Information
site on churches and mission, beliefs and practice associated
with the Christian Brethren (CB) denomination in Western
Australia
"These things I
write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am
delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct
yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth."
1 Timothy
3:14-15
NKJV
|
IHS-WA.net
Brethren History |
Also
view 'A History of the
Christian Brethren
in Western Australia'
by Ern West
A Brief History of
the Brethren - Open (Christian) and Exclusives
(Ed. Note: I
have often heard the criticism that the "Brethren" have been
split by divisions and breakaways over the years, much more so
than any other denomination, which has played at the back of
my mind in my 40+ years since my conversion and joining the
Christian Brethren. How ignorant of the truth I was since
coming across this short history article by Ian McDowell.
To
see that in 185 years (as at 2011) of the
Christian Brethren church they have remained firm to the
original premise of the gathered church in 1826, and have had
only 3 breakaways (in 1848 & 1883) which is astounding, and also
had 4 returns to the
fold. Almost all the splits and divisions have
occurred to the Exclusives - NOT to the Open / Christian
Brethren. While the first 22 years is not classed as
"Open" simply because there were no "Exclusives" at
that time, they were indeed open to any true Christ
follower wanting the freedom of open worship and fellowship,
then Darby's group split from this stream to begin the
"Exclusivists" line. The (Open) Christian Brethren church has maintained
a faithful, strong and far reaching influence upon the wider
New Testament church system than most people are aware of. The
chart below shows the faithfulness and care of our amazing God
to a people who love the truth of His precious Word, the
Bible, and the fellowship of ALL believers in Christ,
regardless of denominational background.)
A Brief History of the
"Brethren" - Chart of Divisions
This simplified
chart is based upon the one by Ian McDowell in his booklet, 'A Brief History of the Brethren'.
EXCERPT from - A
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
(wider)
“BRETHREN”
Booklet FOREWORD
Perhaps some will wonder whether it is worth while to spend
time on what is, in part at least, “a rather depressing by-way
of nineteenth-century church history in England”, to use words
of Professor F. F. Bruce. One justification would be that it
makes clear to the uninitiated that those “Brethren” whose
vagaries have received such sad publicity in recent years are
the successors of but one section of a great movement, and it
is very wrong to identify all “Brethren” with them. Then for
the “Brethren” themselves there are important lessons to
learn, and the chief, as it seems to the writer, is the folly
of putting too much emphasis on minor matters. If only the
teaching of Romans 14 had been heeded, the history of
assemblies might have been different. But it was not all dark.
We believe that the “Brethren Movement” was a genuine work of
the Holy Spirit. There was a great recovery of Biblical
teaching concerning the unity of the Church, the coming of the
Lord, the priesthood of all believers and the simplicity of
local church gatherings. In addition there was enthusiasm for
the preaching of the doctrines of grace and for missionary
enterprise.
I need
hardly say that the term “Brethren” is one that has always
been refused as an official designation by those of whom Mr.
McDowell writes. They have never claimed to be more than
brethren “with all that in every place call upon the name of
Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (I Corinthians
1:2). A great Bible teacher among “Brethren” this century was
C. F. Hogg, and one of his favourite verses was I
Thessalonians 5:21, which he rendered: “Test all teachings;
hold fast that which is good”. Those are wholesome words, for
even among “Brethren” in these last days there is a tendency
to follow the traditions of men rather than the Word of God. I
trust that these notes will help the reader to see some of
these traditions in their true light. I gladly commend this
“Brief History”. It is an accurate study, the fruit of wide
reading, careful thinking and much experience in assembly
life. If the purpose of history is to shed light on present
duty, it may help guide us to a true understanding of the
Church and the Churches.
T. Carson, Sydney, Australia, 26th March, 1968.
Booklet
INTRODUCTION
The writer collated this brief history from sources in his possession.
Most are difficult to obtain and scarcely less difficult to read;
hence the value to readers of brief extracts which cover most if not
all the essentials. He is ready at all times to receive additional
books and pamphlets from interested friends. Notes of lectures given
annually to second year students of the Emmaus Bible School in Sydney,
Australia, form the history. The information in the notes helps the
students to reconcile in their minds the apparent gap which they
observe between the Bible basis and actual practice of local church
order. Their emotional stability increases and a positive approach to
problems results. Members of Christian Brethren Assemblies in Sydney
have attended the lectures with interest whenever opportunity has
offered. Members of Assemblies generally have sustained a demand for
copies of the lecture notes from year to year, and the present
printing is in response to recommendations from them. May the events
and lessons of this brief history divert our minds from less important
issues to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ and to His Church in
both universal and local forms as the hour of His return draws near.
He is the Head, and all members are Christians. We Christians are
members one of another. Let these truths control our corporate
behaviour.
Ian McDowell.
 NOW
READ THE FULL BOOKLET in a printable PDF file....
For
those who wish to view the history of the wider Brethren movement
(Open & Exclusives) without delving into a myriad of volumes, here is a concise
booklet written by the late Australian Christian Brethren author
Ian McDowell, that you can read now for free - just click the link
below for the .PDF document...
A Brief History of the Brethren, (60 page booklet) published
in 1968 by Ian McDowell and made available by kind permission
of the author to the website
www.discourses.org.uk/
Also
view 'A History of the
Christian Brethren
in Western Australia'
by Ern West
Tracker
launched
16th May 2012
|