A Revival Movement
Nothing is more thrilling than to read the stories of great revivals. Revival is a special season of spiritual refreshing and renewal when many believers simultaneously experience a deep moving of the Spirit of God in their hearts. One such revival took place in Britain early in the 19th century (around the year 1825) which is commonly known as the “Brethren Movement.”
The story of the Brethren Movement is not about the “sleeping” many, but of the “waking” few. Even in the world’s deepest “midnight”, there have been always children of the “light” and of the “day.” In the midst of a slumbering world, they were “awake”. God’s voice had reached them, His mighty power had raised them, and His holy Word had liberated them.
John Nelson Darby, Edward Cronin, John Gifford Bellet, Francis Hutchinson, William Stokes, Edward Wilson, Anthony Norris Groves, George Muller and several others along with them, were wide “awake” among “sleepers”; the “living” among the “dead.” These gifted and well-educated men had deep spiritual convictions. They disregarded all denominational barriers and came together for Christian fellowship, Bible study and to “break bread.” Eventually they were separated from all ecclesiastical (denominational) systems and came together “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The spiritual dynamism of these young “Brethren” significantly altered the image of the 19th century Christendom and made a profound impact on Christian believers all over the world.
It was a time in which many Christians in the British Isles had become dissatisfied by dead orthodoxy and authoritarian clericalism in their denominations. Into this desperate situation came the “Brethren” with their simpler and Scriptural church principles. They believed that all true believers in Christ belonged to the church (unity of the Body of Christ) and that human ordination was not required by the Scripture to preach the Gospel. They taught that more than one man per church had been gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry. The new found Scriptural freedom to gather together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to “break bread” and remember (“Do this in remembrance of Me”) Him without a presiding clergy, was an exciting truth for them. They could not feel at home in the denominational churches to which they originally belonged (mainly Anglican). Many like-minded Christians found their fellowship and meetings infused by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ.
Beginnings
The little flock of the first “Brethren” (brethren is the archaic plural form of brothers) gathered in homes and halls for Bible study, fellowship and breaking of bread. Most of these young men were in their mid or late twenties and were associated with Trinity College, Dublin. In 1826, Edward Cronin and Edward Wilson began meeting together each Lord’s Day morning for the breaking of bread, worship, and study of the Word in Edward Wilson’s house in Dublin (Wilson was a church deacon and Bible Society secretary at that time). Shortly after this, they moved to Cronin’s house and were joined by others (Cronin, who was a medical student and was actively involved in his church, was excommunicated for his views).
There were no ordained leaders, ministers or clergy in their gatherings. Their meetings were open and spontaneous, and spiritual exercises were prompted and guided by the Holy Spirit, though at times one of them also coordinated some of the activities in the services. Other groups with similar convictions started meetings of their own. In November 1829 in Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Square, two groups started meeting together in a large room belonging to Hutchinson.
In 1827 when Anthony Norris Groves from England visited Dublin, he suggested to Bellet that they break bread together. This they did in Bellet’s home (the weekly “remembrance meeting” “to break bread” became the most cherished distinctive of the Brethren). It was around this time that John Nelson Darby, one of the most prominent among the early Brethren, observed the simple kind of communion service for the first time. Many historians identify him as the “founder” of the Brethren movement and the developer of systematic Dispensational Premillennial Theology. He was a man of unusual strength of intellect and personality, who had graduated from Trinity College as classical gold medalist. Although he was selected to the Irish Chancery Bar in 1822, he gave up a career in law to enter church ministry. Darby was ordained as a deacon in 1825 and as a priest in the Church of England in 1826. But he chose to come out of all ecclesiastical ritual and hierarchy, and set apart his life to the ministry of the Gospel, to strengthen the fellowship of the saints who “gathered simply unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” and awaited the Lord’s imminent return to rapture His own (prophetic themes, especially the hope of the church - the rapture - was a prominent theme among the early Brethren).
J.N. Darby is also known for his Bible translation - The Darby Bible, formally known as The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation from the Original Languages by J.N. Darby. He also translated the Bible into French and German. Quite a brilliant mind! Darby penned his life motto in the lines of this hymn which he composed:
“Oh, the joy of having nothing, and being nothing,
Seeing nothing but a living Christ in glory,
And being careful for nothing,
But his interests down here.”
(For a short biography of J. N. Darby, see, Dr. Sunny Ezhumattoor, A Portrait of John Nelson Darby, Thekkel Publications, 2006. For a concise history of the Brethren Movement, see Plymouth Brethren by the same author).
Plymouth Brethren
Several independent gatherings started all over the British Isles (later spreading to other parts of the world). Revivalism and Scriptural simplicity certainly remained as the major spiritual outlook of these groups. In England, the first Brethren assembly was established inPlymouth in 1831, which is the source of the title “Plymouth Brethren.” This was not a name taken by them, but rather it was given to them by others. The new group was called by others as the “brothers of Plymouth”. Their brotherly love and warmth of fellowship definitely made a deep impression upon all those who observed them. The early Brethren were against all denominational labels. This was part of their core beliefs. They never had the thought of founding a denomination. They referred to themselves as “brethren” or “believers” who “gather unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (and no other name). They preferred that their gatherings be known as “assemblies” than “churches” (to distinguish it from denominational churches).
