The following document is from 22
February 1936. It is included for historical reference to show
that some of the concerns of the BRF were in evidence over twenty years
before the organization of the BRF in 1959. Not all the concerns
listed in this paper are the concerns of the BRF today or even in 1959.
This largely mirrors the concerns of the Dunkard Brethren, who withdrew
from the Church of the Brethren in 1926. Many sympathized with the
concerns of the Dunkard Brethren, but thought the Church could be revived,
and so did not withdraw in 1926. This is a slightly edited version
(the Bible books are spelled out in full.)
THE GIST OF
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
FOREWORD
For many years there has been a feeling on the part of a great Many
brethren and sisters that the Church of the Brethren is departing more
and more from the Word and Spirit of the Master and the faith of our fathers.
Some of these faithful brethren and sisters of both Eastern and Southern
Pennsylvania simultaneously petitioned Annual Meeting of 1926, held at
Lincoln, Nebraska, through the District Meetings of both State Districts,
to make a strong effort to regain the unanimity of faith and practice in
the church. The Annual Meeting considered their petition and gave the following
answer. See pages 11 and 12 of 1926 A. M. Minutes.
Realizing that in many ways the members of our beloved church are prone
to drift into worldly thought and conduct, and desiring to do all possible
to keep our church true to the teachings of our Lord and his Word, therefore
the Annual Meeting of 1926 reaffirms some of her fundamental teachings
and urges renewed faithfulness to them.
1. That all our ministers and missionaries be true to the declaration
of principles and purposes as required of all delegates to Annual Meeting.
2. That we continue our opposition to our members belonging to secret
societies and oath-bound organizations, and insist that pastors and elders
do not receive into, or hold in church membership, those who are members
of such organizations.
3. That elders and pastors be faithful in teaching the simple life;
that our members refrain from wearing immodest dress and jewelry and from
worldly amusements. We decide that the worldly custom of women bobbing
their hair is contrary to Scripture and Christian modesty, and urge all
sisters to adorn themselves as women professing godliness.
4. That. all members make a united effort to have the family altar erected
in every home; that worship in our churches be made as spiritual as possible;
and that the Lord's Prayer and the kneeling posture in prayer be not neglected.
5. That we renew our vows of love for the Church of the Brethren and
for one another, and urge that the Christian salutation of the holy kiss,
that great symbol of Christian love, be properly observed.
We then thought our hopes and prayers realized, but now, after waiting
patiently for ten years, we find even still greater departures and still
greater disregard of our aim to uphold the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles
as set forth in the New Testament.
Therefore, in harmony with said answer of Annual Meeting, we unite our
efforts to contend earnestly for "that faith once for all delivered to
the saints" (Jude 3).
We wish to preserve the church which we love so dearly, and which has
meant so much to us and to our forefathers, and which, we pray and hope,
shall mean the same to our children. For these reasons. we unite in this
effort to maintain our faith in the New Testament, which is the only creed
of the Church of the Brethren.
We humbly invoke the blessings of Almighty God and the guidance of the
Holy Spirit on this effort to adhere to the teachings of Jesus and his
holy apostles.
We pray for grace and favor in the sight of God and man, to preserve
inviolate our true Brethren heritage in doctrine and in practice, and thus
to pass it on to others as it came to us. AMEN.
THE CHURCH
It is important to understand what we mean by the word "church." It
is derived from the Greek word "Ecclesia"; and means "called out", a people
called out from worldlyism and converted unto God by the hearing of the
Gospel of Jesus, which was proclaimed by himself and founded upon his teachings;
that body of believers that cannot be moved, and of which Jesus said. "The
gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18), and which
was founded by him during his personal ministry on earth, with himself
as the head; that band of faithful people who, in early times, suffered
the severest persecutions, in which many of the most faithful sealed their
faith in God by shedding their blood; that body of people whose Shepherd
preserved faithful representatives of her doctrines through the Middle
Ages and strengthened her in the years of the great Reformation, and until
she resumed her ancient form, in the year 1708, at Schwarzenau, Germany,
and of which Alexander Mack, Sr., wrote saying: "We have, indeed, no
new church, nor any new laws; but in simplicity and truth we desire to
remain with the old church which Christ instituted through his blood, and
to follow the commandment which was from the beginning" (Mack's Writings, p. 138); that body which we know at the present time
as the Church of the Brethren.
