About Us
Understanding the Christadelphian Faith
Who Are the Christadelphians?
Christadelphian is a biblical Greek word simply meaning "Brethren in Christ". Christadelphians teach and endeavor to live the gospel or good news that Jesus Christ taught and lived when he walked the earth almost 2000 years ago. By using the Bible as the authority, Christadelphians profess a faith the Apostle Paul termed "The Hope of Israel".
We are a small group of Bible believers which meet twice weekly for our services in Thousand Oaks. Christadelphians put an emphasis on reasoning from the Bible and a faith based on proven facts. We believe in studying Scripture carefully and living according to its teachings.
The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith (BASF)
Our beliefs are summarized in the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith (BASF). This statement articulates the core doctrines that Christadelphians believe are taught in Scripture. Below are the foundational truths we hold:
The Bible
That the Bible is the inspired Word of God, containing the only true record of God's revelation to mankind and being the sole and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
God the Father
That there is one God, the Father, dwelling in heaven, who is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is immortal, of supreme intelligence, infinite in wisdom, and perfect in moral character.
Jesus Christ
That Jesus is the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He died for our sins, was raised from the dead by God, and now sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Mediator.
The Holy Spirit
That the Holy Spirit is the power of God, manifested in creation, in the inspiration of the prophets and apostles, in the conception and empowering of Jesus Christ.
Human Nature
That man is mortal, subject to death as a consequence of sin. We do not possess an immortal soul, but instead await the resurrection that will take place at Christ's return.
Sin and Salvation
That sin brings death, but through Christ's sacrifice we can receive forgiveness. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance from sin, and baptism by full immersion in water.
The Return of Christ
That Jesus Christ will personally return to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God, to raise and judge the dead, and to reward the faithful with eternal life in that Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God
That God will establish His Kingdom on earth with Jerusalem as its capital. Christ will reign as King, bringing peace, righteousness, and prosperity to all nations.
Israel
That the promises made to Abraham and David will be literally fulfilled. Israel will be regathered to their land, and through them God's purpose with the earth will be accomplished.
Resurrection and Judgment
That at Christ's return, the dead will be raised and both living and dead believers will be judged. The righteous will receive eternal life, while the wicked will be destroyed.
Distinctive Christadelphian Beliefs
While we share many beliefs with other Christians, there are some distinctive aspects of our faith:
No Trinity
We believe in one God, the Father. Jesus is the Son of God, not God the Son. The Holy Spirit is God's power, not a person.
Mortality of Man
We believe humans are mortal and do not possess an immortal soul. Eternal life is a gift from God through resurrection.
No Devil
We believe the devil is a biblical term for sin and temptation from within, not a supernatural evil being.
Kingdom on Earth
We believe God's Kingdom will be established on this earth, not in heaven, with Christ reigning from Jerusalem.
Conditional Immortality
Eternal life is conditional upon faithfulness to Christ. The wicked will be destroyed, not eternally tormented.
Baptism Essential
We practice baptism by full immersion for believers who understand and accept the gospel message.
Want to Learn More?
We'd be happy to study the Bible with you and answer any questions you may have about our beliefs. All are welcome to join us for our services.