What are the beliefs of the Brethren Church?

Origins and Historical Background

The Brethren Church traces its roots to early 18th-century believers who emphasized personal devotion to Scripture and the importance of following Jesus’ commands as recounted in the New Testament. In 1708, a small group of individuals in Schwarzenau, Germany, led by Alexander Mack, sought a form of Christianity modeled as closely as possible after the early church practices described in the Bible. From that foundation, various Brethren bodies emerged.

Within a few decades, many among these German-speaking Christians migrated to North America, particularly Pennsylvania, where they continued to develop their faith communities. Over time, differences in practice and theology led to multiple Brethren branches, but most share the same historical roots and a strong commitment to the authority of Scripture. The Brethren tradition continues today, emphasizing communal faith, humble service, and conformity to the teachings of the New Testament.

Core Doctrines

Brethren teaching upholds the essential doctrines of the Christian faith shared by many evangelical believers. They hold to God as eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and affirm that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. They believe in His atoning death on the cross and His bodily resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Brethren congregations also confess that humanity, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), fell into sin and is consequently in need of salvation by God’s grace. They affirm that believers are reconciled to God only through personal faith in the crucified and risen Christ, as taught in John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Biblical Authority

A hallmark of the Brethren movement is a profound respect for the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God. They often reference 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Brethren believers typically uphold a view that Scripture is internally consistent and meant to be the final guide for faith and practice. They emphasize careful study and application, gathering together to read and discuss the biblical text much as the earliest Christians did (Acts 2:42).

Salvation

According to Brethren doctrine, salvation is by grace alone through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). The work of Christ on the cross is the decisive act by which sins are forgiven, and His resurrection is proof of God’s power and promise of eternal life. Any person who believes in Christ’s redemptive work and confesses Him as Lord is saved (Romans 10:9–10).

Because of their biblically centered approach, Brethren emphasize living out the fruits of repentance and faith in everyday life. They typically embrace simple living, truth-telling, and active service as an outflow of the new life in Christ. Obedience to Jesus’ commands reflects an acknowledgment of His lordship (John 14:15).

Believer’s Baptism

A distinctive practice of the Brethren Church is believer’s baptism by immersion, grounded in biblical passages such as Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:3–4. Baptism is reserved for those who have personally professed faith in Christ, symbolizing the believer’s identification with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. This practice emerged from the Brethren desire to reject state or infant baptism in favor of what they see as a clearer expression of New Testament teaching.

Historically, many Brethren groups have performed a threefold immersion based on Jesus’ command to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), though forms may vary by congregation.

The Lord’s Supper and the Love Feast

An emphasis on communal fellowship leads most Brethren groups to observe the Lord’s Supper not merely as a ritual but often in conjunction with a “love feast.” Modeled on John 13 and the early church practices hinted at in 1 Corinthians 11, this ceremonial meal typically includes foot-washing, a common meal, and the bread-and-cup communion.

• Foot-Washing (John 13:14–15): Many Brethren practice foot-washing to symbolize humility and loving service, reflecting Jesus’ action toward His disciples.

• Communion: The bread represents Christ’s body, and the cup represents His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26–28). Celebrating these elements during the love feast allows congregations to focus on unity, humility, and caring for one another.

Other Practices

Brethren congregations generally affirm the “priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:9). While leadership structures vary—some have pastors, elders, or overseers—the community approach encourages all believers to study the Bible, pray, and serve.

Many Brethren traditions historically maintain a stance of peace and nonresistance. They highlight the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) concerning forgiveness, mercy, and turning the other cheek. In practice, this can motivate Brethren to peaceful living, conflict resolution, and service-oriented initiatives at home and abroad.

Church Structure and Leadership

Local congregations typically function with a degree of autonomy, though broader denominational or fellowship structures provide unity of vision and doctrinal consistency. Leadership often focuses on shepherding, teaching, and nurturing believers rather than top-down authority.

Across different Brethren bodies, elders or pastors often teach and care for church members in collaboration with a council or board. This structure aims to reflect New Testament patterns of shared leadership, as seen in Acts 14:23.

Lifestyle and Ethics

Brethren have long emphasized a genuine personal commitment to Christ, demonstrated in daily life. Moral and ethical guidelines align with biblical directives: honesty, purity, faithful stewardship of resources, and service to others. They stress that a believer’s life should match his or her profession of faith, consistent with James 2:17, which states, “So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.”

Within these ethics, modest dress and simple living used to be more prevalent, reflecting the idea that believers should stand apart from secular culture. While external forms vary among modern congregations, the principle of Christlike living remains central.

Global Missions

From the earliest days, many Brethren groups engaged in missionary work, often motivated by the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Today, Brethren churches continue to support missions, outreach, and humanitarian efforts worldwide, reflecting their commitment to sharing the gospel and caring for those in need.

Significance of Unity

Brethren believers strive for unity in the body of Christ and work to maintain respectful dialogue even amid differing perspectives. This attitude is rooted in passages such as Ephesians 4:3, which calls believers to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Within Brethren churches, practical expressions of unity often include shared prayer, community service, and mutual support in times of need.

Conclusion

The beliefs of the Brethren Church emphasize a return to biblical foundations, a commitment to believer’s baptism, communal observances like the love feast, and a practical faith lived out in simple devotion and service. While individual congregations can differ, a consistent thread runs throughout Brethren history: reverence for Scripture’s authority, the centrality of Christ’s atoning work, and a call to holy and humble living.

Historical documentation, including the early Schwarzenau records, demonstrates that these practices have deep roots stretching back to the founding movement under Alexander Mack. Archaeological findings and preserved writings support the reliability of biblical texts, reinforcing the Brethren conviction that Scripture is trustworthy and inspired by God. Through their communal life, worship, and global outreach, Brethren churches seek to honor Christ and follow the New Testament model as closely as possible.