Two prominent leaders of the Plymouth meeting were Samuel Prideaux Tregelles and Benjamin Wills Newton. These men were responsible for one of the best Critical Editions of the Greek New Testament. Treggelles also wrote a Hebrew Grammar and translated Gesenius’s Hebrew Lexicon from Latin.He was also in the committee overseeing the preparation of the Revised Version.
Bethesda Chapel in Bristol was another important meeting of the Brethren. George Mueller, a great hero of faith, who established an orphanage in Bristol (1836), was one of the leading brethren in the Bethesda Chapel. Another leading figure in that meeting was Henry Craik, the son of a Scottish minister. He was Muller’s tutor. It is said that Craik’s knowledge of original language was beyond that of most men and his insight into Scripture was unsurpassed.
The first twenty year period of the Brethren Movement can be considered as their “golden era.” In the opinion of many historians, at least to some extent, it constituted the most illustrious and edifying chapter in the history of the church since the first century.
Beginning in 1848, a series of divisions divided the Brethren as “Open” and Exclusive”. It was a split in the Plymouth meeting that led into this fundamental division. It was to those who sided with Darby that the name “Exclusive Brethren” was given. The Exclusive Brethren have suffered many subsequent splits. It is the Open Brethren (this name distinguishes them from the Exclusive Brethren) who are known around the world as Christian Brethren, Independent Brethren or commonly, as Plymouth Brethren. Even among the Open Brethren one will find “tight” or “closed” and even (“open – closed”!) assemblies who may support some exclusive ideas and views (this book is concerned only with matters pertaining to the Open/Independent Brethren).
The First Brethren Missionary & Overseas Missions
George Muller’s brother-in-law, Anthony Norris Groves (1795—1853) is the first overseas missionary of the Brethren. Brethren historians also consider him as the first of the real “Open Brethren.” He had a pioneering influence that went beyond his personal reach. He gave up his dental practice in Exeter, England, and went to Baghdad, Iraq, as a missionary (1829). He went without the backing of any mission board and no guaranteed means of support; only in total dependence on God. No wonder he is known as the “Father of Faith Missions.” He was a true disciple who ‘took the Cross’ and followed his Master. He endured great hardship and personal sacrifice in the mission fields. His wife, Mary Groves, died in a severe epidemic of the plague (1831) and their little girl a few weeks later (Father of Faith Missions, an in-depth biography of A. N. Groves by Robert Bernard Dann, Authentic Media, 2004, is highly recommended).
In 1833 Groves came to India and labored for the Lord for almost fifteen years. “Oh!, that a double portion of his spirit would descend on all our drowsy and sleeping churches throughout Christendom” - that was the fervent desire of Alexander Duff, a Presbyterian missionary who had been a colleague of Groves during his missionary work in India. Concerning Groves’ ministry and its impact in India, E.H. Broadbent wrote these lines: “……that it would first become possible for true believers to cast aside their denominational differences and exhibit the essential unity of the churches of God in obedience to the Scriptures and in the forbearance of love” (The Pilgrim Church, Pickering & Inglis, 1931, 354-55).
Groves exemplified the true spirit of the “Open Brethren” throughout his life. He advocated the New Testament principles of Church and missions wherever he went. The work started by Groves in India witnessed great reviving and enlightening manifestations of the Spirit. Several independent revival movements also fanned the flames of that testimony. The Brethren Movement in India today is more active, growing, and dynamic than in most western countries.
(For a brief summary on the beginning of the Brethren Movement in India, particularly in Kerala, South India, see Brethren Distinctives written in English by Dr. Silas Nair, Brethrenassembly.com/Ebooks/Brethren Distinctives; and for more detailed information, see the History of the World wide Brethren Movement by T.E. Easaw, written in Malayalam).
One of the most important features of the Brethren Movement is their commitment to global missions. The overseas missions launched by Groves continue in many parts of the world today, leading people to Christ, and establishing New Testament assemblies. It is an unknown fact to many that Jim Elliot, Peter Fleming, and Ed McCully, three of the five young American missionaries who became martyrs in Ecudaor in 1956, were associated with the Brethren.
Brethren Influence
Though the Brethren assemblies have never been large in number as compared with the great denominations, their influence has been world-wide, and they have made tremendous contributions in the area of theology, Christian literature, and missions. “Brethren” is considered as the single most influential Christian group relative to its size. A wealth of literature, expounding the Scriptures, emanated from this group, and has had far-reaching influence around the world.
“Of all the groups of Christian believers that developed in the English speaking world in the nineteenth century, the one which produced the greatest number of gifted writers was the Brethren” (Wilbur M. Smith).
The dispensational, pretribulational, and premillennial approach to interpreting the Bible was promoted and popularized by the influence of the Brethren Movement (The Scofield Reference Bible became known to many as a handbook of dispensational theology. This is one of the most influential theological works of the early 20th century). Many independent and non-denominational Christian congregations have accepted the views of the Brethren on many lines, though they are not openly identified with them.
“For He said, “Surely, they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely.” So He became their Savior” (Isaiah 63:8).
Recommended Reading on Brethren History:
Baylis, H. Robert. My People. Ontario: Gospel Folio Press, 2006.
Coad, F. Roy. A History of the Brethren Movement. Exeter: The Paternoster Press,1968.
Ironside, H.A. A Historical Sketch of the Brethren Movement. Neptune: Loizeaux Brothers, 1985.