What obligations should a Christadelphian fulfil?
Endorsing Biblical teachings
It is essential that the person who wishes to join the Christadelphians subscribes to Biblical teachings.
Believing in only one God and imitating His Laws
Baptismal candidates are expected to bear witness to their faith in only one True God, Jehovah the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. It is also to That One True God that the Christadelphian will direct his prayers with confidence.
“And Jesus answering him said, It is written, Thou shalt do homage to [the] Lord thy God, and him alone shalt thou serve.” (Luke 4:8 Darby)
“(however, Jesus himself did not baptise, but his disciples),” (John 4:2 Darby)
A Christadelphian is expected to love the Only True God and to fulfil His Laws with full sense. The Laws of Christ are enclosed in the Law of God and as Jesus did the Will of God we must also do the Will of God and adhere to the Laws of Christ and the Laws of God.
“For when [those of the] nations, which have no law, practise by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law to themselves;” (Romans 2:14 Darby)
“But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up to faith [which was] about to be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23 Darby)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfil the law of the Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 Darby)
“If indeed ye keep [the] royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” (James 2:8 Darby)
“The secret of Jehovah is with them that fear him, that he may make known his covenant to them.” (Psalms 25:14 Darby)
“Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence;” (Proverbs 3:5 Darby)
“And he said to him, Thou shalt love [the] Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy understanding.” (Matthew 22:37 Darby)
“Because this [is] the covenant that I will covenant to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Giving my laws into their mind, I will write them also upon their hearts; and I will be to them for God, and *they* shall be to me for people.” (Hebrews 8:10 Darby)
Cleaned by the blood of the unloader, we must also keep ourselves clean
In addition to believing in Jehovah as the one true God, one must also believe in God’s sent son Jesus Christ as the promised Anointed Son of Man and Redeemer, the Messiah or Saviour.
“and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.” (Matthew 3:17 Darby)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal.” (John 3:16 Darby)
“as indeed the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 Darby)
“who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony [to be rendered] in its own times;” (1 Timothy 2:6 Darby)
“Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed [is] every one hanged upon a tree,)” (Galatians 3:13 Darby)
“that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship.” (Galatians 4:5 Darby)
“whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for [the] shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:25 Darby)
“What then [is] the superiority of the Jew? or what the profit of circumcision?” (Romans 3:1 Darby)
“And Jesus also, and his disciples, were invited to the marriage.” (John 2:2 Darby)
Cleaned by Jesus’ blood, we must also keep ourselves clean and do everything we can not to sin. Even if we were to pretend to be angry, we should get rid of that anger as quickly as possible and let us certainly not become culprits ourselves or do wrong things.
“and almost all things are purified with blood according to the law, and without blood-shedding there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22 Darby)
“But if we walk in the light as *he* is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 Darby)
“Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 Darby)
“Be angry, and do not sin; let not the sun set upon your wrath,” (Ephesians 4:26 Darby)
“Flee fornication. Every sin which a man may practise is without the body, but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18 Darby)
“Let none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or as overseer of other people’s matters;” (1 Peter 4:15 Darby)
Living rules and norms of God
It is therefore important to bear the name Brother in Christ with dignity, by trying to be an image of Jesus Christ. As he did the Will of God, Christadelphians must also observe the Will of God. Those who want to belong to the religious community of Christadelphians must thus be prepared to comply with the rules and norms of the Christadelphians, such as avoiding immoral behaviour, smoking, drug use and other sinful practices.
Being a Christian not only means that one must believe in Christ Jesus, the son of God, but that one must also imitate him and build his life accordingly.
“For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21 Darby)
“for I have given you an example that, as I have done to you, ye should do also.” (John 13:15 Darby)
“He that says he abides in him ought, even as *he* walked, himself also [so] to walk.” (1 John 2:6 Darby)
“5 For let this mind be in you which [was] also in Christ Jesus; 6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God;” (Philippians 2:5-6 Darby)
“Be my imitators, even as *I* also [am] of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 Darby)
Excellent behaviour is important, so that no one can speak negatively about the believer. Correct behaviour is also important, to honour God and His people, without any blemish or slander on the ministry. We should even be examples in our behaviour.
“having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may through [your] good works, [themselves] witnessing [them], glorify God in [the] day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12 Darby)
“and many shall follow their dissolute ways, through whom the way of the truth shall be blasphemed.” (2 Peter 2:2 Darby)
“3 giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves as God’s ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,” (2 Corinthians 6:3-4 Darby)
“1 Laying aside therefore all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings and all evil speakings, 2 as newborn babes desire earnestly the pure mental milk of the word, that by it ye may grow up to salvation,” (1 Peter 2:1-2 Darby)
“4 that they may admonish the young women to be attached to [their] husbands, to be attached to [their] children, 5 discreet, chaste, diligent in home work, good, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be evil spoken of. 6 The younger men in like manner exhort to be discreet: 7 in all things affording thyself as a pattern of good works; in teaching uncorruptedness, gravity, 8 a sound word, not to be condemned; that he who is opposed may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us:” (Titus 2:4-8 Darby)
“Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 Darby)
“Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;” (James 3:13 Darby)
As believers not formed by the world but by God’s Word and focusing on the right, under a new guise
If one wants to become a Christadelphian, one must dare to distance oneself from the desires of this world and no longer allow oneself to be formed by this system of things, but to be changed by the reform of one’s mind, while the old personality one had in the time of ignorance, travels for good.
