I was driving along and I saw a "First Church of the Christadelphians" (why are they always the FIRST church?) and it occured to me that as ignorant as I am at what most of you (the greater Christian community) believe, this is something that completely escapes me. So, if there are any on here, or if you know one, who are you (they) and what do you (they) believe?
2007-07-12 04:00:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's a denomination from the Greek for "Brothers in Christ."
http://www.christadelphian.org.uk/ That will give you the basics of what they believe.
As for why they're always the "first," it actually just started out as a way of designated churches before we gave them fancy names. The first Baptist church in New York would have been called "First Baptist of New York," the second would be called "Second Baptist," and so on. Now if they're not the first they usually try to come up with a different name, because honestly, who wants to be "Seventy-Fifth Baptist Church of Orlando"?
2007-07-12 04:05:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I just checked and there is no congregation called "First Church of the Christadelphians", the group generally doesn't use the word "church" on their buildings either - at least in US and Australia, in the UK some do - but they use "Hall" or the Latin word "Ecclesia". But that's okay one can understand that driving past something that said "[Placename] Christadelphian", bit of a mouthful, it could easily be confusing.
As for who or what the church is, check out Wikipedia, or read the church's own Who are the Christadelphians booklet:
http://www.thechristadelphian.com/who_are_christadelphians_online.htm
2015-12-19 21:00:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Comes from Greek for "Christ's Brothers". It is a small denomination found in England in the 19th century. Only has about 150,000 memebers.
They reject many of the more common Christian doctrines. including the Trinity and the pre-existence of Jesus. They teach rather that Jesus was born with a sin-nature, overcame it, was crucified, raised from the dead, and THEN become immortal. They also reject the existence of an immortal soul, teach that "the devil" is not a person but a refer to "sin", and that "hell" is merely the grave. At death, you cease to exist. If you are "saved", then you will be resurrected at a future point.
They share much in doctrine (and in history) with the groups that would become the Seventh Day Adventist and the Jehovah's Witnesses (but they are not part of either group). They are considered by the mainstream of Christian faith to be a cult.
2007-07-12 04:17:39 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A member of the Church of Brotherly Love?
2007-07-12 04:04:31 · answer #4 · answered by Sookie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That was the first I heard of them. It just shows you Christian means different things to different people. That is why I am a follower of Christ. (semantics, I know, but it keeps me happy)
Thanks AlleycatJo for website.
Just because someone labels themselves Christian doesn't mean they should be classified into one group.
(Oh, and I'm a Penguins fan)
2007-07-12 04:10:23 · answer #5 · answered by Amoeba Man 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christian Philadelphians?????
2007-07-12 04:03:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Um...
A Christian from Philly?
Great cream cheese and cheese-steaks but other than that.....I'm a Yankees fan
2007-07-12 04:02:59 · answer #7 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
dang it primo you took my response.
2007-07-12 04:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by Jake S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.christadelphian.org.uk/
2007-07-12 04:03:16 · answer #9 · answered by AlleycatJo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