Shalom,

The peace and love of Christ shall be with you.

One day there were only one man and one woman. They came together and made the first children. From those children other children came. The population of human beings grew. Originally those siblings felt as one family, but more and more they grew out of eachother.

United as brothers and sisters

One day in the future they shall feel united again and as brothers and sisters they shall honour their Original Maker, the Divine Creator of the universe.

Today there are already men and women who feel united and who consider themselves as one spiritual family. They are united with "Delphia" which means 'brotherly love'. The name Delphia is mainly used in other languages. It is an abbreviated form of Philadelphia used in the Bible.

Belonging to the city of brotherly love

The Philadelphia stands for "the city of him who loves his brother" . Phila Delphia, from Greek φιλέω (phileo) meaning "to love" and ἀδελφός (adelphos) meaning "brother"

Although several ancient cities bore the name of Philadelphia we can find Philadelphia to be listed as the sixth church of the seven. The Seven Churches of Revelation, also known as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse and the Seven Churches of Asia, are seven major churches of Early Christianity, as mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation. All of them are located in the Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. In the apostle John his revelation we find a letter specifically addressed to the Philadelphian church.

“7 “And to the angel of the congregation in Philadelphia write: This is a message from the Saint – the Real One – the One possessing the key of David, the One unlocking so that no one can close, and closing so that no one can unlock.8 I am aware of your works: Look, within your view I have put an open door which no one will be able to lock. You still have a little strength and you have observed my word and have never denied my name.9 Now, look, I will force those members of the synagogue of Satan – those who claim to be Jews though they are not – look, I will make them come and bow in prostration before your feet so that they will know that I loved you.10 Because you observed the word of my own endurance I will also keep you from the hour of temptation coming upon the entire inhabited earth.11 I will arrive suddenly! Continue to hold fast to what you have so that no one takes your crown!12 “The person who conquers I will make a pillar in the Divine Habitat of my God and he will never leave it to go outside. And I will write upon him the Name of my God and the name of the city of my God, that New Jerusalem that descends out of heaven from my God, and also that new name of mine.13 Let the person with ears listen to what the Pneuma is saying to the congregations. (Re 3:7-13 mhm)

Aside from the peculiar fact that Smyrna was warned of temptation lasting "ten days" while Philadelphia was promised a total exemption from temptation, Philadelphia shares with Smyrna the distinction of receiving nothing but praise from Christ. This explains why modern Protestant churches sometimes use "Philadelphia" as a component in the local church's name as a way of emphasizing its faithfulness.

The spiritual City with followers of Christ

In the present world we also have the spiritual world were a great city is constructed for brothers and sisters in Christ. In that spiritual city those followers of Christ love eachother and therefore form that new City of loving Brothers of or in Christ, abiding and or belonging to Christ Jesus, who is their cornerstone of that city, and therefore Christa Delphia, the City of Brothers and sisters with brotherly love in Christ.

A Christian community built on the teaching of Christ and his disciples and their first century communities

As part of the "City of brotherly love in Christ" the Christadelphian community is spread all over the earth. Though it is at the moment only a small community, because many may be called, but few willing to follow the true path of Christ.

The name "Christadelphians" comes from two Greek words and means "brothers (and sisters) in Christ". (Col 1:2; Heb 2:11)

“to the Saints and faithful Christian brothers at Colossae – May you have God our Father's unmerited charity and serenity.” (Col 1:2 mhm)

“Because Jesus the One sanctifying, and those who are being sanctified, all originate from One God. So for this reason Jesus has no cause to be ashamed in calling those sanctified “brothers” (Heb 2:11 mhm)

Brothers and sisters of Christ

Christadelphians consider themselves as brothers and sisters of the Christ, the Nazarene master teacher, Jeshua, better known today as Jesus Christ. Christadelphians are convinced that this Nazarene rebbe was put on a stake to die outside the city gates of Jerusalem — that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.

“Therefore, also, Jesus suffered outside the gate that he might sanctify the People with his own blood.” (Heb 13:12 mhm)

“ By this “will” we are being sanctified through the offering of the “body” of Jesus Christ once for all time.” (Heb 10:10 mhm)

Being of the race of Christ

Christadelphians live and move in that son of man who gave his life for the remission of sins. As the God-created people they share the agapè love of Christ.

“ For, it is as even some of your poets have said: ‘In Him we continue living and we continue moving and we continue to exist.’ And also, ‘For we are also of this One's race.’ ”” (Ac 17:28 mhm)

Christadelphians consider themselves as brothers and sisters having Jesus his God and his heavenly Father also as their heavenly Father and their God.

“ Jesus said to her: “Do not cling to me! For I have not yet ascended toward the Father. Go to my disciples and tell them, ‘I am ascending toward my Father and your Father, and my God and your God’.”” (Joh 20:17 mhm)

Independent communities Worshipping the same God as Christ

All through history there have always been true followers of Christ, who worshipped the same God as Christ. So many centuries after Jesus Christ died, they still remember his act of giving himself for us. As a lay community the Christadelphians are generally patterned after first century Christianity. Each congregation (church or ecclesia) is independent without any paid clergy or church hierarchy. Each local church elects a small management committee to organise church activities but the committee is accountable to the local church members. All members contribute their time and energy voluntarily in service to God. A strong common belief binds our community together.

