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GROUP NAME: Christadelphianism
FOUNDER: Dr. John Thomas, another man by the name of Robert Roberts helped Thomas out a lot, and once Thomas died helped organize the movement and get it more structured.
Born: 1805
Died: 1871
MEMBERS: Approximately 50,000 members in around 120 countries.
SACRED WRITINGS: The Bible as interpreted by the Christadelphians; also one of the first writings of Dr. John Thomas that laid out his views is called "Elpis Israel" which lays out the main view of the Bible according to Thomas' view.
There were also other printings such as "Herald of the Kingdom" and "The Ambassador" (later called "The Christadelphian")
CHRISTADELPHIAN VIEWS
It is hard to pinpoint specifically all that the Christadelphians believe. The reason being there are many groups within the movement and no absolute Statement of Faith between them. But listed below will be the major points they would hold about each one of the topics.
GOD: They believe God (the Father) is all powerful, the creator of all things, and a seperate person from the Son.
THE TRINITY: They deny the Trinity
JESUS CHRIST: They believe that He is the Messiah. But believe He is the son of Man in that He inherited sin nature from His mother, and His is Son of God, because He carries the attributes of God.
"Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is not the 'second person' of an eternal Trinity." (A.Hayward, "Great News For The World", pg. 41)
They believe that He was raised from the dead by God, and that God gave Him immortal life.
The chart below can also be found in the book: "Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions" by John Ankerberg and John Weldon.
THE DEATH OF CHRIST
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Christadelphian |
Christian |
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Forgives past sins (Incomplete) |
Forgives all sins, past, present, future (complete) |
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Representation and sacrificial |
Propitiatory and atoning |
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Provides the possibility of earning salvation by works and obedience (conditional) |
Secures salvation by faith alone (unconditional) |
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To secure the death of the sinful nature |
To secure full forgiveness of all sins |
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Died also for his own salvation |
Died for others' salvation |
THE HOLY SPIRIT: a power of God used in creation. Not required for a Christian's daily walk. Not a person
VIRGIN BIRTH: Would hold to a virgin birth
SALVATION: They do not believe a person can be sure of Salvation, but if one repents, is baptised and follows the doctrine, then they are on the right path to being in heaven.
After death they enter into a "soul-sleep" (knowing nothing) until the return of Christ.
HEAVEN: They don't actually believe in a heaven, but believe that the saved will abide on earth with Christ.
HELL: Hell is just death and the grave, and not a place of eternal torment.
SIN: They do not hold to a series view of sin. They believe there is sin, but it can be ridden off by following the doctrines of Christ which is actually the doctrines of the Christadelphian church. They consider the terms "Satan" and "Devil" just terms that represent an opposition to God.
INSPIRATION/AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURES: They claim that the Bible is their only source of authority and that it is inspired.
THE RAPTURE: N/A
THE SECOND COMING: Christ will return and reign on the earth with ones God decides are saved.
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