“And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [your] mind, that ye may prove what [is] the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 Darby)
“14 as children of obedience, not conformed to [your] former lusts in your ignorance; 15 but as he who has called you is holy, be ye also holy in all [your] conversation; 16 because it is written, Be ye holy, for *I* am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 Darby)
“22 [namely] your having put off according to the former conversation the old man which corrupts itself according to the deceitful lusts; 23 and being renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 and [your] having put on the new man, which according to God is created in truthful righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 Darby)
“9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and having put on the new, renewed into full knowledge according to [the] image of him that has created him;” (Colossians 3:9-10 Darby)
For example, the Christadelphian has no room for wrong behaviour and feelings, and avoids this wrong attitude, such as jealousy, envy, greed, jealousy, selfishness, hypocrisy, laziness, contempt, pride, quarrelsomeness, drunkenness, gluttony, foolishness, debauchery, impurity, fornication, adultery, fornication, sweeping, ridicule, and other bad qualities. We must focus on the right things and those things that can be discussed favourably.
Going together in a community full of love for each other
We must adhere to the golden rule that we will not do anything to anyone else that we would not want anyone to do to us. It must be paramount that we love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Outsiders must recognize the Brothers by the way they follow Christ and share love with each other while adhering to the truth and serving with loyalty.
“By this shall all know that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love amongst yourselves.” (John 13:35 Darby)
“And to all these [add] love, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:14 Darby)
“For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things [are] true, whatsoever things [are] noble, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] amiable, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue and if any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 Darby)
“74 to give us, that, saved out of the hand of our enemies, we should serve him without fear 75 in piety and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:74-75 Darby)
“24 and [your] having put on the new man, which according to God is created in truthful righteousness and holiness. 25 Wherefore, having put off falsehood, speak truth every one with his neighbour, because we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:24-25 Darby)
“but in everything commending ourselves as God’s ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,” (2 Corinthians 6:4 Darby)
“in [the] word of truth, in [the] power of God; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left,” (2 Corinthians 6:7 Darby)
“13 For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; 15 but if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another. 16 But I say, Walk in [the] Spirit, and ye shall no way fulfil flesh’s lust. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire; 18 but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, disputes, schools of opinion, 21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Galatians 5:13-21 Darby)
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, 23 meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law. 24 But they that [are] of the Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26 Darby)
Members full of reasonableness, orderliness and satisfaction
In the community of Christadelphians, everyone is expected to show respect for each other and be ready for each other, while showing affection even to people who do not belong to the community.
“He hath shewn thee, O man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 Darby)
“Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for *they* watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17 Darby)
“To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.” (Proverbs 28:21 Darby)
“Put on therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;” (Colossians 3:12 Darby)
“and be to one another kind, compassionate, forgiving one another, so as God also in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 Darby)
“And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have anything against any one, that your Father also who is in the heavens may forgive you your offences.” (Mark 11:25 Darby)
“21 Then Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 Jesus says to him, I say not to thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22 Darby)
Don’t hesitate to meet
A Christadelphian is expected to live a godly life and to regularly read and study the Bible. It is also expected that the Christadelphian will participate in community life and regularly attend the meetings and services of the Brothers. At these meetings, everyone must be open to each other and help each other to grow further in their faith.
“But piety with contentment *is* great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6 Darby)
“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom [is] with some; but encouraging [one another], and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 Darby)
“For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20 Darby)
“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.” (Acts 2:40 Darby)
Finally
Fear Jehovah and bear the fruit of His Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity,” (Galatians 5:22 Darby)
“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 Darby)
“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do [his precepts]: his praise abideth for ever.” (Psalms 111:10 Darby)
“The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13 Darby)
“Let all the earth fear Jehovah; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” (Psalms 33:8 Darby)
“For the rest, my brethren, rejoice in [the] Lord: to write the same things to you, to me [is] not irksome, and for you safe.” (Philippians 3:1 Darby)
“Rejoice in [the] Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 Darby)
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Previous
- What are the obligations for a Christian?
