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ANABAPTIST - CHURCH OF BRETHREN
More than two centuries ago in Germany, a new fellowship
of Christian believers was formed. The established churches
had become rich, powerful, and corrupt. They no longer
proclaimed the simple message of the New Testament.
Alexander Mack and other Pietists set out to form a
church as nearly like the First Century Church as possible,
and they took the New Testament as their rule of faith and
practice. The Church of the Brethren is the present
name given to that new fellowship.
Most of the Brethren migrated to America in the 1720s. In
basic orientation and background, the Brethren are
Anabaptist (reject infant baptism) and Pietist (emphasize
holy living). Brethren have historically accepted the basic
Christian doctrines along with practices sometimes neglected
by major groups of Christians. These include a commitment to
peace and reconciliation, an emphasis on simple living, an
opposition to taking oaths, the maintenance of a strong and
wholesome family life, service to neighbors, and the
practice of outward symbols taught in the New Testament
(such as feet washing and the sisters' veiling).
The Brethren believe in the Trinity: God, the
Father/Creator who has made Himself known through the Son,
Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ died
and was resurrected from the dead as an atonement for human
sins. The Holy Spirit works in the world, convincing people
to repent of sin and guiding them to fullness of life in
Christ.
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