To E-Mail us any comments or
questionsChristadelphian Beliefs
The Word of God - Our Only Authority
1. Christadelphian's attitude towards the Word of God
As Christadelphian's we believe that the Word of God is the only authority on matters of religion. We do not have a central committee or organisation which claims to be directly guided by God. Instead all matters concerning belief and manner of life in Christ should be measured against the guidance provided by the Word.
The Word of God therefore is our only authority. We believe that nothing should come between the individual believer and his / her bible and the reading of it. As a consequence of this basic stance and attitude, we as a community have very distinctive beliefs. We do not accept for example that the "traditions" of the "church" are received wisdom from God. As the prophet Isaiah said to Israel:
"To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah Ch 8:20)
All the wisdom of God which is necessary for salvation is contained within His Word. This word is able, of itself, to effect salvation if man will allow it work within his/her life. The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy in his second Epistle says:
"...that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim 3:15)
2. All scripture is Inspired by God
We believe what the Bible claims to be, namely the inspired Word of God. By definition therefore it is a revelation direct from the creator and sustainer of all things and as such should be treated with the utmost respect. The Apostle Peter explains how it came to be written as follows:
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2Pe 1:21)
The word inspired means "divinely breathed". Using the passage quoted above from Peter's second Epistle we have the idea of men being moved by God's breath just like a sailing ship is moved through the water by the wind to write the direct revelation from God.
(The Holy Spirit is the power of God set aside for a specific purpose. If you want to know more link to our web page explaining our beliefs in more detail concerning the Holy Spirit today)
These ideas are confirmed by the Apostle Paul who taught that:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect(i.e. complete), throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim 3:16-17).
The power of God to deliver this revelation was irresistible. For example the prophet Jeremiah was sent by God to speak to the people of Judah and as a result he was derided and ridiculed daily. As a consequence he attempted to withhold the word of God. He explains the result:
"thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay (or revised version "constrain"). (Jeremiah 20:7 - 9)
3 The Purpose of the Word of God
God has explained that one of the key purposes of His Word is to call out a people for his name. These people are viewed by the Husbandman (i.e. God) as fruit for His great harvest.
"For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)
This bringing forth of fruit to God is explained by the Apostle Peter using a different analogy. He describes the word of God as the Seed of God, which when it has been conceived and following a suitable gestation period will bring forth the new spiritual, moral man in Christ. A "man" given over to the serving of Christ and not ones own natural desires. This new "man" is brought forth out of the waters of baptism, the old man of sin having died.
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1Peter 1:23).
Further development of the new man in Christ is also dependent upon taking in the word of God:
" as new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby:.." (1Pe 2:2)
The Bible therefore is of critical importance to the believer at every stage in their development.
4 The Word of God based upon the Written Tradition
Many argue that the Word of God is based on fable and "stories" handed down by successive generations which were then at a much later date committed to writing. We do not believe this is the case. The evidence provided by Scripture is very clear on this point. The Scriptures are based on the written tradition and not the oral tradition.
Examples of such evidence are provided below:
In the Epistle to the Romans and Ch 4 we learn that Abraham had a written record of those Great and Precious Promises which God gave to him.
"And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him: but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead:" (Rom 4:22-23)
By implication this scripture is telling us that Abraham had a record of God's word. This record was handed on down the generations and eventually given to Moses who finally wrote it up in the book of Genesis as we know it today.
Moses was instructed to write down the law given by God in a book for succeeding generations to consult. Examples here include the following references:
Exod 24:4 "And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning ....."
Numb 33:2 "And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord"
Deut 31:9 "And Moses wrote this law and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi ...."
This tradition was handed on to the prophets. Further examples would be Joshua:
Joshua 24:26 "And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God,....."
The Apostles carried on the same tradition. They too were inspired by God. Jesus comments on this prior to suffering death on the cross for he said to his disciples:
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
The Apostles therefore were to receive special guidance from the Holy Spirit to teach them of the doctrines of the Truth revealed by God and to ensure that they could accurately record the events and words of the Lord Jesus Christ which he delivered to them during His earthly ministry. The recorded outcome of this work is the New Testament.
5 Do we need the Holy Spirit to Interpret the Word of God today?
Many have argued that we need the Holy Spirit today in order to interpret correctly the word of God. The Christadelphians do not believe this to be true.
The Scriptures are a record of the work of the Holy Spirit which worked through the Prophets and Apostles. A large proportion of the Bible is devoted to providing an inspired commentary on the Old Testament record which is itself inspired. It is through these commentaries and the overall record of the Bible that men and women today can come to a knowledge of God's Truth.
There are many indications within the Bible itself that the revelation of God is now complete. Examples here would include the following:
a) the Bible opens with the words: "In the beginning";
b) the Bible closes with the word: "Amen" (which is the agreed conclusion of the matter).
The Bible starts by considering the Garden of Eden and closes with the creative purpose having been accomplished, namely the Kingdom of God re-established on the Earth with man living in harmony with God.
There is a well developed methodology for reading the Bible effectively. If you want to know more, then see our web page which deals with this subject in more detail.
6. Conclusion
The Christadelphians are a community of Bible students. We would be pleased to consider any Bible questions you may have.
To E-Mail us any comments or
questions