- The non-traditional church born from spiritual life
- To stand for true baptism
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Additional reading
- Seeking and finding God
- Do we know the right things
- Where to learn the truth
- Bible Word of God, inspired and infallible
- Increase our zeal for the Holy scriptures
- God of gods
- Knowing God
- Real God
- Only One God
- Uniqueness of God
- Believe in One God
- God is one
- Attributes to God
- Character of God
- Greatness of God
- The Almighty Lord, God above all gods
- El Shaddai – the Strong One – de Sterke
- Jehovah Host of hosts
- Jehovah strength, armour and refuge
- God is Positive
- God the Father
- God’s Hope and Our Hope
- God Helper and Deliverer
- God His reward
- God’s instruction about joy and suffering
- Incomplete without the mind of God
- Being in tune with God
- Lovers of God, seekers and lovers of truth
- Nurturing a Close Relationship with God
- As near to God as you want Him to be
- Worshipping God
- How should we worship God? #8 Love one another
- How should we worship God? #11 New Life in Christ
- Drawing close to God
- To Glorify God and His Son
- Relationship with God, Jesus and each other
- Attitudes to God
- Worship
- Our Father in heaven
- Light of the world
- Jesus son of God or God the son
- Jesus son of God
- Jesus Christ the Messiah
- Knowing Jesus Rabboni
- Seeing Jesus
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- One Mediator
- Doctrine of Christ
- Commandements of Christ
- Ransom
- Salvation and Righteousness
- Faith
- Faith – Concerning Faith and the Gospel
- Truth of Faith
- Today’s Thought: A living faith
- Truth, doubt or blindness
- Getting out of the dark corners of this world
- Our life depending on faith
- My Faith
- Epitome of the One Faith
- Faith – Possibilities
- Faith and works
- Walking the Walk or Stepping on the right Path
- Today’s thought “Whoever does the will of God, he (or she) is …” (August 08)
- Denying yourself and doing God’s Will while following Jesus
- Life with God
- People of God
- Way of Life
- Taught by God to love one another
- So many being afraid – reason enough to step in the boat with Christ
- When feeling alone, afraid to connect with others in order to grow in faith
- Today’s thought “Which is the great commandment …?” (January 20)
- Additional thought for today 2 February: Transformed Christians Let evil not defeat you
- Today’s thought “If anyone has no love” (March 3)
- Today’s thought “But with you there is forgiveness” (March 15)
- Today’s thought “A new commandment” (April 20)
- Today’s thought “Let the word … dwell in you richly” (May 16)
- Today’s Thought “We always pray … that our God may make you worthy” (May 20)
- Today’s Thought “Preparing our minds for action” (June 11)
- Today’s thought June 19: This is love, that we walk …
- Today’s thought July 11 Reading 3 – Matthew 12:50
- Today’s thought “Not as I will but as you will” (July 25)
- Today’s Thought (August 03): Hospitality without grudging
- Today’s Thought (August 04): Rules for Christ’s followers
- Today’s thought Mark 1 “A new teaching with authority” (August 06)
- Today’s Thought (August 08): The importance of prayer
- Thought for September 8 Weak but standing strong in the ground swell
- This Sunday Looking at Colossians ch 2
- Today’s thought “About our attitude opposite others” (December 12)
- Today’s thought “Darker days, presents and Love for others” (December 13)
- Today’s thought “Qualities and feasts of people” (December 14)
- Today’s thought “God’s Word and great and valuable promises given” (December 14)
- Today’s thought “By this it is evident …” (December 17)
- Trusting the vision belonging to the time of the end.
- Life of Discipleship
- Jewish and Gentile Disciples
- Christian in Christendom or in Christianity
- Chrystalised Harmonious Thinking
- The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave
- Attitude of a Christian
- Ableness to forgive those who wronged us
- Thought for today (January 17): Walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit
- Extra verses to memorize John 15:5-6 Abiding in the vine Jesus
- Biblical Basis for Outreach
- Establish your hearts blameless in holiness
- Be Holy
- No one has love greater than that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends
- Brethren of Christ
- What are Brothers in Christ
- Brothers and sisters in Christ for you
- Brothers and sisters in Christ, united by the bond of the spirit
- Who are the Christadelphians
- Christadelphian opposite Christian
- From those preaching the Gospel and Baptism in Jesus name
- Reason to preach #4 Informed followers of Christ
- Good News Breakers
- Preaching of the Kingdom
- Are Christadelphians so Old Fashioned?
- Doctrine and Conduct Cause and Effect
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Related
- Not all christians are followers of a Greco-Roman culture
- The no one or nothing in the darkness
- A disrespected Father
- To will being present in us but to do it not always evident
- Material gain to honour God
- Today’s thought “No one can tame the tongue” (December 09)
- Today’s thought “Crisis among believers” (December 20)
- Blood Thicker Than Water?
- The Bible in Context- Jason Hensley
- Seeing the World Differently – William Patino
- What to do after you hear – Pattern 5
- 72 Seeking Truth – Peter Williamson
- 73 Simply Revelation – Greg Palmer Pt 1/4
- 75 Holiness in the Information Age – Michael Hyndman
- Living on the Edge
Share this / Shiriki hii na wengine:
During the trek, many rants were raised and Brothers Chris, Tim, Steve and Marcus tried to answer the questions and present good ground where there was doubt. Sister Miriam was given the honour a few weeks ago to ascertain whether the baptismal candidates were ready to fulfil their beautiful act of surrender.
Today is the day. Brother Steve left early this morning to pick up Brother 
Kanisa la Christadelphian huko Anderlecht 