Newbury Christadelphians
About us
We are a friendly and welcoming group of people, united by our shared faith in Jesus Christ. It is our delight to share the good news of Jesus with anyone who is looking for meaning and purpose in life — we believe that the message of the Bible shines God’s transforming light into our lives now, and into the future.
Walking in light
That’s why we use a lighthouse as our logo! Firstly, it’s a symbol of God’s light, as it says in the New Testament:
“ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor 4:6)
As Christians, we are daily walking in that light, God’s light shining through Jesus.
Secondly, it’s a reminder that as Christians we are called to reflect that light into the world around us, as Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:14-16)
That’s a huge responsibility, and we can only do this together, helping and encouraging each other to be more like Jesus.
A lighthouse is also a beacon of safety and the promise of a calm harbour after a difficult voyage; our church at Newbury shares the promise of Jesus to us all, who says,
“ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:28-29)
We will be delighted to welcome you to any of our services and events, to share the unconditional love of Jesus with you. We won’t put any pressure on you, but if you want we’ll be ready to chat and to answer any questions you may have about the wonderful hope the Bible offers us of a fulfilled life now and eternal life to come in God’s kingdom.
Our beliefs
Our fellowship is based on a shared set of beliefs in Jesus Christ and the good news of the Kingdom of God. We believe that knowing God through his Son has the ability to transform our lives now, and provides a wonderful and certain hope for the future.
Our beliefs are all based on our understanding of the Bible, which we believe carries God’s Word of truth and is the only source of knowledge about God and his purpose for us.
“… all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” and “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit”. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
We believe
God
is all-powerful and immortal; he is the Creator of all and the Father of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 45:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:6; Psalm 146:6
Jesus Christ
was born of the virgin Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was therefore Son of God, but with a human nature. He was tempted yet sinless.
Matthew 3:17; Galatians 4:4
The Holy Spirit
is God’s power through which He works in creation and in us.
Romans 8:11
Sin and death
we are all mortal as a result of our sin, which is disobedience to God. We are responsible for our own faults.
Romans 5:12; James 1:13-15
Promises
God loves his creation, and his plan of rescue began with the promises made to Abraham and to King David, and later the messages given through the Jewish prophets in the Old Testament. These were fulfilled in Jesus, who came to save us from our sin.
Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15
Salvation and forgiveness
is through Jesus who was crucified, died and was raised to life again by the Father. It is the gift of God for anyone who believes, is baptised and follows a life of faith and discipleship.
John 3:16-17; Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12
Salvation and forgiveness
is through Jesus who was crucified, died and was raised to life again by the Father. It is the gift of God for anyone who believes, is baptised and follows a life of faith and discipleship.
John 3:16-17; Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12
Baptism
is the total immersion in water of someone old enough to know and understand the Gospel. It is a symbolic death in water and a ‘resurrection’ to a new life as a son or daughter of God in the family of believers.
Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:38
Jesus will return
to earth as King to establish the promised Kingdom of God; his faithful followers will be raised to eternal life, creation will be renewed and peace and justice will fill the earth.
John 5:28-29; Luke 1:32; Acts 1:11; Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 9:6-7
Discipleship
means living and loving in a way that reflects the example and the teachings of Jesus. At Newbury church we encourage and support each other in this; our faith is a source of joy and hope, which we love to share with everyone we meet.
Our history
The name Christadelphian has been in use only since the 19th century and it simply means ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’. (It was chosen when it was fashionable for organisations to use Greek words!). It reflects the fact that we are a lay community, where all are equal; we don’t have ordained bishops or priests, or any kind of central organisation. Each community ( church or ‘ecclesia’) is autonomous, and all members contribute their time, energy and resources in service to God and each other.
We are united by baptism and beliefs held in common and because these are firmly Bible-based they are not unique to us but have been held by many other Christians throughout the centuries, from New Testament times through groups that emerged from the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and to today.
A brief history of the Christadelphians
In the 19th Century, there was great debate, not only about the very existence of God, but about many doctrines and understandings of Christendom as a whole. It was a time of revival and reform in England and in America. Countless independent communities studied the Bible and accepted its simple teachings, often contrary to some established patterns of beliefs and creeds.
In the 1830s, a medical doctor, John Thomas, published the Herald of the Kingdom, which set out Bible teaching on the resurrection and the Kingdom of God. In Britain a journalist named Robert Roberts took up the same cause in the Ambassador of the Coming Age. Neither made claim to any vision or personal revelations – only to try and be honest students of the Bible and its message.
When the American Civil War broke out in 1861 those Christian groups who believed it was wrong to fight were required to register with the Union government. Believers in Illinois registered themselves as “brethren in Christ” or in a single word, “Christadelphian” and this name was soon adopted by many like-minded groups of believers in America and Britain. Since then, independent Christadelphian congregations have been established in many other countries worldwide, with the largest numbers in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and North America.
We are excited to see how many others are still being called to the gospel and to belief in God’s promise of salvation through Jesus and of a renewed creation on earth at his second coming.
Christadelphians in Newbury
There have been Christadelphians in Newbury since the late 19th century. It began with Philip Edward Davies, born in 1853, who was Secretary to a large Baptist congregation in Newbury. He later joined the Strict Baptists, before becoming a Christadelphian in 1892 at the age of 39.
The Christadelphian Magazine of July 1892 which recorded his baptism on June 4th added, ‘his obedience established a witness for the truth in a fresh town and we hope that results may follow the efforts he put forward.’ His efforts started the following day, a Sunday, when an open air meeting was held.
Two further baptisms followed and on November 30th 1893 a group of five resolved to form a Christadelphian ecclesia (church) in Newbury.
Philip Davies was elected as ‘Recording Brother’ or secretary, and it was agreed to purchase an organ for £6.14s.6d.
Finding a suitable place to worship was a problem but a tenancy was agreed for the Ebenezer Chapel in Wharf Road from August 1894 at a rent of 2s.6d a week.
A small Sunday School was established the same year.
Since then, the church has moved venues several times:-
- 1902-1919 Masonic Hall on Northbrook St.
- 1919-1935 Oddfellows Hall in Craven Road.
- 1939-1945 the hall was occupied by the military and the private sitting room of the Caretaker, Mr. Beckley, was used.
- 1948-1956 Wharf St. Hall.
In 1974, a hall on the current site in Lower Way, Thatcham was purchased. Although a temporary building, it served us well for many years, but eventually it became no longer maintainable, and funds were raised to demolish and rebuild. The current building was opened on 9th July 2006.
Throughout these years, the Christadelphians have worshipped and witnessed in the Newbury area, holding regular services, public talks and preaching campaigns, hosting community events and opening our doors to anyone who wants to learn more about the gospel.
Recently we have welcomed many refugees – particularly from Iran – fleeing persecution for their religious beliefs, and who have since been baptised. They now have leave to remain; some are still in Newbury and are part of our congregation, while others are now elsewhere in the UK and attending other Christadelphian churches.
For many years, a few of our members have lived in Belgium, and have recently established a ‘satellite’ congregation in Anderlecht in the suburbs of Brussels. This group meets regularly for worship, Bible teaching and fellowship.
