Christadelphian (kraɪstəˈdɛlfiən) is a compound word made up of "Christ" and "adelphos" meaning "Brother of Christ" in Greek. The word is used to describe members of a Christian sect, originating in the 19th century, that emphasizes the literal interpretation of the Bible and rejects many traditional Christian beliefs, including the concept of the Trinity. The spelling of "Christadelphian" reflects the pronunciation of the two constituent words and is commonly spelled with the initial "C" capitalized.
Christadelphian is a term that refers to a member or follower of the Christadelphian religious movement. The Christadelphians are a non-Trinitarian Christian group that emerged in the mid-19th century. The term itself is derived from the Greek words "Christos" (meaning "Christ") and "adelphos" (meaning "brother"). This reflects their belief in the brotherhood of believers in Christ.
Christadelphians hold several distinct theological beliefs that set them apart from mainstream Christianity. They reject the doctrine of the Trinity, instead affirming the strict monotheistic belief in the Father as the one true God. They also reject the concept of the immortality of the soul, emphasizing the biblical teaching of mortality and awaiting resurrection.
The Christadelphian movement places a heavy emphasis on the authority and authority alone of the Bible. They believe in the literal interpretation of scripture and hold that it is the inspired word of God. They engage in Bible study and discussion to understand its teachings and strive to live according to its principles.
Christadelphians typically gather in ecclesias, which are local congregations. Worship services include Bible readings, prayers, hymn singing, and exhortations. They also practice various forms of charitable work and community service.
In summary, a Christadelphian is a member of a religious movement that embraces non-Trinitarian beliefs, emphasizes the authority of the Bible, and seeks to follow the teachings of Christ through the brotherhood of believers.
The word "Christadelphian" is derived from two Greek words: "Christos" meaning "Christ" and "adelphos" meaning "brother". The term was coined by John Thomas, a founder of the Christadelphian movement, in the mid-19th century. It signifies the belief in being "brothers and sisters in Christ", emphasizing the communal nature of the faith and the importance of unity among believers.