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH --
HER ORIGIN AND THE EXTENT OF HER AUTHORITY
We are glad to acknowledge Jehovah God in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6).
Civil government is a divine institution, and carries with it restraint
on the one hand, direction and protection on the other (Romans 13:1-7).
The church of Jesus Christ is the highest Divine Institution on earth.
Matthew 11:13-19; 1 Timothy 3:15. She is a body of Christians of which
Jesus is the head. Romans 12:4, 5; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:20-22.
She is the successor of Jesus Christ, the divine mediation between earth
and heaven. (Matthew 18:18). the perpetual re-incarnation of the Word of
God. John 1:4; Colossians 3:16.
The church is the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16); the salt of
the earth (Matthew 5:13); the branches of the true vine (John 15:5); the
habitation of God (Ephesians 2:19, 20); the bride of Christ (Revelation
21:2-9).
The Church is a "called out" people, as Israel was called out of Egypt.
Thus all of God's children are called out of the Egypt of sin and darkness
and bondage, through the Red Sea of baptism, by the leadership of Jehovah.
1 Corinthians 10:1, 2; Hebrews 11:29.
The Church is a sacrificing people and not conformed to this world,
but a transformed people from within outward, to "prove that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1,2.
The Church is a "separate" people. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.
The Church is clothed with authority and power (Matthew 10:14; 28:17-20;
John 20:19-23: Acts 1:8), to give instruction on any specific issue and
to enforce discipline (Matthew 18:15; 28:20; Acts 15:13-31).
Discipline has often failed because of the scolding, stinging, "get
even" spirit, instead of a loving, parental brotherly spirit (Galatians
6:1, 2). The object of discipline is restoration rather than excommunication
(Matthew 18:17).
The Church has the power to restore the penitent ones and to excommunicate
the insubordinate, erring ones. This is a vital matter, and should be handled
with diligence and forebearance (Galatians 6:1, 2; 5:22-26). On chastening
see Proverbs 13:24; 23:13; Daniel 10:12). Disobedience to the Church, therefore,
is the only gospel reason for excommunication from fellowship. Thus it
was that Adam and Eve were turned out of the garden., Thus saith the Lord,
"If he neglect to hear the Church" (Matthew 18:17).
NEW TESTAMENT TEACHINGS
(What We Believe)
We firmly believe, accept and teach the fundamental evangelical doctrines
of the inspired Word of God; the personality of the Holy Ghost; the virgin
birth of Jesus; the Deity of Christ; the sin pardoning value of his atonement;
his resurrection from the tomb; his ascension and personal return; and
the resurrection of the just and the unjust. John 5:28, 29; 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18.
We observe the following New Testament rites: baptism of penitent believers
by trine immersion for the remission of sins (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38);
feet-washing (John 13: 1-20; 1 Timothy 5:10); love feast (Luke 22:20: John
13:4; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Jude 12) communion (Matthew 26:26-30); the
Christian salutation (Romans 16:16; Acts 20:37); the proper appearance
in worship (1 Corinthians 11:2-16; also call careful attention to verse
5 of the eleventh chapter of First Corinthians,which says: "But every woman
that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoreth her head";
the anointing for healing in the name of the Lord (James 5:13-18; Mark
6:13); the laying on of hands (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Timothy 4:14). These
rites are representative of spiritual facts which pertain to the lives
of true believers, and as such are essential factor in the development
of the Christian life.
