Who are the Christadelphians ?

1. Who are the Christadelphians? What do they Believe and Why?

2. Out Plan for Tonight: • The origin of the name Christadelphian • Christadelphian characteristics • How we organise ourselves • Our distinct beliefs and why we hold them • The origin of our beliefs • The logic of our beliefs • How they contrast with accepted Christianity • An appeal to you!

3. The origin of the name Christadelphian • A type of flower? • No! It’s taken from the Greek New Testament: ChristouAdelphoi, meaning brethren (brothers) in Christ (c.f. Col.1:2) • We have held this name since the middle of the 19th Century • We adopted it to give ourselves a unique identity, but the real name is Christian!

4. Christadelphian Characteristics • Our hallmark has always been PERSONAL CONVICTION! • based upon our own study of the Bible • Our own ability to reason from the scriptures • My own story is typical of many Christadelphians: • I learned to read the Bible daily from childhood • I still follow a Bible reading plan which covers the New Testament twice a year and the Old Testament once • I can explain my beliefs and the reasons for them in my own words • I was baptised (total immersion), upon expressing my conviction and earnest wish to do so, at 15 years of age • First time Christadelphians also read the whole Bible for themselves and gain a personal conviction

5. How we Organise Ourselves • We are grouped together into ecclesias, the Greek word for ‘Church.’ • This word those “called out” i.e. it’s people, called out from society to worship God, who comprise an Ecclesia • The buildings is of no consequence • We meet in buildings of many kinds, few of which we own • We do not have any paid Clergy – our preachers & teachers are all lay people • This prevents us becoming “hirelings”