Also known as Christian Brethren, the Open Brethren represent a branch of the Plymouth Brethren, which is sometimes referred to as the Assembly Movement.
In 1848, the Plymouth Brethren split into two main branches, the Open and the Exclusive Brethren, over issues stemming from a disagreement between John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton.
Darby, a founder of the Plymouth Brethren movement, denounced Newton, then an elder of the Plymouth Assembly, the largest of the Brethren assemblies, over issues relating to prophecy and church organization. After Newton admitted to theological errors, others soon also came under attack by Darby, including George Müller and Henry Craik, of Bethesda Chapel in Bristol, who were berated for accepting two others from the Plymouth Assembly.
Darby's position was that disciplinary action taken by one assembly was binding on others. Müller, and others, took a position of inclusiveness, welcoming believers from other denominations to the communion table.
Those who followed Darby became known as the Exclusive Brethren, while the Open Brethren were those who followed Müller's group.
Once started, the division rapidly spread worldwide, with various assemblies taking one position or the other. Over the years, there were other splits and mergers, but most of those who identify with the Plymouth Brethren fall within either the Open or the Exclusive Brethren, although not necessarily by those names.
The Open Brethren became known for their orphanages and faith missions, although the Exclusive assemblies produced most of the movement's well-known Bible teachers and authors, such as Frederick W. Grant, William Kelly, and Charles H. Mackintosh.
Like many other Christian groups, the Open Brethren consider the Bible to be the first authority in matters of practice. Although each assembly is independent of the others in matters of doctrine, congregations that share similar doctrines maintain a high degree of cooperation. Being autonomous, there are variations in Open Brethren assemblies, from those that extend fellowship only to those who have left other Open Brethren assemblies to looser assemblies that receive strangers without question.
Among Plymouth Brethren, what would otherwise be known as congregations or local churches are referred to as assemblies. Buildings that are associated with Brethren assemblies are known variously as Gospel Chapels, Gospel Halls, Bible Chapels, Christian Assemblies, or by other terms.
There is a subset of Open Brethren known as the Gospel Hall Assemblies, which differ only slightly from other Open Brethren assemblies theologically, but are more conservative. The Gospel Halls are evangelical and dispensational. They tend to cooperate with other assemblies only when there is a shared doctrinal agreement. Gospel Hall Assemblies is a name that people outside of their group use to describe them. They prefer to refer to themselves simply as Christians, and do not use a denominational title.
Among Open Brethren assemblies, there is no central hierarchy, and most do not adopt creeds or confessions of faith, not because they disagree with the sentiments contained in some of these documents, but because they consider the Bible to be their sole authority. However, some Brethren assemblies have recently adopted statements of faith, largely emphasizing fundamentalist doctrines.
The only ordinances they adhere to are baptism and communion.
Open Brethren assemblies that refer to themselves as Gospel Chapels or Gospel Halls tend to be conservative, placing more emphasis on distinctive Brethren doctrines and characteristics. Those calling themselves Community Churches or Evangelical Churches are often more progressive, placing less emphasis on traditional Brethren distinctives.
Open Brethren assemblies are dispensational, pre-tribulational, and premillennial, although there are variations. Most of them teach eternal security, and have much in common with other conservative evangelical denominations.
Open Brethren has a strong emphasis on salvation, and justification by grace alone, and not through works.
Open Brethren believe that baptism has no role in salvation, but is an outward expression of faith and a public identification of that person with Christ. Baptism should take place only after a person has professed Jesus as Savior, and is done by immersion.
Some of the early members of the Plymouth Brethren were believers in the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, healing, and other miracles. However, the group soon adopted a position that holds that these gifts were for the early Church alone, ceasing with the death of the Apostle John.
Brethren Assemblies are generally led by local church elders, and most do not ordain pastors.
Recommended Resources
Begun by believers within the Christian Brethren Assemblies in Sydney, Australia, the site offers and defends a literal interpretation of the Scriptures from a premillennial and pre-tribulational position that includes God’s plan for Israel and the Church. Its history, a statement of faith and purpose, a calendar of seminars, camps, and other events, articles, testimonies, and links to additional resources are provided.
http://www.awaketoisrael.org/
Created by a couple who were born and raised in the United States, who was working with a Brethren group in Poland known as the Free Christians when they created this site, it discusses the Christian Brethren, often referred to as Open Brethren. The history and an overview of the Open Brethren are put forth, including several of its prominent teachers and authors, organizational structure, and other details.
http://www.believershome.com/
Christian Brethren Church of New Zealand
In New Zealand, the break between the Exclusive Brethren and the Open Brethren occurred later than in other parts of the world, and to distinguish itself from the Exclusive Brethren, it took on the name of Christian Brethren Church instead of Open Brethren. Church and missionary contacts are presented, along with job vacancies, a calendar of conferences and events, and links to affiliated sites.
http://www.brethren.org.nz/
Christian Brethren Community Services
CBCS operates aged care facilities and retirement facilities in Sydney and Newcastle, each of which are highlighted here, with photos, amenities, available services, and other features, along with testimonials from family members, promotional video, and an argument for why CBCS might be the better choice. Vacancies are set forth, with information about touring the facilities, contacts, and a blog.
https://www.cbcs.com.au/
Christian Brethren in New South Wales, Australia
Associated with the Open Brethren of the Plymouth Brethren movement, the Christian group is known as the Christian Brethren in Australia, largely to differentiate itself from the Exclusive Brethren. A list of assemblies in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory are set forth, along with notices, events, and contact details, a list of associated organizations and movements.
http://www.christianbrethren-nsw.org.au/
Christian Community Churches of Australia
Representing a network of Open Brethren churches or assemblies in Australia, the Christian Community Churches of Australia are a network of like-minded autonomous churches and not a denomination. Local churches may be located through the site, and its schools, aged care facilities, conference centers, and services are featured. Other resources include a policy handbook, job vacancies, and contacts.
http://cccaust.org/
Established in 1945, the magazine is a publication of the Gospel Hall Assemblies, a conservative branch of the Open Brethren movement. Current and past issues can be viewed in PDF format online, along with articles from the publication, book reviews, and information on ordering the magazine. An online shopping area offers back copies of the magazine, pamphlets, books, booklets, and other items.
https://www.preciousseed.org/