We emphasize daily devotion for the individual and family worship for
the home (Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 4:8, 9); the stewardship of time,
talents. and money (Matthew 25:14-30); taking care of the fatherless, widows,
poor, sick, and aged (Acts 6:1-7).
We stress, teach and practice simplicity in dress, customs, manners
and ways of life that are consistent with the non-conforming teachings
of the Gospel. (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15).
We oppose, on scriptural grounds: War and the taking of human life (Matthew
5:21-26, 43, 44; Romans 12:19-21; Isaiah 53:7-12); violence in personal
and industrial controversy (Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:8-10); intemperance
in all things (Titus 2:12; Galatians 5:19-26; Ephesians 5:18) going to
law, especially against our Christian brethren (1 Corinthians 6:1-9); divorce
and remarriage of divorced persons (Matthew 5:32; however, separation is
allowed for one reason, as found in Matthew 5:32); every form of oath (Matthew
5:33-37; James 5:12); membership in secret, oath-bound societies (2 Corinthians
6:14-18:); games of chance and sinful amusements (1 Thessalonians 5:22;
1 Peter 2:11; Romans 12:17); extravagant and immodest dress (1 Timothy
2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-6).
We labor earnestly, in harmony with the Great Commission, for the evangelization
of the world, for the conversion of men to Jesus Christ, and for the realization
of the life of Jesus Christ in every believer (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,
16; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
We maintain that the ministry of the church is not a professional office,
but a Divine call by the Holy Spirit, through the church (Acts 1:23-26);
that the free ministry or supported ministry is conducive to the preaching
of the unadulterated Word of God; and that a plurality of ministers is
desirable, as is evidenced by the church at Antioch, which had at least
five ministers.
We hold that the New Testament is our only creed, in harmony with which
the above brief statement is made.
NEGLECTED ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
We believe .that the present tendencies to worldlyism in the church
are due to the unfaithfulness and laxity of the church in carrying out
these Annual Meeting Minutes, as listed below:
1. That the brethren wear plain clothing. That the coat with the standing
collar be world, especially by the ministers and deacons.
2. That the brethren wear their hair and beard in a plain and sanitary
manner. That the mustache alone be forbidden.
3. That the sisters attire themselves In plainly-made garments, free
from ornaments and unnecessary appendages. That plain bonnets and hoods
be the headdress, and that the hair be worn in a becoming Christian manner.
4. That the veil be worn in time of praying and prophesying (1 Corinthians
11:1-16, R. V.). The plain cap is regarded as meeting the requirements
of scriptural teaching on :he subject. (It is wise to stand directly on
verse 5, also 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
5. That gold for ornament and jewelry of all kinds shall not be worn
(1 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 3:3),
6. That no brother be installed into the office of minister or deacon
who will not pledge himself to observe and teach the order of dress.
7. That no brother or sister serve as delegate to District or Annual
Meeting, nor be appointed on committees to enforce discipline, who does
not observe the order of dress.
8. That it is the duty of the official body of the church to teach faithfully
and intelligently the simple, Christian life in dress; and bishops, who
are the shepherds of the churches, are required to teach and to see to
it that the simple life in general is taught and observed in their respective
charges.
In view of paragraphs 2 and 7, our hearts are burdened to behold what
was once a plain sister, now with her hair cut and fashioned, short-sleeved,
jewel-bedecked, a fashionable woman. Brethren, in a number of cases, have
the "put on" and "put off" feeling to suit the hour. The fashionable necktie
is common. Let us prayerfully consider. Because we have come short in prayerful
consideration, we have the "falling away."
PRESENT-DAY INHIBITIONS AND TEACHINGS
We believe that there are many presentday inhibitions and teachings
that are undermining our very faith, and that these teachings are not in
accord with the New Testament teachings of Jesus and his apostles. We list
some of these below:
1. We oppose the general omission of the Lord's Prayer. Luke 11:1, 2
says, "When ye pray, say," This is a specific command.