“4 For we have in one Body many members, even though all the members do not have the same functions. 5 Thus, though we are many in one Body united in Christ, we are members of one another. 6 And so, we each have different gifts according to the unmerited favor of the One who gives such gifts. If it be the gift of prophecy, then prophesy in proportion to your conviction. 7 If it be the gift of serving others, then be about service to others. If it be the gift of teaching, then be about that teaching. 8 If it be the gift of encouraging others, then be about such encouragement. If it be the gift of sharing materially, then focus on generosity. If it be the gift of taking the lead in front of others, then be about it with all diligence. If the gift be that of showing mercy, then do it cheerfully.” (Ro 12:4-8 mhm)

“4 Now, there are varieties of charismatic gifts, but the very same Pneuma. 5 There are varieties of services, but the very same Master. 6 There are varieties of inner-energies, but the very same God–the One energizing everyone in everything. 7 However, to every person is given the manifestation of the Pneuma for a purpose. 8 Indeed, to one person is being given a word of wisdom by the agency of the Pneuma; but to another person a word of knowledge according to the very same Pneuma; 9 to a different person a faith by the very same Pneuma; to another charismatic gifts of healings in the one Pneuma; 10 but, to another inner-energies of dynamic powers, to another a prophecy, to another discernment of inspirations; to a different person different languages, but to another person interpretation of languages. 11 But, within all of these persons the one and the same Pneuma is an inner-energy, uniquely distributing to each person just as it wills. 12 For just as the Body is one and yet has many members, all of these members though many are one body–so also the Christ. 13 For as in one Body we were all immersed into one Pneuma–whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons–and all of us were made to drink one Pneuma. 14 Also, the Body is not one member but many. 15 Even if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I am not part of the body, ”this does not mean it is not part of the body. 16 And if the ear should ever say, “Because I am not an eye I am not part of the body, ”this does not mean it is not part of the body. 17 If the whole body was an eye, where is the hearing? If hearing is all there is, where is the smelling? 18 But now The God set each one of the members in the body just as He willed. 19 Now if everything were just one member, where would be the body? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you.” Or again, the head cannot say to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 But, rather, the members seeming to be weaker exist as a necessity. 23 Also, those members of the body we think more dishonorable we surround with more abundant honor. And our uncomely members we surround with more abundant comeliness, 24 whereas our comely members have no such need. But, The God synergized the body in such a way to give more honor to those members lacking, 25 so that there should be no schism in the body. But rather, that its members should have an anxious concern for one another. 26 And so whenever one member is suffering all the members suffer together; and whenever a member is glorified, all the members rejoice together. 27 But all of you are Christ's Body and members individually.” (1Co 12:4-27 mhm)

“ None in Christ are viewed as Jews or non-Jews, as slaves or freeman, as male or female. Because all of you are one in union with Christ Jesus.” (Ga 3:28 mhm)

Keeping to Biblical doctrines

United in Christ and in faith, the brothers and sisters keep to the Biblical doctrines and not to human doctrines.

The Christadlphians consider the Bible as the infallible Word of God, which should be taken as their guideline or manual for a better life.

Way of life

The Bible gives effective direction to the Christadelphians their lives. They try to rely fully upon God and develop a faith which is active in prayer and good works. At the same time, however, they recognize that salvation is by grace. It is given for free, but we have to live accordingly.

With God's help, Christadlphians seek to please and obey Him every day, striving to imitate Christ who faithfully obeyed his heavenly Father, putting his own will aside to do the Will of God.

Christadelphians, trying to become like Christ, endeavour to be enthusiastic in work, loyal in marriage, generous in giving, dedicated in preaching and positive in their approach to living in the modern world under God's guidance.

A widespread custom amongst Christadelphians is to read the Bible every day using a reading plan which enables them to systematically read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice each year. Of course, many read much more widely than this.They have Bible study classes as well as weekends and study weeks.They also have Sunday Schools, Children's groups and Youth Groups. A weekend away at a Bible Study camp is always popular with Christadelphian young people.

After the death of Jesus the apostles continued his work and new disciples were formed as well as new nuclei or communities all over Asia.

Later the communities spread to the West and the faith in Christ became known all over Europe. But years passing brought also the introduction of more doctrines which were not according to Biblical doctrines. Certain Christian church leaders took Greek and Roman philosophy at hand and introduced other pagan rites in their services too.

By the 19th century a lot of paganism had entered what was called the Christian Church. Though people should know all the time there have been real Christians, keeping to the teachings of Jesus Christ. But they had become a minority by the 19th century.

In 1830, an English physician named John Thomas sailed to America. On the voyage, the ship met some unexpected bad weather and nearly sank.

For the first time, Dr Thomas faced the reality of his own mortality and was dismayed to discover that he was not sure what lay beyond death. In the midst of the storm he vowed that, should he survive, he would not rest until he had found a satisfactory answer.

He did survive and kept his vow, beginning a life-long search for Biblical truth. That search brought him to a better knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, which he considered to be the infallible Word of God, people had to follow more than all those theological writings of human beings.

By comparing what the Bible said and what was taught in many churches, Dr. Thomas soon became convinced that there had gone wrong a lot in those different churches that called themselves Christian.

Many of the popular churches had become so popular because they tickled the ears of their believers and were not afraid to adapt to the regions their pagan traditions.

It was not only the Roman Catholic Church which had gone far away from Christ's teachings. Also in many Protestant churches doctrines that were popularly taught and believed were inconsistent with the Bible.

Dissatisfied, Dr Thomas devoted himself to a careful independent study of the Scriptures and started preaching with the growing knowledge he got from the Scriptures. He made no claim to any vision or personal revelation.

The work of Dr Thomas attracted the support of others in America and Britain who were convinced of the truth of his conclusions. Together they formed the Christadelphian community. Since then, Christadelphian communities have been established in many countries all over the world.