawn and Old Paths fellowships with the main body in recent times, although in other areas there is still a long way to go."

Does a leopard change it's spots? Can you put new wine into old wine skins?

The Christadelphian religion was created in America by a migrant English doctor, John Thomas. Joining the Disciples of Christ in 1832, a religious order (also referred to as the reformation) which had formed from groups attracted to the principles and propositions of a Presbyterian minister, Thomas Campbell, a migrant to America from Ireland in 1807.

Amongst the Disciples Dr Thomas quickly rose to prominence and notoriety. After fifteen years in the Disciple movement Dr Thomas amazed the religious world of eastern America when he claimed in 1847 to have re-discovered "the gospel", which he viewed as having been previously lost for almost 2000 years. This "dusted" off message was named by Dr Thomas as "The Hope" while in fact it was already recognised as the ancient Jewish hope of the restoration of Israel, already acknowledged and accepted amongst the Christian church. Dr Thomas' message drew some of Jewish descent towards his cause.

With missionary zeal Dr Thomas first extended his message in America and then across the Atlantic to Britain. Here he attracted the attention of a young man, Robert Roberts, who eventually became his "first" officer in Britain. In 1861, prompted by legal aspects arising from the American Civil War, Dr Thomas formulated and gave his followers, who until then had been known as "Thomasites", the denominational title of "Christadelphian".

Divergent in theology Dr Thomas' teaching on repentance expressed a new doctrinal approach. The Christian expectation that repentance preceded entry into the Christian church was superceded. Dr Thomas taught that, any of his initiates who retained in their memory (mind, knowledge) doctrines which centered on a future world kingdom focalised around a restored Israel and Jerusalem, and were then baptised while carrying this knowledge would receive repentence.

"That you be immersed", Dr Thomas taught, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, that you may become the recipient of repentence and remission of sins, or of an imputation of righteousness, through the name of Jesus Christ."

Becoming the first of his own order Dr Thomas arranged a baptism for himself into his own beliefs and subsequently required the same comittment from all who followed him.

The wider history of the founding of Christadelphianism, the inter-relationship and influence of Dr Thomas upon the founders of other American religions such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Adventists, World-wide Church of God, Churches of God, The Secret Sect, is outlined in the two books "Unmasking Christadelphianism" and "The Rise of the Cults". The personal experience of the author's involvement in Christadelphianism is presented in a third book, "From Christadelphianism to Christ". This recounts one man's experience of transition from a controlled mind and exclusivism to freedom.

For further information, please visit the Jubilee Website...
http://www.jubilee.org.nz/Resources/christadelphians.htm