The Bible’s message in a minute
- There is one God, the Father.He made the world with a purpose: to fill the earth with his glory and with people who share his character.
- Sin brought death.Human beings are mortal. We have no immortal soul; death is a sleep from which only God can wake us.
- God sent his Son.Jesus, born of Mary by God’s power, shared our nature, never sinned, died and was raised to immortal life. Through him God forgives sin and gives life.
- Jesus is coming back.He will raise the dead, judge, and set up God’s Kingdom on earth, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and David.
- The gospel calls for a response.Believe it, repent, be baptised into Christ, and live as his disciple while you wait for his return.
Read our beliefs in more detail →
Meeting words you don’t know, such as ecclesia or memorial service? The glossary explains them in plain English.
A reading path
If you are exploring for the first time, these ten studies take you through the core of the Bible’s teaching in a sensible order. Each one is about ten minutes, with the key passages printed out.
- Scripture: the final authorityThe Bible was wholly given by inspiration of God and is without error as first written. Every teacher, tradition and church is answerable to it, and God has made it plain enough for anyone willing to search it.
- One God, the Father, and his Son Jesus ChristThere is one God, the Father. Jesus is his Son, begotten by the Holy Spirit through Mary, who perfectly revealed his Father and has been exalted by him as Lord.
- The Word made fleshJesus began to exist when he was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary, and was born at Bethlehem. He did not exist personally before his birth; he existed in God’s purpose and foreknowledge: the Word that God spoke, and then made flesh.
- The Holy Spirit: the power of GodThe Holy Spirit is God’s own power and presence, by which he creates, reveals his word and works out his purpose. It is God at work, not a third person.
- Death and the resurrection hopeMan is mortal, and the dead sleep in the dust. The Bible’s hope is not a soul flying to heaven but resurrection when Jesus returns.
- Satan, the devil and the real enemy“Satan” means adversary, and the devil is sin: in human nature, and in the men and powers through which it opposes God. Christ destroyed it at the cross, and at his return he will abolish it.
- The Kingdom of God on earthGod promised Abraham and David an everlasting kingdom on earth. Jesus will return to establish it, and the faithful will be raised to inherit it with him.
- The sacrifice of ChristJesus shared our nature, overcame sin in it, and by his death condemned sin in the flesh. Raised by God, he opened the way to forgiveness and life for all who are joined to him.
- Grace, faith and obedienceSalvation is God’s free gift, received by faith. The faith that receives it obeys, and God calls his children to continue in it until Christ returns.
- Baptism: buried with ChristBaptism is the immersion of a believer into Christ. Jesus commanded it, the apostles required it, and it is the step by which a believer comes into Christ.
Coming from another church? If you come from another church sets out what we already share, where the real differences lie, and which studies to read first.
Read the Bible for yourself
The best foundation is reading the Bible itself, all of it. Many Christadelphians follow a daily plan of three short readings that takes you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice each year. See today’s readings →
Common questions
Who are the Christadelphians?
Christadelphians are Bible-based Christians. The name means “brothers in Christ”. The community grew from the work of John Thomas, a doctor who emigrated from England to America in 1832 and set out to rediscover the teaching of the apostles from the Bible alone. The name Christadelphian was adopted during the American Civil War. Today there are Christadelphian ecclesias (congregations) around the world, including in New Zealand.
Are you Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons?
No. We are not connected with either. Like some other groups we do not accept the Trinity or an immortal soul, but our beliefs come from the Bible alone, without any additional books, prophets or a central organisation that directs what members believe. We have no headquarters and no paid clergy. If you are a Witness yourself, this short guide sets out what we share and where we differ.
Do you have ministers or priests?
No. Every member is a brother or sister in Christ. Brothers take turns to lead meetings, speak and teach, and every member is encouraged to read the whole Bible for themselves. Nobody is paid to preach.
What happens at your meetings?
The main meeting each week is the memorial service, where we remember Jesus by sharing bread and wine as he asked (Luke 22:19). There are Bible readings, prayers, hymns and a talk from Scripture. We also meet for Bible classes and study during the week. Visitors are welcome, and nobody will put you on the spot.
Can I come along?
Yes. We are a small fellowship and we would be glad to meet you. Get in touch and we will tell you when and where we meet, or arrange to study the Bible with you one-to-one first if you would prefer.
How do I become a Christadelphian?
By believing the gospel and being baptised into Christ. Baptism is by full immersion, for adults who understand and accept the gospel. Before baptism we study the Bible together and talk through the main teachings, so that it is your own informed decision. There is no cost and no pressure.
Which Bible do you use?
Quotations on this website are from the King James Version, which many Christadelphians still use for study because its wording is consistent and widely known. Any reliable translation is useful for reading, and comparing several can help.
Do you vote, or serve in the armed forces?
No. Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and not to resist evil with force, and to be strangers and pilgrims waiting for his kingdom. Christadelphians therefore do not take part in politics or military service, though we respect the authorities and pray for them. The reasons are set out in Following the Prince of Peace.
A question about what the Bible teaches? Questions people ask lists the common ones, each with a short answer and a link to the full reply.
Meet with us
We are a small Christadelphian fellowship in New Zealand. We meet regularly for the breaking of bread (also called the memorial service, where we share bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus), Bible study and fellowship, and visitors are always welcome. Get in touch and we will tell you where and when, or simply send us a question.