2. We oppose the general standing posture during prayer. The preponderance
of Bible testimony is in favor of the kneeling posture. Jesus in the garden.
Matthew 20:39; Isaiah 45:23; Romans 12:11; Philippians 2:10; Acts 21:5:
Ezra 9:5; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41. Two exceptions are Mark 11:25; Luke
18:11.
3. We oppose the use of the word Reverend, as a title for ministers.
The word occurs but once in the Bible (Psalm 111:9) and then it refers
to God. It is contrary to the decision of our general Conference Further,
it smack;s of "Romanism" and smells of professionalism for the ministry.
Even the titles "Mr.", "Mrs.", and "Dr." are without precedent in the Bible,
and should be omitted in Brethren literature and religious services.
4. We are opposed to the growing disuse of the Christian salutation
of love, as taught five time sin the New Testament (Romans 16: 16; 1 Peter
5:14; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26) and
practiced by our church for more than two hundred years.
5. We oppose the increasing disuse of the sisters' prayer coverings.
See Paul in First Corinthians, eleventh chapter.
6. We denounce church suppers, festivals. fellowship suppers, lawn parties,
measuring parties, dramas, theatricals and plays in churches. We do favor
liberal, cheerful. systematic, sacrificial giving as taught in the Scriptures.
7. We oppose the open communion and the use of the individual communion
cup.
8. We oppose the preaching of world and human brotherhood other than
by evangelism through Christ and the Holy Spirit in Christian Brotherhood.
9. We oppose the use of musical instruments in worship.
10. We denounce and teach against such statements that there is no merit
in any precise form of baptism; that some Scripture may not be true, as,
for instance, the Jonah story (yet Jesus makes reference to this incident,
Matthew 12:40); that the miracles of Jesus may not be genuine; that feetwashing,
being merely symbolical of service, might be omitted; that the revelations
of God in the Old Testament were merely emotional experiences; that we
should teach civic righteousness and social reform rather than salvation
through Christ; that the Bible does not meet the needs of the twentieth
century.
11. We oppose associate membership.
12. We urge prayerful consideration on the subject of "Fraternal Relations",
since there is great danger of compromising and sacrificing our gospel
principles.
THE CONCLUDING PRAYER
1. We earnestly and sincerely pray in these last times for the conservation
of the Church of the Brethren as she existed for two hundred years.
2. We fervently pray for each congregation and all to return to the
plain and simple life, non-conformed to the world. and that we may all
take our stand for Christ and the Church.
3. We pray that every lawful opportunity in harmony with the Word of
God may be extended to our young people for personal work in soul-winning,
the preparation necessary for Christian service.
4. We pray for the official brethren of the ministry and the deaconship
to be the guiding wisdom of the local church, the counselors of the Truth
in love and harmony with the Word of God; that this simple, co-operative
effort for the preservation of our true Brethren Heritage and the teachings
of our Blessed Lord Jesus and His chosen Apostles may bring honor and glory
to His Name.
5. We deplore the worldward trend in our church, and pray that it may
cease ere it pass the "danger point" on the stream of time or it will be
doomed for a fall. We pray that at least a remnant may be preserved, that
they often confer with each other, and will think much upon His Holy Name
as they contend for the faith (Jude 3) and preach the Word in season and
out of season. We pray that they may remain steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, that they may be willing to deny themselves
of ungodly and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly in-this
present world, looking for the realization of their blessed hope, the glorious
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ and thus be ready for the crown that
is for ail those who love his appearing.
6. We pray in the Name of our Blessed Lord Jesus that all presiding
Elders with their officials may prayerfully and thoughtfully consider the
contents of this booklet. and we urge the approval and adoption and teaching
of these holy and necessary things which are so highly essential in leading
the souls of men into a higher spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ,
their Savior.
And now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present
us faultless before the presence of his glory with .exceeding joy, to the
only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both
now and ever. Amen.
COMMITTEE